Continuing my America 250 representing a restaurant starting in New Jersey in Playa Bowls, which…read morestarted on the Jersey shore in 2014. I first tried Playa Bowls in Burtonsville, MD in March 2025 and loved it. I visited their College Park location speaking of America 250 on July 4, 2026. I combined this with a $2.50 individual cheese pizza deal at Ledo in honor of 250 that day only, which was a block away from here. Playa Bowls had a 250 bonus points promotion going on that 4th of July weekend. Staff at the College Park location was very friendly, at least on par with my experiences at Burtonsville. I always never know what I'm getting whenever I go. I remembered to look at their seasonal specialty bowls, but neither terribly appealed to me. I ended up going with Coco Berry bowl, which came with strawberries, blueberries, a yogurt base, coconut, banana, & blueberry flax granola. This was delicious! This was also unintentional, but the bowl I got happened to be red, white, & blue, so that was cool!

Bustling area and I'm obsessed with the Holiday Avalanche Coconut bowl! They made it so…read morebeautifully! I wish they'd keep this bowl on the menu. Try it if you've been on the fence. Totally delicious. The service was quick, friendly. The bathroom needed attention but I know that's tricky to maintain. Go, enjoy!!!

The hot vanilla latte and iced matcha latte with vanilla are my favorites! The cold brew,…read morecappuccino, and flat white are also delicious. The coffee roasted in house here is so smooth and flavorful. The G.O.A.T Bagel with tomato, goat cheese, avocado, and Old Bay seasoning is delicious, as are the açaí bowls! The open area is a great place to work if you like a bustling environment that smells like roasting coffee! There is often limited seating available as it is a popular place for people to sit, chat, and work. For parking longer than 15 minutes, there is a paid lot just up Gallatin street next to the post office. I love the garage door entrance when the weather is nice. Feels like a nice, welcoming, community space.

Vigilante continues to roast and brew very good coffee. There's a richness in their product that…read morekeeps me coming back for more. Whatever Chris Vigilante and his team are doing: keep going, please! The loyalty program is welcome and helps regulars. I've come to enjoy the various baked goods that are for sale. This wasn't always the case. There's been a concerted effort to offer better options. Last visit, I got a pastry knot sprinkled with pistachio nuts that was scrumptious and a yummy almond croissant.

Long time Vigilante fan, first time reviewer. Since I'm not often nearby my beloved Vigilante, it's…read moretruly a treat whenever I can drop by. This past Saturday the shop was buzzing as it tends to be, filled with students back on campus. The parking lot was a bit chaotic, but I got lucky with scoring a spot. I ordered a honey cinnamon iced latte and although I was dreading a long wait (the place was packed) I was able to be in and out within about 10 mins. The latte hit and I was able to return to the beltway hustle with a little peace and caffeine. Thank you, Vigilante for always getting it right!

Cute coffee shop right at UMD! Very limited parking (just a few spots & 1 hr only), and some…read moreseating but gets pretty busy with students. I've heard good things about the honey cinnamon latte / coffee in general! I tried the chai latte w/ oat milk (no up-charge for milk alternatives, which is much appreciated), but was surprised to find out it's very, very gingery. It was good, just a bit too much for me personally, as I was looking for a standard/regular chai, but if you like ginger check that out! I would come back to try other drinks. Our barista was nice.

Smoothies were amazing! I customized mine with almond milk and it was still a great consistency,…read morejust thick enough! My 9 month old drank from a straw for the first time here with one of their smoothies Forever one of my favs now. Veggie patties are bomb too!

I was in the mood for a smoothie and Nips just so happened to be staring right at me so I popped…read morein! I asked for some suggestions and ended up going with the peanut butter. I'm a person who likes peanut butter but if you're not into it so much this may not be for you. The peanut butter is thick! It's heavy on the peanut butter and bananas without much fluff of milk or other liquids. I really appreciated this and found it quite tasty. I'll likely pop in again to try some of their other offerings!

Birthday cake for breakfast? Say less!…read more I've been dying to try South Block's seasonal Birthday Cake Smoothie because I'm a sucker for anything birthday cake flavored. With this week's heat wave, Thursday felt like the perfect excuse to finally treat myself. The Birthday Cake Smoothie is made with almond milk, banana, vanilla, granola, maple syrup, plant protein, and topped with a dollop of blue CocoWhip, a cherry twist, and sprinkles. I swapped the plant protein for whey protein, and it absolutely hit the spot. It was creamy, refreshing, and definitely gave me the birthday cake vibes I was hoping for without being overly sweet. I ordered ahead through the app, and my smoothie was ready right on time. I also appreciated their pickup setup. Completed orders are placed in a freezer at the counter, so you can simply grab your drink and keep it moving. Quick, easy, and perfect for busy mornings. One thing I love about this location is being inside Union Market. There are plenty of places to sit if you want to enjoy your smoothie or bowl. Now, if you've ever been to Union Market on a weekend or evening, you already know finding a seat can feel like a competitive sport. But in the mornings, it's much calmer with far less foot traffic, making it a great time to visit. Price-wise, it's about the same as the South Block near my office in Arlington. Is it expensive? Sure. But honestly, that's just the reality of smoothie and açaí bowl spots these days. At least here, the quality, convenience, and fresh ingredients make it feel worth the splurge every once in a while. I'll definitely be back... especially if they bring this Birthday Cake Smoothie around again.

I knew that an acai bowl was food, and, honestly... that was about it! We were drawn to this booth…read morefrom the dozen people lined up to get one, and WOW, I'm furious that I've never had one before. Exceptional. South Block has scores of options to choose from and I got the peanut butter & jelly. A+. I tried my fiancee's nutella amalgamation and it was just as good. I need to go back! We had such a great time enjoying it on the picnic tables outside. My only complaint was the acai bowl's were so good, our conversation was practically non-existent... we mostly just ate. They were filling, delicious, and broke my brain as to why I had gone this far in life without making this treat a regular in my pursuit of constantly enjoying the most toothsome dishes to be had. I need to go back. Soon.

I got the double berry bowl with a coconut base and it was delicious ! The toppings all tasted so…read morefresh and refreshing and the peanut butter and nutella on top made it taste like a sweet treat ! Would recommend and come back ! The employee at the front of the store was also friendly !

After a grueling first day of sports practice, I asked my granddaughter where she would like to go…read morefor a cool and refreshing treat? Berries & Bowls was her number 1 choice. Service was great. We were waited on right away and the young lady explained different choices for smoothies. I decided to go with the Tropical Smoothie. My granddaughter ordered the Tropical Bowl. She was really excited that they have gluten free granola. We sat down and I loved the cute decor. There were really cute posters and warm woods. A fun fruit mural covers the front wall, as you walk in the door. My smoothie was fruity and delicious. It was so large, I didn't think I would finish it, but I did. My granddaughter loved her bowl and she even scraped the bottom of the bowl,for any leftover bits. That should tell you how good it was. I took off one star because prices are high. But, given the wholesome ingredients, great service, and gluten free options...I think this well worth it. As, one of the cute t-shirts says, " I really regret eating healthy today, said no one ever! " I agree.

I love this place! It's small but cozy and the beautiful pictures on the wall of icons (ie Michele…read moreObama and Tupac) game it a nice vibe. I only ordered beverages but loved both of them. The dirty chai was the best I've ever tasted! Gold Star 100% top notch winner winner tea for dinner!!! I also got the Monkey Business cold frappe. It is a perfect blend of bananas, vanilla and cinnamon. Not as good as the dirty chai but still excellent in its own right! I left very impressed and wanting more.

"It's not just Medusa that I have to fear," Diana of the Wild Isle, Daughter of Circe, and the Last…read moreof the Amazons, reminds herself as she steps confidently towards danger in Kelly Thompson and Mattia De Iulis's Absolute Wonder Woman Annual #1 (2026). "First, it will be her sisters. Stheno and Euryale. Gorgons...'Dread monsters' in the oldest texts....And yet, they have stayed by their sister's side, even though a glance from her would turn them into stone. That is love," Diana realizes, even as she contemplates that, soon, the misty cave floor under her feet will be beset with violence, meted out by Medusa's sisters, before Diana even gets a chance to explain that she is trespassing in the hopes of obtaining for Medusa the ultimate form of social justice: permanent chances for her to "look other soul[s] in the eyes...and be seen." The Black female ownership, the management, and the staff at Love Life Cafe, a snug coffee house nestled at 929 Washington Blvd in Laurel, Maryland, are fully aware how being seen is intertwined with social justice, kindness, and customer service. Black artists' drawings and paintings, some of which are for sale, adorn the walls, including "Wakanda Forever," featuring Chadwick Boseman, whom the world heartbreakingly lost too soon to cancer; "Say Their Names: Black Lives Matter," featuring Sandra Bland; whom her communities bitterly lost to police brutality; and, in a hope-filled change of pace, "Looking Up at Greatness," depicting two-year-old Parker Curry's recognition and wonder at seeing Amy Sherald's portrait of Michelle Obama at the National Portrait Gallery in March of 2018. So far, my wife has enjoyed a life-sized latte with extra hot cardamom oat milk; a life-sized cafe au Lait with the same; an açaí bowl, minus the honey and adding kiwi, pineapple, and mango; and a life-sized Hollaback Girl latte. Meanwhile, I was thrilled to devour a banana, cinnamon, and vanilla frappe appropriately dubbed "Monkey Business."

AUTHENTIC BRAZILIAN FIND: This is the best place around to get authentic Brazilian food and…read moregroceries. They stock a wide range of items you simply won't find in other grocery stores in the DC area, which makes it a go to if you're looking for specialty ingredients. The prepared food is excellent and tastes truly authentic. It's clear they take pride in doing things the right way. From what I've seen and heard, it's highly regarded by the many Brazilians in the local community, which says a lot. If you want the real flavors of Brazil, you've found it! Or actually, I found it for you :)

My husband and I actually drove 40 minutes to go to this market because we wanted to make a gift…read morebasket with authentic, Brazilian items for a friend for Christmas! This market is the quintessential corner type market. It has a nice assortment of items, as well as a space to actually order and purchase food items. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The store had a lot to offer.

Soft opening for Passport Eatz, the complimentary restaurant to Passport Juices. Same food court…read moreabout 50 yards apart. Combining the review. I had a fresh squeezed juice and some jerk wings. Also a curry goat patty. Their patties are fresh made. I watched one of the owners literally crimping the stuffed edges myself yesterday. The fruit used in all the juices is equally fresh. Fresh, fresh, fresh. They do curry chicken, curry goat, queso fresco, oxtail all in their lineup. An assortment of entrees too. The owners are four Jamaican guys who own both businesses. The ingredients are fresh and the seasonings are on point. Good guys with two good businesses. Solaire Social Food Court.... terrific ambiance. Very clean open space right in the heart of downtown Silver Spring. This food court has a Thai restaurant ....a brick oven pizza place.... West African restaurant....a vegan spot AND a bar.... all as an assortment of complimentary businesses.

Passport juices taste pretty standard like any other juice/smoothie joint. If you're adding peanut…read morebutter to the acai bowl, expect to see a whole layer of powder. Otherwise if you're able to go to their food restaurant called Passport Eatz in the same food hall, I'd totally recommend the oxtail fries, the silver spring sandwich, and the lemon pepper wings. I stopped by during their grand opening, so service was pretty slow then, but everyone was nice, and I'm sure things have picked up since then.

Cafe located on the ground floor of an office building. Inside high chairs are available for…read moreseating. There are additional table and chairs upon exiting the cafe. Welcoming, patient staff. We ordered fully loaded breakfast burritos, a latte and smoothie. Ingredients were harmonious! Burritos was loaded. We did appreciate how they were prepared. All the ingredients stayed inside the warm flour tortillas.

This was such a cute little breakfast/deli spot! Location was great, easy to get to, and PARKING…read morewas actually easy -- always a win! Service was amazing too. They're small, but have a surprisingly good variety of snacks, drinks, breakfast and lunch options. I ordered a bacon, egg & cheese on a croissant, an iced caramel latte with almond milk, a turkey & provolone sandwich for later, and a caramel crunch bar. That bacon, egg & cheese croissant?! YESSS. The croissant was good, and the iced caramel latte was delicious with the almond milk. I ate the turkey & provolone later that day and it was just okay for me -- a little dry and definitely my least favorite of everything I purchased. Nowwww...my total was over $32. For a breakfast sandwich, turkey sandwich, latte and a snack bar, I definitely thought that was a little pricey. I had to look at that total twice! Overall, though, good food, great service, convenient location and easy parking. I'd come back -- but next time I might not get quite so carried away at the register.