4 MOCO Restaurants Make Best Dining List By NY Times Food Critics

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — In a roundup labeled The 25 Best Restaurants in Washington, D.C., Right Now, New York Times food critics included four Montgomery County venues on the list.

"The food scene in and around the nation’s capital is vibrant these days, with Italian, Ethiopian, Salvadoran and more," the newspaper said.

Here are excerpts of what the Times said about each local restaurant.

Crisfield Seafood, 8012 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring

"Crisfield is a master class in no-frills Mid Atlantic dishes like seafood bisque, broiled fish platters and crab cakes with no filler. … It’s a perfect destination for a platter of fried seafood with juicy, lightly battered shrimp, scallops and perch."

Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly, 5268-H Nicholson Lane, Rockville

"Kuya Ja’s specialty is in its name: pork belly that condenses the appeal of Filipino-style whole roast pig into a rolled roast redolent of lemongrass and garlic, with skin too crisp to break with just one whack of your fork. … There are plenty more reasons to trek to this fast-casual strip mall storefront … including desserts from Gwenie’s Pastries," operated by Stella Fernandez, sister of co-owner and chef Javier Fernandez.

Pupuseria Mamá Emilia, 785 Rockville Pike, Suite H, Rockville

"… There are traditional (Salvadoran) pupusas, oozing cheese, frijoles and chicharrón. But there are also pupusas with fillings that include shrimp, mint and kale. There are nearly 30 different styles, all served hot and freshly blistered, starting at breakfast."

Z&Z Manoushe Bakery, 1111 Nelson Street, Rockville

"The crust of Z&Z’s classic manoushe, covered in a forest green slick of olive oil and za’atar, is both tantalizingly chewy and thoroughly crisp. … The cozy, four-table bakery is a step up from Z&Z’s farmers’ market beginnings, but it still belies the regional demand the Dubbanehs have helped to create for manoushe, with Z&Z products now available in grocery stores across the Mid Atlantic."

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