Back in December we let you know that Pizza Hut is moving into the Cloppers Mill shopping center in Germantown. Signage was installed today at the upcoming restaurant. It will be located at 18070 Mateny Rd, between Shoppers and Popeyes. Construction began this past summer and while an opening date isn’t yet available, we anticipate an early 2023 opening (photo of interior progress below).

The location is smaller, so it will likely be similar to the upcoming Pizza Hut location that is taking over part of the former GameStop location in Four Corners, which is also a smaller store.


In September, we let you know that Ding Tea was available for purchase for $650,000. According to the listing, the price is now $450,000. Ding Tea opened in January 2020 at Ritchie Plaza next to Kiim Imm Thai restaurant (785 Rockville Pike). According to a listing, the bubble tea shop is now available for sale and can be purchased for $450,000. It is the only Ding Tea franchise in the state of Maryland.

Per the listing, the shop is being sold due to the owner moving out of state. They’re are currently 2 years left on the lease, with an option for an additional 5 years. Everything in the store would be included in the purchase of the store, which touts “no competition” since it’s the only Ding Tea store in the area. Featured photo courtesy of Google Maps.


While there aren’t any restaurants in Montgomery County that have been awarded Michelin stars, we’ve put together a list of the 24 nearby restaurants that have earned stars. Michelin stars are awarded in a three star system: one star meaning “a very good restaurant”, two stars meaning “excellent cooking that is worth a detour” and three stars meaning “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey”.  These are not based on customer reviews, rather these stars are awarded by Michelin Inspectors who are anonymous food experts and have undergone official Michelin Guide training in France.  

As explained by Fine Dining LoversThe judging criteria is the same for each restaurant, focusing on the quality of the ingredients, cooking techniques and, most importantly, taste. Michelin stars are awarded solely on the standard of cuisine, so inspectors will not consider things like restaurant decor or ambience when awarding stars, although the comfort and quality is rated from 1 to 5 using a crossed fork and spoon symbol.” Below is the list of the 24 nearby Michelin star restaurants:


Last October we let you know that Sweetgreen would be moving in to the former Verizon Wireless space, located next to Downtown Crown Beer & Wine, in Gaithersburg. Verizon has since moved within Crown, and construction on the upcoming Sweetgreen restaurant began a couple months back. Permanent signage is now up at the restaurant and while we don’t have an expected opening date, we anticipate an early 2023 opening.

Sweetgreen currently has three MoCo locations, in Bethesda, Downtown Silver Spring, and Pike & Rose. Crown has been without a salad fast-casual restaurant since Chopt closed in early 2020 and has since moved that location to the Kentlands neighborhood. Sweetgreen is joining Lovesac and Bath and Body Works, which are both also planning to open new locations in Downtown Crown.


Updated to reflect that Taco Don Perez will be taking over the location

K Town Bistro, located at 3784 Howard Ave in Kensington, has been listed as “permanently closed” for a few weeks. We have been told the restaurant closed at the beginning of November and the website has been updated to include only the following message: “Thank you for the support these past 12 years. It was a pleasure serving you all. The bistro will be passed on to a new ownership“


With November signaling the start of “soup season” in the area, Eater DC had released its list of  “Must-Try Soups Around DC” with one Montgomery County restaurant/soup making the list– the warm vichyssoise soup at Joy by Seven Reasons in Chevy Chase.

The soup goes for $15 and is available on the dinner menu. Per Eater, “Chef Enrique Limardo’s playful Seven Reasons spinoff opened last month in Chevy Chase with a warm vichyssoise soup (potato, cauliflower-leeks, chile guajillo oil, sea bean, and rosemary oil).


Coming soon signage is up at Isaac’s Poultry Market at 12167 Darnestown Rd in Gaithersburg, the former site of Pizza Hut. The restaurant is being opened by Rob Gresham, a lifelong MoCo resident and the former Director of Operations at CAVA. The restaurant will feature American roasted chicken, wings, sandwiches, and salads. Issac’s is currently targeting a February opening.

Gresham tells us that everything they sell will be made from scratch and that the menu will feature plenty of healthy options. Isaac’s will also feature frozen custards and a variety of baked goods and desserts. Featured photo by Todd Apna.


Longtime MoCo restaurant Amalfi Ristorante Italiano at 12307 Wilkins Ave in Rockville announced in October that it has been sold. Amalfi originally announced plans to sell and possibly relocate outside of Montgomery County back in April. The owners of Chef Tony’s Restaurant in Bethesda have announced that they have bought the restaurant and hop to reopen in December. The restaurant has a hearing for a liquor license on December 15. Full statement from Chef Tony’s below:

“So it’s now official, my wife Sonia, and myself have purchased Amalfi Restaurant and Rockville. We are so excited to get started with this new project, and will explain everything in our email going out today… We will be blending the Chef Tonys brand with the wonderful accolades of Amalfi Restaurant, which is been around 45 years in the Rockville market. We are so excited to get started and will let you know when transitions will happen.


Trip Advisor, known as “the world’s largest travel platform”, has amassed more than 859 million reviews and opinions of 8.6 million accommodations, restaurants, experiences, airlines and cruises. Based on the reviews of those who have traveled to Montgomery County, below you’ll see a list of Trip Advisor’s top 25 restaurants in MoCo:

25. Fontina Grille (Italian, 801 Pleasant Drive, Rockville, MD 20850)


Busboys and Poets is offering a free sit-down Thanksgiving meal for the homeless, hungry, or anyone who needs one between 12pm and 3pm today (Thursday, November 24th) at its 14th and V location (2021 14th St NW, Washington DC 20009).

Reservations are not required and anyone who needs a meal may come to the restaurant and have one.Per Busboys and Poets: “This is where it all began, on 14th & V streets NW, in 2005. Our founder Andy Shallal was active in the addition of the name “Langston Hughes Way” on V street between 13th and 14th streets to pay homage to the poet Hughes, where the inspiration for the name Busboys and Poets comes from. 14th & V is located in the U Street Corridor neighborhood, known as “Black Broadway” in the 1920s, and is a major center of DC’s cultural, artistic and progressive activist scene. Inside is Shallal’s best known mural ‘Peace & Struggle’ in the events space The Langston Room.


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