The Silver Spring Penguin » restaurant review

Dining: Lizbeth’s Cafe

Jennifer Deseo — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:09:05 +0000

On one hand, Lizbeth's charcoal-broiled chicken really works. Its simple seasoning -- nothing more than salt and pepper -- allows one to enjoy the bird's natural flavors. The skin remains crisp (not crunchy) and doesn't get gooey or droopy with the weight of caramelized sugars. It's the meat that stays sweet, with hints of corn and whatever that bird ate before its demise.

On the other hand, the kitchen's timing could use a little work. During one visit, the dark meat was a bit dry, a sign of overcooking. Still, the thigh and drumstick managed to keep most of their spring.

Dining: Mayorga Coffee Factory

Jennifer Deseo — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 13:49:21 +0000

REVIEW -- If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, then where does brunch fit into that equation?

Dining: Dama Cafe

Jennifer Deseo — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:17:32 +0000

Here's the good news about that little house on Roeder Road tucked behind the county's liquor depot: The cakes are amazing! Here's the bad news: One must endure mediocre Ethiopian food before getting to dessert.

Burger Quest 2009: Quarry House Tavern

Jennifer Deseo — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:27:44 +0000

That crisp, dry air and cool breeze mean only one thing: The Penguin's quest to find downtown Silver Spring's tastiest burgers is coming to an end.

Burger Quest 2009: McGinty’s Public House

Jennifer Deseo — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:44:34 +0000

While the newsroom generally reviews McGinty's Pub around St Patrick's Day, I thought I'd make it a stop along my 2009 Burger Quest. Here's how it all went down.

Burger Quest 2009: Tastee Diner

Jennifer Deseo — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:10:37 +0000

The burgers at Tastee Diner, Silver Spring's historic greasy spoon, barely whisper. And in the migraine-inducing cacophony of Tastee's dining room, a mute burger ain't a good thing.

Burger Quest 2009: Adega Wine Cellars

Jennifer Deseo — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:49:53 +0000

Adega's Bleu's burger throws the third law of thermodynamics into a state of chaos. Not cool.

Burger Quest 2009: Eggspectation

Jennifer Deseo — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:27:47 +0000

Burgers are like eggs: Undercook 'em and they retain some moisture; overcook 'em and they're chewy like rawhide. That's how things roll at Eggspectation.

Burger Quest 2009: The Parkway Deli

Jennifer Deseo — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:56:58 +0000

If the Parkway Deli is holy ground to sandwich lovers, then it's rapture for burger pilgrims. Just schedule the angioplasty ahead of time.

Review: Pupuseria El Oasis

Jennifer Deseo — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:23:34 +0000

Can street food like pupusas bridge the culinary divide between old and new downtown Silver Spring? That depends on what's ordered, and whether one carries enough cash to aquire it.