Many of us have been in a position where we have to find a restaurant to accommodate a larger group of people for dinner, and as fun as they can be, the task isn’t always easy. Eater DC put together a list of “18 DC Area Restaurants That Are Great For Big Groups” and two MoCo establishments made it on the list. “Large group dinners are fun, but they also require a bit more planning and preparation. When everyone RSVPs “yes” to the invite and suddenly the party has gone into 10-12 person territory, not every restaurant is equipped to meet the demand.”

Summer House Santa Monica in Pike & Rose (11825 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda, MD 20852): “With a sprawling, light-filled interior, this Bethesda spot is beloved for its brunch and dinner offerings alike. Whether you have a big party or an intimate gathering to plan, the full restaurant can be booked for larger groups; a banquette table in the main dining room is available for smaller parties. Summer House also offers full-service catering for off-site events, with menu choices like taco bars and sushi platters.”


Michelin-starred Chef Elias Taddesse, executive chef and owner of DC’s acclaimed Mélange restaurant, will open his Ethiopian-style fried chicken restaurant on November 17th at 11 a.m. The first 50 in-person guests will get a free 2-piece Fried Doro Chicken Plate with Black Cumin Qibe Cornbread and Spiced Mac & Cheese.

Doro Soul Food infuses traditional American soul food with Ethiopian flavors. The restaurant is located in a virtual food hall at 1819 7th Street, NW, blocks from Howard University. Chef Taddesse says he plans to offer a catering menu in the near future. Doro Soul Food will be open for pickup and delivery during the following hours:


Apna Pizza at 14050 Travilah Rd in Rockville (Travilah area), has announced it will hold its grand opening on Saturday, November 12.  The event will include a free tasting from 1-2pm, live DJ, and face painting. Apna will serve “Indian” style pizza, wings, and “loaded fries,” which they describe as “poutine but with an edge.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CkYbQXzOWru/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=


John “Ned” Kenneth Toms, 90, passed away on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at his home in Durham. Mr. Toms was born in Point of Rocks, Maryland and worked at Crisfield Seafood in Silver Spring, MD for close to 50 years. He was an avid outdoorsman and hunter and served in the US Army during the Korean War.

Steve Chapman shared the following regarding Tom’s, “Sad news for long time lovers of Crisfield’s restaurant in Silver Spring. Ned Toms, who worked behind the front circular counter for nearly 50 years, died this week at 90. Whether shucking oysters and clams, uncapping a beer, offering up some local lore, or telling an abusive customer to watch their tongue, Ned was the soul of Crisfields. They even created a hot sauce for him with his own profile on the label!”


Josephine Gluten Free Bakery officially opened on October 22 at 4927A Saint Elmo Ave in Bethesda. The bakery specialize in gluten-free, savory, and sweet waffles and pastries. Josephine also offers a wide range of gluten-free dishes, snacks, drinks, and coffee.

The treats at Josephine are made with exclusive gluten-free recipes, using ancient grains and flours, organic ingredients, and robust flavors and textures, according to its website. The product mix is strictly made in a 100% gluten-and allergen-free facilities for the safety of our customer highly sensitive customers.


Gordon Ramsay recently opened his first DC restaurant, Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, at The Wharf. His Hell’s Kitchen concept, which was announced last February, is up next with an updated Winter/Early 2023 timeframe.

What started in 1998 with Chef Ramsay’s first-owned restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, the Gordon Ramsay brand has evolved into restaurants in three continents, six countries, and dozens of cities.  The Michelin-starred Chef is now bringing his Hell’s Kitchen concept to The Wharf in nearby Washington, DC, according to a recent report by. The two-story Hell’s Kitchen will be located at 652 Wharf St. SW.


Back in April we let you know of the impending arrival of Laperaux, the Journeymanchef’s Bistro,  the new restaurant coming to 18056 Mateny Rd in Germantown, the former home of Gumbo Ya Ya, Dickie’s BBQ Pit, and Cafe Mileto (located in the same strip as Shoppers). The French bistro is making progress and currently hopes to open in December. We’ll be able to provide you with a sneak peak and additional information in about a month or so. Chef and owner Gregory Webb, who has earned such accolades and awards as “Chef of the Year 1998” in Houston, Texas, “Winner all Categories” at the Texas Open Wild Game Cookoff, “Top Chefs of Mexico City” and many others, will be bringing a French bistro to the location, which hopes to open by the end of the year.

The restaurant will offer high casual cuisine created by Webb, who has competed against Bobby Flay on The Food Network, and won numerous ‘chopped style’ competitions put on for various local charity and fund raising events, including DC Central Kitchen’s Chefs Cook Off. Webb decided on the location because it’s close to his Gaithersburg home. Previously, he spent 7 years as the executive chef at Downtown Crown’s Paladar.


Updated to reflect the restaurant has reopened 

Last month, we let you know that Rio Grande Grill at 13541 Clopper Rd in the Seneca Plaza shopping center in Germantown has been sold. At that time, former owner Erika Myers told us that the new owners will be keeping the same name and menu.  The restaurant has been closed for renovations, but recently reopened and has a November 3rd hearing with MoCo’s Alcoholic Beverage Services for the transfer of the liquor license to the new owners.


Following months of delays due to flooding at the site, construction has continued at the upcoming Shake Shack location in Gaithersburg’s Kentlands neighborhood. As shown in the featured photo, the frame of the building has gone up and it should construction of the building should move quickly from here, weather permitting. While an opening timeframe hasn’t been provided, we’d expect the restaurant to open in the first half of 2023.

Background: On July 8, 2021, Shake Shack was granted approval for the construction of a 4,700 square foot building with outdoor seating as the second of three commercial infill sites totaling 16,000 square feet along Kentlands Square Place. The burger chain was granted its license to sell beer and wine on the premises during its Alcohol Beverage Services (ABS) hearing on January 6th of 2022, and prepared to break ground in February. Construction began in March, but stalled after flooding that occurred over the summer.


Last October we let you know that Sweetgreen would be taking over the Verizon Wireless storefront, located next to Downtown Crown Beer & Wine, in Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown development. Verizon has since moved within Crown, and signage for Sweetgreen went up in August. Earlier today we stopped by and were told by workers that construction will be complete in “a couple months”, giving the fast-casual restaurant an expected early 2023 opening. We were also told permanent signage is going up very soon.

Sweetgreen currently has three MoCo locations, in Bethesda, Downtown Silver Spring, and Pike & Rose. Crown has been without a fast-casual salad restaurant since Chopt closed in early 2020 and has since moved that location to the Kentlands neighborhood.


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