We have all watched with pride the transformation of downtown Silver Spring. The four city blocks now are home to theaters (live and film), restaurants, shops and services. Asian Bistro at 8537 Georgia Ave. (301-589-0123) is a recent addition. And it's not done yet. Coming this summer are Redrock Canyon Grill (already a hit in Gaithersburg), Ceviche (a Latin restaurant), Pho Hiep Hoa (a relative of Wheaton's Vietnamese place), Thai at Silver Spring and Warren Brown's cakelove. Arriving later will be Fuddruckers and Old Dominion Brewery.
The latest good thing, the Silver Spring Farmers Market, debuted last month on Ellsworth between Fenton and Cedar streets, adjacent to the Town Square Garage.
"We had 500 people the first Saturday. We were absolutely thrilled," says Ann Yonkers of FRESHFARM Market whose organization runs the market. FRESHFARM also has markets at Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom and Penn Quarter in D.C.
"So many good things are happening, and the expansion of the market is one of them. We really like being part of that. There are banners on the street -- we are just exuberant about that," she adds.
One market feature is occasional appearances by local chefs. Janis McLean from Silver Spring's Red Dog Café discussed cooking techniques at the first market, and organic champion Nora Poullion from Nora's Restaurant in D.C. was a more recent guest. Market hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., every Saturday through Oct. 29.
A dozen vendors are supplying fruits and vegetables, goat and cows' milk cheeses, yogurt, homemade breads, honey, eggs, pies, preserves, salsas, orchids, cut flowers and native plants. All FRESHFARM Market, farmers bring only what they grow or make themselves.
Marketmasters are Janna Howley and Kelly Green from the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, promoter of sustainable living.
For the latest information about what will be at the market, go to www.freshfarmmarket.org.
To keep you abreast of the dining scene, the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce has published a handy pocket guide. The Silver Spring Dining Guide includes Downtown, Montgomery Hills, Rosemary Hills, Four Corners, Long Branch and Central Takoma Park. Almost 200 eateries are listed alphabetically and by cuisine and located on area maps. There's also a route map for the free Silver Spring shuttle, called VanGo, which operates between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The guide includes hours of operation and an indication of entrÈe prices. Copies can be picked up at the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce office, 8601 Georgia Ave., Suite 203. The same information can be accessed on-line by visiting www.silversprung.com and selecting restaurants. For information about summer entertainment, check out www.downtownsilverspring.com.
Bethesda-Chevy Chase's first annual Restaurant Week, set for Saturday, July 18, through Sunday, July 24, will feature 20 restaurants. Brasserie Monte Carlo, Café Europa, La Miche, Clyde's of Chevy Chase, New Orleans Bistro, Mon Ami Gabi, Passage to India, Ri-Ra Irish Pub & Restaurant, South Beach Restaurant & Bar, Tragara Ristorante, Caddies on Cordell, Bistro Asiatique, Centro, Divino Lounge & Restaurant, Faryab Restaurant, La Panetteria, Taipei Tokyo, Thyme Square, Trattoria Sorrento and Bacchus Bethesda will showcase price-fixed gourmet cuisine items created especially for the event. Restaurants may offer a two-course lunch ($10) and/or a three-course dinner ($18 and/or $25). Each also will offer its standard fare at regular prices.
Send restaurant news and comments to Table Talk, The Gazette, 1200 Quince Orchard Blvd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878, call 301-670-2046, fax 301-670-7183 or e-mail baugust@gazette.net.
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