Washington DC

Mandalay is slowly becoming an institution in downtown Silver Spring. The authentic, delicious, and distinctive Burmese cuisine is well known to those who frequent the ethnically diverse eateries of Bonifant Street. What may not be as well known is that Mandalay recently added a beautiful bar area. The well-stocked bar looks classy, it’s separated from the dining room so on slow nights it can double as a private party room, and it’s equipped with two televisions and maps of Burma for endless entertainment. But the real draw of the new bar at Mandalay is the bartender who comes with it. Her name is Jennifer, and she is a joy to be around. She smiles bigger and more often than any person you’ll ever meet. She laughs at your jokes like any good bartender should. And she’s been known to tell a few as well. But you needn’t actually talk with Jennifer to be entertained by her. Just sit back with your drink, and watch her from afar. Her mannerisms, her facial expressions, her conversations with her coworkers, her banter with other customers, her interactions with every object animate or inanimate are hilarious. She is a gem.

Photo:  David Freedenberg

Maybe you’re the last to hear, but Silver Spring has Silver Sprung. Gone are the days when you can spend the afternoon record-digging through dusty crates at Vinyl Ink and scarfing down mini-hamburgers at Little Tavern. Now there’s a Macaroni Grill and a Red Lobster. But downtown Silver Spring still has its charms, and Mandalay is one of them. This Burmese restaurant makes for a great dinner and a movie (at the AFI Silver Theatre, of course) date combo. Mandalay offers wonderful dishes at bargain prices, and Burmese food—with its blend of Chinese, Indian, and Thai flavors—is an unusual treat. Let Phet Thoke (green tealeaf salad) is a house favorite, but don’t be afraid to branch out and sample the unfamiliar; with only a handful of Burmese restaurants in the area, you never know when you might get another chance. The setup of Mandalay’s dining room and its basic décor are hardly cozy, but the warmth of its wait staff makes it a welcoming spot that has won the loyalty of quite a few Washingtonian foodies.

Photo:  Magda Nakassis