Written by DCist contributor Andrew Schneider

Finding good Vietnamese cuisine in Silver Spring, or any Vietnamese cuisine besides pho, used to be tricky business. No more. The newly opened Lotus Café, on Georgia Ave. around the corner from Jackie’s and within spitting distance of the Red line, is a fantastic addition to Silver Spring’s increasingly diverse culinary scene.

Originally opened in the late ‘90s as Kim Tan, the restaurant became My Le after a change of ownership. My Le fell into increasing disrepair (and an increasing number of rats) following another change of ownership in 2003. The restaurant was finally shuttered following a suspected arson on Halloween, 2007. The property has since reverted to its original ownership, who have aggressively remodeled and refurbished the space with lotus-themed decor, including a charming and expansive open-air deck perfect for a snack and a drink on late summer nights. They serve beer and wine and are open until 1 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and until 10 p.m. on weekdays. This is a big deal in Silver Spring, where much of the town closes down early. Likewise, the rat problem has been resolved.