Northwood News ♦ December 2012

Sushi Restaurant Takes Over Fajita Coast Space

By Jacquie Bokow

A new restaurant — and the only Asian offering in the neighborhood — opened in late October.  Red Maple occupies the space next to GameStop that held the very popular Fajita Coast restaurant.

This is owner James Zheng’s second restaurant in the area; he also owns Spring Garden on 16th Street in Silver Spring.  His brother Qin is the head sushi chef at Red Maple.  James moved here from New York to be with family, according to manager Rio Villa, who previously had been assistant general manager at Notti Bianche, an Italian restaurant in Washington, D.C.

Besides a large sushi/sashimi and “roll” selection, diners also can order Chinese, Thai, and Japanese standards like General Tso’s and Kung Pao chicken, pad thai, and tempura.  A few vegetarian selections are also available.

By press time, the restaurant will be offering 10 to 11 different sakes in small bottles and red wines during the winter, either by the glass or bottle.  White wine will be available mostly in summer.

Red Maple will be offering “specialty cocktails available no where else,” said Villa, which will include one called “Red Maple” and feature lychee, apricot, and yuzu.  They also offer “Japanese Scotch,” he said.

The restaurant will have a Happy Hour from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. weeknights that will feature sushi and appetizers.  Villa’s also working on a Late Night Menu, which will be offered from 10:30 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday and until 2:00 a.m. Friday nights.

Red Maple currently is open 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 10:00 p.m. on Sundays.  See www.redmaplesilverspring.com for details.   ■