Restaurants

Coming Soon Signage Up at Olney Crab House

By Patrick Herron

Coming soon signage is up at the Olney Crab House, located at 18200 Georgia Avenue, the former site of the Olney Tavern in the Hillcrest Center in Olney. In February we were informed by the property management of the center that the original owners had pulled out of the location and new owners had just recently taken over the lease. We first reported that the Olney Alehouse was coming back in November 2019.  Renovations on the building began in the summer of 2020 but remained dormant until the new tenants took over. No opening date has been announced.

Go to Coming Soon Signage Up at Olney Crab House Read more

J. Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse to Open on May 10

By MCS Staff

J. Hollinger’s Watrerman’s Chophouse will open on Tuesday, May 10 in Silver Spring, according to a report by Source of the Spring. It will be located in the Lee Plaza building at 8601 Georgia Avenue, in the space that was previously home to Ray’s the Classics (later known as just the Classics) from 1998 until 2018. The restaurant is being opened by Jerry Hollinger and Mike Ellis. Hollinger currently has two other Montgomery County restaurants- The Daily Dish on Grubb Road and The Dish & Dram on Kensington Pkwy in Kensington.

Executive Chef, and Olney native, Mike Ellis was most recently the executive chef at Charlie Palmer Steak in DC. He helped open the restaurant as a sous chef under Bryan Voltaggio and came back in 2016 as executive chef after earning a Michelin star at Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen in Sonoma County. According to a recent report by Eater, “Look for a la carte cuts of meat along with produce sourced from D.C.-area and Pennsylvania farms.” and “Sundays will be a busy affair, with a live jazz brunch followed by prime rib night.”

Go to J. Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse to Open on May 10 Read more

Latest Update on the Olney Ale House is That There’s No Update

By MCS Staff

Nearly a year ago, in July of 2021, it was announced that the Montgomery County Green Bank and Sandy Spring Bank are teaming up to provide flexible financing to help the Olney Ale House re-open. In September of 2021, we spoke with a representative from Montgomery County Green Bank who let us know that the construction is moving along well and that it could take around 3-5 months for the Ale House to open, but that it was just an estimate.

The reopening of the Olney Ale House is one of the most asked about topics by our readers, and we have reached out several times since our last update, but have not heard back. Earlier today we stopped by to check out the progress, but there was not much progress at the location. We will be reaching out again this week and hope to be able to provide you with an update on a potential reopening.

Go to Latest Update on the Olney Ale House is That There’s No Update Read more

Progress at Naz’s Halal in White Oak

By MCS Staff

Signage is up and construction is ongoing at Naz’s Halal at 11209 New Hampshire Ave in White Oak, the former location of White Oak Dry Cleaners. Workers let us know that the restaurant is likely “a couple months away.” In December we told you Naz’s would expanding to Germantown, Rockville (1040 Rockville Pike), and Takoma Park (7653 New Hampshire Ave)

The first location outside of New York was also in MoCo, at the Burtonsville Town Center, next to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. That location opened in August 2020 and has become a local favorite with late night hours, remaining open until 2am Sunday through Thursday and 4am on Friday and Saturday.

Go to Progress at Naz’s Halal in White Oak Read more

Baronessa Will Close Permanently At The End of April

By MCS Staff

Baronessa has announced that it will be permanently closing at the end of April. The restaurant, located at 1302 E Gude Drive in Rockville, made the announcement on its website earlier this week. The full announcement can be seen below, along with additional information courtesy of the restaurant’s website:

“There is no easy way to put this. We are extremely sorry to announce that Baronessa Italian Restaurant will be permanently closing its doors.  We would like to thank our loyal customers who have been patronizing Baronessa for their years of support. Also, we want to thank our landlord Promark Partners, but most of all. THANK YOU to our. wonderful staff. We would never be able to do this without you. Our last day will be Saturday, April 30th 2022.

Go to Baronessa Will Close Permanently At The End of April Read more

Dogfish Head Alehouse Announce It’s Donated $1,000,000 to Charity Over the Past 17 Years

By Patrick Herron

Dogfish Head Alehouse, which opened its first location at 800 W. Diamond Ave in Gaithersburg in 2005, announced it has donated a combined $1,000,000 to charity over the past 17 years between its three locations.

Dogfish Head Alehouses, which are owned and operated independent from the Dogfish Head brewery in Milton, DE through a licensing agreement, announced recently that it will be closing its Falls Church, VA location at 6220 Leesburg Pike in the Seven Corners Shopping Center.  The restaurant says it was unable to come to terms with the property owner when it came time to renew its lease.  The last day of service will be on May 15. The Dogfish Alehouse locations at 800 W. Diamond Ave in Gaithersburg and 13041 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy in Fairfax, VA will remain open.

Go to Dogfish Head Alehouse Announce It’s Donated $1,000,000 to Charity Over the Past 17 Years Read more

Signage is Up at South Block (Smoothie and Juice Bar) in Pike & Rose

By MCS Staff

Back in September we let you know that South Block, a smoothie and juice bar best known for their acai bowls, would be opening a new location in Pike & Rose. South Block has been aiming for a summer 2022 opening, and they seem to be on pace as signage has now gone up at the space that’s as formerly occupied by the Residences At Pike & Rose leasing office, right next to the recently opened Call Your Mother Deli (The leasing office has moved to the spot formerly occupied by Nava Health.)

Along with their acai bowls, South Block offers other fruit and vegetable-based bowls, a range of smoothies, and cold pressed juices. They currently have eleven locations throughout DC and Virginia– their Pike & Rose spot will be their first location in Maryland. In addition to their brick and mortar locations, South Block has an online storefront where they sell pre-blended smoothie bowl kits that they deliver throughout the continental United States.

Go to Signage is Up at South Block (Smoothie and Juice Bar) in Pike & Rose Read more

Honeymoon Chicken Receives Michelin “Bib Gourmand” Award

By Patrick Herron

Honeymoon Chicken (4201 Georgia Ave NW, DC) has received a “Bib Gourmand” award from the Michelin Guide. Started in 1997, the Bib Gourmand award has been given to restaurants that have “good quality and good value”. Honeymoon Chicken opened it’s standalone location in DC this past January, but is also available in Montgomery County from Ensemble in Bethesda. Ensemble is a digital food hall from Salis Holdings (Ted’s Bulletin, Sidekick Bakery, Federalist Pig), located 4856 Cordell Ave. Food from Ensemble is only available for pickup or delivery and you must order through their mobile app.  The menu features items from four the different Salis Holdings restaurants that can be mixed and matched. You can get a brisket sandwich from Federalist Pig, side of French toast from Ted’s Bulletin, fried chicken from Honeymoon Chicken, and dessert from Sidekick Bakery all at the same spot.

Go to Honeymoon Chicken Receives Michelin “Bib Gourmand” Award Read more

Junction Bakery & Bistro is Now Open in Chevy Chase

By MCS Staff

Junction Bakery & Bistro, an American bistro boasting fresh-baked breads and pastries, unique and flavorful breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner offerings, is now open at 5471 Wisconsin Ave  Suite 206B in Chevy Chase. The restaurant opened its first location in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA and has since opened another location in Capitol Hill.

Per the Junction Bakery website: “Our simple food paired with homemade breads and baked goods makes our kitchen an extension of your kitchen. Whether you are grabbing Commonwealth Joe espresso and a pastry to go on your way to work or stopping in for lunch or dinner with friends, you will find a warm, comfortable and beautiful environment to welcome you.”

Go to Junction Bakery & Bistro is Now Open in Chevy Chase Read more
View More Stories