Longtime MoCo restaurant Amalfi Ristorante Italiano has announced plans to relocate out of Montgomery County later this year. In a social media post from Sunday morning, the restaurant announced plans […]


True Food Kitchen, the award-winning, seasonally-inspired restaurant and scratch bar, opens Monday, April 25 for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch in Gaithersburg’s Rio Lakefront. This marks the second Montgomery County location (Bethesda), third Maryland location for True Food Kitchen, and the 41st nationwide.

The full-service restaurant features a spacious dining room with 171 seats, an open kitchen designed to bring guests closer to the restaurant’s culinary craft and a full-service bar joining the dining room. An outdoor covered patio overlooking rio’s lake seats an additional 124 guests. A private dining room accommodates 12 guests. Natural woods and vibrant, locally inspired artwork add a contemporary touch to the restaurant’s earthy color scheme, natural elements and greenery, including indoor and outdoor garden basins filled with fresh herbs and spices. Eco-friendly materials are utilized throughout, and dining chairs are made of recycled soda bottles.


Over a year ago, we let you know that Crown Fried Chicken: Homemade Waffle & Breakfast would be coming to the 1900 block of Seminary Rd in Silver Spring, taking over the former location of Krazy Steve’s (and Armand’s Pizza before that) at 1909 Seminary Road. At the time the restaurant believed it would be opening within a month or two, but various issues have led to delays, but progress has been made as Crown Chicken signage is now up at the restaurant, according to instagram food blog Silver Spring Eats. Per its Google listing, the restaurant is scheduled to open on Saturday, April 30th.

Crown Fried Chicken opened its first Montgomery County location at 9120 Rothbury Dr. in Montgomery Village (next to Athens Grill) in March of 2021 and closed the location in February of this year. The menu features various chicken and waffle combinations, omelets, wings, cheesesteaks, and gyros. The chain is known for using Halal chicken and has locations across the east coast. The closest franchise locations are in Hyattsville, Waldorf, and Washington, DC.


A new dessert spot will be opening next month in Gaithersburg’s Downtown Crown, as Doki Toki Dessert Shop prepares to take over the location formerly occupied by Mango Mango at 202 Ellington Blvd next to Burger IM. Mango Mango was an Asian dessert spot that opened its first restaurant in New York’s Chinatown in 2013 and served traditional Hong Kong style sweet soup dessert, modern fusion sweets, and pastries. It was in the location from October 2019 until April 2021.

Doki Toki will offer Japanese desserts, including ice cream, mochi donuts, milk tea, and a “lot of other desserts”, according to the representative we spoke with earlier today. They are hoping for a May 15th opening.


El Catrachito has opened its fourth MoCo location in Olney, taking over the location that was formerly home to Milk & Cheese at 18050 Georgia Avenue. Back in November, we were able to confirmed that Milk & Cheese closed permanently after operating for approximately 6 months in the location that was also the former site of Thai Cuisine.

The restaurant opened its most recent location at 211. N Frederick Ave in Gaithersburg just over a year ago. The menu features popular Honduran dishes such as baleadas and pollo can tajadas, as well as Salvadoran dishes like Pupusas and Mexican cuisine like fajitas, and a lot more. El Catrachito has additional locations in Wheaton (2408 University Blvd.) and Takoma Park (940 East-West Highway).


Last July we let you know that Starbucks would be moving in to the Glenmont Shopping Center, taking over the location what was previously home to Capital One and a Chevy Chase banks (2315 Randolph Road).

The store is now open…partially. We have been told that the location is only opening its drive-thru today and will open the cafe portion of the store this weekend.


Coming soon signage is up at Crumbl Cookies at 277 Kentlands Blvd in Gaithersburg, next to Panera, in the space that was formerly home to TD Ameritrade. Crumbl Cookies opened its first MoCo location in 2020 at Federal Plaza in Rockville. The chain will also be opening a Germantown location near Wegmans at at 20650 Seneca Meadows Pkwy, in what used to be home to Sprint, next to Sally Beauty.

Opening dates have not been provided for either upcoming locations, but neither seem to be anytime in the very near future as plenty of construction is left to go for both location. We do expect Germantown to come first as permanent signage is now up at the location and construction is ongoing inside.


Back in June of 2020 we let you know that Ela Mesa Taste of Greece would be coming to the Spectrum Town Center in Gaithersburg. After almost two years, the restaurant has announced it will hold its grand opening on Monday, May 2nd. The new Greek restaurant is located at 109 Paramount Park Drive in the Spectrum Town Center in Gaithersburg, which is currently home to restaurants like Barking Made Cafe, California Tortilla, Hot Pot Hero, and Firebirds.

The pandemic, coupled with permitting and supply chain issues, caused the delays in the restaurant’s opening. The restaurant will offer traditional Greek fare and will also have a full bar that seats 10 people. Ela Mesa will be open Monday through Saturday 11am-10pm, and Sunday 11am-9pm.


The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar will be opening soon in Ellicott City in nearby Howard County. The shop will be located at 8225 Main Street in the historic downtown area.

The milkshake bar, which started out just under 2 years ago in South Carolina, has recently opened locations in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia.


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