Shari’s Sweet Homes, a “virtual” Jamaican/soul food restaurant, will soon be available in Bethesda.
The food is designed to, “bring back memories of grandma’s Sunday dinner,” and the menu features items like curry chicken, jerk wings, Rasta pasta, oxtails, collard greens, candied yams, and banana pudding.
The Health and Human Services (HHS) Committee will meet tomorrow, February 17 at 9:30am to review Bill 1-22, which require children’s meals offered by food service facilities to include certain healthy food and beverage options.
The members of the HHS Committee include Council President Gabe Albornoz, Council Vice President Evan Glass, and Councilmember Craig Rice.
Qdoba at 16260 Frederick Road (Shady Grove intersection) in Gaithersburg will have its grand opening on February 28. The restaurant is located in the space that was formerly home to Jerry’s Subs and Pizza in the recently renovated and renamed Rock Grove Center.
The Chipotle style restaurant features burritos, bowls, salads, nachos and tacos. Qdoba also features a breakfast menu that is served until 10:30am daily.
Last summer we let you know that the folks who brought you Kenaki Sushi to the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg and Aki to The Roost food hall at Capitol Hill would be bringing Kema by Kenaki to Cabin Village in Potomac. Initially the hope was for a late winter/early spring 2022 opening, but we spoke with sibling founders Ken and Aki Ballogdajan, who told us that some additional work was needed on the space and that it won’t be delivered until later this spring. The hope is now for the restaurant to open in October or November of this year.
The almost 2,000 square foot restaurant will be very similar to what Kenaki in Kentlands offers, but will be more “fast paced,” in what will be a hybrid between Kenaki and Aki. Kenaki is a full-service restaurant while Aki is a sushi counter at a food hall. Kema will offer signature rolls from Kenaki/Aki such as the Black Magic roll- made with “forbidden rice”, spicy tuna, pickled jalapenos, and truffle oil, the Donkey Kong roll- made with eel, fried plantain, cream cheese, cucumber, tempura flakes, togarashi spice mayo, and sweet shoyu, among others.
SOKO, a neighborhood butchery, has officially opened at 7306 Carroll Ave in Takoma Park.
Owned and operated by partners Brad Feickert & Chris Brown, SOKO focuses on local & sustainable farms that raise animals ethically and humanly. The neighborhood butchery offers a menu that consists of breakfast and lunch. Breakfast offerings include sandwiches, breakfast burritos, bagels, bacon, and sausage. Lunch offerings include a variety of deli sandwiches with sides of fries or chips. They are open every day from 7:30am-8pm and both menus are available all day.
Last month we let you know that Buffalo Wings and Beer had closed in the Cloverly Village Center (15412 New Hamphire Ave). According to employees, the restaurant closed on January 4th.
This morning we confirmed that the restaurant will once again open, as it will be taken over by the owners of Dominic’s Italian Grille in Colesville. The BWB name will remain, but the acronym will have a slightly different meaning as the restaurant will now be named Bourbon, Wings, and Beer.
What started in 1998 with Chef Ramsay’s first-owned restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, the Gordon Ramsay brand has evolved into restaurants in three continents, six countries, and dozens of cities. The Michelin-starred Chef is now bringing his Hell’s Kitchen concept to The Wharf in nearby Washington, DC, according to a recent report by BizJournals. Per the report, “representatives for Gordon Ramsay North America recently submitted plans to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts for what would be a two-story Hell’s Kitchen at 652 Wharf St. SW.”
Most of Chef Ramsay’s North American presence has been in partnerships with Caesar’s Entertainment. His two existing Hell’s Kitchens locations can be found in Caeser’s at Las Vegas (2018) and Lake Tahoe (2020), ads well as a Hell’s Kitchen at Caeser’s in Dubai, with the upcoming DC location being the only non-casino affiliated Hell’s Kitchen restaurant.The high-energy restaurant and bar takes its cue directly from the primetime television hit seen worldwide by millions of viewers, which is slated to premier seasons 19 and 20 in the near future. The restaurant shines the spotlight on many of Hell’s Kitchen cast/chef recipes and dishes featured on the show, including many of Chef Ramsay’s signature dishes like the Pan Seared Scallops, Lobster Risotto, Beef Wellington, Crispy Skin Salmon and Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Crown Fried Chicken Homemade Waffle & Breakfast at 9120 Rothbury Dr. in Montgomery Village (next to Athens Grill) has closed. Signage on the front door reads, “This Store is Permanently Close, Sorry?” Additional signage lists contact information for the building. The restaurant opened in March 2021 and sold a wide variety of items, including waffles, cheesesteaks, fried chicken, omelettes, and subs.
Last year Crown told us they would be opening a second MoCo location in the 1900 block of Seminary Rd in Silver Spring, but we have not heard any updates on that restaurant’s status. 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.
Back in January we told you that Planta, an upscale plant-based restaurant featuring a menu by Chef David Lee, would be coming to 4910 Elm St at Bethesda Row, in the location formerly occupied by Cafe Deluxe (Cafe Deluxe closed permanently back in March of last year). We spoke with a representative from Planta two weeks back, who told us that the restaurant planned to open in February.
An official opening date has been set, as Planta will be open for business son Saturday, February 12th, according to the restaurant’s social media. Reservations can be made via Resy.com
“Savor Bethesda” Restaurant Week is taking place from Thursday, February 17 – February 27, 2022. Deals are for $10, $20 and $35. All menu items are available for dine-in or takeout.
Participating restaurants as of 2/7/22:
Hello Betty Restaurant Coming to Pike & Rose
Hello Betty announced today via Instagram that they are planning to open in April. The seafood-focused restaurant aims to bring California beach, surf, and skate ambiance to their establishment.