Food, Wine & Co.

[ 4 ] August 30, 2012 |

Fried Artichokes

Bethesda to many Washingtonians, where life is centered around Metro Center and Gallery Place, seems like the other side of earth.  To those that frequent the downtown Bethesda and Rockville scene, Bethesda is the place to be on a Friday/Saturday night.  Since I have more than a few reasons to find myself trekking down Wisconsin Avenue (*i.e vintage shopping, Landmark Cinemas & of course, L’Academie de Cuisine), I have often passed the building dawning Food, Wine & Co. on the windows.  Curiosity had me visualizing what was hiding inside this restaurant that boasted FREE parking (*unheard of around these parts…) and a simple, contemporary storefront.

This summer I pumped the breaks and made the U-Turn into what is potentially one of the top 10 hidden gems of Bethesda.  Housing a library I adore, shelves and shelves of wine that would make even the most seasoned sommelier take a second look, Food, Wine & Co. invites wine connoisseurs and the like in for a night of relaxed, casual dining.  Besides a dimly lit, warm atmosphere fitting for after-work drinks, Food, Wine & Co. warms the palate with recognizable fare.  I knew Food, Wine & Co. was on to something when they told us how there were certain items that never leave the menu.  This is a common mistake that many restaurants in the area make: never take off the items that brought people into your establishment.

Fried Potato Tots

Fried Potato Tots and Fried Artichokes are the restaurants staple and Executive Chef Michael Harr promises these will never leave the menu.  Though the restaurant names speaks clarity to its speciality, I spent much of the night learning about the extensive beer menu which gives the areas most notable brewery houses a run for their money.  Food, Wine & Co. celebrates the age old American dinner with a few face-lifts:  contemporary comfort food, endless wine selections and an environment wielding good company.  Refreshing to see a restaurant that is true on its face: Food, Wine & Co.

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Category: Announcements, Food.Fun.Stuff., restaurant reviews, Washington D.C.

About the Author ()

Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.

Comments (4)

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  1. I’ll have to get there! Just moved to Bethesda a few months ago, SO many restaurants around here.

  2. Nae says:

    This place has been on my to-do list for a while…..guess I will finally go now 🙂

  3. Johnna says:

    @Jen it is worth it, try during happy hour, the tater tots are $1 during HH throughout the month of September.

  4. Johnna says:

    Yup @Nae, definitely a spot to add to your Bethesda visits.

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