Update: We previously reported that Arhaus would be relocating to a new location in the mall. The store is not moving and the additional signage in the mall is for branding purposes.
Restaurants
Update: Margarita Bar & Grill is now open at 19201 Frederick Rd in Germantown and is offering 15% off for the entire week. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of tacos, burritos, chimichangas, pupusas, fajitas, steaks, salad, and seafood. Margarita options include Cadillac, Skinny, Flavored, Diablo, and Crazy (see margarita menu below). The restaurant is taking over the space that was previously occupied by the Fraternal Order of Eagle #3509 and Captain Mori’s Seafood House. Seafood in the Buff, a mobile steamed crab business, operates out of the parking lot next to this location in the summer months.
Margaritas joins Mi Rancho (19725 Germantown Rd), Señor Tequila’s (20021 Century Blvd), La Gula (21030 Frederick Rd), Abi Azteca (11514 Middlebrook Rd), La Mexicana (13016 Middlebrook Rd), and Rio Grande (13541 Clopper Rd) as places to grab a margarita in Germantown.
Butter Chicken House in the Montgomery Mall food terrace is currently holding its soft opening. The restaurant is located in the space that was recently home to Ya Mon! Island Grill, next door to Chick-Fil-A. Ya Mon Island Grill closed over the summer. According to its website, “Butter chicken, also known as “Murgh Makhani,” is a mouthwatering and beloved dish in Indian cuisine. It’s a rich and flavorful dish that combines tender pieces of chicken with a creamy and aromatic tomato-based sauce. The flavors are a perfect balance of savory, creamy, tangy, and mildly spicy, making it an absolute delight for the taste buds.”
Menu items at Butter Chicken House include butter chicken, tofu, shrimp, and lamb, either over rice or as a wrap. Full menu can be seen below. Our latest on what’s new at Westfield Montgomery Mall can be seen here.
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Construction continues to progress at the site of Montgomery County’s first Wawa, which will be located at the site of the old Becraft Antiques (405 S Frederick Ave.) on 355, across from Gaithersburg High School (photos below). The store has also added job listings on its website for Customer Service Supervisor, Team Supervisor (Overnights), and Customer Service Associate for the new location.
Wawa began in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. Toward the end of the 19th Century, owner George Wood took an interest in dairy farming and the family began a small processing plant in Wawa, Pa, in 1902. The milk business was a huge success, due to its quality, cleanliness and “certified” process. As home delivery of milk declined in the early 1960s, Grahame Wood, George’s grandson, opened the first Wawa Food Market in 1964 as an outlet for dairy products. Today, Wawa has become an “all day, every day stop for fresh, built-to-order foods, beverages, coffee, fuel services, and surcharge-free ATMs, and Boundless Convenience. A chain of more than 950 convenience retail stores (over 750 offering gasoline), Wawa stores are located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, and Washington, D.C. The stores offer a large fresh food service selection, including Wawa brands such as built-to-order hoagies , freshly brewed coffee , hot breakfast sandwiches , built-to-order specialty beverages , and an assortment of soups, sides and snacks.”
Last March, Bill No. 1-22 Healthy Meals for Children, which requires restaurants in Montgomery County that offer a children’s meal to provide a healthy option (meal and drink) for their youngest customers, was passed. The first phase (healthy beverage option) went into effect in March, and the second phase (healthy meal option) goes into effect this Friday, September 15. This is the first bill of this nature to be fully implemented in the country. It should be noted that while a healthy option must be presented, customers are not limited in selecting any menu item of their choice. According to the bill, the healthy meals must be under 600 calories and include the following:
On Thursday, county leaders held a press conference at the Silver Diner (12276 Rockville Pike) in Rockville. Per the restaurant, “Silver Diner made it clear today that it supports Montgomery County, Maryland’s new legislation, “Healthy Meals for Children” Bill. (Bill 1-22) that goes into effect on Friday, Sept. 15. The legislation requires food and restaurant facilities offering children’s meals to include healthy food and beverage options, something Silver Diner has been doing for more than 10 years.
A new roster of businesses are coming soon to Cabin John Village, according to a recent press release. Businesses including an integrative physiotherapy studio, a STEM preschool and new clothing and accessories boutiques, are being added to Cabin John Village to make the iconic Potomac shopping center a full-service destination. Completing the line-up are award-winning, chef-driven restaurants. Openings to Look Forward To*:
1. The Grove: Chef Jose Lopez-Picazo’s culinary vision inspired by the Mediterranean coast. (Fall 2023)
Chef Mitsuhisa Nishio, or “Michu” to his family members and friends and Chef Ninja to many of his followers across social media, is opening Zuma By Chef Ninja in the space that was previously home to Brickside at 4866 Cordell Ave in Bethesda. An October 6th opening has been announced by the restaurant.
Michu/“Chef Ninja” is the son of first generation of Japanese immigrants who moved to the Dominican Republic. He has been interested in cooking since a young age– learning about Japanese cuisine from his parents by helping his mother in the kitchen as a child. His cooking is “based on the fusion of Caribbean cuisine and traditional Japanese food.” Zuma By Chef Ninja is described as Japanese/Latin fusion.
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Each month popular food website, Eater, answers the question “Where should I eat right now?” In their September edition, Eater DC has included two Montgomery County restaurants in its list of buzzworthy restaurants that have been open for less than six months.
The first Montgomery County restaurant listed is The Farmhouse Bistro at the Crossvines (16601 W Willard Rd, Poolesville, MD). Per Eater, “Locally sourced lunch includes confit chicken wings with a “Cool Ranch”-style dip; fried clam and lobster sliders; and an aged brisket burger. Dinner highlights for summer include Chesapeake crab cakes and sweet corn; wild Chesapeake Bay rockfish with tomato butter; and Jurgielewicz Farms duck breast adorned in Virginia strawberries and fava beans.”
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Since its closing in 2013, the absence of Roy’s Place has left a hole in the hearts of many current and former MoCo residents. According to the now-defunct Roy’s Place website, the restaurant began serving their 200+ sandwiches in Rockville in 1955. After a couple moves within Rockville, they settled in at 2 E Diamond Ave in Olde Towne Gaithersburg in 1971.
“The Bender Schmender” (corned beef, turkey, roast pork, chicken liver pate & golden brisket with lettuce, tomato, golden sauce & a psychiatric appointment) and “The Raunchy Raymond” (ham, crab salad, Swiss cheese, bacon, tomato & golden sauce all broiled on choice of bread) are just two examples of the kind of sandwich you would find on the menu.
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Update: Margarita Bar & Grill is now open at 19201 Frederick Rd in Germantown. The restaurant’s menu features a variety of tacos, burritos, chimichangas, pupusas, fajitas, steaks, salad, and seafood. Margarita options include Cadillac, Skinny, Flavored, Diablo, and Crazy (see margarita menu below). The restaurant is taking over the space that was previously occupied by the Fraternal Order of Eagle #3509 and Captain Mori’s Seafood House. Seafood in the Buff, a mobile steamed crab business, operates out of the parking lot next to this location in the summer months.
Margaritas joins Mi Rancho (19725 Germantown Rd), Señor Tequila’s (20021 Century Blvd), La Gula (21030 Frederick Rd), Abi Azteca (11514 Middlebrook Rd), La Mexicana (13016 Middlebrook Rd), and Rio Grande (13541 Clopper Rd) as places to grab a margarita in Germantown.
Charley’s Cheesesteaks is coming to the vacant space next to FloorMax (which is next to Wing Stop) in the Aspen Hill shopping center. Construction is ongoing and an opening date is not yet available. This was previously reported as Charley’s Steakhouse, a restaurant that’s part of Florida-based Talk of the Town restaurant group, based on information we received from representatives at the store during the early construction phase. This will not be a steak house, but rather the popular chain– Charley’s Cheesesteaks.
Charley’s now has over 600 stores nationwide. Newer locations have adopted a new menu concept, offering chicken wings and ice cream in addition to its Philly cheesesteaks. “Tossed-to-order, the wings are made with 10 chef-inspired flavors ranging from Angry Ghost and Nashville Hot to milder options like Zesty Lemon-Lime Rub and Sweet Teriyaki.”