La Taqueria

After some decent internal debate, I convinced myself to try the Taqueria El Mexicano at 8417 Georgia Ave in between Wayne and Bonifant. And I can't say I was terribly impressed.

I was really hoping to find a gem in the rough. But I left the place a little disappointed. I chalk part of my disappointment up to limiting myself to the vegetarian options - of which there were few. Perhaps unabashed carnivores would fare better than me. But given my own rigid rules about steering clear of meat unless I know its origins, I had to stick with what ended up being a vegan lunch.

But it was more than just the menu that disappointed me. I was hoping to find a bit of a divey-spot, especially given its location; one would think it could very well be a dive. In my mind I was thinking some place with a limited menu, cheap, kinda spartan interior, but with good food.

La Taqueria has the potential to be a dive, but it's unfortunately trying to strive for something more. This is not the kind of place that should have white tablecloths. Are they trying to appeal to the Anglos in the neighborhood and they think we need this? At least for me, I want the opposite! How about less spent on the decor and more spent on food quality and preparation?

While on the one hand they're trying too hard with the tablecloths, on the other they didn't have real silverware. I mean it's OK with me if they want to go cheap, but why use silver-coated plastic silverware that try to look like the real thing? Just give me a real fork or just the basic white or black plastic model. And I could have used a fork with my meal, but was only given a spoon. And since my Spanish is extremely limited as was the server's English, I had to make do with a spoon. I survived, no big deal.

On to lunch. Given the limited vegetarian options I was pretty disappointed when I was told no cheese papusas. It was time to get creative. I pretty much had maybe 2 or 3 choices. I ended up choosing a platter of 3 small tostadas, a taco, rice and guacamole. And I was thankful they had a bar so a couple cold Mexican beers with lunch did improve my mood.

The tostados were fine, but not exciting in the least. I'm not sure why, but at the time I didn't even notice it lacked cheese! It consisted of a tortilla, beans and cabbage. I also topped it with some green salsa and guacamole. I mean you can't go too wrong with that combination. But it was pretty boring. However, not as boring as the taco! When it was served it was simply warmed corn tortillas filled with beans - no mas. C'mon, couldn't the kitchen staff be a bit more creative? Have they never encountered a vegetarian in the restaurant? I had to send it back and ask at least for some lechugua - lettuce. Luckily I could add some salsa, guac and rice too. And a second time, I somehow didn't notice there was no cheese. I know I said queso when I put in the order, but not surprisingly a lot was lost in the translation.

So I'm doubtful I will make it back to the taqueria. Although their breakfast menu did intrigue me. Maybe one day I'll try what I can only imagine is a Latin bagel - or as they call it, a baguel. Sounds kinda good, huh? I think my next Latin outing on the Avenue I will give La Bamba a try. The wife of a Mexican neighbor of mine gives it good marks. I can't imagine it could be any less exciting than La Taqueria. Oh well, I am glad I tried it.

SS Farm Market - one more time

Due to the Thanksgiving Day parade in SS on 11/22, our last farmer's market of the year will be 11/15. Sorry for the confusion.

Correction - SS Farm Market

OK, I guess it's the last time I trust the SS Penguin. Although now I have no proof!! They edited their site at some point since yesterday to make the correction. And I can't even get a cached version. Believe me, I was sober when I wrote the post.

Anyway, I wrote yesterday stating that this weekend was the last SS Farm Market of the year - based on what I read in the Penguin. But then a reader wrote in to say the Farm Market's web site lists 11/15 as the final Saturday for 2008. Now, we have a new date. According to Fresh Farm Markets, 11/22 will be the last one in SS for the year. So don't fret if you cannot make it this week.

And won't it be nice that after election day, we'll still have 3 weeks to buy our local produce knowing that Republican Party policies have been completely repudiated and Barack Obama is moving to Pennsylvania Ave! Am I counting my chickens too soon?

Don't miss it - last SS Farmer's Market of the year

I know - it is lame. How can our farmer's market end its annual run in October? I mean, it's not like we're living in some frigid climate. It seems the market should run at least till the end of November - and start in April - not May!!

But, this is what we have. It is nice to know that the Takoma Park market runs year-long now. The vendors will start thinning out soon, but there are some stalwarts who make it all the way through the winter.

So if you have some free time this Saturday morning, try to make it over and show a little love to our local farmers. They have still been selling some nice-looking chard and other greens. Also, there have been plenty of potatoes, string beans, cauliflower and fruit too.

You can also still pick up freshly-baked bread. And of course, the goat cheese lady is always out there. And for you carnivores, there's plenty of grass-fed and humanely-raised beef - I think chicken too. I'm hopeful next year that some jamon may be for sale. If you have a hankering now for some pork, I would recommend a vendor at Takoma Park. Their pork is fabulous and it is a very well run farm.

And if you have any veggies still growing at home - I still do - watch out, 'cause I think the first frost will be upon us soon. You may want to consider providing some protection to your plants - maybe a frost blanket - or bringing potted herbs indoors when the frost hits, or if your basil is still good, yank out the plant and freeze it. Just throw your basil in a blender with enough olive oil to liquefy it, pour it into ice trays and after it freezes, stick the cubes in a freezer bag and you'll be set for the cold months. I'll be spending part of my Saturday doing just this.

Celebrate 25 years of Thai Derm

In September 1983 Thai Derm opened its doors to downtown Silver Spring. I however, was not in the area. I was making my first ill-fated attempt at college. For others, who's to say. You might have been cruising down the Avenue rocking out to top songs of the day such as Electric Avenue by Eddie Grant (can you say one-hit wonder) or perhaps Down Under by Men at Work. And deny it all you want, you know you were.

And just in case I lose you, I'll alert you now that for 2 more weeks - to celebrate their 25th anniversary - TD is offering a 15% discount. Click here for the discount. But you only have till the end of the month. Take advantage of it!

Now I'll continue. I would have to think that back in 1983 a Thai restaurant in SS must have been pretty exotic. I'm not sure what else was around the 'hood at that time, but I'm guessing TD might have been the only place serving Asian food. I know the Quarry House was around then, and of course Crisfield, but what else, maybe Vicino? I am confident the area I now call SoCo is a hell of a lot different than it was in 1983.

Enough reminiscing, let's focus on one of my favorite places in the area - Thai Derm. Now anyone who knows TD knows it's nothing fancy. But that should not be a deterrent from you dining there. On almost every occasion eating at TD I have left quite satisfied - and full. TD is a family-run restaurant run by the Thumprasert family. They have a varied menu and daily specials. The small staff they employ are very nice - although not always with a firm grasp of English - and their prices are quite reasonable.

Here's one example of the low prices. While I really like Mandalay, located directly across the street from TD, if I wanted a Singha there, it costs me $5.50 (not positive on that, but I'm pretty sure). However at TD I can get the same Thai beer for $3.75. What's up with that? Due to this highway robbery, I now drink Yuengling at Mandalay. OK, enough about my beer consumption.

Let's get back to the TD food. Now since I'm a pretty selective meat eater, I cannot comment on all their dishes, but I can comment on quite a number of vegetarian and fish dishes. To start, I do love the fried tofu. It comes out nice and crispy and served with a kinda sweet n sour sauce topped with peanuts. It's good! The spring rolls are good too, but pretty basic. And in the colder months the lemongrass and coconut milk soup is wonderful - subbing shrimp for the chicken. The lemongrass and coconut combine to make a wonderful flavor.

On the noodle side, of course their Pad Thai is good, but c'mon, be more adventurous. Maybe try the Pad Zie Eiew (thicker noodles) or maybe #19, a noodle soup dish. I've been getting that lately with tofu instead of pork. It's a spicy one. Some of my other faves include the #63, spicy seafood. You need to dig coconut milk if you wanna order this one. Number 55 is also a good one, but of course for me , tofu not chicken. On almost any dish they serve at TD you can swap out meat for tofu - so it really expands your vegetarian choices.

Also check the special board - there's usually 3 per night. And if you go on a Friday, the deep fried whole fish is a great dish. It's kind of unusual, but the times I've had it, it has been really good. And if you like things spicy, ask for the spice tray. There are 4 spices on there and they will definitely increase your dish's temperature! But watch out, some dishes come laced with jalapenos and they come out of the kitchen smokin.

I'm not much of a dessert eater, but their ice cream coconut dish is a nice way to finish off a meal. That is, if you have room. And since I always eat mine and typically part of my wife's dinner, I almost never have room.

OK, maybe I'll see you there. If a couple sits down and one of the servers runs over with a Thai beer - often without prompting, you gotta love that - you've spotted me.

Update: Pomegranate Cafe

Wow, people actually read this thing. Thanks to Robin, we now know a bit more about the Pomegranate Cafe. It was scheduled to open on Oct 1, but that didn't happen. However, we should expect an opening soon. And as the name implies, they will be serving rice bowls, rolled sushi and dumplings. What? Maybe the owners are really big fans of this superfruit. Also, if you didn't know, next month is national pomegranate month. So if you don't make it to the restaurant, at least eat a pomegranate.

New restaurants on the way

Got a tip from a reader - thanks Elliot - about two new places coming to the 'hood soon. The first place is Thai, called Thai Flavor. A less than intriguing name, but I won't write it off for that. Its location is 8650 Colesville Rd, right across the street from City Place. Thai Flavor replaces everyone's favorite, Letty's Latin American Grill - which if you hadn't noticed closed in May. And even though this establishment is not technically south of Colesville - my blog's raison d'etre - I will still blog about it. And no I'm not being serious with that.

While I am very reluctant to turn my back on a restaurant and staff with which I feel very close - Thai Derm on Bonifant - I am kind of excited about Thai Flavor given what I've read. According to a report on Localharvest.org, Thai Flavor is an upscale carry out and eatery that provides a variety of healthier food choices through support from Silver Spring Fresh Farm and Takoma Park Farmers Market. The restaurant says it prides itself on superior service, affordable prices, and amazing taste. They say their goal is simple - excite the customer’s taste buds, provide prompt service, healthier choices and affordable prices.

That all sounds good to me. If they can pull all that together, I would assume they will do quite well. However, that does mean three Thai places in a 3-block area (including Thai at Silver Spring in the Peterson Companies "Downtown" SS). We shall see if we can sustain all three places. And while the restaurant likely won't be opening till the end of the month, their web site is live and a menu is available. So you can plan ahead and figure out what you want now.

And after walking by the restaurant and reviewing its menu, it appears Thai Flavor is smaller and will have a much more limited menu than either Thai Derm or the other one (hey, I'm like John McCain - I can't say the name of my competitor). I'm guessing it'll be more of a takeout place. It has about a dozen main dishes. But surprisingly, I don't see any tofu. Come on, no tofu! Maybe if their seafood and meat are locally sourced and humanely-raised, it'll be OK (at least for me). But given that no item is more than $8.95 on the menu, I am more than a little dubious. This definitely needs further investigation. Stay tuned!

Now we can only hope that the rest of block gets a bit of a makeover. I mean not to be a hater, but what's the story with Fashion at Times and SS Men's Wear? I can only think they have had long-term leases and their rent still remains pretty low. Does either have a regular clientele?

OK, on to number two. The second place on the way is called Pomegranate Cafe. Pomegranate is set to open in the new luxury apartment building, the Bennington in Silver Spring at 1215 East West Highway. From what Elliot tells me, the film is off the windows and a final inspection has been done. It would appear that Pomegranate should be opening pretty soon.

Other than that, I really can't say much more about this new dining spot. And although earlier in the year a place called the Pomegranate Bistro opened in Potomac (a kosher deli and restaurant), there does not appear to be a connection to our new place. Although if I am wrong , someone please correct me. And if anyone out there has some additional info on Pomegranate please shoot me an e-mail.

To the East, to the West

Hi kids. Just wanted to give you a heads up on a couple things going on this weekend - albeit outside of SoCo.

First, just to our east, we have the 27th annual Takoma Park Street Festival on Sunday (10/5). Although they do have a website for the event; it provides very little information on what is going on. They do say there will be crafts, music, children's activities and food vendors. But they do not list any of the food vendors - so I'm at a loss. For those who know Takoma Park, we know there is not a preponderance of restaurants. My guess is that perhaps you'll see Mark's Kitchen, Savory, and maybe that Middle Eastern place. No disrespect intended, but nothing terribly exciting.

Secondly, to our west, we have the 19th annual Tate of Bethesda happening tomorrow (10/4) from 11AM-4PM. Admission is free, however if you want to actually taste some food, then you'll have to fork over some money. Hey, nothing is free in Bethesda baby. They will be selling "taste tickets." These gems will go for $5 (for 4 tickets). The tastes will be between one and four tickets.

There appear to be a lot of restaurants participating this year. If you head over, you can try exotic tastes from Austin Grill, Ben and Jerry's, Chipotle, DrinkMore Water and Trader Joe's. Oooh, sounds yummy. OK, I'm being a little catty. I just have a grudge against Bethesda. My partner and I have been avoiding it like the plague over the last few years. To me, whenever we were there, it was simply a sea of white faces. I mean the only diversity we saw were from the service staff employed at the restaurants. For full disclosure, I am white - although given my Italian descent I have been described as a little swarthy - but at the end of the day I cannot really consider myself anything other than white.

But hey, we have plenty of diversity in SoCo and to me, that is what makes it such a great place to live. You can see it as you stroll down the Avenue on a Friday night - whether you're choosing La Bamba, Olazzo, Taste of Jerusalem or perhaps the Lotus Cafe. And the diversity not only includes race, but class too. We are more than a bunch of upper income families. I'm not saying we don't have our fair share of professionals, but we also have plenty of working class folks too.

All right, maybe soon we can pull off a taste of SS. A couple years back SS Singular blogged about why we haven't done this. As Sligo says, "even friggin' Wheaton has one." And again, this was from Oct 2006. Over the last two years we have plenty of new spots that could help support our own taste. OK, I'll start to work on this for '09!