Tag Archives: Velatis

Go Brent Agent Spotlight: Natalie Thomas

As a native Washingtonian, Natalie Thomas has grown up in Silver Spring’s Woodside Park and had even purchased her first home in Woodside Forest. She definitely knows her way around from boutiques to bakeries and everything in between.

Get to know Natalie in this latest agent spotlight as she takes you through her favorite spots in and around the DC-Metro area.

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Growing up here and having been fortunate enough to travel to various cities, I have really come to appreciate the beauty and diversity of our metropolitan area and just how much it has to offer. There is a little something for everyone here – whether urban, suburban, waterfront, or mountains – our metropolitan area has it all.

While we live in a very transient area, I have come to love this about our area because it brings people from all over the world together! I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

TEMPT YOUR TASTEBUDS: FOOD SPOTS!

More of a foodie? Well, the food scene just keeps getting better. With so many different cultural influences in this city, no cuisine is left unturned.

  • PassionFish – Bethesda
  • Barcelona – Cathedral Heights
  • Buena Vida – Silver Spring

Where do your tastebuds take you for a nice dinner out with family or friends?

  • Barcelona – 14th St or Cathedral Commons (DC)
  • Mi Rancho, Olazzo (Silver Spring)
  • Blacks Market (Kensington) 
  • Le Diplomate (14th St) 

What are of your favorite places to order in from?

  • Amina Thai (Silver Spring) – Grubhub delivers.
  • Jewel of India (Silver Spring) – Postmates delivers.
  • Spring Garden (Silver Spring) – Free delivery.

Favorite Happy Hour spots?

  • Urban Butcher (Silver Spring)
  • Mrs. Ks (Silver Spring)
  • Olazzo (Silver Spring)
  • Ruths Chris (Bethesda)
  • Blacks (Bethesda)
  • Gringos & Mariachis (Bethesda) 
  • Jaleos (Bethesda/DC)
  • PassionFish (Bethesda)

Favorite Mexican Restaurants?

  • Lauriol Plaza (Adams Morgan)
  • Gringos & Mariachis (Bethesda)
  • Mi Rancho (Silver Spring)
  • Uncle Julios (Bethesda) 

What’s the best breakfast or brunch spot in the area?

  • Buena Vida – Great brunch spot – unlimited small plates (Silver Spring)
  • La Pain Quotidien (Bethesda) 

LET’S TALK SHOPPING!

  • Wildwood Center
  • Friendship Heights
  • Reddz Trading

Where’s the best shopping in the town? Are there any good boutiques?

  • Friendship Heights (DC) – Great combination of high-end retail mixed with off-price apparel chains like Marshalls and TJ Maxx. My favorite part of shopping in Friendship Heights is having access to all different types of retail while being able to pop in and out of shops and enjoy the outdoors.
  • Reddz Trading (Bethesda) – Second hand designer clothing store. Unique designer finds at unbeatable prices.
  • Wildwood Center (Bethesda) – Mix of boutiques and designer stores.

GET ACTIVE!

Love the great outdoors and mountains? Within an hour you can be hiking at the Shenandoah National Park or sipping wine at a vineyard with mountain views. Our nation’s Capital is full of history from the Capitol, to the White House, to the monuments or museums.

  • Gravelly Point Park
  • OrangeTheory – Silver Spring
  • Billy Goat Trail

Are there any good hikes or bike trails?

  • C&O Canal (DC) – Hiking and biking 
  • Great Falls (MD) – Billy Goat Trail
  • Rock Creek Pkwy (MD) – Hiking and biking 
  • Harpers Ferry (VA)
  • Gravelly Point Park (DC) – Great walking/biking trails 
  • Patapsco Valley State Park (MD) – Great hikes
  • Sugar Loaf Mountain (MD) – Hiking
  • Theodore Roosevelt Island (DC) – Walking

Are there any recommendations for workout classes in the area?

  • Yoga: Blue Heron Wellness (Silver Spring)
  • Pure Barre (Silver Spring)
  • Orange Theory (Silver Spring)

LOCAL BREWS & SIPS

  • Denizens Brewing Company
  • 3 Stars Brewing Company
  • Kaldi’s Social House

So many to choose from. What are some of your favorite local breweries?

  • Denizens (MD) – I love that you can bring your dog and sit outside.
  • 3 Stars Brewing Company (DC) – love that you can bring in your own food and get a cold beer.

Best coffee spots in the area?

  • Kaldis (Silver Spring)
  • Blue Bottle Coffee (DC – Wharf) – AMAZING DRIP COFFEE

HAVE A SWEET TOOTH?

  • Pie Sisters
  • JennyCakes Bakery
  • Dolcezza

What’s the best bakery in town?

  • Nothing Bundt Cakes (Silver Spring)
  • Jenny Cakes Bakery (Kensington)
  • Baked & Wired (Georgetown)
  • Pie Sisters (Georgetown)
  • Tout de Sweet Shop (Bethesda)
  • Velatis (Silver Spring)
  • Dolcezza (DC)
  • District Donut (DC)

FUN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD!

The best part about our city is that most of these activities are free and can be enjoyed through so many means of transportation – kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, scootering, or even a Segway tour!

  • Great Falls
  • Eastern Market
  • Union Market

What are fun weekend activities to do in the neighborhood?

  • Farmer’s Market
  • Kayak/Paddle Board (DC)
  • Yoga Class/Barre Class 
  • Union Market (DC)
  • Museums (DC) 
  • Vineyards/Breweries
  • Hikes/Biking  

Favorite Farmers Markets?

  • Silver Spring
  • Capitol Hill – Eastern Market 

Are there any cool historical spots worth visiting?

Pretty much anything downtown! White House / Capitol / Museums / Monuments, etc. 

What’s your favorite park to take the kids and / or pet to or just take a scroll in?

Great Falls – It’s by far my favorite walk in the area…gorgeous/scenic views.

Interested in keeping up with Natalie? Follow her on instagram!

Go Brent Agent Spotlight: Liz Brent

photo via source of the spring

After living in the Seven Oaks neighborhood for over 23 years and working in many local neighborhoods, Liz Brent knows Silver Spring inside and out. From parks to coffee shops, Liz shares some of her favorite go-to spots in the community. If you want to keep up with Liz, follow her on Facebook or Instagram.

What’s the best breakfast or brunch spot in town?

Fenton Cafe for crepes and Italian coffee! 

Get active! Are there any good hikes or bike trails in the area?

Sligo Creek is the best; I really love living close to it. Walking, jogging, and biking – I do it all. I’ve also started walking several days a week to the Go Brent office too.

Caffeine Rush: What’s your favorite coffee spot?

We are lucky to have great options for independent coffee shops but Kaldi’s is right next door to our office, so that’s my go-to!

Have a sweet tooth? What’s the best bakery in town?

I’ll go with caramels – Velatis.

What are fun weekend activities to do in the neighborhood?

Ice skating in the fall and winter! Walk to Ertters for a popsicle! An Ertters popsicle run was a regular after-dinner thing when my 3 kids were young.  It got them out of the house, we saw friends and neighbors along the way and there was an inexpensive treat at the end.  

Favorite Farmer’s Markets?

I’m lucky to be just 3 blocks from the SS Farmer’s Market.  

Are there any cool historical spots worth visiting?

Many! One that’s less well known is the tiny Battleground National Cemetery on Georgia Avenue in Brightwood. It was commissioned by President Lincoln for Union soldiers who fought at Fort Stevens. I’m an old cemetery fan.  

What’s your favorite park to take the kids and/or pets to or just take a stroll in?

My Ridgeback Tess is a regular at Ellsworth Urban Dog Park or we head over and walk at Sligo Creek.  When my kids were young, we hung out at either “The Sunny Park”, on Ellsworth or “The Shady Park” by the creek on Bennington. 

Go Brent Team: Living and Working in Silver Spring

After working here in Silver Spring for almost two decades, it’s no secret that we at Go Brent Team love serving our neighbors in this incredible community. Whether it’s buying or selling homes, recommending local partners, or providing real estate advice, we’re always here to help put the spotlight on the best that Silver Spring has to offer. Now, the spotlight is on us! Get to know more about Go Brent Team: our neighborhoods, favorite local spots, and local service recommendations – all the things we love about living and working in Silver Spring.

Liz Brent

SEVEN OAKS RESIDENT FOR 21 YEARS

I’ve lived in Silver Spring’s Seven Oaks neighborhood for 21 years now. The walkability is a huge plus since the kids could walk to schools and we have easy access to downtown Silver Spring. Kaldi’s Social House is my favorite local spot, it’s conveniently located next door to my office, and so stopping in for morning coffee is a must! I love that they are now offering lunch too. A great local service provider I’ve found and worked with over the years is Diana Hyatt at the local M&T Bank on Georgia Avenue.

Debbie Gerald

SLIGO PARK HILLS RESIDENT FOR 4 YEARS

I grew up in Silver Spring then moved away, returning 9 years ago to renovate and sell a home in Woodside Park, and then moving to Sligo Park Hills 4 years ago. The close proximity to downtown Silver Spring and Takoma Park was really important to me; I also enjoyed meeting my neighbors, many of whom are the second-generation residents. Kaldi’s is my local coffee shop and I also head to 8407 Kitchen Bar fairly regularly; Woodside Deli’s Turkey Ruebens are also a favorite (think takeout!).

Fantasy Nails at the Woodmoor Shopping Center in Four Corners is my favorite nail salon.

Cari Jordan

WOODMOOR RESIDENT FOR 17 YEARS

I’ve really loved living in Woodmoor for the past 17 years. I enjoy the sense of community – meeting friendly neighbors out in the community walking dogs or playing with kids. When my kids turned 10, I felt very comfortable with them walking themselves to and from friend’s homes in the neighborhood. My kids now also walk to the Sweet Frog in the Woodmoor Shopping Center. Speaking of the shopping center, we really appreciate the great wine and craft beer selection at the Woodmoor Market, and Santucci’s subs can’t be beat! With two kids and a dog life is busy, so KitchKat is a local business that I now use for fresh meal delivery or we may run over to Wheaton for Thai food from Ruan Thai or Ren’s Ramen for amazing, homemade ramen noodle soup.  ​ Two Coconuts in Kensington, owned by a Woodmoor neighbor, is my go to place for hostess and personalized gifts.

Susanna Drayne

NORTH WOODSIDE RESIDENT FOR 16 YEARS

Living in North Woodside has been terrific, especially with the walkability to stores, schools, daycare, and Metro.  Living near Sniders is also a big plus – I can do a week’s worth of food shopping in about 30 minutes! Fenwick Beer & Wine has been a welcome addition to the local scene. Not only do they have a phenomenal selection of wine and beer, but they also host free Friday evening tastings.

A great local shop we use regularly is the Jalal Barber Shop on Georgia Avenue near Seminary Place.

Linda Magolda

WOODSIDE PARK RESIDENT FOR 2 YEARS

I live in Woodside Park, where I grew up in the 50’s and 60’s.  I left the area and lived in New Jersey for the better part of 40 years, and just recently returned to Silver Spring to be closer to my family.  The neighborhood holds memories for me, and coming back has been very nostalgic. I often walk with my dog, and enjoy the beautiful homes, trees, and landscaped gardens.  The community is filled with friendly people — many fellow walkers and runners, and of course, canine buddies (and neighborhood cats too!)

The downtown I remember as a child was a smaller place; today’s city is bustling. I especially enjoy going to the year round Farmers Market in the heart of Silver Spring, and must also mention Sniders and Mrs. K’s Toll House Restaurant, which have been around as long as I have! Silver Spring was a fun place to be growing up as a child, and it’s equally as exciting returning as a seasoned citizen.

Tammy Thomas

WOODSIDE PARK RESIDENT FOR 33 YEARS

Having lived in Woodside Park for 33 years now, I truly appreciate the unique homes offering so much charm and appeal. Of course, our neighbors make this place special and we look forward to our annual Luzerne Block Party each year. Silver Spring offers so much — we enjoy dining at Mi Rancho and Mrs. K’s Toll House Restaurant, walking around the weekend farmers market, shopping at Sniders, and frequenting the Woodmoor Pastry Shop. It’s also wonderful to have Sligo Creek Park’s walking trails and golf course close by; I have fond memories of teaching our daughters to ride their bikes there!

For a special treat, we head to Velatis on Georgia Avenue in downtown Silver Spring; this local business has been making delicious caramels and other sweets since 1866.

Beth Stanton

WOODSIDE RESIDENT FOR 13 YEARS

We moved to Woodside from a nearby Silver Spring neighborhood (Sligo Branview) — we were looking to be closer to Metro, and were hopeful that downtown Silver Spring’s revitalization would come to fruition.  So now 13 years later, we’ve love living inside the Beltway, walking to downtown Silver Spring, and having easy access to DC! Living and working in Silver Spring offers me a great work/life balance – I’ve got a 5-minute commute down Georgia Avenue and I’m able to be home with my kids after school. One of my favorite local restaurants is the Big Greek Café – their Greek salads are delicious! My kids are huge fans of Olazzo, and I recently learned they do catering which has come in handy when I need to feed a crowd.

There are many local businesses that I depend on, but two come to mind. John Greenan & Sons Jewelers on Fenwick Lane is a wonderful family-owned business. From watch batteries to jewelry repairs to gifts, it’s a local place I know I can trust. I like to entertain and was thrilled to find We’re Having a Party, located off Brookeville Road, for dependable but inexpensive party rentals – think tables, chairs, tablecloths, and more.