Bethesda restaurant review: Silver

One of our go-to spots in downtown Bethesda is Silver. Yes, it is named Silver, and yes it serves diner-fare….but don’t get this place confused with Silver Diner (although it is founded by the same folks).

The restaurant opened in 2015 and we’ve eaten there at least half a dozen times.  Our first Silver rendezvous was  unplanned, and rather serendipitous.  We were going to an evening movie showing at Bethesda Row Cinema (“Room” if memory serves), and stumbled upon Silver located across the street (at the corner of Bethesda Ave and Woodmont).  What we thought would be an average diner turned out to be a pretty impressive culinary experience. They advertise themselves as “having the heart of a diner and the style of a brasserie”, and that’s exactly what they are. “Average food done well”, as my husband puts it.  Silver uses products and produce from local farms and purveyors, which is a trending culinary feature and almost required for any new restaurant given the popularity of the “farm to table” movement.  The relaxed ambiance and art-deco decor gives the place the 1920’s/30’s diner feel with a modern day flare. On our most recent visit this weekend, we enjoyed the outdoor patio for two reasons: live music from a guy playing cover songs on his guitar and Chase got to watch the cars and people go by (a win-win for dining with a wiggly toddler). The executive chef and co-founder came around to tables to check on the customers, nice personal touch.

The best dishes we’ve had so far were actually the shared plates:

Along with the jumbo lump crab cakes, I’m also a fan of their salmon entree:

To save the best for last, their dessert menu is pretty bomb. I’ve enjoyed the apple beignets and the campfire sundae in the past….but my FAVORITE are the milkshakes. They make handspun milkshakes, some which can be spiked! Chunky Monkey… chocolate ice cream base and banana+some banana rum = DRUNKY MONKEY. No, but seriously, that’s what it’s called. I’ve been on a virgin milkshake binge during this pregnancy, but better believe I’ll be making my monkey a little drunky in a few months.

Bottom Line: Great place to go before a movie, for a casual date, on a hot summer evening or cold winter lunch. It’s family friendly, group-friendly and toddler-approved.  I recommend it, and so does Chase. He dug the french fries.