Restaurants

Sushiko Reopens for Dine-In Customers

By MCS Staff

Sushiko is known for being D.C.’s first sushi restaurant, opening in the 70s in Glover Park. That location closed in 2013, but in 2008 the restaurant opened its Montgomery County location in Chevy Chase (5455 Wisconsin Ave). Sushiko’s indoor dining has remained closed since Covid-19 restrictions shut down indoor dining in March 2020, but has recently reopened.

Chef Piter Tjan, Sushiko’s executive chef, got one of his first jobs as a sushi chef at Bethesda’s Raku. He worked there for three years before leaving to open Sushiko in 2008. He left Sushiko to work under Tyson Cole in Austin’s Uchi, one of the most popular sushi restaurants in America, and remained there until 2013 when he returned to Sushiko and has been back ever since.

Go to Sushiko Reopens for Dine-In Customers Read more

Soft Opening For Scratch Kitchen Olney; A Mother Pushes Forward in Her Daughter’s Memory

By MCS Staff

Scratch Kitchen is now in holding a soft opening at 18062 Georgia Ave in Olney. The restaurant is open from 10am-3pm on Friday, August 19th and from 7am-3pm every other day it’s open (it is currently closed on Mondays and Tuesdays). For now, Scratch Kitchen is offering a limited menu that consists of breakfast sandwiches made with eggs from nearby Bella Vita Farm (soft opening menu available below).

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.The decision was made to push forward and continue with the plans to open the the restaurant to create a legacy for her daughter and two younger children. Bernie was planning a funeral and putting a restaurant together. She continued to forge ahead while grieving– ordering signage and restaurant equipment. “It was like so arrived at my destination and lost my why.”,  she told us. She decided she was going to make the most of this tragic situation– creating jobs, bringing healthier food to the community, using local products, and opening a place the community is proud of.

Go to Soft Opening For Scratch Kitchen Olney; A Mother Pushes Forward in Her Daughter’s Memory Read more

Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins Now Open in Four Corners

By MCS Staff

Last December we let you know that Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins would be coming to 115 University Blvd W, in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring. The location is now open, according to an employee of the store.

The new location has taken over the former home of Chevy Chase Bank and has a drive-thru like the most recent Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins in MoCo (located in the Rock Grove Center on 355/Shady Grove Rd.) and the upcoming Cloverly location, which is just a Dunkin’.

Go to Dunkin’/Baskin Robbins Now Open in Four Corners Read more

Rockville’s Armand’s Pizzeria and Grille Voted WTOP’s ‘2022 Best Pizza’

By MCS Staff

Armand’s Pizzeria and Grille, located at 190 Halpine Road in Rockville, has been voted as the favorite in WTOP’s ‘2022 Best Pizza’ list. Armand’s once had over 25 DMV locations with multiple restaurants right here in Montgomery County. The once-mighty local chain is now down to two family-owned locations with just the Rockville location remaining in the area and “Armand’s By the Sea” located in Bethany Beach, DE. In January of 2021, Armand’s Pizza won Taste MoCo’s tournament of 64 Montgomery County restaurants that offer pizza.

Founder Lew Newmyer opened the first Armand’s back in 1975 at Veazey Street and Wisconsin Avenue NW near Tenley Circle in Washington, D.C., after tasting deep-dish pizza during a visit to Chicago. The Newmyer family, residents of Montgomery County, owned and operated several Armand’s location, closing the last of their restaurants in 2018 when the Silver Spring location closed. The two remaining restaurants are franchised locations that still use the original recipe and cooking style Armand’s is known for. Lew, who was a Silver Spring resident, passed away in 2015 at the age of 92.

Go to Rockville’s Armand’s Pizzeria and Grille Voted WTOP’s ‘2022 Best Pizza’ Read more

Paris Baguette To Open Rockville Town Square Location With Plans to Open 1,000 Bakery/Cafes By 2030

By MCS Staff
Each Paris Baguette store location will be home to a variety of experiences designed to showcase the master bakers and cakers deep passion in their craft while inspiring a welcoming invitation to all. Walking through the main doors immediately ignites the senses with the smell of fresh baked goodness, sights of delectable charm through display cases, and an enveloping warmth of welcome and community spirit through dining spaces and murals customized with images of local landmarks.

Paris Baguette, “the neighborhood bakery café where communities come together over expertly crafted baked and brewed goods”, announced that the brand is on track to open a projected 40 new locations by the end of 2022, reaching nearly 150 locations across the United States and reinforcing its status as one of the fastest growing franchises in the country. One of those location will be in Rockville Town Square with another location (currently unknown) coming to the area soon, according to a report by Bethesda Magazine. The Rockville Town Square location will be located at 101 Gibbs Street and will offer Korean and French baked goods. Doors may open by the end of 2022.

In addition to the upcoming Montgomery County locations, the growth of the bakery/cafe will accelerate in 2023 with 96 slated bakery café openings and increased interest from franchise partners. Paris Baguette currently operates in 14 states with a focus on expanding to a nationwide footprint in top-tier markets through a combined strategic approach of corporate-owned and franchise locations; franchise agreements have been signed to expand across 25 states. “The increased interest we’ve seen in franchise agreements and rapid expansion through new store openings at Paris Baguette is a testament to the success we’ve seen by focusing on the elevated bakery café experience and creating an emotional connection with our guests,” said Darren Tipton, Chief Executive Officer, Paris Baguette America. “We set an aggressive goal to open 1,000 locations in the U.S. by 2030 and we’re on track to exceed this plan with strategic direction on growth, quality products, customer experience, and innovation.”

Go to Paris Baguette To Open Rockville Town Square Location With Plans to Open 1,000 Bakery/Cafes By 2030 Read more

Miss Toya’s Creole House Now Open in Silver Spring

By Patrick Herron

Miss Toya’s Creole House is now open at 923 Ellsworth Dr in Silver Spring. Menu items include Catfish & Grits, Garlic Butter Clams, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Oysters, Rib Eye, and Seafood Po Boy.  According to a post on the restaurant’s Instagram page, “Downtown Silver Spring, are you ready for the heat? Miss Toyas Creole House is finally open. It’s time for some great southern creole food, incredible drinks, friendly vibes, and a good time. Who’s ready? Miss Toyas is finally here. Let’s eat.”

Back in July we reported that Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen will be taking over the space recently occupied by BGR at 229 Boardwalk in Rio. We’re told the Rio location will be a fast-casual restaurant, while Miss Toya’s Creole Kitchen in Downtown Silver Spring is full-service (wait staff, etc.).

Go to Miss Toya’s Creole House Now Open in Silver Spring Read more

Hangry Joe’s Travilah Square Opening Pushed Back to Monday, August 15

By MCS Staff

The first announced Hangry Joe’s in MoCo (Wheaton already opened, but was announced later) will now open in the Travilah Square shopping center on Monday, August 15 Saturday, according to a sign placed on the front door. The sign previously stated that the restaurant would open on Saturday, August 13z

Back in December 2021, we let you know that Hangry Joe’s would be coming to the 1,600 sf location that was previously home to El Mexicano at 10050 Darnestown Road, between Pholuscious and Tropical Smoothie Cafe in the Travilah Square Shopping Center. Since then, a Wheaton location was announced and has already opened. Construction began at the Travilah location this past spring and signage was recently erected at the upcoming Nashville-style fried chicken restaurant earlier this summer. Additional locations are planned for Rockville Pike and Montgomery Village.

Go to Hangry Joe’s Travilah Square Opening Pushed Back to Monday, August 15 Read more

Duck Donuts in Gaithersburg Has Closed Permanently

By MCS Staff

Duck Donuts has closed its Gaithersburg location after operating for just over five years. This morning we were informed by reader Emily Siok that the store was closed with everything (including store hours, etc.) removed form the door. While a direct link to the Gaithersburg store is still available on the Duck Donuts website, it no longer shows up in location searches within the website. A call to the Rockville location confirmed that the store has closed permanently.

Duck Donuts opened in April 2017 at 511 Quince Orchard Rd in Gaithersburg. It was the second Montgomery County location, opening a little more than a year after the Rockville location opened in early 2016 at 1327 Rockville Pike. We are told there are no plans to close the Rockville location.

Go to Duck Donuts in Gaithersburg Has Closed Permanently Read more

Firepan Korean BBQ Scheduled to Open Next Month

By MCS Staff

Back in April of 2021, we let you know that Firepan KBBQ started construction at the old Pete’s New Haven Style Pizza location at 962 Wayne Avenue Suite L-B in Downtown Silver Spring. Firepan had its Montgomery County ABS alcohol license hearing on November 4, 2021 previously announced an August 1st, 2022 opening date on its website. That date was recently changed to Mid-September, according to the website (previously reported by Source of the Spring).

Per its website, Firepan KBBQ offers a varied KBBQ menu, including both unmarinated and marinated meats, seafood, vegetarian selections like kimchi pancakes, and more adventurous options like beef intestines. The restaurant opened its first location at 6793 Wilson Blvd #c in Falls Church, VA in the first half of 2019. They offer appetizers, meat & grill options, combos, lunch specials, and all-you-can-eat options that range from $24.99 per person to special options for up to $69.99 for 2 people.

Go to Firepan Korean BBQ Scheduled to Open Next Month Read more
View More Stories