Rio

Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon combination restaurant opened last week at 220 Boardwalk Place in Rio, taking over the location that was recently home to Lilly Magilly’s– as the cupcakery is still preparing for a move to a new location. We have received an update that only Cinnabon is available for now with Auntie Anne’s items coming soon.

The two brands, popular for their presence in malls, are co-branding to open locations across the country. In recent years, Cinnabon left then returned to Montgomery Mall. There’s also an existing Cinnabon location in Wheaton Mall. Auntie Anne’s has locations at the outlets in Clarksburg, Ellsworth Place Mall, Montgomery Mall, and Wheaton Mall in MoCo.

Last November we let you know of the impending arrival of an Auntie Anne’s/Cinnabon combination restaurant at 220 Boardwalk Place in Rio, set to take over the location that was recently home to Lilly Magilly’s– as the cupcakery is still preparing for a move to a new location. We stopped by earlier this week and saw that interior construction looks to be almost complete (photo below). The location is still awaiting exterior permanent signage.

The two brands, popular for their presence in malls, are co-branding to open locations across the country. In recent years, Cinnabon left then returned to Montgomery Mall. There’s also an existing Cinnabon location in Wheaton Mall. Auntie Anne’s has locations at the outlets in Clarksburg, Ellsworth Place Mall, Montgomery Mall, and Wheaton Mall in MoCo.

In April we let you know that Copper Canyon Grill is requesting approval for a 1,012 square foot covered dining pier to be located in the RIO Lake. At its regular meeting on June 7, 2023, the Planning Commission made the recommendation to the Mayor and City Council for approval (5-0 vote) of Schematic Development Plan SDP-9003-2021, based on the evidence and testimony submitted to the record and the findings in the Final Staff Analysis, to the Mayor and City Council.

Per the City of Gaithersburg: The Schematic Development Plan would add commercial as an allowed use on the RIO lake parcel. The Planning Commission was supportive and complimentary of the project, noting that this is an exciting new way to enjoy the existing lake. The Mayor & City Council Record was closed at 5 pm on June 14, 2023 with the anticipated Mayor & City Council Final Action to be presented on July 3, 2023 during the Mayor & City Council Meeting. Below are renderings of the proposed piers:

Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen at 229 Boardwalk Pl. in Gaithersburg opens today, Friday, June 9. Miss Toya’s is located in the 2,741SF space that was previously occupied by BGR and will serve southern-influenced dishes such as red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese, and a southern fried chicken sandwich.

The restaurant is part of Jeffeary Miskiri’s Miskiri Hospitality Group, which describes itself as a unique collective of Black, family and woman-owned products and restaurants in the DC area. Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen in Rio will be a fast-casual restaurant, while the Miss Toya’s Creole Kitchen at 923 Ellsworth Dr in Downtown Silver Spring is full-service (wait staff, etc.). Hours of operation (dinner only for now): Sunday – Thursday  4pm- 10pm, Friday and Saturday 4pm- 11pm.

Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen at 229 Boardwalk Pl. in Gaithersburg has announced it will open in two weeks. The restaurant posted the following message on its Instagram page on May 16: “We are excited and proud to announce that we are two weeks away from opening. Join our constantly growing team. Please send all resumes to the email address above. We will be accepting in-person interviews starting next week. Be a part of the Miskiri Hospitality Group and join our 7th location!”

The restaurant is part of Jeffeary Miskiri’s Miskiri Hospitality Group, which describes itself as a unique collective of Black, family and woman-owned products and restaurants in the DC area. Miss Toya’s will be located in the 2,741SF space that was previously occupied by BGR and serve southern-influenced dishes such as red beans and rice, macaroni and cheese, and a southern fried chicken sandwich. . Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen in Rio will be a fast-casual restaurant, while the Miss Toya’s Creole Kitchen at 923 Ellsworth Dr in Downtown Silver Spring is full-service (wait staff, etc.) We will post an update when the opening date is announced. Featured image courtesy of Google Maps. 

Acclaimed DC restaurateurs Jackie Greenbaum & Gordon Banks (Little Coco’s, El Chucho, Bar Charley, Quarry House Tavern) will open Charley Prime Foods, a modern American restaurant, on May 12 at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. Chef/Partner Adam Harvey, long time Executive Chef with Greenbaum & Banks, will helm the kitchen, along with Russell Pike, currently the Chef de Cuisine at Little Coco’s. Located in the former Tara Thai space (9811 Washingtonian Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD), the restaurant will be centrally positioned on the boardwalk. The space will seat roughly 90 inside, with another 100 on an expansive patio, complete with lake views. Editlab@Streetsense designed the space.

The team envisions the restaurant as a mature version of their popular DC restaurant Bar Charley, with an expanded menu, but keeping its lively cocktail forward energy.  The broader menu will remain steak focused and will also feature house made pastas (a la Little Coco’s) as well as other items unique to just this location. Starters include Five Spice Pork Shoulder & Crispy Rice with Korean BBQ and peanuts and Rustic Cheesy Bread with homemade rustic bread, garlic and three kinds of cheese.  Guests will find mains like Roasted Lamb French Dip with harissa aioli, onions, Swiss cheese, au jus and fries and house made pastas include dishes like Spicy Rigatoni with marinara, Grana Padano, and Calabrian chiles and Squid Ink Tagliatelle with Kauai shrimp, shrimp butter and nduja crumble.  An extensive steak menu includes the staples, as well as a Wagyu menu (both American and Japanese A5) and a section devoted to Linz Heritage Angus Prime beef.