Germantown

A little over a year ago, in December 2021, we let you know that Pizza Hut is moving into the Cloppers Mill shopping center in Germantown. The new restaurant, located at 18070 Mateny Rd, between Shoppers and Popeyes, is now open.

The location is a smaller version than traditional Pizza Hut locations of the past– focusing solely on carry out and delivery orders. In September 2021, David Gibbs (CEO of Pizza Hut parent company Yum Brands), told investors, “We closed a lot of the dine-in stores that didn’t belong on the portfolio over the last 18 months in the United States,” according to a transcript on the financial services site Sentieo. “But for the most part, the stores we have in the portfolio now are good, long-term stores.”

Back in April we let you know of the impending arrival of Laperaux, the Journeymanchef’s Bistro,  the new restaurant coming to 18056 Mateny Rd in Germantown- the former home of Gumbo Ya Ya, Dickie’s BBQ Pit, and Cafe Mileto (located in the Cloppers Mill shopping center, in the same strip as Shoppers). The French bistro has made a lot of progress, adding an illuminated sign and awning covered patio, with plans to open in January.  Chef and owner Gregory Webb, who has earned such accolades and awards as “Chef of the Year 1998” in Houston, Texas, “Winner all Categories” at the Texas Open Wild Game Cookoff, “Top Chefs of Mexico City” and many others, will be bringing a French bistro to the location (menu available below).

The restaurant will offer high casual cuisine created by Webb, who has competed against Bobby Flay on The Food Network, and won numerous ‘chopped style’ competitions put on for various local charity and fund raising events, including DC Central Kitchen’s Chefs Cook Off. Webb decided on the location because it’s close to his Gaithersburg home. Previously, he spent 7 years as the executive chef at Downtown Crown’s Paladar. The menu will consist of the “Daily Chalk Board,” which will feature “the best product of the season straight from today’s market.” Seafood fruits de mer, including chilled shrimp, lobster, octopus, and salmon crudo. Soups like onion soup gratinee and crawfish bisque. Starters such as escargot, steak tartare, and more. Entrees like Steak au Poivre, Coquilles St Jacques, Coq au Vin, and more (full menu below).

Sushi Legend Cajun Seafood & Bar is now open at 19961 Century Blvd in Germantown, the former site of Greene Turtle. The restaurant held its official grand opening on Wednesday, December 21.  Menu items include the Queen Roll (spicy crunch crab meat, white fish, chili sauce) and the Sushi Legend Roll (deep fried kani, spicy tuna, eel, spicy mayo).  According to its website, Sushi Legend features “all you can eat” lunch and dinner options. Full menu below:

Earlier this year signage was installed on the building for “Four Seas Restaurant”, but that restaurant never opened. We received confirmation of the permanent closure of Greene turtle in Germantown back in the summer of 2020. Since then, the building was available for sale and ended up settling back on December 17th, 2021 for $3 million. Jim McGinnis, of Restaurant Brokers & Developers, represented the sale of the building (19961 Century Blvd in Germantown), the former home of the Greene Turtle.