Each month, dining reservation app Open Table analyzes nearly two million global dining reviews from the past four months and sorts them by location and category to create a “Best Overall Restaurant” list. The list is limited to restaurants that use Open Table for reservations and, as with any list based on the opinions of others, will likely have plenty who disagree. Today we’ll be sharing the most recent version for “Maryland-DC suburbs”, created on July 5th, 2024:
• Brazil Gourmet Pizzeria & Grill (9870 Main St. Damascus, MD): “Exquisite pizza and grill in the best style of São Paulo, Brazil.”
• Dragon Distillery and Dragon’s Den (1341 Hughes Ford Rd Suite 108 Frederick, MD): “Frederick’s first distillery and Frederick’s premier craft cocktail experience! Dragon Distillery is a medieval/fantasy themed distillery, with a spirit portfolio of over 20 spirits – including a variety of whiskeys, vodkas, gins, rums, and moonshines. Our craft cocktail lounge has both indoor and outdoor (weather permitting) seating. We have a craft cocktail menu of over 30 hand-crafted cocktails, along with delicious appetizers, sandwiches, and lite fare. We have a number of board games available to play, and two axe throwing lanes for entertainment.”
• Manalu Italian Restaurant (5227 Presidents Ct., Frederick, MD): “Manalu is a new authentic Italian restaurant by Chef/ Owner Marco Pontecorvo. The name was to combine all three of his family members names. MA for Marco, NA for Naomi, his daughter, and LU for Lucia, his wife. Manalu’s goal is to bring a taste of Italy and a touch of Naples in the town, by serving authentic Italian cuisine and the original pizza Napoletana cooked in a brick oven. The atmosphere is very cozy and warm, perfect for family and friends. Manalu also has a full bar and happy hour Mon-Fri from 4pm to 7pm. Happy hour also includes a food menu with delicious appetizers.”
• The Island Hideaway (14556 Solomons Island Rd S, Solomons, MD): “Welcome to the Island Hideaway. A family owned and operated restaurant offering an assortment of fresh New American Cuisine on Solomons Island! We have done our best to create a warm environment that offers a variety of tasty food.”
• Il Piccolo Morso (22825 Washington St., Leonardtown, MD): “Serving delicious Italian food and cocktails in Leonardtown, Maryland. We look forward to seeing you soon!”
• The Tasting Room (101 N Market St., Frederick, MD): “Established in 2001, The Tasting Room restaurant and wine bar has earned a reputation as a modern American force in the Frederick area. Situated in the heart of Frederick’s historic district, The Tasting Room captures the energy of Market St. with floor to ceiling windows and a 180° panoramic view. Fresh local ingredients, seasonal menu changes, Frederick’s best wine & cocktail lists, friendly/professional service, and countless regional awards set the standard for dining in our beautiful little city.”
• La Vela Italian Restaurant (251 C St., Solomons, MD): No description provided.
• Gregorio’s Trattoria (7745 Tuckerman Ln., Potomac, MD): “Gregorio’s Trattoria (trat•to•RI•a, an informal restaurant or tavern serving simple Italian dishes) is a local, family-owned restaurant where we want you to feel right at home, like you’re eating at our house. Our goal is to create a comfortable, warm atmosphere with consistently fresh, delicious food and amazing service.
Owner Greg Kahn and staff will do everything possible to make your visit a pleasure from the moment you walk in the door. We’re not a franchise restaurant, and serve only the freshest food made with locally grown ingredients whenever possible.”
Cava Mezze Rockville (9713 Traville Gateway Dr., Rockville, MD): “Your neighborhood hangout dedicated to shared plates and culinary excellence”
• La Malinche (8622 Colesville Rd., Silver Spring, MD): “Three brothers and a brother-in-law from El Salvador realized their long-held dream of opening a restaurant together in November of last year. Jaime Sorto, his brothers Hugo and Jose Bonilla, and his brother-in-law Jose Zelaya looked for a name that symbolizes their concept of two cultures coming together.
They chose La Malinche, the name given to a historical figure who has been at the center of controversy for centuries. The noble Mexican woman was enslaved and given to Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conquistador. She became his interpreter and confidante. Their son was viewed as the first mestizo, a child of mixed blood.
Many Mexicans consider La Malinche or Doña Marina to have been a traitor, but today, she is also honored as the symbolic mother of the country’s mixed-race people. At La Malinche, all of the starters, vegetables, meats and seafood are served as Spanish tapas, called botanas in Mexico.”
Featured photo shows the chicken Parmesan at Gregorio’s in Potomac