Laperaux, the Journeyman Chef’s French Bistro, which opened at 18056 Mateny Rd. in February, has been selected for the ‘2023 Best of Germantown Award’ in the Restaurants category by the Germantown Award Program, according to a press release submitted by the owner of Laperaux.

Each year, the Germantown Award Program identifies “companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Germantown area a great place to live, work and play.”


According to a report by Source of the Spring, Willie T’s Seafood Shack at 9326 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring has permanently closed and will be replaced by Milk & Honey, a southern inspired brunch and soul food restaurant which has locations across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Both concepts are owned by Thompson Hospitality, the group behind Matchbox (Bethesda, Rockville, and Silver Spring locations in MoCo), Austin Grill and American Tap Room (both previously in MoCo), and Wiseguy Pizza (opening this month at Wheaton Mall.)

Willie T’s began as a pop-up restaurant inside of Austin Grill in Springfield, VA and opened its Silver Spring location in March 2022.  The location was originally going to be a “joint restaurant,” splitting the space with BRB (be right burger), another Thompson Hospitality concept that currently has a location at Dulles airport. Menu items at Milk & Honey include “Chef Sammy’s Award Winning” Shrimp & Grits, Deep Fried Salmon Hash, Chicken & Waffles, and Crab Benedict. We will post an update when additional information is available. Featured image courtesy of Milk & Honey on Facebook. 


A replacement for Pho Hung & Grill at 11225 New Hampshire Ave. has signed on at the White Oak Shipping Center. Pho Hung & Grill closed over a year ago at the shopping center after a run of approximately 15 years (it opened in 2007). Danny Rubin of WashUrban tells us that they have signed Valle De Sula, a Honduran restaurant specializing in Central American cuisine, to the shopping center.

Some of the dishes that will be available at Valle De Sula include, baleadas, carne asada, sopa de mariscos, desayunos, flautas, pupusas, enchiladas, tacos dorados, chuleta con tajadas, sopa modongo, yuca con chicharron, pastelitos, sopa de res, pescado con tajadas, and more. The restaurant is currently building out and hopes to open in the coming weeks.


Last summer we let you know that Andy’s Pizza, the 2021 winner of the International Pizza Challenge™, was coming to Montgomery County with an upcoming location at 4600 East West Highway– the former site of sandwich shop Booeymonger in Bethesda. The restaurant is now open according to several messages from readers and confirmation via the Andy’s website. The restaurant is open from 10:30am until 10pm Monday-Thursday, 10:30am-12am on Friday, 11am-12am on Saturday, and 11am-10pm on Sunday.

Andy’s Pizza aleo has locations in Adams Morgan, NoMa, Navy Yard, and Shaw in DC, with an additional NoVa location at Tysons. Another upcoming location is planned for Old Town Alexandria. Owner Andy Brown, who grew up in Bethesda, stated that he had been looking in the area since his restaurant began expanding. According to Business Journal, “The Bethesda location will also have more space than average — its other locations run roughly 1,800 square feet — to accommodate larger parties.”


Quincy’s Uptown opened a few years back at 9813 Main St. in Damascus. Now, the restaurant has added a new dimension with their new arcade games for families and individuals to enjoy with dinner or drinks. The Quincy’s Gaithersburg location, along with Quincy’s Uptown in Damascus, will soon be offering a barbecue menu as well.

“People are looking for a reason to come out and enjoy some food and entertainment. What better way than old school pinball, boardwalk skee ball, and of course Pac-Man?” owner Marty Magill tells us. “We have also joined forces with the powerhouse of Bangin BBQ. Chris Patterson and I have formed a joint venture to take things to another level.”


Buena Onda Baja Taqueria is coming to 12107 Rockville Pike, the former home of Avail Vape/Kure CBD & Vape, in the Pike Center shopping center (home to TGI Friday’s), according to Kimco. The restaurant is a José Garces creation. Garces is an Ecuadorian-American chef, born in Chicago to Ecuadorian parents. He won in the second season of The Next Iron Chef and also defeated Bobby Flay in Iron Chef America.

According to the restaurant website, Buena Onda, celebrity chef Jose Garces’ Baja-inspired taqueria is more than a fast casual taqueria, it’s a mindset. In Spanish, Buena Onda means ”Good Vibes”. In a world full of fast casual options, Buena Onda offers a unique, casual Baja taqueria  experience for guests with an appealing menu, friendly service, and laid-back beach bum decor.


This article has been updated to include updated plans for the Downtown Silver Spring location.

Chick Fil A on Tech Rd. in the Calverton/Fairland/White Oak area (technically Silver Spring) has temporarily closed for renovations. The store closed on Thursday at 2pm and will reopen in 8-10 weeks (approximately two months).


It has been over two years since Pizza Hut signed on to take a portion of the former GameStop in the Four Corners area in Silver Spring, but the store recently made plenty of progress and is now open according to a report by Source of the Spring.

The new Pizza Hut location is a smaller version than traditional Pizza Hut locations of the past– focusing solely on carry out and delivery orders, but still brings the charm of the 80s with the retro lamps hanging inside the carry-out/delivery spot (photo below). In September 2021, David Gibbs (CEO of Pizza Hut parent company Yum Brands), told investors, “We closed a lot of the dine-in stores that didn’t belong on the portfolio over the last 18 months in the United States,” according to a transcript on the financial services site Sentieo. “But for the most part, the stores we have in the portfolio now are good, long-term stores.” The new Germantown Pizza Hut location and the new Rockville location both follow the same model.


A couple weeks back we let you know that Luna Hall has signed on to move into one of the vacant spaces in the Pike Center (the shopping center that’s the longtime home of TGI Friday’s and the recently opened Golfdom), according to Kimco. The location is listed as taking is the former CiCi’s Pizza spot.

Luna Hall tells us that in addition to Rockville, Luna Hall also has new branches on the horizon in Tyson’s and Ellicott City, but that Rockville’s Luna Hall will be their “premier location.” The Rockville location will offer Hot Pot and Korean BBQ at Top Pot KBBQ, and food court with ten offerings, including Dumpling District, Kung Fu Tea, TKK Fried Chicken, Pollo Aria, Buena Onda by renowned Iron Chef Jose Garces, Mala Pot, Ramen, Kebob, a dessert spot, and a bakery. An opening date is not yet available.


Kung Fu Tea in Rockville Town Center (275 N Washington St) has closed permanently. Though Kung Fu Tea has opened various Montgomery a county locations in recent years, the store on N. Washington Street was the first to open in the county back in July of 2015. The store recently added ‘Neon Gaming’ this past spring in an effort to bring in additional customers.

A sign has been placed on the door that reads, “Dear Valued Customers, We regret to inform you that Kung Fu Tea Rockville has closed its doors. We sincerely thank you for your support over the years. Please visit our sister store KFT Rio 6 Grand Corner Ave Gaithersburg, MD 20878.” There are additional Kung Fu Tea locations across the county.


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