My family lives in a culturally diverse neighborhood here in West Laurel. We also have easy access to some of the area’s most popular and sought-after restaurants. Last month, I wrote about my family’s favorite cheap eats, and this month, I’m highlighting some of the international restaurants we bring out-of-town guests to, favorites where we also celebrate special occasions like anniversaries and birthdays. The price ranges listed are per-person.
K-Pot Korean Barbecue & Hotpot (Korean)
Laurel Shopping Center, 351 Montrose Avenue
$30-$50
A perfect birthday venue for the family, K-Pot satisfies our cravings for spicey-sweet and heat. Prepare to cook your own meal at this all-you-can-eat restaurant (I loved the chicken, beef and pork barbecue strips,) If your party includes several people who love hotpot, do give the seafood and bok choy combo a try. There’s a spread of side dishes, sauces, spices, kimchi and chicken wings (and more), but do leave room for the barbecue; there’s a handy chart showing cooking times for each type of meat. Tell the server you’re celebrating a birthday and they will sing a jolly birthday song and treat you to an ice cream dessert.
Swahili Village Bar & Grill (East African)
10800 Rhode Island Avenue, Beltsville
$30-$50
This restaurant earns one of the top spots on my list. The place is elegantly decorated in East African themes, the staff is friendly and the food is exceptional. Their oxtail stew is to die for; pairing it with spinach is perfect. I recommend the group platter entrée, which has grilled goat, beef and chicken with spinach, collard greens, cabbage and other sides. It’s a delicious sampler of some of the best of East African cuisine.
Peter Chang (Chinese)
6000 Merriweather Drive, Suite 175, Columbia
$30-$50
Not to be confused with P.F. Chang’s, Peter Chang is just as popular. Multi-award winner and specializing in Sichuan cuisine, the place is always crowded — it’s good to make reservations well in advance. I celebrated my birthday there with my extended family, and we were all raving how delicious everything was. We even invited the chef to our table.
Family favorites at Peter Chang are sweet glazed pork belly, flounder fillet with black bean sauce and hot and spicy crispy chicken.
Maiwand Grill (Afghan)
15508 Columbia Pike, Burtonsville
$10-$20
Maiwand Grill is known for its Afghan kabobs (chicken, lamb, kofta), platters (Mediterranean, falafel and vegetarian aushak). Try their beef and chicken combo with spinach and shawarmas — all very filling.
Ahadu (Ethiopian)
15510 Columbia Pike, Burtonsville
$10-$20
We took our first taste of Ethiopian cuisine so my son could fulfill a school assignment, and we were immediately hooked. I can’t get enough of those light injera bread and the tasty and colorful vegetarian combo which includes stews, red lentils, cabbage and potatoes, split peas, collard greens, string beans and carrots — all served on a large tray, and with plenty of injeras. (For a spicy version, add berbere chili powder.) Don’t leave without seeing your server demonstrate the ritual of preparing Ethiopian Arabica coffee — it’s a rich cultural experience.
Cedars of Lebanon (Lebanese)
103 Centerway, Greenbelt
$10-$20
We have dined at Cedars of Lebanon many times after attending church nearby. The Kmaiha family, owners of this Middle Eastern restaurant, are accommodating and will customize meals according to your preferences. (In place of rice, for instance, I ask for a double veggie salad, and they are happy to accommodate me.) Our favorite dishes are the mixed grill kebabs, Mediterranean platter, Maria’s baked salmon, spicy grilled chicken and the Lebanese platter, which showcases a number of traditional dishes.
Sunrise (Caribbean)
131 Centerway, Greenbelt
$10-$20, $30 for the buffet
Though a little pricey, Sunrise’s Sunday buffet gives you a good spread of authentic Caribbean dishes: curries (chicken, goat, shrimp), patties (beef, chicken, vegan), roti and paratha (shrimp, chicken, potato and channa, veggie and vegan options), collard greens and fried plantain. The area is bright and decorated with huge island-themed paintings.
Jewel of India (Indian)
19151 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring
$20-$30
When an eatery is recommended by our dentist, we trust it with the strength of our teeth. Jewel of India’s chicken dishes — tandoori, curry and tikka masala — are some of our favorites. The service is great and the food is tasty.
Ginger Restaurant (Asian: Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese)
101 MGM National Avenue, Oxon Hill
$30-$50
Dinner at Ginger’s at MGM National Harbor is a special treat for special times. We go there to savor various curries (Panang, red, yellow and green), honey-glazed chicken wings, lettuce wraps, Taiwanese-style braised beef noodle soup, wok-tossed seafood chow fun (stir fry with wide noodles) and fresh steamed sea bass. Ginger’s offers generous servings, and we always enjoy having leftovers at home. My son, Joseph, got a cattleya orchid on his mochi ice cream birthday dessert.
Purple Patch (Filipino)
3155 Mount Pleasant Street N.W., D.C.
$30-$50
Friends of ours turned us on to Purple Patch, a pricey but popular Filipino restaurant in the District. My husband and I dined there for our 25th anniversary. (We were welcomed by a sign with our names on it and were seated at one of the best spots with a view out the window.) I come from a province in the Philippines well known for its cuisine and was impressed by dishes here. The Shanghai lumpia (spring rolls made of pork, beef, scallions, carrots and egg) were very crispy, and the sweet-and-spicy fried chicken wings, marinated in tangy calamansi (Philippine lemon) and spices, were addicting. Try the hearty pork Sinigang (sour broth with vegetables) soup, and do top your meal off with native halo-halo, a mix of all native Filipino sweets with shaved ice in a tall glass topped with leche flan (sweet custard). And if you’re up for it, you can try eating with your hands, kamayan-style.