Updated to reflect Kentlands Baby Bar has postponed the Grand Opening date to Saturday, June 24th (initially postponed to the 17th, which will now serve as a soft opening)

Kentlands Baby Bar has announced it has pushed back its Grand Opening Celebration to 10am on Saturday, June 17th. “Please join us for a fun day of face painting, balloon animal making, and t shirt decorating while checking out the newest baby friendly spot in Kentlands!” It will open at 375 Main St. in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood.


On Tuesday, we reported that this year’s Taste of Wheaton event scheduled for June 4 at Marian Fryer Plaza (2424 Reedie Plaza) in Downtown Wheaton had been cancelled. Taste of Wheaton is an annual event that takes place in early June that features food, music and dance, rides, and children’s activities.  According to the Sidney Cooper of the Wheaton Urban District, the event “encountered contracting hurdles we could not overcome in time for the event to be the success the community expects and deserves” and “we look forward to bringing it back bigger and better in 2024.”

When asked on Twitter if restaurant recruitment played a factor in the cancellation,  County Councilmember for District 6 Natali Fani-González replied, “The County Exec team notified me a couple of days ago about the unfortunate cancellation. Restaurant recruitment has to do with the decision. More will be discussed at the June WUDAC meeting.” Last year’s participating restaurants included Frank’s Burger Place, Green Plate Catering, Hollywood East Café, IHOP, Los Cobanos, Methi Indian Restaurant, Nando’s Peri Peri, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Nut House Pizza and Terra Mare Restaurant.


Salt & Vine officially opens on Friday, May 26th in the Olney House, which was previously the home of Ricciuti’s at 3308 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd. Below you’ll see a sneak peek at some of the menu items from a soft opening event that took place on Wednesday, May 24th.

“Salt & Vine Trattoria and Wine Bar is built from the historic Olney house at Olney Maryland. Executive Chef and Owner, Thomas Zippelli has focused on creating local, fresh, and seasonally inspired Italian dishes. As well as building a dining experience that fits everyone . We have outdoor seating, two bars, private dining, and a dining room. Anyone searching for an elevated and authentic dining experience will enjoy Salt and Vine. Search no further.”


Last September we let you know that Smoothie King will be opening an Olney location at the Olney Village Center. It will be taking over the 980 SF space that was previously home to Party USA at 18151 Village Center Drive, between IHOP and Pho & Grill. Signage is up and interior construction has progressed to near completion. An opening date has not been provided yet, but it looks very close to being ready to open (photo below).

Olney Village Center, where Smoothie King will be located, is anchored by Giant, TJ Maxx, and Gold’s Gym. Smoothie King will compete directly with nearby Playa Bowls, which opened at the Fair Hill shopping center at the beginning of 2021. CB Acai, which also offered smoothies, closed its only storefront in November 2021. Carmen’s, an Italian ice and sweet treats spot, opened in Olney in April 2020, and Kung Fu Tea, which offers bubble tea, slushies, and other cold and warm beverages, recently opened in the Shoppes of Olney.


Per REDI: Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) proudly announced the launch of the Explore Rockville: Global Bites pilot program, the first-of-its-kind initiative celebrating the diversity of cuisine across Rockville, Maryland. This 10-day event, running from June 2 to June 11, aims to highlight and promote the varied, award-winning international fare available within our own community. Rockville has become a premier dining destination of the DMV and continues to grow year-over-year.

Starting today, consumers can download a free digital dining passport (available via Apple and Google Wallets) pre-loaded with $25 worth of vouchers which can be redeemed beginning June 2 in $5 increments for dine-in or take-away purchases (excluding alcohol) of orders $25 and over. With over 10 international cuisines to choose from, diners can easily embark on a culinary journey across cultures every day of the week.


Permanent signage is up at the upcoming Dunkin’ location in the Goshen Crossing Shopping Center in Montgomery Village. Dunkin’ is taking over the former Capital One Bank building at 20000 Goshen Rd. According to a representative at Dunkin’, the location is scheduled to open on Saturday, July 8.

Dunkin’ has been making a big push lately in Montgomery County, with its newest location at the Layhill Center (14328 Layhill Rd) in Silver Spring. Dunkin’ also has upcoming locations in Rockville and Chevy Chase. Since Inspire Brands acquired Dunkin’ and Baskin Robbins in late 2020 for $11.3 billion, the company has been opening in former bank locations that allow for easy installation of a drive-thru window. Dunkin has also aimed for non-traditional development that includes opening in airports and on college campuses, including the University of Maryland.


A huge CONGRATULATIONS to the 2023 graduating seniors – YOU DID IT! Krispy Kreme wants to celebrate you by giving you a FREE Original Glazed® Dozen with your very own Dough-ploma. Come by in-shop or drive-thru with your proof of senior status and pick up your FREE Original Glazed® Dozen to celebrate all you have achieved! The lone Montgomery County Krispy Kreme location, at 14919 Shady Grove Rd in the Fallsgrove shopping center in Rockville, will be participating in this event.

Proof of senior status includes: cap and gown with 2023 tassel, class of 2023 apparel (t-shirt, sweatshirt, etc.), 2023 letterman jacket featuring senior status, 2023 class ring, graduation announcement featuring name with matching ID, student photo ID featuring senior status or any other Class of 2023 senior swag. Additional information can be found here.


Kung Fu Tea in Rockville Town Center (275 N Washington St), MoCo’s first Kung Fu Tea, has added @neongaming.io to the shop. As of now, you play for free with the purchase of a drink. You can choose from some of the arcades or you choose a game for XBOX or PS5 and play on one of the tv’s (solo or against a friend). A sneak peek is available below the procedures, policies, rules, and regulations.

Neon Gaming Procedures: We aim to provide you with the best gaming experience while ensuring the security of our games. Here’s how you can start your gaming adventure with us:


Signage is up for Tequila Modern Mexican at 11 N Washington Street in Rockville Town Center, the former location of Trapezaria. Tequila Modern Restaurant recently opened its first location at 1645 Reservoir St #185 in Harrisonburg, VA. Construction on the interior of the Rockville location appears to have just begun and no opening timeframe has been announced.

Trapezaria, which opened in the summer of 2013, permanently closed on March 11. The restaurant posted the following message on its social media accounts: “We would like to inform all of our loyal customers over the last 10 years that Trapezaria Greek Kuzina will no longer be in Rockville and will will not be renewing our lease. Our time has come to an end and we would like to invite you for our last Saturday brunch and Dinner today March 11th, 2023. We will have a special food & drink menu to show our appreciation to you!!! Thank you and looking forward to seeing you all.”


Back in March we let you know that Peri Peri Original signed on to move into 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. We have since learned that Kallisto Steakhouse, a concept by the owners of Peri Peri Original, will be joining Peri Peri in the restaurant space. Signage is now up for both courtesy of @ahmad.rifaimd (photo below).

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.” An opening date is not yet available. Featured photo courtesy of @kallistosteakhouse on instagram.


The owner of popular dim sum restaurants China Garden (Rockville) and Han Palace (Tysons, Woodley Park, Barracks Row) has announced that she is bringing a new restaurant to Rio– taking over the space that was previously home to Union Jack’s until June 2020. 

There is no comment from Rio at this time, but Zhu made the announcement via social media, “Another milestone.New baby from Han Palace coming to Rio Gaithersburg. Next to AMC theater & Guapo’s 🤗🤗🤗.” We have reached out to Zhu for additional information and will have an update as soon as it’s received. A menu from one of the DC Han Palace locations can be seen below.


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