IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL.

Save Room for Dessert at Negril, a New Jamaican Eatery Near Central

Authentic Jamaican cuisine was underrepresented in DC, which is why Earl Chinn, founder of Negril, decided to open his own quick-service restaurant serving authentic Jamaican fare. Earl is a native to Jamaica, living in the city of D.C. and giving the people what they want: real Jamaican food!

At Negril you can expect to find things like jerk chicken, Jamaican beef patties, coco bread, curry goat, oxtail, and curry shrimp all on one delicious menu. The chefs are 100% Jamaican with experience cooking authentic Jamaican food which makes this the perfect spot for the city dwellers to finally get their taste of the islands. Don’t forget about dessert either, as Negril has the best tasting banana bread, carrot cake, and rum cake you could imagine!

Tip Back an IPA at Astro Lab Brewing in Silver Spring

This time of year, few things hit the spot quite as much as a cold beer—but not just any beer. For the best experience possible, you need a genuine, high-quality brew. In these moments, you can trust Astro Lab Brewing to offer just that. 

You might decide to visit the Taproom directly, sipping your drink of choice. Or, you might order online to pick up in person or have a quality craft beer brought to your door. Either way, it’s easy to find your new favorite brews. If you do choose to visit the Taproom, you can treat yourself to a snack alongside your chosen beer. Options like a steak and stout pot pie, hummus, or an ice cream sandwich complete your Astro Lab experience, pairing your brew with the perfect bites. 

Several reviewers note that Astro Lab’s menu has an especially strong focus on IPAs, which is worth noting if you have a particular preference for or against India pale ale. But, with a wide-ranging, ever-changing menu, you never know what gem you might find. 

Unconventional Brunch Recipes to Whip Up This Father’s Day

They say the easiest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, so it’s only fitting that a day devoted to Dad would be full of delicious things to eat. And when the food surprises his taste buds with unique flavor combinations and unexpected ingredients? Even better! This Father’s Day, treat Dad to a delicious brunch spread centered around out-of-the-ordinary recipes like the ones below!

Sunny Mary: Even the most diehard enthusiast of the Bloody Mary is unlikely to have tried this unique cocktail, which gets its golden hue from pureed and strained yellow tomatoes. The tomatoes are combined with one cup chilled vodka, lemon juice, and, for a tart twist, the pickling juice from jarred pepperoncini peppers.

Loco Moco: Shortening the distance between your apartment and Hawaii, this unique twist on a traditional Hawaiian dish results in a one-plate meal that’s perfect for starting Father’s Day on a savory note. Beef patties are nestled atop a bed of hot, steamed basmati rice, then finished with a few spoonfuls of fresh mushroom gravy and a fried egg.

Chicken and Corn Bread Pancakes with Spicy Syrup: We bet you’ve never had pancakes quite like these! Made moist with the addition of buttermilk, these cornmeal-centric flapjacks pair perfectly with crispy fried chicken and a drizzle of Tabasco maple syrup.

Sunny’s Easy Bacon ‘n’ Egg Breakfast Pizza: Perfect for sharing, this recipe tops pizza dough with marinara sauce, sambal, maple syrup, and bacon. Shredded cheese is sprinkled over top, then joined by two eggs and popped into the oven until the eggs are set.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread: For the dad with the (not so) sweet tooth, this pumpkin chocolate chip bread strikes the perfect balance between chocolaty and earthy. Pair each slice with a cup of Dad’s favorite coffee.

Savor a Pour-Over at Lost Socks Roaster

For many people, a day doesn’t really start until after they’ve finished at least one cup of coffee. That’s just one reason why the newly opened Lost Sock Roasters is an exciting addition to the area. As they explain it, they offer “what you’re looking for every morning.”

In this case, that every morning something is specialty coffee, roasted in small batches and committed to quality and sustainability. With a single origin latte, house espresso, or finca bruhwer pour over, you might not want to return to your own coffee pot going forward. And, as one reviewer points out, “they offer sandwiches and real food to go [with] their amazing coffee.” That “real food” includes pastries, like most cafes, but also features empanadas, toast, sandwiches, and other treats. 

“If you love coffee,” writes one customer, “Lost Socks is worth your time.” If you love knowing your coffee is made with care and a commitment to the environment, you’ll love Lost Socks. Or, if you simply want to experience a delicious empanada beside your caffeine of choice, a visit to Lost Socks is an absolute must. 

Who’s Your Favorite Vendor at the Takoma Park Farmers Market?

With a farmers market experience, there’s an awful lot to love. But, in many cases, there’s one disappointing quality—you can only take advantage of your favorite vendors for a short portion of the year. Thankfully, that isn’t the case when it comes to the Takoma Park Farmers Market.

Instead, you can enjoy all that the Takoma Park Farmers Market has to offer every Sunday throughout the year. That means you can pick up your favorite bread at Atwaters Bakery in mid-June or choose the perfect cider donuts at Audia’s Farm and Nursery come autumn. You can finish off your holiday dinner with the perfect cheese from Keswick Creamery or add some Madison Mushrooms to your Valentine’s Day celebration. Craving your go-to mustard from Max’s Degrees? You won’t need to wait until warmer weather to check out your top-choice vendors. Need to restock your favorite hemp products? Breezy Meadows Farm is waiting during any season. 

Whatever your favorite vendors and products at Takoma Park Farmers Market, you can rest assured that they’ll be there for you at any time of year. And, best of all, you can take advantage of the farmers market experience whatever the season.

Must-Make Recipes for a Delicious Memorial Day Weekend

What could be better than spending Memorial Day weekend relaxing and catching up with friends and family? Doing all of the above, but with delicious food thrown into the mix! From side dishes to desserts, here are three delicious recipes to whip up during the long holiday weekend. They’re guaranteed to make the holiday even more memorable!

Star Spangle Layered Dip: This layered dip combines refried beans, guacamole, cheeses, salsa, and a few other ingredients to create a Tex-Mex appetizer intended to feed a crowd. The American-flag-inspired design gives a patriotic flourish to your Memorial Day tablescape.

Classic Cheeseburger: No Memorial Day weekend is complete without a good burger, preferably one that’s grilled to perfection. This recipe calls for ground beef and sirloin, which are seasoned with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Sandwich your patty between toasted buns, then top it with cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

Fire-Roasted Berry Crostini with Honey Crème Fraîche: This simple dessert offers a taste of summer in every bite, and it can be prepared entirely on the grill. Fresh sugared berries are grilled until warm and bursting, then spooned over crostini. A dollop of honey crème fraîche provides the finishing touch.

Apartment-Friendly Houseplants to Add to Your Must-Grow List

Thinking about welcoming a new addition to your household—one with roots and leaves? Plant parenthood can certainly be rewarding, especially when you’re staying home most of the time. If you’re just getting started, here are a few plants that can thrive in your apartment.

Jade. This simple succulent with scarlet-tinged leaves barely needs to be watered, which is a big plus, and can weather direct sunlight. So, if you have a sunny spot in your home and the time to water them once every two weeks, chances are you’ll be able to keep a jade plant happy.

Spider plant. Named for the branches that web out like the legs of a spider, this variegated plant is easy to hang. That’s why apartment-dwellers tend to love it—in addition to the fact that it doesn’t require frequent watering, and it grows well in low light. And one more bonus: it also cleans the air!

Bird’s nest fern. Whereas most ferns can only thrive in high levels of humidity, the bird’s nest fern is different. It’s happy in an average amount of humidity and very little light, so it’s much easier to grow in an apartment than some of its counterparts.

Best Indoor Plants for the Smallest of Spaces [Apartment Therapy] The 30 Best Indoor Plants for Apartments to Buy Online [Elle Decor] The 11 Best Houseplants for Apartments [The Spruce]

Sip and Swish Local Libations at Locavino

A neighborhood wine cafe and shop, Locavino serves top-notch beverages and delicious food to drool over. Owners and close friends, Jarrod and Justin, desire to share their passions with downtown Silver Spring, providing a place where everyone is welcome and feels at ease. Their goal is to shine a spotlight on local beverages in the context of global wine and beer and to serve yummy meals alongside them. 

Their daily food menu consists of appetizers, salads, soup, sandwiches, pasta, and dessert. If you want to try one of their popular dishes, many rave over their jerk chicken wrap and penne pesto, and for drinks, try their beer or cider! Whatever you choose to order, you’ll be delighted over the variety and warmth of the quaint shop, along with their excellent customer service skills. Be sure to visit their website before heading over from your apartment. 

Fun and Creative Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Home

While St. Patrick's Day usually involves a visit to your favorite pub followed by a parade, celebrations will likely look a little different in 2021. That doesn't mean, however, that you can't enjoy the camaraderie, delicious food, and the Irish spirit that make March 17 so special. Here are three ways to celebrate St. Paddy's Day at home this year.

Get Crafty. There are countless St. Paddy's Day craft projects on Pinterest that will allow you to channel your creativity—and your Irish spirit. Some ideas include glitter shamrock bunting, leprechaun finger puppets, and DIY signage, all of which will add festive charm to your apartment.

Go Green. St. Patrick's Day isn't complete without wearing emerald green! If you don't have any green apparel, see if you can find some budget-friendly green finds at a thrift shop or eBay. Rather see your green in a glass? Try adding a few drops of green food coloring to your favorite beer or other light-colored beverage.

Whip Up an Irish Recipe. You can't celebrate St. Patrick's Day without some delicious Irish fare, so why not experiment with some Irish-inspired recipes? In addition to a pint of Guinness, your feast on March 17 could include Irish soda bread, shamrock-shaped sugar cookies, corned beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie, and Irish stew. Sláinte!

Parade Canceled? 5 Exciting Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Home Instead [BHG]
31 Easy St. Patrick's Day Crafts That You Can Make [Country Living]
17 Best St. Patrick's Day Activities for a Day Full of Magical Fun [Good Housekeeping]

Bite Into a Freshly Made Crepe at Rita’s Crepes

Spice up your handheld eats and try recently opened Rita's Crepes in Silver Spring. Rita’s Crepes creates fresh wrappers with gluten-free ingredients and minimal butter and sugar. The result is a lower carb masterpiece that lets the flavorful fillings shine.

Choose from sweet options like strawberries and cream, lemon sugar, or Nutella, along with tons of savory crepes. The cheddar cheese, lox, or avocado variations feel almost breakfast-y, or you could opt for a veggie supreme, lamb merguez, or chicken Florentine crepe that are certainly a lunch or dinner all on their own. Rita’s Crepes focuses on using local ingredients whenever possible, and the freshest vegetables of the season.

Find Rita’s Crepes on Sunday at the Bethesda Central Farmer’s Market, or visit their new pick-up kitchen in Distribution Circle. Just pre-order from the website, and then grab your freshly made crepes Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.