Chicly Cheap Eats

Get your fingers ready to make those rezzies---Bethesda Row Spring Restaurant Week is fast approaching with bargain-priced three-course meals ($15 and $30) from April 26-May 2. Participating restaurants on the Row are: Redwood, Mon Ami Gabi, Raku, Assaggi, Parker's, Le Pain Quotidien, Jaleo and Lebanese Taverna--not a dud in the bunch. Before or after you dine, be sure to stop in the great indie shops lining Bethesda Row: Ginger, Pink Palm, Bella Italia, Waygoose, Urban Chic and Wear It Well, to name a few. Okay, what are you waiting for?? Make that call! Need more? Here are some special week-long menu samplings:

$15 Lunch at Raku includes your choice of:

1. Mesclun Salad or Ginger Pumpkin Soup

2. Japanese Hamburger Steak; Korean Grilled Spicy Chicken; or Sushi Assortment

3. Croissant Pudding or Chocolate Cake

$30 Dinner at Mon Ami Gabi includes your choice of:

1. Petit Salad; Chicken Liver Mousse Pate; Warm Brie Cheese; or Soup du Jour

2. Steak Frites; Lemon Chicken Paillard; or Seared Salmon

(...and the best for last...)

3. Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake; Chocolate Mousse; or Sorbet du Jour

Ok, if you're still not completely convinced, try this on for size. One lucky diner will win a $200 dinner certificate. Visit www.bethesdarow.com to register to win.

Jose Andres packs the house at Jaleo

Last night's event at Bethesda's  Jaleo starring Chef Jose Andres of the PBS show, Made in Spain, was packed from start to way past finish. Fans thronged in to join a line that snaked the length of the restaurant for a chance to meet the ebullient Andres and get a signed copy of his cookbook, Made in Spain. The tapas at $4 were magnifico--we enjoyed garlic chicken, endive stuffed with cheese and almonds and exquisite figs with bacon. Even better than the food and half-price drink specials was the presence of the very personable chef, who took time to speak with every single fan until the night was over. Viva Espana!

Calling all foodies to Jaleo

... to meet the great Spanish chef Jose Andres of Jaleo, enjoy complimentary tapas and drink specials, and snag a signed copy of his cookbook, Made in Spain: Spanish Dishes for the American Kitchen, for $25. 6-7:30

Taste of Bethesda celebrates 20 years!

What is this?? It's a gigantic pan of paella cooked up by Jaleo chefs for the annual Taste of Bethesda foodie extravaganza. The festival celebrates 20 years (!!) Oct. 3 at Woodmont Triangle. Over 50 restaurants will serve up representative "tastes" from their menus. Look for sushi from Matuba, shepherd's pie from RiRa, wings from Caddies and more. Admission is free; taste tickets come in bundles of four for $5. Not only is there food, there's live entertainment including swing, Motown and jazz music, and Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern and Mexican dance. Kids get to decorate cookies and of course, get their little mugs decorated too. For more information click here.