Silver Chips Online

Ah, warm weather. It instills a pleasant sensation of happiness in everyone, especially students ready for the summer. It also implants a desire for cool, creamy ice cream that epitomizes the perfect summer dessert. Soon people everywhere will be searching for a respite from the summer heat, and Silver Spring has no shortage of venues for ice cream.

Our story begins with our humble food editor visibly salivating while watching a Japanese dubbed version of "Iron Chef." He remembers that he won't be eating for another hour. He looks out the window with sad eyes and remembers that winter is coming. People are closing up their barbecue sets, the leaves are coming down in droves of red, green, yellow and brown, the air is cold and heavy snows are taking their sweet time getting to Montgomery County. He looked back at the tube eyeing a succulent burger with a look of carnal desire, remembering that a wise man once said that vegetarians taste delicious. With this revelation, he frantically begged his peers to find the best local burgers and review them for the greater good of the Blair community, if not the world.

The word Mediterranean conjures up images of sunny days, a light sea breeze and complete relaxation. Named after the "Levantine" region that comprises modern day Turkey, Greece, Lebanon and Israel, Levante's restaurant describes itself as a fusion of various Mediterranean cuisines on its website. But with its menu of fried appetizers and boring entrees often loaded with burdensome sauces and chunks of meat, Levante's is anything but light and airy.

It doesn't take a long car trip to get a taste of some traditional Southern hospitality. All it takes is a hop onto the orange line and a quick two block walkto Georgia Brown's, which will immediately have a Southerner feeling right at home and a stranger just as welcome.

Long gone are the days of greasy Chinese food served in white take-out boxes. With a sizable Asian population, Montgomery County has many authentic Chinese restaurants, all with menus that go beyond the typical General Tao's chicken or mooshu pork. Nestled behind the Gaithersburg Square Shopping Center is Fu Shing Café, a traditional Chinese restaurant that serves up tasty authentic dishes but is plagued with sub par service.

One of the newest additions to the Downtown Silver Spring scene, Fuddruckers huddles in between the popular Cold Stone Creamery and Z Pizza. Its bright yellow awnings draw the eye in, and a taste from inside will ensure that people come back.

Nestled just a few blocks from the Bethesda Metro Station, in that area of the world where Bethesda suddenly ends and Chevy Chase begins, lies Stromboli, a hamlet of food for the working man if there ever was one.

Many travelers on Rockville Pike likely pass Il Pizzico without half a thought of what it might be. Situated in a dull strip mall on the side of the road, few would suspect that they are missing out on one of the best and most authentic Italian restaurants in the Washington, D.C.-metropolitan area.

Kensington's Cafe 1894 does not have a lot to compete with in the small downtown area that otherwise consists of a casual sandwich and bagel shop. It recently opened for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and its limited menu does have a few gems. While it might not be a weekly destination, Cafe 1894 is a pleasant spot offering some imaginative food.

Walking distance from Wheaton Plaza is a small, modest Thai restaurant. Looking cozy cozy in a run-down parking lot, beset by small shops on either side, Ruan Thai's outside appearance makes it easy to miss, but the food is memorable and will keep customers coming back for more. For a reasonable price, Ruan Thai's fresh food trumps the meager portions of more upscale restaurants.