Mastiha Bakery at 2387 Lewis Ave in Rockville has announced the launch of Mastiha Taverna, a new food truck that will be stationed in front of the bakery. According to Mastiha, the truck will serve pita sandwiches, Greek dessert, drinks, traditional salads, dips, and small bites/sides. Mastiha Taverna will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 5-9pm.

Per Mastiha Bakery: The word mastiha refers to the sap drippings, or “tears”, from the mastic tree which grows on the north-eastern Aegean Greek island of Chio, where founder and owner, Katerina Georgallas traces her origins. Founded in 2011 with a deep appreciation for heritage, culture, and scratch-made goodness, Mastiha Bakery specializes in assorted sweet and savory pastries, cookies, authentically crafted pita bread, hand stretched rustic phyllo pies and other delectable items. Using local ingredients and old-world craftsmanship you can taste, Katerina is committed to producing quality goods entirely from scratch.


50 Top Pizza, a pizza evaluation site in Paestum, Italy, not far from Naples, has released its 2023 Top 50 Pizza list. Montgomery County contributed with the 23rd ranked pizzeria in the country– Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana, located in Darnestown/Gaithersburg. Last year Inferno was ranked 25th on the list.

Inferno Pizzeria Napoletana has been open in Gaithersburg (12207 Darnestown Rd.) for nearly 7.5 years– there is still a line into the parking lot full of eager diners hoping to get a table before the dough ran out for the night– something that’s a common occurrence for Inferno (see our video below). For those unfamiliar with the restaurant, it was opened by Chef Tony Conte in October 2015 after he spent nine years in DC’s Oval Room. Inferno specializes in pizza, but regulars will tell you that the appetizers are often just as much of a draw.


Brew Belly at 18065 Georgia Ave in Olney has announced it will be holding its annual Cheesesteak Eating Contest on July 4 at 12:00pm. The winner of the contest, which is open to the first 25 people to sign up ($20 entry fee), will win free cheesesteaks from the restaurant for one year.

The $20 entry fee will be donated to Hero Dogs. In addition to cheesesteaks, Brew Belly boasts of over 250 Maryland-born brews, between its ever-changing (24 tap) beer list, to its well-stocked (12 door), reach-in, self-serve cooler. “Hero Dogs, Inc. improves the quality of life of our nation’s heroes by raising, training, and placing service dogs and other highly skilled canines, free of charge with lifetime support of the partnerships. We serve the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area.”


Flames & Crapes, a new halal food truck, recently opened  at 801 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. Owner Ashraf Said is originally from Egypt and has been a MoCo resident for over 18 years. He is bringing years of experience in restaurant management. His fiancé Marelyn is originally from El Salvador and, also a MoCo resident. They tell us she “brings the flavors of Latin America to many of the foods offered.”

The menu features a variety of dishes, including classic American fare like a steak and cheese, chicken sandwich, mango habanero wings, and more. Latin-American fare is also featured, such as yuca frita, pupusas, and tamales. They also offer a variety of crepes– both sweet and savory.


Coming soon signage is up for Wiseguy Pizza in the Wheaton Mall food court. The restaurant will be located in the space that was previously occupied by Angel’s Pizza.  Wiseguy serves stone-deck oven baked pizza by the slice that’s made with imported ingredients from Italy, homemade sauces, and dough using a special water filtration system. Pizza options include Cheese, Pepperoni, Paneer Tikki (House Masala, Paneer, Mozzarella, Onions, Tomato, Green & Chili Peppers, Cilantro, Jalapeño Sauce), Nashville Hot Chicken, Chicken Parmesan, and Whitestone (Garlic, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Parmigiano, Oregano, Oil from Tuscany Italy.)

 


Silky Gem, which offers crystal candies inspired by Vietnamese Lunar new year traditions, will hold the grand opening of its store in the coming days or weeks at 332 Main St in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood. The store has been described as the first crystal candy shop to open in the United States (photos below).

The shop has held a few events prior to its grand opening and offers a variety of the same crystal candies many have seen on the Silky Gem social media accounts. The grand opening was initially scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 24th, but had to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. A new date will be announced via social media and the store is currently in a “soft launch” phase.


Quincy’s has officially signed a lease to bring its new concept, Quincy’s Club House, to 245 Kentlands Blvd. The country club style restaurant, bar, and golf venue will be taking over the location that was recently home to Not Your Average Joe’s.

Fans of the original Quincy’s, located just a couple miles away at 616 Quince Orchard Rd, will be happy to hear that there is no current plan to close the existing bar and grille and that ownership believes both restaurant are sustainable due to the difference in concepts.


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…!!”


Kats Kitchen and Company signage is up in the window of 12854 New Hampshire Ave, previously the home of Dominic’s Italian Grille. Dominic’s closed permanently in January. In December 2022, we received confirmation that the owners of Dominic’s would no longer be opening the new concept, Bourbon, Wings and Beer at the previous home of Buffalo Wings and Beer in Cloverly.

Currently, not much is known about Kat’s Kitchen and Company, but a martini glass is adorns the sign that’s placed in the window of the restaurant, so a bar is likely to remain at the location. We’ll have additional information as soon as it’s available.


Giant Food has announced that Ben’s Chili Bowl’s world-famous Chili and Half Smokes will be available in the prepared food sections and hot bars in Giant stores throughout the area beginning this Friday, June 23. According to a press release, Giant will offer Ben’s Chili Bowl Original and Spicy Half Smokes, Chili Con Carne, Turkey Chili and “secret” Chili Sauce.

“Ben’s Chili Bowl has remained a respected business within our community since 1958 and the opportunity to partner with the brand and expand the Ali family’s legacy was a no-brainer,” said Ira Kress, President at Giant Food. “We are proud to introduce Ben’s Chili Bowl’s fan-favorite recipes and menu items into our stores, and we are sure they will be a welcomed addition for our customers.”


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