Takoma Park Restaurant Makes Hottest Restaurant List

TAKOMA PARK, MD — A Takoma Park restaurant landed on Eater's list of hottest February 2019 restaurants in the D.C. metro area.

The list features a total of 15 dining destinations — most of them are in the District. The Takoma Park eatery that made the cut: Cielo Rojo Restaurante.

Claiming the number three spot, Cielo Rojo Restaurante is a traditional Mexican taqueria located at 7056 Carroll Ave. The family-owned restaurant, which opened last month, is run by David Perez and Carolina McCandless. The couple first met in 2012 at Gracias Madre, an organic vegan Mexican restaurant in San Francisco.

Director of Operations Carolina McCandless was born in Chile, but grew up in Cabin John and worked for her parents' boutique in Takoma Park.

Chef Perez was born in Mexico City and immigrated to the United States at the age of 17. His mother's cooking and Mexico City street food have shaped his love for the Mexican cuisine.

Diners at Cielo Rojo Restaurante can choose from a number of dishes, including enchiladas, pozole, tacos, and pescado a la talla.

Two other Montgomery County restaurants made it on Eater's list.

Topping the list is Julii, a French-Mediterranean restaurant that was created by the founders of Cava Grill. The eatery opened last December and is located at 11915 Grand Park Ave. in North Bethesda.

Julii boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, large rope lights, and an eclectic, drool-worthy menu. Dishes include Julii's dinner rolls with pistachio fennel salt and whipped labneh butter; alsatian tart with bacon, onion, gruyere, crème fraiche, and honey; and lamb tagine with pomegranate glaze, crispy chickpeas, long grain rice, and roasted carrots.

El Sapo Restaurant Cuban Social Club ranks second on Eater's list of hottest restaurants.

The cuban eatery, which opened last October, is located at 8455 Fenton St. El Sapo owner and chef Raynold Mendizábal also owns Urban Butcher, a meat-centric restaurant on Georgia Avenue.

"It's been a long dream of mine to represent and promote my culture through my craft. El Sapo is unmistakably Cuban; about half of the dishes are what I ate growing up at home or on the streets of La Habana, the other half tell the story of my journey as a cook. Silver Spring has given me so much — now it's time to give back," Mendizábal said.

Dishes include manchego cheese and charred red peppers with Albahaca oil, aged balsamic vinegar and pán quemao; ropa vieja, a popular Cuban dish; and churros with lemon whipped cream.

Click here to learn more about the restaurants featured on Eater's list.