Life shouldn’t be about views, likes, and shares, but this article will be as we take a look back at the upcoming restaurants that have created the most buzz on our website and associated social media accounts in the last two months. Today we’re going to highlight the seven (in no particular order) that have generated the most buzz in terms of views, likes, and shares as we get into the midst of fall:
Colony Grill (Potomac)
CAVA, the largest restaurant operator in the Mediterranean category in the U.S. restaurant industry, has opened over 200 restaurants since opening its first fast-casual spot in Bethesda in 2011. Today, the restaurant unveiled a brand new logo that will provide a “new, warm look that will grow with us as we continue to expand the CAVA table.”
In 2006, first-generation Greek Americans Ted Xenohristos, Ike Grigoropoulos, and Dimitri Moshovitis launched the full-service Cava Mezze restaurant in the Traville Gateway shopping center (Rockville), with Moshovitis as executive chef. Following the launch of four additional restaurants, in 2008, Xenohristos, Grigoropoulos, and Moshovitis launched a line of dips and spreads to over 200 stores, including Whole Foods Market. In 2009, Brett Schulman joined them as CEO and co-founder of the fast-casual chain CAVA (originally called Cava Mezze Grill, later rebranded as Cava Grill and then simply as CAVA). The group opened the first Cava restaurant in Bethesda in January 2011. Below you’ll see the message that accompanied the new logo:
Last Friday we let you know that Kusshi Sushi, a popular sushi and Japanese cuisine restaurant in Pike & Rose that has just opened its second MoCo location in Downtown Silver Spring (8512 Fenton Street), will be feeding the staff members of 48 different Montgomery County schools. The restaurant has now upped it to 65 schools (full list available below), following an outpouring of support.
Kusshi Sushi co-owner Wesley Yao posted a contest to social media offering to feed the staff of one MCPS school that would be randomly selected after participants tagged and MCPS teacher or school. 48 different schools were tagged and Yao was going to start the process of randomly selecting a school. “When I saw how much each of those who entered wanted to win, I couldn’t choose just one…so we’re going to feed every school that was nominated.” Yao told us.
Last December we let you know that The Creek Lodge Bar & Grill would be replacing Urban BBQ at 5566 Norbeck Rd in the Rock Creek Village Center. Back in May, permanent signage went up and the restaurant has looked ready to go for a couple weeks. The restaurant officially opens today, Monday, October 17th.
Soft opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 3PM – 10PM, Friday to Sunday: 12PM – 11PM. Happy Hour: Sunday to Friday: 4pm-6:30pm.
Sweet Block at 24 Vital Way in Silver Spring (Colesville) has announced it will hold its grand opening on Monday, October 17. Sweet Block will offer tropical desserts along with traditional treats only found in the streets of various Latin countries. The “one stop dessert shop” will feature Latin food, art, and culture from countries such as Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Brazil, Puerto Rico, and Peru. Some of the menu items include Mangonadas, Esquites (corn in a cup), in-house ice cream, carved/prepared fruits, and juices/smoothies.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjwExlersLm/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Chopt is opening a new location in Cabin John Village (Potomac), in the space next to Boulangerie Christophe, according to the Edens website. We stopped by this morning and there is plenty left to go, so we expect an early to mid 2023 opening for the salad chain. This will be Montgomery County’s fifth Chopt restaurant, with locations currently open in Gaithersburg, Rockville, and two in Bethesda.
Chopt joins a bevy of restaurants and retailers that have recently opened or are coming soon to Cabin John Village. Recently Open: The Pretzel Bakery opened in April. Authentic French bakery, Boulangerie Christophe, opened in May. Stretch Zone opened in July. The Scoop ice cream shop opened in August. Cabin John Village, formerly known as the Cabin John shopping center and mall, is named for the adjacent creek and regional park. It has been a pillar of the Potomac community since 1967 and was acquired by EDENS in 2016. Per EDENS: “EDENS has transformed the traditional shopping center experience into a welcoming communal environment that naturally fosters meaningful social interaction. Complementary retail options include a curated mix of home goods, dining, health and wellness and more outdoor greenspace welcomes the opportunity for community events.”
Scratch Kitchen opened at 18062 Georgia Ave in Olney in August, initially opening for breakfast and lunch. The restaurant is now open for dinner service with updated hours of 7am-7pm Tuesday through Saturday and Sundays 7am-3pm. The new dinner menu consists of entrees like short ribs, mojo chicken, stuffed chicken breast, mofongo, lemon-butter salmon, and more (photos of the restaurant and some of the menu items available below).
More on Scratch Kitchen Olney:At the start of 2022, owner Bernie Rousseau decided she would lease the space formerly occupied by CB Acai for her daughter, who shared Bernie’s passion of cooking, to operate starting April– when the restaurant initially hoped to open. Tragedy struck, as Bernie’s daughter passed away on February 1st– the same day Bernie got the keys to the new location.
Urban Winery’s tasting room and patio is now open at its new location on 2315 Stewart Avenue in Silver Spring. The winery was previously located at 949 Bonifant Street Suite A, where it opened in 2015 and stayed until 2020. Urban Winery was temporarily closed due to construction.
About Urban Winery: “The Urban Winery in Silver Spring, Maryland is located inside the DC Capital Beltway and was the first winery in our region in an urban environment. We offer over 30 wines produced on-site as well as a selection of other hand crafted wines, beers, and spirits produced in the state of Maryland. Our international wine selection represents other small producers from around the globe and features a wide variety of grape expressions for those who truly wish to explore the whole wide world of wine. Our wine shop staff can assist you in selecting the perfect wine to pair with a meal, gift to a friend, celebrate an occasion, or reward yourself for a job well done. In our tasting room you can enjoy a tasting flight and learn more about the wines we make or share a bottle of wine and some light fare in the relaxed atmosphere. Our wine classes can give you an even more in depth look at the incredible world of wine appreciation. Wine making experiences can be booked by those who wish to create their own batch of wine, their own wine story, to share with friends and family.”
The Copper Canyon Grill at 928 Ellsworth Dr in Silver Spring has announced it will reopen on Tuesday, October 18. A kitchen fire closed the location back on July 12. In addition to the $1 million in repairs and renovations that were just completed, the restaurant has announced plans for future upgrades to its bar and the addition of a sushi station and a chef’s table. Copper Canyon has an additional MoCo location in Gaithersburg (Rio) and it’s sister restaurant the Stanford Grill has a location in Rockville.
The beloved downtown restaurant was already undergoing general renovations, and the shut-down allowed for some of those projects to be completed at a quicker pace than expected. In total, over $1 million in renovations were completed. A newly renovated exterior and foyer welcomes guests into a more contemporary environment. The restaurant’s ability to accept and serve private parties has also been significantly improved as a result of these renovations. Those rooms are now available to reserve for both corporate and personal gatherings throughout the holiday season.
Kusshi Sushi, a popular sushi and Japanese cuisine restaurant in Pike & Rose that has just opened its second MoCo location in Downtown Silver Spring (8512 Fenton Street), will be feeding the staff members of 48 different Montgomery County schools.
The restaurant posted a contest to social media offering to feed the staff of one MCPS school that would be randomly selected after participants tagged and MCPS teacher or school. 48 different schools were tagged and Kusshi co-owner Wesley Yao was going to start the process of randomly selecting a school. “When I saw how much each of those who entered wanted to win, I couldn’t choose just one…so we’re going to feed every school that was nominated.” Yao told us.
Peet’s Coffee, located at 1316 East-West Highway in Silver Spring, will close permanently at the end of this month according to an employee we spoke with on Thursday afternoon. A Starbucks will take its place.
The Berkeley, California born coffee chain planned to open 23 locations in the DC area in 2014/2015, with the first debuting at 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. MoCo locations included the Silver Spring location and two Bethesda locations– one in Montgomery Mall that closed in 2017 and one at 7629 Old Georgetown Rd that closed in 2020 after 6 years.