This Spring 2023, Kaldi’s Social House founder Tsega Haile will open Citizens & Culture – a 15,000 square feet, multi-level fine dining and live DJ and band performance venue located on the border of downtown Silver Spring and Washington, DC. The Georgia Avenue restaurant and music venue brings a unique concept to the DC-area featuring a ground-floor front patio for outdoor seating leading into an expansive, vaulted ceiling main dining room with full length bar and an exclusive new menu by Executive Chef Ryan Hackney (DC-based chef known for appearances on Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay and Bite Club) and Chief Chef Consultant and Director for Kaldi’s Social House Jessica Shields.

Per the press release: “As a native Washingtonian I’m excited about the opportunity to debut a menu that will reflect the diversity of the DMV’s food culture while staying true to the elevated tasting experience that now defines our regional dining scene,” says Executive Chef Ryan Hackney. The upper level is accessed by a separate ground-floor entrance leading to the top floor restaurant-lounge with lofted DJ booth and a retractable, glass roof providing an open-air concept for sunny days. The lounge also features a retractable glass door wall leading onto an outdoor terrace with sweeping views of downtown Silver Spring. “My goal has always been to provide community spaces that feature unique, high-concept food and beverage in a special environment for my patrons,” says founder Tsega Haile. “With Citizens & Culture I want to share my love for our local culture and continue to spotlight downtown Silver Spring as an entertainment destination in the DMV and beyond.”


Update: Chipotle at Rio Has Reopened After a Temporary Closure

Chipotle Mexican Grill at 205 Boardwalk Pl in Gaithersburg has temporarily closed. A sign on the front door reads, “Due to construction, we are currently close. We apologize for the inconvenience and will reopen as soon as possible.” A representative from Chipotle was not able to provide an estimate on when the restaurant would reopen. There are nearby Chipotle locations at Gaithersburg Square and the Kentlands. We will post an update when additional information is available.


Nike Unite officially opens its Downtown Silver location today, Thursday, February 23, at 10am. The store will be open from 10am-8pm Monday through Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sundays.

Back in June we let you know that the Nike Unite store would be coming to Downtown Silver Spring, taking over the location that was formerly home to DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse location at 910 Ellsworth Drive. Nike is also opening a store in Bethesda.


It has been over two years since we let you know about the initial plans Kensington Crossing at 10619 Connecticut Avenue (at Plyers Mill Road). Since then, the plans were approved, and Kensington Crossing has already signed it’s first three tenants– M&T Bank, Buffalo Wild Wings GO, and Mezeh. Construction recently began at the site and a couple photos, along with additional information about each tenant, available below:

M&T Bank, which currently has a Kensington location on Howard Avenue, signed on as its first tenant to take over its largest space (2,635 SF). A representative from the Howard Avenue location has told us that the plan is for the branch to relocate to the new space once it’s ready to go.


Oliva’s Kitchen opened this morning at 4708 Highland Ave in Bethesda, the former home of Taco Fresco. Taco Fresco opened in the location in November of 2021 and was available for sale approximately 6 months later. Oliva’s Kitchen is offering free coffee today (Open from 7am-4pm) and will offer breakfast, lunch, and Mexican food, according to the restaurant’s Instagram account.

Breakfast options include egg sandwiches, Belgian waffles, breakfast tortes, Huevos Mexicanas, and more. Lunch sandwiches include the Cubano, Torta Milenasa, Buffalo Chicken, Steak & Cheese, and others. Full menu can be seen below:


Paul Stanley, the co-founder, singer, and guitarist of legendary rock band KISS, will be appearing at the Wentworth Gallery at Westfield Montgomery Mall (7101 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda) this Friday, February 24 from 7-9pm. Stanley’s art is currently on display at the gallery and individuals who purchase one of his paintings will have the opportunity to meet him at event. Stanley will also be appearing the Wentworth Gallery at Tysons Galleria on Saturday, February 25. Additional information below courtesy of Wentworth Gallery:

“To ring in the New Year – Wentworth Gallery is honored to present a collection of works from legendary Musician and Fine Artist, Paul Stanley. Since the artist’s last national art tour, over four years ago, Stanley has created new original paintings, hand painted signature Paul Stanley Ibanez guitars, mixed media originals, and limited-edition artworks including new works on metal. Several of the pieces on display come from the Black Series that was originally commissioned in 2020 for museum exhibition. As with most events in 2020 that exhibit was canceled due to the pandemic. With the Black Series, Stanley pushes the boundaries of his art by starting with a black canvas and creating vibrancy and emotion with his trademark bright colors. Fans can experience the new works and meet Paul Stanley at the following Wentworth Gallery locations beginning February 3 in Hollywood, FL on February 4 in Boca Raton, FL and then on February 24 in Bethesda, MD and finally February 25 McLean, VA (full details below).


Per the City of Rockville: The City of Rockville will host four interactive listening sessions to kickoff outreach and engagement for the Town Center Master Plan update, which will help guide the area’s success in coming decades.

The same material will be covered at all listening sessions, so only one needs to be attended. Light refreshments and a children’s activity area will be available at the in-person sessions.


We have received confirmation from a representative at &Pizza that the company will no longer opening an Olney location this year.

Back in September of 2021 we let you know that &Pizza would be coming to Olney’s Fair Hill Shopping Center. At that time, we didn’t have an exact location, noting that it would likely take over a spot that was home to an existing business. The pizza shop was then going to take over the storefront that was formerly home to Olney Winery, but that has fallen through as a representative has told us that &Pizza will not be opening Olney “this year.” The storefront is once again available for lease.


Nike Unite will be opening its Downtown Silver location on Thursday, February 23, according to a recording on the store’s phone line. The store will be open from 10am-8pm Monday through Saturday and 11am-6pm on Sundays.

Back in June we let you know that the Nike Unite store would be coming to Downtown Silver Spring, taking over the location that was formerly home to DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse location at 910 Ellsworth Drive. Nike is also opening a store in Bethesda.


Maryland legislature will be looking at a bill on March 2 that would abolish the “tip credit”. Employers in the state of Maryland (and most other states across the country) are permitted to count customer tips toward the minimum hourly wage they must pay to certain service employees. This is often referred to as a “tip credit.” A tip credit allows the employer to pay employees a wage that is less than the minimum wage by relying on tips the employee receives from customers to make up the difference. In November, DC voted to approve “Initiative 82”, which gradually eliminates the tip credit until its fully eliminated by 2027.

Synopsis of the bill, courtesy of the Maryland General Assembly: Specifying a certain tip credit amount that is in effect for certain time periods; prohibiting certain employers of tipped employees, beginning July 1, 2027, from including a tip credit amount as part of the employees’ wages; and requiring the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to establish the High Road Kitchen Program as a recognition program for restaurants that do not include the tip credit as part of certain employees’ wages.


If you’ve been to Quincy’s South in North Bethesda/Rockville, you’ve likely encountered Drew Gardner’s smiling face, joyful personality, and effective service. While it hasn’t been a secret for local, the Quincy’s bartender is now getting statewide recognition after his nomination for “Bartender of the Year” by the Maryland Restaurant Association.”

In addition to Bartender of the Year, the voting categories include Chef of the Year, Manager of the Year, Server of the Year. Gardner is the only person employed in Montgomery County to be nominated. Anyone interested can view the ballot and vote here. “I’ve recently received the honor of being nominated as Bartender of the year by the Maryland Restaurant Association. As 1 of 5 individuals selected I’m truly humbled to be part of this group.” Gardner wrote.


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