The Food at Aventino

Like all of Mike Friedman’s spots, the Italian fare at Aventino is hearty and mouth-watering. Kick off your meal with a traditional Roman flatbread called pizza rossa, simply topped with a jammy tomato conserva, sea salt and Sicilian oregano, and meaty artichokes smothered in buttery and crispy breadcrumbs and a lemony dressing, with elegant mint leaves as a garnish. From there, choose from a variety of pastas. For something decadent, try the cacio e pepe. Made with thick spaghetti strands called tonnarelli, the cheese and black pepper sauce is like a warm blanket that will wrap you up from the inside out. The ricotta-stuffed cappelletti is another great choice, with a creamy sunchoke-infused sauce and sunchoke chips for a crunchy note. Dessert options are equally as irresistible; the budino with dark chocolate ganache is decadent and luscious; the Amalfi lemon float is fun and unique with vanilla gelato and lemon granita doused in a juniper soda, and the apple cake comes with a gorgeous olive oil gelato that is just the right combination of sweet-salty-fruity-creamy.

The Drinks

Ranging from fun and unique to classic, there is a cocktail for everyone on this menu. For drinks on the lighter side, try the Sicilian spritz for something lesser known, made with Lambrusco and blood orange, or a classic Aperol spritz. For a boozier option, there is the pink lotus with Aperol, gin, lemon, egg white, and orange bitters, or a standard delicious negroni with gin, Campari, and vermouth.

The Vibe

The golden light fixtures, velvety bar stools surrounding the oval-shaped bar, and warm wooden floors are all recipes for an inviting dining experience. The staff is as warm and friendly as the décor, and the only issue will be getting a reservation at this already well-known spot.

The Verdict

This is already our new favorite spot in Bethesda! Aventino can get busy so make sure to reserve in advance. If you’re in Washington, D.C., check Mike Friedman’s other spots too. The Red Hen is also one of our favorites!

The post The Team Behind All-Purpose Opens Aventino in Bethesda appeared first on The Dining Traveler.

Cooper’s Mill Bethesda Chef’s Table Dinner

The Vibe: Cooper’s Mill Bethesda is tucked away at the Marriott Bethesda Hotel. Lately, I have been very impressed with the dining options at hotels. Needless to say, this experience reinforces it. Decor is simple, cozy and rustic with dark wood accents. The bar was quite busy upon arrival on a Thursday night. The crowd looked like a mix of locals and hotel guests. The chef’s table experience took place in the private dining room area of the restaurant which was great as we had servers provide their undivided attention.

The Food

The menu at Cooper’s Mill Bethesda is modern American with a focus on local sourcing. Chef Chris Estrada works with local farms to create a creative seasonal menu. He started the dinner with a smoked kale salad. Presented in a tiny clay pot, I had to empty the salad onto my plate, releasing the aroma of the smoke. The presentation compounded by the flavor made this starting dish something to remember. We then moved on the the grilled oysters smothered in cream and sausage sauce. The savory cross between the oysters and the sausage made it my type of appetizer. The buttered toast served with the oysters for dipping was the finishing touch.

We then moved on to a grilled calamari with bulgur and arugula salad. I must say that the combination seemed odd at first, but I truly enjoyed this light and flavorful dish. For the main course we had a very unique dish: braised oxtail in a bed of blue grits. I really liked the presentation of the dish, the light hue of the blue corn made it special. Sadly, the dish was garnished with a little too much parsley which spoiled the taste for me. Hope that for future occasions they can omit that touch.

Finishing Touch

I couldn’t dabble into the cocktail menu as I was driving, so I indulged with dessert. The dessert was a chocolate peanut butter cup milkshake with crushed chocolate chip cookies. Yes, my friends, this was DELICIOUS. So delicious I asked the chef for more cookies on the side. I really enjoyed the creative play on dessert.

The Verdict

You must discover this hidden gem inside the Beltway. Although Cooper’s Mill Bethesda a bit of a drive from the city (35-45 minutes depending on traffic), but it’s totally worth it. The cozy atmosphere, friendly service, and creative menu make it a must visit in Montgomery County.

Cooper’s Mill Bethesda, 5151 Pooks Hill Rd, Bethesda, MD, Website

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post by Cooper’s Mill  Bethesda. As always, opinions are my own. 

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