Two Montgomery County restaurants (the only ones on the list) took the #1 and #2 spots in the latest Eater DC list, for the second month in a row. The “15 Hottest New Restaurants Around D.C.” points diners toward the 15 most intriguing or otherwise buzzworthy new restaurants in the D.C. area. Last month two Montgomery County restaurants topped the list, EKO House (Rockville) and Planta (Bethesda). This month, EKO House remains ranked #1 on the list and Hello Betty (Pike & Rose) joins the list at #2. Below you’ll see the description for each:

EKO House (150 Gibbs St Rockville)


A Rockville juvenile has been arrested and charged with 2nd degree arson and 1st degree malicious burning after an extensive investigation connected the individual to a fire that occurred on October 21, according to Chief Spokesperson for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Pete Piringer.  The fire occurred at an unoccupied commercial building that was undergoing construction/renovations on the 2300blk of Wootton Parkway near Hurley Ave in Rockville.

First responders were initially dispatched for a transformer fire and when firefighters arrived they found fire coming from the loading dock of the building. The fire was knocked down and no injuries were reported.


In December we let you know that the founder of Sweet Frog, Derek Cha, will be bringing his take on the Nashville-style hot chicken sandwich to MoCo with Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken. The Wheaton location is now open at 2533 Ennals Ave in Wheaton, in the spot that was formerly home to El Pollo Kiki Riki. Construction is ongoing at the Rockville restaurant, located in the 1,600 sf location that was home to El Mexicano at 10050 Darnestown Road, between Pholuscious and Tropical Smoothie Cafe in the Travilah Square shopping center.

Per our previous report: In collaboration with partner, Mike Kim, the pair visited many successful Nashville-style chicken restaurants in LA, Nashville, and San Francisco, that inspired them develop their “secret chicken recipe to have the most juicy and crispy sandwich.”


The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when the Union army arrived in Texas bearing federal orders proclaiming the end of slavery.  In July 2020, the Mayor and Council approved a resolution making Rockville the first municipality in Maryland to recognize Juneteenth as a paid city holiday.

In 2021, the Montgomery County Council issued the following statement regarding Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday:


The Pike District will be hosting two months of free salsa dancing beginning this Friday, May 6 from 6-9pm. The pop up event is located at Grand Park Avenue and Banneker Street in North Bethesda. Pike District will also host nine weeks of live music beginning June 2nd. Food and beverage/alcohol vendors will be on hand each week.

For both events each week, food and beverage vendors will be on-hand to bring a variety of food options and attendees 21 and older can indulge in a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Hang out and enjoy the live music on Thursdays, challenge friends to a salsa dance-off on Fridays, or take advantage of both!


Rocktobierfest is currently scheduled to take place at RedGate Park at 14500 Avery Road in Rockville on Saturday, October 1st from 11am-5pm.. It makes for the second major City of Rockville event to leave Rockville Town Square this year, as Taste of Rockville/Hometown Holidays will also be taking place at RedGate Park for the first time this year.

Rocktobierfest features three stages of entertainment, including German, rock and children’s music. Guests can also enjoy beverages for sale by local breweries and participants, food, and an artisan shopping area. This annual event attracts usually attracts more than 8,000 people. Last year’s Rocktobierfest was scheduled to take place in Rockville Town Square on October 2nd, but was cancelled on September 17th due to Covid concerns.


A nearly 200,000-square foot building with a five-level parking garage containing up to 562 spaces is currently being constructed for Research and Development use off at 9810 Darnestown Rd next to the Travilah Square shopping center. The first tenant has been announced and update photos and a rendering of the completed building can be seen below.

Building A will be the first of three buildings planned for Parcel N (shown in the images below). Together, these buildings will form a research and development campus that coordinates effectively with the current life sciences campus.


The Soulfull Café, in partnership with Main Street Connect, is reopening and hosting a Grand Reopening Event and Spring Fest on Saturday, May 14th from 11am until 1pm at 50 Monroe Place, Rockville, MD 20850. The Soulfull Cafe is committed to providing inclusive employment opportunities for people of ALL abilities in a dedicated community gathering space that values local and social connections. According to the 2020 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data report, only 17.9% of people with a disability were employed. Per The Soulfull Cafe, “We hire people of all abilities through a deep-rooted commitment to diversity, dignity and boldness. We see a world where employment opportunities are open to everyone to pursue and live their best lives.”

Serving an array of fresh coffee, pressed juices, smoothie bowls, salads and sandwiches, the Soulfull Café has added exciting new menu items and locally sourced foods from More Than A Meal Service, Wellfound Foods DC and Katering by Kay that will be showcased during the Grand Reopening! “I’m surrounded by a very refreshing and friendly environment every time I come to work. I am so happy that I get the opportunity to give back to the community…which I’m excited will be reflected in the new changes forthcoming.” ~ Deana, Café Team Member


Rockville Farmers Market opens for the season on Saturday, May 14 and will provide a dollar-for-dollar match for customers using their federal nutrition benefits.

Entering its 11th year, the Eat Fresh Rockville and Maryland Market Money program removes economic barriers for food-insecure shoppers, by increasing access to fresh produce and increasing purchasing power. Customers can receive a dollar-for-dollar match of up to $10 weekly when they shop with SNAP/EBT (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program/Electronic Benefits Transfer), P-EBT (Pandemic EBT) and WIC-FVC (Women, Infants and Children-Fruit and Vegetable Checks) at the market. Matching funds can be used to purchase locally grown and produced items including fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, dairy, baked goods, eggs and honey.


“[T]he Mayor and Council wishes to strengthen efforts to help proactively engage school communities and identify issues that impact the Rockville Community’s education and leadership opportunities,” the ordinance creating the commission states. Members of the group, who will be appointed by the Mayor and Council, will be representative of Rockville’s demographic and educational diversity, as well as its neighborhoods.

Of the 11 members, four will represent public education; three, private, parochial and home schooling; and three will be educational professionals. Those members will serve for two years. One will be a student member, who will serve for one year.  See a full list of the commission’s duties with the staff report at www.rockvillemd.gov/AgendaCenter by selecting the Monday, April 18 Mayor and Council meeting listing.


Rockville Police responded to a report of a carjacking at the 800 block of Hungerford Drive at approximately 2:45 on Saturday afternoon. The female victim reports that a man pulled her out of her red 2016 Nissan Altima (Md Tags 6DH0170z), jumped in and drove off. Additional information below, courtesy of Rockville Police:

4/30/22 – 2:45 p.m. RCPD has responded to the 800 block of Hungerford Dr for the report of an carjacking. The suspect, a black male, thin build in his 40’s, appearing disheveled, approached the victim, pulled her out of the car, jumped into the vehicle and drove off Northbound on Hungerford. The victim was unharmed. The car is 2016 Red Nissan Altima with MD Tags 6DH0170z Montgomery County Police Department’s Major Crimes will assume the investigation into this incident. Please call 911 if you see this vehicle.


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