Fabulous Lounge is scheduled to open in Downtown Silver Spring on August 18, according to a report by Source of the Spring. The restaurant/club will be located at 949 Bonifant St, the former site of Hub Lounge. According to a grand opening announcement, “Our state-of-the-art sound system, stunning lighting effects, and opulent décor will transport you to a world where indulgence and style unite, where every moment becomes Fabulous.”
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Teas Me is now open at 5017 Wilson Ln in Bethesda. The shop is open Monday-Thursday 10am-8:30pm and Friday-Sunday 10am-9:30pm. The menu features a variety of milk, citrus, and coffee teas, and the store tells us they plan to add food items like eggrolls and muffins to the menu in the coming weeks.
While Teas Me is currently open for business, the shop will hold its official grand opening event this Sunday, August 6 from 10am-6pm. Per Teas Me: “Please come and join our little grand opening party on Sunday August 6th, 2023. Party is open for public. It’s a bubble tea and coffee shop, all ages are welcome. There will be food and music. However, we are now also open for business.” The news of Teas Me’s opening was first reported by Robert Dyer.
Cielo Rojo at 7056 Carroll Ave in Takoma Park has begun construction on its new, larger location just a few blocks away at 7211 Carroll Ave. Once the new restaurant is complete, the current Cielo Rojo location (7056 Carroll Ave) will be converted into San Pancho Burritos, a fast-casual restaurant serving San Fransisco-style burritos, according to report by Source of the Spring.
Cielo Rojo opened in Takoma Park in 2019. Owners David Perez and Carolina McCandless first met in 2012 at Gracias Madre, a vegan Mexican restaurant in San Francisco. McCandless has ties to the area, as she’s from Takoma Park and her parents own nearby Amano.
The Original Pancake House at 12224 Rockville Pike in Rockville was one of the many businesses impacted by this past weekend’s severe storms. According to the restaurant, “It was a parapet wall that was blown over which consists of metal studs, plywood and styrofoam. There was no internal structural damage.” MCFRS cleared the structure as safe and the Original Pancake House was able to open on Sunday morning.
About the Original Pancake House: “The Original Pancake House was founded in Portland, Oregon in 1953 by Les Highet and Erma Hueneke. Customers enjoy the benefit of their many years of experience in the culinary field, through the extensive menu of delicious authentic national and ethnic pancake recipes. The Original Pancake House is a second and third generation family business, which takes great pride in maintaining the high standards that make our food so outstanding. There are over 100 Original Pancake House restaurants from coast to coast, which have won local and national acclaim. Our recipes demand only the very finest of ingredients, such as 93 score butter, pure 36% whipping cream, fresh grade AA eggs, hard wheat unbleached flour, and our own recipe sourdough starter. Our batters and sauces are made fresh in each kitchen every day. Legendary chef James Beard was one of the Original Pancake House biggest fans! There are three Original Pancake House locations in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, each with free parking. We consider ourselves “The First Name in Pancakes” and hope you will too! Each location below offers free wi-fi and a senior menu. You can also get terrific sandwiches, burgers, salads and wraps from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays.”
Nick’s Diner at 11199 Veirs Mill Rd in Wheaton remains closed after a heavy storms knocked out power in the immediate area on Saturday afternoon. The restaurant posted the following update Monday morning: “Attention valued customers, We regret to inform you that Nick’s Diner is still closed due to the ongoing power outage. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your understanding. Updates on our reopening will be provided as soon as electricity is restored. Thank you for your patience and continued support. -Nick’s Diner”
Nick’s recently celebrated its 40th anniversary and serves diner classics like pancakes, French toast, omelets, hot & cold sandwiches, chili, souvlaki, and gyros. Featured photo courtesy of Nick’s Diner on Instagram.
Gentleman Jim’s Restaurant at 18257 Flower Hill Way in Gaithersburg will be holding its first annual Wing Eating Contest on Saturday, July 29 in honor of National Wing Day. The competition begins at noon and there is a $50 registration fee per contestant. According to the restaurant, “All participants receive a T-Shirt, 1lb of wings per qualified round, and a High Noon to wash it down! Tons of giveaways from suppliers and a Grand Prize of a Yuengling Neon!”
Gentleman Jim’s, one of the pioneers of Maryland Style Pizza, got started in Twinbrook off of Veirs Mill back in 1971, by the gentleman himself – Jim Hance. In its previous incarnation it was known as the Cavalier restaurant, when it was located in Washington D.C. They made the move to 18917 Earhart Ct. in Gaithersburg in 1990 and then relocated down the road to its current Flower Hill location in 2021.
Updated to reflect that Kevin Hsieh graduated from Gaithersburg in 2013.
Washingtonian Magazine writes that “Food influencers love to promote restaurants as “hidden gems” to the TikTok and Instagram masses.” so the magazine put together a list of “The DC Area’s Best “Hidden Gem” Restaurants, According to Food Influencers”. Montgomery County’s Bao Bei was the only MoCo restaurant to be listed.
Peri Peri Original & Kallisto Steakhouse is now open in the space that was previously home to Pollo Mex at 13436 New Hampshire Ave in the Colesville Center. Pollo Mex closed last summer after 12 years in the location. Items at Peri Peri Original include wings, coconut shrimp, flame-grilled chicken, pita sandwiches, wraps, smash burgers, and tacos. Kallisto Steakhouse, a concept by the owners of Peri Peri Original, will be joining Peri Peri in the restaurant space, but items from its menu are currently unavailable.
Peri Peri Original is an international chain that has over ten locations in Virginia and Maryland, as well as an additional location coming to Rockville (location not yet available). “Peri Peri chicken is marinated for 24hrs in our unique Portuguese Peri Peri sauce flamed grilled for serving from the spice selection of your choice.” The first United States location was opened in 2018 in Alexandria, Virginia. Kallisto Steakhouse was launched in 2020 in Herndon, VA. “Impatient and unsatisfied from the unavailability of true steak parlors and appropriate cuts under Halal sector, company leaders took a daunting and brave step to take the reins in their hands and inaugurated the operations with the deep vision on providing excellence around the principles of 3Ps – people, process and product. Kallisto Steakhouse incepted with only one goal and that is to bring premium cut and best in class Halal Steaks to its loyal and respected steak connoisseurs, Kallisto Steak house company is proud of being a first mover in the steak industry while offering the unique products to its esteemed patrons. The founders bring deep enthusiasm towards ensuring the sophistication in ultimate product delivery to the end consumers with pride and excellence. Furthermore, finding passion and zeal in delivering mouthwatering steaks that are flavored and grilled to perfection to serve the perfect taste and fulfill the appetite.”
Below is a list of restaurants that have opened in Montgomery County, MD so far in 2023! Asian Cuisine and Seafood – Gaithersburg Asian Cuisine and Seafood is now open […]
Neal’s Bagels opens today at 113 Commerce Square Pl in Gaithersburg. The new shop is located in the Kentlands paseo, next to Burtons and across from RanKen Noodle House. Neal’s Bagels has relocated from its previous location about a mile and a half away at 12141 Darnestown Rd in the Potomac Valley shopping center. Hours of operation below:
Additional Kentlands news:
Construction began this week at EggMania (385 Muddy Branch Rd), which taking over the space formerly occupied by Curry Place, next to Indian Bazaar in Gaithersburg. According to signage on the building, EggMania will have its hearing for a beer/wine/liquor license with the Montgomery County ABS on July 20th. The menu consists of egg-centric Indian street food, including a masala omelet, egg curry, and Goti Fry (sliced boiled eggs cooked with ginger, garlic and chili. Topped with American cheese and onion-tomato based gravy). EggMania currently has franchises in several states and is currently opening new locations throughout the U.S.
The restaurant tells us, “There’s lots of misconception when it comes to “EggMania”. In American culture eggs based dishes are primarily used during breakfast whereas in popular Indian street food culture, eggs based dishes are made for entrees and served during lunch / dinner and full menu items, not just breakfast. EggMania is not breakfast place. Hope to serve the community and bring this delicious food options for our MoCo residents and surrounding very soon…!!”