Here’s a look at the latest openings, closings, and upcoming projects at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg.
New: Koi Sushi is now open at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg at 201 Boardwalk Place, bringing a contemporary Japanese dining concept to the busy mixed use destination. The restaurant offers an extensive menu that includes classic nigiri and sashimi such as tuna, salmon, yellowtail, eel, and wagyu, along with sushi and sashimi sets, chirashi bowls, and omakase style options. Specialty rolls include creations like the Rio Roll with lobster, avocado, mango, and spicy tuna, the Maryland Roll with blue crab, and luxury rolls incorporating ingredients such as toro, foie gras, caviar, and sea urchin. Beyond sushi, the menu features appetizers and entrées including karaage chicken, pork buns, gyoza, tempura, ramen, udon noodles, katsu dishes, and donburi bowls, along with weekday lunch specials. The restaurant also highlights a cocktail program using sake, shochu, and Japanese spirits, and will host a weekly late night event called Club Rising Sun Koi on Saturdays from 10 pm to 2 am featuring a live DJ, drink specials, and free admission.
Coming Soon: Construction is underway for Kareem’s Lebanese Kitchen at Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront, taking over the former Bach to Rock space at 212 Boardwalk Place. The restaurant currently operates a location in Naples, Florida that opened in February 2018 and has earned a 4.6 Google rating with more than 900 reviews and a 4.4 Yelp rating with more than 300 reviews. Rio says the restaurant is known for its authentic Lebanese flavors, with a menu featuring dishes such as shawarma, fresh mezze, and other Mediterranean specialties.
Recent Closings: Fine Wine (Finewine.com) at 20 Grand Corner Ave., Suite A has closed. The shop had long served as a specialty wine retailer offering domestic and international selections, wine tastings, classes, and private events through its in store wine bar. After more than a decade, Bluemercury at Rio Lakefront has also permanently closed. The beauty retailer originally opened in September 2015 and was known for its curated selection of high end skincare, makeup, and beauty brands. Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls has also been closed for several weeks. While confirmation from the company or Rio has not been provided, the restaurant is listed as permanently closed on Google.
Possibly Coming Soon: The Peterson Companies have requested schematic development plan approval for up to 500 multifamily residential units and 43,000 square feet of retail across four buildings within the Washingtonian Center at Rio in Gaithersburg. Additional information on the proposal can be found here.
Upcoming Event: The City of Gaithersburg, in partnership with The Peterson Companies and Rio Lakefront, will host the 24th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14 at 10 am along Grand Corner Avenue at Rio. The parade will feature Celtic dancers, bagpipe bands, school groups, fire trucks, equestrian units, and community organizations, with longtime parade planner Dorthy Winder serving as Grand Marshal. After the parade, visitors can stay for Rio’s Shamrock Sales Stroll, featuring store promotions, giveaways, live music, family activities, and St. Patrick’s Day themed food and drinks throughout the lakefront. Free parking will be available in garages along Washingtonian Boulevard.
