The story of O’Donnell’s began almost 100 years ago when Tom O’Donnell opened the first restaurant in 1922, the Sea Grill in downtown Washington, D.C. at 1207 E Street NW. Undeterred by the Great Depression that gripped the nation in the 1930’s, his business soared.
In 1941, Tom leased the Victor Wholesalers building at 1221 E Street, opening his second location. And four years later Tom’s daughter, Janice O’Donnell Edelblut, joined the family business.
With a keen perception of the future, or some luck of the Irish, the O’Donnell’s purchased the Edgemoor Motor Building on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, MD to bring their high-quality standard to suburban Washington. This new restaurant in Bethesda opened its doors in 1956 and received wild popularity with the local community that was excited for fresh seafood and that welcoming O’Donnell’s atmosphere.
In the summer of 1997, O’Donnell’s Restaurant opened in the Kentlands and the community loved the quality of food O’Donnell’s brought to the table. O’Donnell’s Restaurant was proud to have been Montgomery County’s premier choice for seafood. The Kentlands restaurant closed in July of 2013 when Bill Edelbut decided to move on to something different after 40 years in the restaurant industry.
Bill and his daughter Ashlee – the 4th generation O’Donnell – brought a fresh concept to Potomac, MD– O’Donnell’s Market. They opened their doors in December 2015 and customers have been indulging in the same quality of food and service associated with the O’Donnell’s name (and that includes the crab cakes and rum buns!).
For almost 100 years, the O’Donnell’s family has proudly brought their own, original recipes and famous Norfolk style of cooking to Montgomery County.
Grand opening of the Bethesda Restaurant in January 1956. Janice Edelblut is second from the right.
From the O’Donnell’s website:
“Stop in to the market for fresh seafood, the finest cuts of meat, and healthy prepared dishes to go with any meal.
Our pastry chef always has something fresh baking in the oven. At any given time, when you visit the Market the smell of famous rum buns, pies and pastries will greet your senses. All our baked goods are made from scratch and baked fresh every day.
And our raw bar and grill will satisfy any craving. Join us for lunch, an afternoon snack or an elegant dinner. Or celebrate a Friday afternoon with your co-workers and share some fresh shucked oysters
Not to mention we cater too! If you’re having an event or party, we’ll work with you to prepare almost any menu. As you’re planning the menu, be sure to ask us about our Norfolk Table that brings the freshest seafood and shucked oysters to your next event!”
Photos and information courtesy of O’Donnell’s
It has been over two years since we reported that CVS would be taking over the old Tommy Joe’s/Boulevard Tavern/Brasserie Beck/O’Donnell’s location in the Kentlands.
The property now appears ready to be demolished as equipment has moved on to the property.
Gaithersburg Councilmember Neil Harris told us that CVS is moving forward with the plan back in 2019. Currently, City of Gaithersburg staff is reviewing the storm water plan and the final site plan is under review by the planning staff.
There’s no timetable for when it’ll be ready to open, but construction should start very soon.
12/7 Update: Memorandum with updates
Saul has finalized a proposal requesting the approval of three additional infill commercial buildings totaling 21,700 square feet in Kentlands Square Shopping Center.
A 17,700+ square foot “outdoor garden” is also in the plans.
The commercial buildings will be located along Main St., between Great Seneca Highway and Market Square Pl., on the far side of the At Home parking lot next to Lowe’s.
Shake Shack is under consideration as one of the tenants of the new buildings.
A Joint Public Hearing will be scheduled to discuss and potentially approve the proposal.
Per the City of Gaithersburg:
Proposal
SDP-9073-2021
The applicant, Saul Holdings Limited Partnership, has submitted Schematic Development Plan Application SDP-9073-2021, requesting approval of three additional infill commercial buildings totaling 21,700 square feet and associated minor site changes.
Previous Approvals
The Mayor and City Council approved Schematic Development Plan SDP-7712-2017 on July 16, 2018. The approval was for three additional commercial infill sites totaling 16,000 square feet along Kentlands Square Place. The Planning Commission approved final Site Plan SP-8277-2019 on October 16, 2019. The approval was for the first of three infill sites and approved the construction of a 2,100 square foot Starbucks building with drive through and outdoor seating. The Planning Commission approved final Site Plan AFP-8883-2021 on July 8, 2021. The approval was for the construction of a 4,700 square foot Shake Shack building and outdoor seating.
Status
A Joint Public Hearing has not been scheduled. Once a date has been determined, the project page will be updated. If you have any questions or comments about the application, please contact the Planning Department at [email protected] or 301-258-6330.
A couple days ago Lapu Lapu, which will be the sister restaurant of popular Rockville/North Bethesda/Kensington restaurant Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly, announced via Instagram that it will be opening in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg.
The new restaurant will be taking over the 325 square foot storefront that was formerly home to Tex-Mex restaurant Peppers, located next to Vasili’s.
Kuya Ja’s Lechon Belly started as a pop-up at owner Javier Fernandez’ sister’s bakery– Gwenie’s Pastries (12113 Nebel Street in Rockville) in 2016, before opening at 5268-H Nicholson Ln 240-669-4383.
The restaurant is known for its lechon—crispy, bronzed pork belly.
We will have more information on the upcoming Lapu Lapu as it becomes available.
The Kentlands neighborhood in Gaithersburg has seen plenty of changes in recent years, but still have three restaurants many have been asking about since the announcement of the impending arrival of Burton’s, Chopt, and Java Nation.
We’ve provided updates on each of them and have compiled the latest on all three.
Burton’s Grill & Bar applied for its alcoholic beverage license with Montgomery County and was granted the license back on September 2.
Over the summer we spoke with representatives from the real estate agency for Kentlands Market Square and they informed us that Burton’s Grill and Bar was still planning on opening a location across the paseo from MOD Pizza, although not until 2022.
This would be the first Burton’s restaurant in Montgomery County. They have nearby locations in Alexandria, Sterling, and Riverdale Park.
Signage is now up at the upcoming Chopt location in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg. The new restaurant is located next to MOD pizza on Commerce Square.
We spoke to representatives from the Rockville Chopt location at the beginning of the month were told us the new Kentlands location is scheduled to open in “late October”.
Progress has been made on the interior of the restaurant, but there’s still work left to be done. It’s now late October, so it may be pushed back a bit.
Back in January we let you know that Java Nation would be moving in to 121 Market Strert in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg, which was formerly a Starbucks. Starbucks opened a new Kentlands location at 160 Kentlands Blvd earlier this year that features a drive-thru.
This summer we were told there have been material and equipment delays by manufacturers, pushing the opening timeframe from August to October.
Earlier this month we spoke with a representative from the Rockville location who told us that an exact date isnt currently available, but that a late October/early November opening is expected.
Back in January we let you know that Java Nation would be moving in to 121 Market Strert in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg, which was formerly a Starbucks. Starbucks opened a new Kentlands location at 160 Kentlands Blvd earlier this year that features a drive-thru.
This summer we were told there have been material and equipment delays by manufacturers, pushing the opening timeframe from August to October.
This morning we spoke with a representative from the Rockville location who told us that an exact date isnt currently available, but that a late October/early November opening is expected.
Java Nation is best known for their house-roasted coffees, diverse food menu, and their wide variety of local craft beers, wines and artisan cocktails.
Curious about the “social house” signage that’s up in the window? Much like the Rockville location, the Kentlands location feature entertainment such as live music, comedy shows, dramatic readings and other community events.
More information about Java Nation can be found here.
Signage is now up at the upcoming Chopt location in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg. The new restaurant is located next to MOD pizza on Commerce Square.
We spoke to representatives from the Rockville Chopt location two weeks ago were told us the new Kentlands location is scheduled to open in “late October”.
Progress has been made on the interior of the restaurant, but there’s still plenty of work left to be done.
We first reported in January of 2020 that Chopt would be opening a Kentlands location but there have been several delays, starting with the pandemic, and permitting issues that have led to delays.
The previous Gaithersburg location, in Downtown Crown, closed in early 2020.
Oktoberfest will return to the Kentlands neighborhood in Gaithersburg on Sunday, October 10, 2021.
The event will take place from 12pm-5pm.
Per the city of Gaithersburg:
The 29th annual Oktoberfest returns to transform the Kentlands in Gaithersburg, with multiple stages of live entertainment featuring traditional Bavarian music & dancing, and local, regional & national talent.
Fall-themed activities for families, a Business Expo, artisans, beer, mead & cider, and delicious food will delight attendees throughout the day. In past years this event has drawn crowds of up to 30,000.
Admission, shuttles & parking are free to the public. More details will be added as the event draws nearer.
As health situations may change, please check back here for updates regarding the status of this event.
Contact the City of Gaithersburg at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns.
Featured photo courtesy of the City of Gaithersburg.
Renderings of Kentlands Shake Shack Location
In a virtual meeting tonight, the Gaithersburg Planning Commission will look at an amendment to the final site plan of the upcoming Shake Shack location.
Included in the site plan were renderings (shown below) of what Shake Shack will look like when it’s built as a standalone restaurant between the new Starbucks and the existing Chipotle across the parking lot from Lowe’s.
The restaurant will not have a drive-thru, but will have a carry-out pick up window and ample outdoor seating. It is expected to open by the end of 2022.
Per the City of Gaithersburg and Saul’s cover letter:
Saul Holdings Limited Partnership will be submitting a Final Site Plan Amendment for Part of the Kentlands Square Property (The Property). The property that is the subject of this Final Site Plan Application is approximately 1.8 acres of land (the “FSP Area”) within a larger existing site owned by Saul.
It totals approximately 33.8 acres across two separate parcels (known as the “Kentlands Square Property” or “Kentlands Square”), all of which are zoned MXD.
The building, totaling 2100 sq. ft of commercial use on site E, was approved on October 16, 2019. In response to interim development opportunities, this Application proposes to develop the FSP Area with one additional infill building totaling ±4,300 square feet of commercial use on Site ‘D’. Site D is primarily accessed from the eastern parking lot.
Secondary access is proposed along Kentlands Square Place. The Application proposes a new concrete sidewalk along the drive aisle on the northern portion of the project, continuing along the eastern parking lot. The proposed commercial site will replace existing lawn area, along with the addition of street tree to existing islands within the parking lot. No changes to any existing commercial buildings are proposed by this Application.
In summary, the Application contributes as an interim step towards the greater vision of the Kentlands development; is in compliance with SDP‐7712‐2017, in accord with City Code §§ 24‐160D.9.(b) and 160D.10.(b); and conforms with the applicable 1988 Master Plan.
Shake Shack Under Consideration in Kentlands
Last week we let you know of three possible Shake Shack locations coming to MoCo by the end of 2022. We were told those locations could be in “the Gaithersburg area” and “the Rockville area.”
Earlier this week we let you know of a second MoCo Shake Shack location at Montgomery Mall– just two miles away from the from the first location at Cabin John Village.
Now we know that the Lakelands Community Newsletter shared the following in its May newsletter:
RanKen Noodle House (Kentlands) Sets Grand Opening Date
Back in February we spoke with the owner the new Kentlands restaurant and we were told they hoped to open by the end of March.
After a few construction issues, the restaurant recently wrote on its Facebook page that it will hold its Grand Opening on June 18th and may have a soft opening earlier if they’re able to.
The restaurant is located in the new paseo, between Berries & Bowls and MOD pizza, at 133 Commerce Square Place.
RanKen will offer ramen, udon, soba, and rice dishes as well as skewers, bento boxes, and more, according to its online menu. Photos of the menu that were posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page can be seen below.
No word yet on openings dates for the other upcoming restaurants in the Kentlands neighborhood.
