Downtown Silver Spring

Claude Have Mercy Prepares to Bring Unique Seafood With Upcoming Opening

Commas Food Hall, a new 13,000-square-foot culinary destination on the third level of Ellsworth Place (8661 Colesville Rd) in Downtown Silver Spring, is set to open later this spring or in the early summer. Among its diverse offerings is Claude Have Mercy, a restaurant celebrated for putting a unique seafood twist on beloved dishes.

According to Commas, traditional American fare gets its sea legs from one of Silver Spring’s most popular chefs. Chef Claudius Kpakima creates unrivaled flavors inspired by his family’s West African heritage– where seafood reigns supreme– while also connecting with his American hometown community.

It all began with a Shrimp Burger that catapulted Chef Claudius into the Union Kitchen Food Accelerator, which introduces multi-million dollar food concepts to tables nationwide. Since then, he has crafted health-conscious dishes with seafood at their core. From burgers to crab cakes, tenders, and crab fries, get ready for an unforgettable experience.

About Chef Claudius: “Hailing from Silver Spring, Chef Claudius brings the warmth of his African heritage to the table. With roots from Sierra Leone he began his culinary journey from the confines of his own home kitchen, which blossomed to being accepted to Union Kitchen’s Accelerator Program for his Shrimp Burgers.

The organization helps to build and promote potential multimillion dollar food creation ideas. His journey from cooking for intimate gatherings to becoming an Executive Chef of a prominent Northwest DC restaurant, showcases his commitment to culinary arts. Known for his health-conscious yet flavorful meals, Chef Claudius adds a unique twist to traditional seafoods, offering an unforgettable experience to every patron.”