Apple Store

This is a neat store to hang out in and test out all the new Apple gadgets. The staff is friendly and will let you play around with the displays as long as you want. They have a good selection of Apple products, and will order you anything that they don't have in stock.

They have a discount for students, teachers and federal government employees, but it seems to be sporadically offered. I bought an Ipod there and received the discount with government ID, and went back 2 months later to buy another Ipod and soem accessories and was told that the discount was only for certain models of Ipods, which is odd. But it's worth a shot to ask.

Barwood Taxi

Barwood taxi is a cab service that operates on a call basis, meaning that you can't really flag one down in the street. I have had both good and bad luck with scheduling a cab and having it show up on time. Once they wrote down my contact number wrong, showed up early but couldnt reach me, so by the time I was down to meet the cab (a few minute early) they were gone and there were no cabs available for a half hour, and I ended up on the metro. Other times, they do show up and everyone's happy. Do not depend on them to show up- call another cab company if it's really important.

Bethesda Dental Associates

I went in for a cleaning and was very impressed with the staff at Bethesda Dental Associates. They got me in for an appointment quickly. I appreciated that the dental hygienist talked to me about the cost of different services, such as flouride treatment, and what was covered by my insurance and what was out of pocket. They submitted on my behalf for insurance, which I did not expect them to do. I had to come back for a cavity, and was impressed with the dentist.

The office is very close to the Bethesda metro. There is limited parking, so it's better to take the metro if possible.

Bethesda Row Cinema

This is a nice movie theater that plays new release movies. It's a bit on the small side and is really popular, so it's a good idea to buy tickets ahead of time, on Fandango. It's worth teh small service fee. There are many restaurats and bars around the movie theater, which makes for a nice night out. They have stadium seating. The price is the same as all other new release movie theaters, and the snack bar has the standard movie theater fare.

Regal gallery place stadium 14

I really enjoy going to movies at this movie theater. It's a brand new theater in the Chinatown area of Washington DC. It's very close to the Chinatown-Gallery Place metro. There are many restaurants right near the movie theater, and some of them even have deals where you can get a meal and a discounted movie ticket. They are still building businesses in the building in which teh theater was built, so there should be even more to do before and after the movie soon. Prices are the same as any other new release theater - expensive!- and the food that they serve at the snack bar is standard movie theater fare.

Ritz Camera & Image

I had passport pictures taken here. The staff was really friendly and took my pictures on a digital camera. They allowed me to see the pictures before they printed them, and would have retaken them on request. They print them in the store, but they asked me to come back in a half hour to pick up the pictures because the printer was in use for another job. The pictures were very expensive. They were a lot nicer than the ones you would get at a drug store or discount place, but for passport pictures it was not worth the price!

Thatchers Drugstore

I have had prescriptions filled at Thatchers and have been very satisifed with the pharmacy staff. They are quick and will work with the doctor to get your prescription filled as fast as possible. Thatchers also carries an array of other products, including beauty and personal care supplies, natural and organic foods, knitting and sewing supplies, and books and magazines.

Walgreens

Brooks is a full service pharmacy and general convenience store. I haven't had any prescriptions filled here, but the store itself is nice and has a good selection of cards, convenience foods, personal care and cosmetic supplies, and anything else you'd expect to find at a drugstore. Brooks also does one hour photo, as well as regular photo service. There is no loyalty card type scheme here, but they do have a weekly circular that goes out and you can find some good deals.

Atticus Book Store-Cafe

Atticus cafe is a bookstore and cafe. The bookstore carries mostly mainstream popular literature. Atticus is on the Yale University campus, so it also carries books by Yale authors and local-interest books about Yale and Connecticut. The staff will order books that are not in stock and hold them for you. The cafe has great food, although it is often crowded and is a bit expensive. They also have nice takeaway coffee and pastries.

Safeway - Closed

I really like this Safeway because it's so close to the Bethesda Metro. They have a loyalty card scheme, so to get the sales you have to sign up for the card and swipe it when you check out. They have great deals, and they often run contests where you enter via your card when you buy certain brands. The store is clean, and has a good selection, and the produce is really nice. I did have one weird encounter with a meat department staff member who was a little overbearing with his advice on buying chicken breasts, but overall I've had a good experience shopping here.