Some days, when Dan and I can muster up the willpower and energy, we convince ourselves that we are actually going to make it to the gym and try to shape our round bodies into something more humanoid. When we finally get to Silver Spring (where our gym is located), we always seem to get struck immediately by debilitating pangs of hunger, and nothing can be done but we must eat. The story usually ends with us gorging on succulent meats to satisfy our greedy little bellies, falling asleep at the bookstore in an attempt to digest our food, then heading home in a stupor without actually making it to the gym. One of the restaurants we love to go to when we attempt a gym day is Mandalay Restaurant & Cafe, a Burmese restaurant in Silver Spring.

Atmosphere: Mandalay has a bit of a souped up college cafeteria feel. There’s an attempt made at interior decoration, but it feels more like a poor college student splurged at the thrift store to add a bit of class to their otherwise spartan room. You can clearly see that they made an effort to make it look nice, but somehow, it all falls a bit short.

Service: The service here is friendly and efficient. Somehow, you get the feeling like the staff are all people who love the earth and spend their time saving endangered animals and planting trees: A “good person” vibe gently emanates from them in soft green waves.

Food: Burmese food is a heavenly fusion of Indian, Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese influences, and Mandalay Restaurant is masterful at preparing these delicately balanced dishes. The salads at Mandalay are delightful, and Dan and I always order one when we are there. Two of our favorites are the ThinnBawThee Thoke (Green Papaya Salad) and the PyiGyi Ngar Thoke (Squid Salad), both accompanied with crunchy shredded cabbage and onions in a sweet vinegar dressing. The salads are not only refreshing, they are quite satisfying to crunch with your teeth.

One of the most unusual dishes at Mandalay is the PePyoke Kyet Thun Gyaw (Yellow beans - Vatana - stir fried with onion, scallion and garnished with friend onion) or any other dish with yellow beans. I’ve never seen another restaurant serve these yellow beans, so if you go to Mandalay, they are not to be missed. These delicious beans are firm outside and creamy inside, have a slight nutty flavor, and soak up sauces like sponges.

If you go to Mandalay on a Sunday, you’re in for a real treat. They serve DanPauk only on Sundays (Basmati rice served with chicken and spiced onion curry), and this dish simply melts in your mouth. The chicken is so tender, it almost falls off of the bone, and the curry is a melange of exotic flavors.

Summary:  Mandalay is affordable and deeeeeeelicious!  If you’re tired of eating the same old dishes, go to Mandalay to kick your taste buds into action.  Your taste buds will thank you for finally presenting them with an exotic adventure.

Restaurant Information:

• Website: http://www.mandalayrestaurantcafe.com/
• Address: 930 Bonifant St., Silver Spring, MD 20910-4514
• Phone: 301-585-0500
• Price Range: Appetizers range from $4 - $6; Entrees range from $8 - $13.