What about Red Ginger? I've been taking my son to Kensington for speech therapy the last few weeks, and I have noticed that place on my drive home. Overall, I get a "Land that Time Forgot" vibe about Kensington. It's a very quirky place!

Old Town Market is great for carry out and for picking up beer and wine.

Our family really likes suburban for weekend pastries and for dinner. They have quite a bit of seating now and a really nice menu. Our daughter likes the burger and they also have a grilled cheese on ciabatta (not on the menu, but just ask; waitress told us about it). Menu changes regularly and the cooking is creative and delicious. We make a point of getting there and Frankly Pizza as regularly as we can. It's awesome to have some walkable family restaurants.

I've also stopped in for lunch at suburban on weekdays and it's usually hopping. Last time we got the last two seats at the bar.

Looks like five guys just opened.

Of course we can go elsewhere but it would be nice to have some more local options. But as I'm looking for family friendly and I have a kid who will not eat pizza I guess these aren't for us.

As for other Kensington options I've tried (that are stll here) ...

Savannah's - rather trashy bar vibe with overpriced blah food - not my thing.
Continental - just okay, perhaps you have to have grown up here to love them (i.e. I grew up having Vace's and they remain my absolute favorite.)
Starbucks - haven't been but assume it's like the others.
Java Nation - grabbed a bite there and it was fine but menu is limited. DH liked the coffee, not the cookies.
Chipolte - it is what it is - we like it but not too often. Also it's small and generally crowded so better for carry-out.

Haven't been to the 5 Guys yet.

Anonymous wrote:A friend loves the new coffee shop (Java Cafe or something?). I haven't been yet but plan to. I really wish Savannah's had better food or a better vibe. I would love somewhere to do for an easy low key date night or moms night out without going to Bethesda or silver spring!

I agree about savannah. I went when they first opened and it was terrible. They must be making enough money not to care.

A friend loves the new coffee shop (Java Cafe or something?). I haven't been yet but plan to. I really wish Savannah's had better food or a better vibe. I would love somewhere to do for an easy low key date night or moms night out without going to Bethesda or silver spring!

Anonymous wrote:

The mayor opened a restaurant in the old Cafe Monet space and was able to circumvent that

He wasn't "able to circumvent that," the law changed a while ago.

I think he was the guiding force behind the change. Don't get me wrong. The laws should have been changed and he was in a position to do that.

I really liked the restaurant and was sorry it closed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks, face facts. Kensington is not an up and coming dining neighborhood. If someone needs to list Chipotle as their go-to place, you know there's a dearth of good food options in that particular area. Good news is that Kensington is a mile away from Wheaton. If you are willing to brave the bad drivers, there's pretty much every ethnic food done well.

No, we are moving into the big leagues. Five guys is coming. Wheaton is close but it's a hassle with traffic and most of those places are dives and gross.

I didn't know this about Five Guys, so I googled. I see it's going in the old Hong Kong space. That's good to know...but I can't imagine they'll ever be as friendly as Frances!

+1 I miss the Hong Kong! Isn't there a new coffee shop I'm that shopping center with food as well? Has anyone eaten there?

No one has mentioned Savannah's, but I don't think it's very good.

Have not been to the new one. We did also get a Starbucks so that is also progress. I am not a coffee drinker.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks, face facts. Kensington is not an up and coming dining neighborhood. If someone needs to list Chipotle as their go-to place, you know there's a dearth of good food options in that particular area. Good news is that Kensington is a mile away from Wheaton. If you are willing to brave the bad drivers, there's pretty much every ethnic food done well.

No, we are moving into the big leagues. Five guys is coming. Wheaton is close but it's a hassle with traffic and most of those places are dives and gross.

I didn't know this about Five Guys, so I googled. I see it's going in the old Hong Kong space. That's good to know...but I can't imagine they'll ever be as friendly as Frances!

+1 I miss the Hong Kong! Isn't there a new coffee shop I'm that shopping center with food as well? Has anyone eaten there?

No one has mentioned Savannah's, but I don't think it's very good.

Maybe that's why no one mentioned it.

Traditionally not being able to sell alcohol was a big barrier to restaurants getting established in Kensington. The mayor opened a restaurant in the old Cafe Monet space and was able to circumvent that, so I think that helped pave the way for additional restaurants to do the same.

The mayor failed and now it is frankly pizza. The mayor has his hands in all kinds of business ventures. I suspect that is why we do not have more as it is not in his financial interests.

Hong Kong was gross, dirty and outdated. It was time to remodel or leave. Five guys probably offered a lot more money and they sadly ran her out. There are plenty of restaurants that do not sell alcohol that can work.

The mayor opened a restaurant in the old Cafe Monet space and was able to circumvent that

He wasn't "able to circumvent that," the law changed a while ago.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks, face facts. Kensington is not an up and coming dining neighborhood. If someone needs to list Chipotle as their go-to place, you know there's a dearth of good food options in that particular area. Good news is that Kensington is a mile away from Wheaton. If you are willing to brave the bad drivers, there's pretty much every ethnic food done well.

No, we are moving into the big leagues. Five guys is coming. Wheaton is close but it's a hassle with traffic and most of those places are dives and gross.

I didn't know this about Five Guys, so I googled. I see it's going in the old Hong Kong space. That's good to know...but I can't imagine they'll ever be as friendly as Frances!

+1 I miss the Hong Kong! Isn't there a new coffee shop I'm that shopping center with food as well? Has anyone eaten there?

No one has mentioned Savannah's, but I don't think it's very good.

Maybe that's why no one mentioned it.

Traditionally not being able to sell alcohol was a big barrier to restaurants getting established in Kensington. The mayor opened a restaurant in the old Cafe Monet space and was able to circumvent that, so I think that helped pave the way for additional restaurants to do the same.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks, face facts. Kensington is not an up and coming dining neighborhood. If someone needs to list Chipotle as their go-to place, you know there's a dearth of good food options in that particular area. Good news is that Kensington is a mile away from Wheaton. If you are willing to brave the bad drivers, there's pretty much every ethnic food done well.

No, we are moving into the big leagues. Five guys is coming. Wheaton is close but it's a hassle with traffic and most of those places are dives and gross.

I didn't know this about Five Guys, so I googled. I see it's going in the old Hong Kong space. That's good to know...but I can't imagine they'll ever be as friendly as Frances!

+1 I miss the Hong Kong! Isn't there a new coffee shop I'm that shopping center with food as well? Has anyone eaten there?

No one has mentioned Savannah's, but I don't think it's very good.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks, face facts. Kensington is not an up and coming dining neighborhood. If someone needs to list Chipotle as their go-to place, you know there's a dearth of good food options in that particular area. Good news is that Kensington is a mile away from Wheaton. If you are willing to brave the bad drivers, there's pretty much every ethnic food done well.

No, we are moving into the big leagues. Five guys is coming. Wheaton is close but it's a hassle with traffic and most of those places are dives and gross.

I didn't know this about Five Guys, so I googled. I see it's going in the old Hong Kong space. That's good to know...but I can't imagine they'll ever be as friendly as Frances!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only ones I will eat at are frankly pizza, chipolte and mannys. The others are overpriced and well.....

I wouldn't eat the pizza at Manny's and the gyros are subpar. The Old Town Deli next to Sub-Urban has great sandwiches, but you could barely count it as eat-in.

The pizza looks nasty. The veggie gyro is decent.

Anonymous wrote:Anyone ever eaten at Kays? Lived here for a few years and haven't even looked inside.

I have years ago for breakfast. It was fine, but really run down. Mannys or the donut shop food is better. Mannys finally cleaned their place up a little bit. It looks much better.