(bethesda.org/bethesda/taste-bethesda) – Bethesda, Maryland

How I heard of this place: We were heading up to Bethesda for a Unit Convention and the invitation emails suggested an early arrival to find parking amidst the crowds at the Taste of Bethesda, happening that same day!

Type of cuisine: “Bethesda’s famous food and music festival brings 60 restaurants and five stages of entertainment to Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle. Each year, more than 40,000 attendees sample the delicious restaurants, enjoy the live entertainment and visit the kid’s corner for face painting and arts & crafts.”

Ambiance: About as casual as it gets, the outdoor festival finds several blocks of street blocked off, bands playing at the end of each, and the masses hurrying to line up to sample their favorite establishments at tented booths doning everything from hot dogs and butter chicken, to lobster rolls and steak sliders. You name it, you will find it at the Taste of Bethesda!

What I ordered: For our $20 worth of tickets, each, the four of us each started with a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse mini steak slider with horseradish aioili. Moving along the dozens of food vendor booths, Chris and David stopped for the pork shoulder served over mashed potatoes, while I chose to split an all beef frank, spicy mustard, onions and chili cheese dog with Chris at the Bold Bite Dogs & Fries booth, as Kit made her way over to the neighboring booth for a lobster roll. At the end of our journey, with only two tickets left for each couple, we made our way to the empanada stand: one chicken pesto for us and a beef with olives and Spanish peppers for our friends, guacamole and spicy sauces on the side.

What I loved: The pork shouder, amazingly, was my favorite taste of the day. The empanadas a close second and the chili taking third place.

Why I loved it: What’s not to love about a community rallying together to make for a beautiful fall day, celebrating food, family, friends, music, and the pure enjoyment of being surrounded by your neighbors.

Cost: Average to high ($20 for eight tickets, purchasing approximately three tapas per person)