Today we walked to “New Bethesda” in search of bread and some lunch. We planned on getting a freshly baked loaf of bread from Spring Hill Bread Company but found out when we got there that they are closed on Sundays. Because really, who wants fresh bread on Sundays?
We planned on going to Green Papaya, a Vietnamese restaurant, but of course, they are closed for lunch on Sundays. 0 for 2. So we walked around the corner to Raku on Woodmont Avenue, an Asian restaurant I’ve been dying to try since we moved to Bethesda three and a half years ago.
We sat at the bar, facing a messy back counter with Starbucks cups and boxes of straws. Not the best seat in the house, but it was either that or practically at the same table as another couple eating lunch—this place is pretty small. I ordered a Coconut Red Curry Soup with Buckwheat Noodles and Chicken, and Larry had the Tokyo Noodle Soup with Shrimp Tempura. We also got a Wasabi Sushi Roll with salmon, tuna, wasabi-infused topiko and some other fish. (I forget, sorry.) Everything was really delicious. (Although it was very messy—does anyone have any suggestions on how to eat noodle soup without splattering, slurping and sucking? My shirt got hit with about seven red curry splashes.)
I can’t believe we’ve never eaten here before—we’ll definitely be back. I don’t know if I’d consider it one of the Top 100 Restaurants in DC, although the Washingtonian included it on their exclusive list earlier this year. But it was inexpensive and tasty. That’s good enough for me.