Black Viking Brewing (BVB) was founded in August 2020 over coffee and pastries at the Black Lion Cafe in North Potomac by former Montgomery County basketball players turned beer lovers, Jamil Raoof (Wootton ’08; the brewer) and Shaun Taylor (Magruder ’99; the marketer). Now, the brewery is a finalist for a reader’s choice award for USA Today’s Best New Brewery (click the link to vote). Black Viking expects to open their own physical location by Summer 2024.

The co-founders first met while Jamil was a player at Wootton and Shaun was an assistant varsity basketball coach. Since they launched their first beer back in October 2021, Black Viking Brewing has shaken up the beer world with their ‘Zingabier’ aka “The World’s Most Drinkable Beer” (a deliciously drinkable golden ale, brewed with the perfect blend of zesty ginger and sweet, wildflower honey), their ability to build community through both beer and social media (Black Viking TV), and their strategic collaboration projects (most notably with Samuel Adams in April 2023).


Margarita Bar & Grill at 19201 Frederick Rd in Germantown has its beer, wine, and liquor license hearing with the Montgomery County ABS scheduled for August 3. 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 of this location in the summer months.  Signage for Margarita Bar & Grill went up back in March. No additional information is known about the new restaurant at this time.

There are two Margaritas Bar & Grill locations in Georgia that use the same logo but it is unclear if the restaurants are related. Margaritas will join 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.


USA Today recently released its “10 Best Indie Ice Cream Shops in the U.S.” list and Island Creamery, located in Maryland and Virginia, took the number 1 spot. Island Creamery opened up shop on Chincoteague Island in Virginia in 1975.l, where they still make all of the ice cream. They have since opened locations in Berlin, MD (Worcester County) and Salisbury, MD (Wicomico County)– both detours many here in MoCo can make on the way to the beach this summer.

Per the article, “Churning an all-natural premium ice cream mix from local cows, Island Creamery’s flavors are inspired by local fruit farmers. Some of the most popular homemade small-batch treats include Bourbon Caramel Crunch, Java Jolt, super rich double chocolate Marsh Mud and Cotton Candy Party.” Additional information can be found on the Island Creamery website.


RASA, a fast-casual Indian restaurant with four locations in DC and Virginia, that recently opened its first MoCo location at 12033 Rockville Pike in the Montrose Crossing shopping center, won a RAMMY award for ‘Favorite Fast Bites.’ The RAMMY awards were created by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington to celebrate the DC region’s restaurant and foodservice industry.

RASA, founded by Rahul Vinod and Sahil Rahman (combined to create the name, RASA), who grew up in Gaithersburg, opened its first location in Navy Yard in 2017 before opening a location in Mt. Vernon Triangle in 2020, Crystal City in 2021, and Fairfax this past summer. The menu offers seven chef-curated bowls under the “We Got You” portion of the menu, that includes their signature bowls like the “Tikka Chance on Me”, “Open Sesame”, “Eat Your Veggies”, “Home Cooking”, “Goa Your Own Way”, “Aloo Need is Love”, and “Caul on Me” or the “You Got It” portion of their menu that allows customers to “DIY” and design their own bowl using the assembly line format of a base, main, sauce, veggies, toppings, and chutneys/dressings. The full menu can be seen here.


Subway has announced the arrival of freshly sliced meats in U.S. restaurants – its latest and biggest change since the brand began its efforts to improve every aspect of the guest experience, headlined by a better menu, which began in 2021. Today, Tuesday, July 11th, between 10am and 12pm the first 50 customers at participating restaurants can get a free 6-inch sub to celebrate the sandwich chain’s new deli meat slicers and upgraded menu items. Unfortunately, a list of participating restaurants has not been provided so you will have to check with your local Subway.

Per Subway: To showcase freshly sliced meats*, Subway revealed a major expansion of its Subway Series menu with a new category called Deli Heroes, a collection of the ultimate deli subs. These authentic, deli-style sandwiches, ordered by name and number, will satisfy the strongest deli cravings.


Back in September 2021 we let you know the popular DC restaurant The Salt Line would be making its way over to Bethesda Row, taking over the location at 4900 Hampden Lane that was previously home to Greek restaurant Kapnos until 2018. After a soft opening over the weekend, The Salt Line will hold its grand opening on Tuesday, July 11th.

According to the restaurant, the opening menu at features a selection of beloved New England favorites also found at The Salt Line’s Navy Yard and Ballston locations, as well as additions from Executive Chef Eric McKamey and Long Shot Hospitality Chef/Partner Kyle Bailey. Highlights include the Local Heirloom Tomato Salad, Bucatini and Clams, Maine Peekytoe Crab Roll, and more. In addition to full beer and wine lists, the cocktail program is heavily influenced by the New England lifestyle and showcases imaginative twists on timeless classics such as the Cape Codder G&T, The Blue Cheese Martini, Sbagliato Spritz, and more. The interior evokes a nautical feel, with mahogany paneling, brass fixtures, booths inspired by yacht seats, a huge u-shaped bar, and vintage coastal ephemera throughout.


EDENS continues to make progress at Burtonsville Crossing (photos below, courtesy of Dave Golden). A couple months back EDENS held a community plaza groundbreaking event at Burtonsville Crossing with County Executive Marc Elrich, Council President Evan Glass, District 5 Councilmember Kristen Mink, and former NBA player Jason Miskiri in attendance. Miskiri is part of a group that will be opening Domain Fitness & Performance, a new fitness center that has signed on to open in the shopping center and will be located adjacent to Sprouts. Miskiri also owns several restaurants in Silver Spring, including the Angry Jerk, The Breakfast Club, and Society Restaurant & Lounge.

It was also announced that Sprouts is on track to open by the end of this year.  Sprouts was the first business to sign a lease for the renovated Burtonsville Crossing and this will be the chain’s first Montgomery County location. The grocer offers a wide selection of natural and organic foods, including fresh produce, bulk foods, vitamins and supplements, packaged groceries, meat and seafood, deli, baked goods, dairy products, frozen foods, natural body care and household items.


Greco, a Boston area fast-casual restaurant that offers Greek cuisine, is coming to DC. According to PoPville, the restaurant will be moving in to the old &Pizza space at 1335 Wisconsin Ave, NW. Greco has been referred to by Boston Magazine as “one of the best fast-casual restaurants in Boston, period.”

Greco boasts, “There’s the American version of Greek food—then there’s true blue GRECO. Start with a classic gyro with your choice of fillings and sauces. Add a delicious side of Greek salad or zucchini crisps. And finish off your meal with legendary loukoumades. At our modern eatery, you’ll experience authentic street fare, made with Greek love.” The restaurant offers a variety of pitas, plates, salads, bowls, souvlaki, platters, and more. The full menu can be seen here.


Chick-fil-A will be temporarily closing its Downtown Silver Spring location at 825 Ellsworth Drive for renovations according to signs placed on the restaurant. “We will be closing for renovations on August 3rd. We will be closed for about 10 weeks. Thank you for understanding and we are looking forward to serving you soon.” The news was first reported by Source of the Spring, who noted that the restaurant was last remodeled in 2017.

Chick-fil-A has additional Montgomery County locations in Bethesda, two in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, Rockville, and Silver Spring (between Calverton, Fairland, and White Oak). The chain opened its newest location last month in GaithersburgFeatured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


Back in May we let you know that Tequila Modern Mexican was coming to 11 N Washington Street in Rockville Town Center, the former location of Trapezaria. Trapezaria, which opened in the summer of 2013, permanently closed on March 11. Construction on the interior of the Rockville location began in May and no opening timeframe has been announced, but the restaurant does have a hearing with Montgomery County’s Alcoholic Beverage Services (ABS) for a liquor license at 1:30pm on Thursday, July 20th.

Tequila Modern Restaurant recently opened its first location at 1645 Reservoir St #185 in Harrisonburg, VA. The restaurant group also plans to open locations in Kansas and North Carolina. The menu from the Virginia location can be seen below:


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