BGR, which stands for “Burgers Grilled Right,” will close its Rio location permanently on Saturday, June 11th, according to a representative from the restaurant. BGR opened in Rio approximately 10 years ago at 229 Boardwalk Place, next to Muse Paint Bar, just outside of the building that contains the movie theater.

We were informed of the news by Montgomery County restaurateur, Wesley Yao, who was told of the upcoming closure when employees of the BGR location reached out seeking employment and informed him that they were notified Saturday will be the last day of operations for Rio’s BGR. The news was confirmed via phone call today.


Signage is up at Miss Toya’s at 923 Ellsworth Dr in Silver Spring, the former site of Eggspectation.  Eggspectation, a Montreal based breakfast restaurant with locations across the world, closed back in September 2020 after 15 years in that location. Miss Toya’s is a Cajun/Creole restaurant by local chef Jeffeary Miskiri. On Monday the restaurant posted on its Instagram page that they are now hiring and according to an Instagram story by Miskiri Hospitality, the restaurant will be opening in about 30 days.

Miskiri is the founder and owner of Miskiri Hospitality Group, which describes itself as a unique collective of Black, family and woman-owned products and restaurants in the DC area. The group’s restaurants include Creole on 14th and Po Boy Jim’s in DC, as well as Suga & Spice, listed as coming soon to Hyattsville. Miskiri told Source of the Spring last year that “Miss Toya’s is the sister restaurant to my full-service restaurant, Creole on 14th, the reason behind it being to expand on Creole and Cajun food” and  “The diversity and the body of language that that cuisine presents is so large that I knew that I could something similar, but totally different at the same time,” and that he’s “just really excited to bring that Cajun-Creole flair and twist to the neighborhood.”


Back in January we let you know that the Dunkin Donuts that’s currently located in the recently renovated Rock Grove Center on the corner of 355 and Shady Grove will be relocating, according to Chris Wilkinson of JBG Smith. It will be moving to the back side of the shopping center, taking over the old United Bank location at 16268 Frederick Rd. We stopped by on Monday, and construction has moved along quickly (photos below).

The bank had a drive-thru, which will be used by Dunkin’. Baskin Robbins has also been added to this location, so customers can get their frozen treats on the go. The shopping center is currently home to Minerva, the newly opened Qdoba, and more, with a few retail locations still available to lease.


Back in February, Shake Shack fenced off the site of its upcoming Kentlands location, next to Starbucks, as it prepared to break ground for its third location in Montgomery County. The fencing came down and then back up before breaking ground a few weeks back. Below you’ll see the ground as crews prepare to begin construction.

Construction is expected to begin soon and could be complete by the end of the year. Shake Shack currently has locations in Cabin John Village (Potomac) and A couple miles away at Montgomery Mall (Bethesda).


Planet Bethesda, a plant-based food festival, will take place on June 5 from 12-6pm at Elm Street Park in Bethesda.  According to the events website, there will be more than a dozen area restaurants and vendors, live DJ, Bier Garten, and a plant-based pie eating contest.  Participating restaurants include Dog Haus, Berries & Bowls, True Food Kitchen, and Tikka Masala. Entry to is the event is free and vendor food and beverage will be available for purchase.

Planet Bethesda will be held rain or shine. This food, music, and fun festival will take place in beautiful Elm Street Park (4600 Elm Street, Bethesda) on Sunday, June 5th, just a two minute walk from the Bethesda Metro Station, or park your car for FREE in lots 10 and 24. We’ll see you there!


Mr. Kai, a large stuffed bear, has been Sweeteria’s unofficial mascot since the dessert shop opened its doors back in the fall of 2020. The Thai dessert shop, owned and operated by the owners of Kao Thai Restaurant (two stores down), recently posted a sad story that included a video of their beloved mascot being taken off a chair by a man on a bike. The stuffed bear is posed in various locations around the restaurant and a few days ago, he was placed on a chair behind the restaurant that the employees often use to sit on.

After a brief search, Mr. Kai was returned and it turns out the whole situation was a misunderstanding. The outdoor chairs behind the dessert shop are located in close proximity to a dumpster, so the man who was riding by on his bike thought that the large stuffed animal was being thrown away. Once he was informed that Mr. Kai was being looked for, he quickly returned the bear to the restaurant.


Last July we let you know that New York based Mexicue, which has a nearby location at 1720 14th St NW in DC, would be coming to 4733 Elm St. in Bethesda, the former site of Gusto Farm to Street. The Mexican restaurant has announced via social media that it will one opening on Tuesday, June 7th. The menu features tacos, bowls, shareable platters, margaritas and weekend brunch.


Ladurée Paris, located at 4808 Bethesda Ave, is now open. Permanent signage was installed on the building earlier this spring and on May 16th we were told that the French café and pastry shop would be opening in approximately two weeks. Ladurée Paris has U.S. locations in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and currently has a pop-up/kiosk location inside of Montgomery Mall.

Ladurée Paris will be taking over the location that was formerly home to Sugarfina. Sugarfina, the “luxury candy boutique for grown-ups” closed its location in Bethesda Row permanently at the end of September 2019 after a three and a half year run. Dating back to 1862, Ladurée has been known worldwide for their macarons.  The Bethesda menu will also feature chocolates, pastries, teas and more.


Lapu Lapu at 216 Market St W. in Gaithersburg has announced that they will be holding a soft opening this Sunday, June 5, from 7am-3pm.  The new restaurant is be taking over the 325 square foot storefront that was formerly home to Tex-Mex restaurant Peppers, located next to Vasili’s in the Kentlands. It will specialize in breakfast sandwiches and will have a few tables available for outdoor seating.

Lapu Lapu is the sister restaurant of popular Rockville restaurant Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly. According to their social media accounts, “No better day to announce this than #nationaleggday 🥚🍳 The day has come! (Almost!) Come join us for our soft opening this Sunday from 7am-3pm! We can’t wait to see you.” Lapu Lapu has been holding “pop ups” at Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly on weekends over the past few months.


Back in March we let you know that NYC’s beloved French Bakery & Café, maman, would be expanding into the Washington, DC region with three new locations opening this year. Its first location will be in Bethesda Row at 7140 Bethesda Ln , replacing Le Pain Quotidien, and now we know that it will be opening on Monday, June 6th.

The Provençal-inspired café, created by co-founders Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte, will bring its fan-favorite salads, sandwiches, and Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookies, made famous by Oprah, to the Bethesda Row neighborhood later this spring/summer. In true maman fashion, the decor will boast florals and feature vintage windows and antique furniture, inspired by the South of France.


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