Author: Francesca Luca

Beyond MoCo

The 24 D.C./D.C.Area Michelin Star Restaurants (1, 2, and 3 Stars)

By Francesca Luca

While there aren’t any restaurants in Montgomery County that have been awarded Michelin stars, we’ve put together a list of the 24 nearby restaurants that have earned stars. Michelin stars are awarded in a three star system: one star meaning “a very good restaurant”, two stars meaning “excellent cooking that is worth a detour” and three stars meaning “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey”.  These are not based on customer reviews, rather these stars are awarded by Michelin Inspectors who are anonymous food experts and have undergone official Michelin Guide training in France.  

As explained by Fine Dining Lovers “The judging criteria is the same for each restaurant, focusing on the quality of the ingredients, cooking techniques and, most importantly, taste. Michelin stars are awarded solely on the standard of cuisine, so inspectors will not consider things like restaurant decor or ambience when awarding stars, although the comfort and quality is rated from 1 to 5 using a crossed fork and spoon symbol.” Below is the list of the 24 nearby Michelin star restaurants:

Go to The 24 D.C./D.C.Area Michelin Star Restaurants (1, 2, and 3 Stars) Read more
Events

Seven Upcoming Races in MoCo This Month (November 2022)

By Francesca Luca

Below is our list of the November 2022 upcoming races in Montgomery County. If there are any MoCo races we may have missed, please feel free to comment with the race name and any additional information you may have:

5K Orchard Run – November 12 (Germantown, MD) — Registration fees are $40 until November 10, $45 November 11-12. Kids Fun Run is free. This is a trail run hosted at Butler’s Orchard by Montgomery County FCA. More information available here.

Go to Seven Upcoming Races in MoCo This Month (November 2022) Read more
Bethesda

Sport & Health Gyms Will Rebrand to OneLife Fitness Later This Year

By Francesca Luca

We spoke with a representative from a Montgomery County Sport & Health location on Friday who confirmed that all Sport & Health locations will be rebranding to Onelife Fitness gyms. Currently, Montgomery County is home to two Sport & Health locations- Bethesda and North Bethesda. We were told that notice will go out to existing members on October 1st announcing the change and providing additional information to members.

Back in 2014 US Fitness added Sport & Health to its portfolio of clubs, creating one of the largest health club companies in the country.  US Fitness, a partnership between industry veterans Kirk and John Galiani and New Evolution Ventures, operates Onelife Fitness and Crunch Fitness clubs throughout Virginia and Washington, DC under the leadership of the Galianis. Sport & Health operates health and fitness clubs in and around the Washington, DC.

Go to Sport & Health Gyms Will Rebrand to OneLife Fitness Later This Year Read more
Family

New Maryland Child Passenger Safety Law to Keep Children Rear Facing Until 2-Years-Old

By Francesca Luca

Per Zero Deaths Maryland, “In April 2022, Maryland lawmakers passed SB 176, a bill that will upgrade the state’s law that protects children traveling on our roadways. The new law goes into effect on October 1, 2022, and states that children must be kept rear-facing until at least two years of age, unless the child meets or exceeds the height and weight on the seat’s guidelines. Having a seat that properly fits the child is also another important consideration. SB 176 brought Maryland in line with laws in 16 other states (CA, CT, IL, LA, ME, NE, NJ, NY, NV, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, VA, WA) and the District of Columbia.”

In April 2022, Maryland lawmakers passed SB 176, a bill that will upgrade the state’s law that protects children traveling on our roadways. The new law goes into effect on October 1, 2022, and states that children must be kept rear-facing until at least two years of age, unless the child meets or exceeds the height and weight on the seat’s guidelines. Having a seat that properly fits the child is also another important consideration. SB 176 brought Maryland in line with laws in 16 other states (CA, CT, IL, LA, ME, NE, NJ, NY, NV, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, VA, WA) and the District of Columbia.

Go to New Maryland Child Passenger Safety Law to Keep Children Rear Facing Until 2-Years-Old Read more
Bethesda

Where To Take Your Mini Dinosaur Lover In and Around MoCo

By Francesca Luca

For those moms whose children are fascinated with all things dinosaurs, read on to find out where you can take your littles to learn more and explore their curiosities.  They are listed by distance from the approximate middle of Montgomery County.

The Path to the Past in the outdoor Nature Exploration Area located in the Locust Grove Nature Center (7777 Democracy Blvd. Bethesda, MD) lets you “Take a journey back through time, starting from present day to when dinosaurs roamed the Earth millions of years ago. As you walk, learn about the different periods of geologic time. When did the first plants and mammals appear? Have temperatures changed over time? How have our continents changed?  You’ll end your journey at a dig site, where you’ll discover a life size replica of a dinosaur fossil. Become a paleontologist; find your tools in the workbox at the dig site and see which dinosaur fossil you unearth.”  More information available on their site.

Go to Where To Take Your Mini Dinosaur Lover In and Around MoCo Read more
Family

Target Car Seat Trade-in Event is Coming This September

By Francesca Luca

Target’s car seat trade-in event will run from September 11-September 24. The popular event provides a 20% off coupon for a new seat, stroller, or select baby gear when you trade in a car seat or base.

Drop your trade-in item in the designated box inside the store, use your Target app to scan the code on the box and you’ll find the offer in your “ Baby category + more contactless savings”. Save the offer by clicking the red “+” and you can use it online or in store.  More details can be found on Target’s site.

Go to Target Car Seat Trade-in Event is Coming This September Read more
Restaurants

XO Pho & Grill Now Open

By Francesca Luca

XO Pho & Grill has recently joined T-swirl Crepe at 313 N Washington St in Rockville. T-swirl Crepe has been at the location since April of 2019 with XO Pho & Grill joining a few weeks back.

The XO Pho & Grill menu offers unique pho pairings such as the Pho XO Live Lobster Raptor T Rex (featured photo), a dish made to be shared that includes “Live Lobster, Shrimp Balls, and Prime Beef Ribs”. The Pho XO Snow Crab Legs Prime Beef Ribs is another dish to be shared that includes “Alaska Snow Crab Legs, Shrimp Balls, Prime Beef Ribs”.

Go to XO Pho & Grill Now Open Read more
Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: Bounce The Mall Coming to Arundel Mills

By Francesca Luca

Bounce The Mall, a giant inflatable park, will be at Arundel Mills Mall (7000 Arundel Mills Circle, Hanover, MD) from September 3-25. Bounce the Mall is an inflatable festival that that consists of eight bouncy attractions, including some of the largest ball pits in the world, that can provide fun for the whole family.

Per Bounce The Mall: “Bounce, slide and dance your way through a surreal, candy-colored wonderland featuring the largest ball pit on the planet, a 600ft long obstacle course, giant slides, a huge birthday cake bouncer, silent disco dome, inflatable sports arena & more. With colorful characters & instagrammable moments to be discovered at every turn, the mall is literally brought to life in this immersive, one of a kind experience that can be enjoyed by both the young, and the young at heart.”

Go to Beyond MoCo: Bounce The Mall Coming to Arundel Mills Read more