B2J, which specializes in traditional Szechuan-style fish soup, is now open at 9629 Lost Knife Rd in the Montgomery Village Crossing shopping center in Gaithersburg. The menu include a variety of soups where you choose the broth flavor, protein, and add-ons, including tilapia, bass, and Waygu beef. B2J has additional locations in New Jersey, Texas, and Washington State.

Montgomery Village Crossing is also home to BLT Grill, Hook & Reel, Roy Rogers, and the recently opened Los Amigos. Nori Japan, one of the last remaining tenants at Lakeforest Mall, is also expected to open a location in the shopping center later this year.

According to their website, “The owners are a happy couple. They love to eat. They visited a Chinese Sauerkraut Fish restaurant in Guangzhou, China and found it amazing! So they decided to open the restaurant in the Seattle area.

They know live fish taste different!! It is always hard to find a live fish resource. They spend almost a year to find the right farm to supply the fish. The fish must be very healthy and happy so it will taste good. Luckily, they found it! The Dutchboy Farm in Idaho! The owner John knows fish better than anyone. 

They know how important consistency is for the customers. They want customers to be able to get the same flavor every time they visit the store. They are working hard to create the standard of how to cook the fish. Believe me, you can cook in our kitchen as well if you follow the standard.

The new Chopt location in Cabin John Village (Potomac), in the space next to Boulangerie Christophe, will hold its grand opening on March 8. This will be Montgomery County’s fifth Chopt restaurant, with locations currently open in Gaithersburg, Rockville, and two in Bethesda. Prior to the grand opening, on March 7, Chopt will be partnering with Manna Food Center for “Chopt Gives Day” (a tradition the day before every new opening), where 100% of sales go towards their initiatives in ending food insecurity among children and families in Montgomery County.

Chopt joins a bevy of restaurants and retailers that have recently opened or are coming soon to Cabin John Village. Recently Open: The Pretzel Bakery opened in April. Authentic French bakery, Boulangerie Christophe, opened in May. Stretch Zone opened in July. The Scoop ice cream shop opened in August. Cabin John Village, formerly known as the Cabin John shopping center and mall, is  named for the adjacent creek and regional park. It has been a pillar of the Potomac community since 1967 and was acquired by EDENS in 2016. Per EDENS: “EDENS has transformed the traditional shopping center experience into a welcoming communal environment that naturally fosters meaningful social interaction. Complementary retail options include a curated mix of home goods, dining, health and wellness and more outdoor greenspace welcomes the opportunity for community events.” 

Isaac’s Poultry Market at 12167 Darnestown Rd in Gaithersburg, the former site of Pizza Hut, will officially open on Thursday, February 23. The restaurant is being opened by Rob Gresham, a lifelong MoCo resident and the former Director of Operations at CAVA. The restaurant will feature American roasted chicken, wings, sandwiches, and salads. You can view the full menu here.

Gresham came up with the concept with his 13-year-old son while quarantining during the pandemic. The restaurant is named after Isaac Newton, who discovered the laws of gravity, optics, and invented calculus while he was in quarantine during the bubonic plague in 1665.
“He invented those things, we invented a chicken restaurant.”

Gresham tells us that everything they sell will be made from scratch and that the menu will feature plenty of healthy options. Isaac’s will also feature frozen custards, slushies, juice, and a variety of baked goods and desserts.

Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken at 16248 Frederick Rd (on the border of Gaithersburg/Rockville), in the Rock Grove Center on the corner of 355 and Shady Grove Rd, will open open this Sunday, February 19th at 7am. The restaurant will hold an official grand opening ceremony sometime in March. The North Carolina-based biscuit chain is known for their buttermilk-brined chicken and currently has Maryland locations in Columbia and Towson.  Menu items include biscuit sandwiches, biscuits & gravy,  fried chicken strips, and donuts.

The new store is the third location for father and son franchisees Francis & Christopher Kirley. “After the success Rise has enjoyed so far in Maryland, we’re excited to bring the brand to more people in the city,” said Ken Priest, CFO of Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken. “The Kirleys are just some of the many successful franchisees that are helping Rise expand our national footprint.”

Isaac’s Poultry Market at 12167 Darnestown Rd in Gaithersburg, the former site of Pizza Hut, is scheduled to open the week of February 20th. The restaurant is being opened by Rob Gresham, a lifelong MoCo resident and the former Director of Operations at CAVA. The restaurant will feature American roasted chicken, wings, sandwiches, and salads. You can view the full menu here.

Gresham tells us that everything they sell will be made from scratch and that the menu will feature plenty of healthy options. Isaac’s will also feature frozen custards, slushies, juice, and a variety of baked goods and desserts.

The Bazaar by Chef Josés Andrés is now open at the Old Post Office building at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. According to the restaurant, “The Bazaar takes guests on a sensory adventure where anything is possible and pays homage to José’s Spanish roots and inventive style. The culinary experience in Washington, DC will offer The Bazaar’s signature playful dishes, while infusing new menu items that boast an Americana flair and nod to US history.” Andrés gained fame as the chef at the Washington, D.C., tapas restaurant Jaleo. Locally, Andrés owns Spanish Dinerat 7271 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda (formerly Jaleo) as well as DC restaurants China Chilcano, Jaleo, Oyamel, and Zaytinya. Full details below: 

José Andrés Group is proud to introduce The Bazaar by José Andrés in the historic Old Post Office building in Washington, D.C., relaunched in 2022 by CGI Merchant Group, in partnership with Hilton under the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand. The opening of The Bazaar at Waldorf Astoria Washington DC signals the culmination of a 30-year journey for Chef Andrés, who has dreamed of opening a restaurant in the historic building since he arrived in Washington, DC in 1993.

“I am thrilled to introduce The Bazaar in the Old Post Office – this debut has been a long time in the making and marks a tremendous celebratory moment for the great city of Washington, my team, and me personally” said Chef José Andrés. “It has been thirty years since I first came to DC, and to have The Bazaar open in this beautiful, historic building that has always held a special place for me, is an American dream come true.”

 “As The Bazaar continues to grow and flourish in new cities, the Washington, DC opening at the Old Post Office is symbolic for many reasons.” Sam Bakhshandehpour, the president of José Andrés Group, said. “This is a full circle moment for the company long rooted here and invested in the continued economic prosperity of the city, the culinary community, and our loyal guests.”

First conceived in Los Angeles in 2008, The Bazaar takes guests on a sensory adventure where anything is possible and pays homage to José’s Spanish roots and inventive style. The culinary experience in Washington, DC will offer The Bazaar’s signature playful dishes, while infusing new menu items that boast an Americana flair and nod to US history. The Beef Cheeks “Eisenhower Stew” is a tribute to President Eisenhower’s favorite dish while he was in office, while the Crab Louie Cone, “Philly Cheesesteak” Airbread, and the Norwegian Lobster “Newberg” represent classic American dishes. Local ingredients such as Maryland Blue Crab, Rappahannock Oysters, and the bounty of the Chesapeake Bay are prevalent throughout the menu and symbolize a homecoming for The Bazaar in Washington, DC, where José Andrés Group is headquartered.

The restaurant will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as an all-day bar service. Breakfast and lunch will be served on the lower level, while dinner will be served on the upper mezzanine level to provide a variety of different dining experiences throughout The Bazaar.

Making its home in the historic landmark of The Old Post Office, The Bazaar is situated in a Romanesque Revival building, which first opened in 1899 and served as DC’s General Post Office until 1914. World-renowned Spanish firm Lázaro Rosa-Violán drew inspiration from this grand architecture to create a home befitting of these avant-garde delights, an ode to craftsmanship with a Spanish signature.  The multi-level destination begins with an elaborate, dedicated 6-seat bar outfitted with a brilliant green Aqua quartzite top and unique finishes such as textured glass, handcrafted tiles, and fabrics embellished with fringe, that welcomes guests from day to night. Upstairs, dinner awaits with a verdant oasis of lush, emerald velvet banquettes, custom floral fabrics inspired by the Spanish Surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, black marble topped tables and golden glowing custom lighting fixtures elegantly finished with hammered brass. An array of plants, including Ficus, Pleomeles, and Philodendrons, and an iconic gleaming orb above the entrance, invite guests to feel as though they are dining under the moon.

Since its inception in 2008, The Bazaar has since grown to have locations in Miami’s South Beach, forthcoming in New York City, as well as inspired the creation of Bazaar Meat, a wild and wonderful celebration of the carnivorous, with outposts in Las Vegas, Chicago, and later this year at The Grand LA, downtown Los Angeles’ newest cultural corridor.

For more information: https://www.thebazaar.com/washington-dc/

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About José Andrés Group

José Andrés Group (JAG) is the creative team behind renowned dining concepts and the dynamic media company named for Chef and Founder José Andrés.  Originally conceived as ThinkFoodGroup with co-founder Rob Wilder, and now led together with President Sam Bakhshandehpour, the newly named company reflects the breadth of its mission to change the world through the power of food, through its innovative restaurants and thoughtful storytelling across multi-media platforms.  With over thirty restaurant concepts in Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Orlando, and Washington D.C, The Bahamas and the United Arab Emirates, José Andrés Restaurants offer culinary experiences that span from food trucks to world-class tasting menus, including the two Michelin starred minibar by José Andrés in Washington, D.C.  Formed in 2021, José Andrés Media was created to share how food connects people around the world. The production company specializes in unscripted and scripted television series, books, podcasts, and digital short- and mid-form content with a focus on food-related stories and characters, and the culture of food.  José Andrés is an internationally recognized culinary innovator, New York Times bestselling author, educator, television personality, and humanitarian, twice named one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People,” and awarded “Outstanding Chef” and “Humanitarian of the Year” by the James Beard Foundation as well as the inaugural “American Express Icon Award” by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. For more information, visit www.joseandres.com

BooBoo Pho is now open at 19230 Montgomery Village Ave. in the Montgomery Village Shopping Center. The restaurant is currently offering a grand opening special of 15% off orders through March 3. Menu items include spring rolls, Pho (noodle soup), sandwiches, vermicelli bowls, salads, and stir fry. BooBoo Pho is open Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 11am-7pm.

Last week we reported that the Montgomery Village Center has been sold for $40.25 million according to a report by Maryland Newsletters. Per the report, “Atlantic remained in the deal as the 131,000 square foot center traded from a partnership that included Walton Street Capital and Atlantic, to a new one, headed by Petroleum Marketing Group and, again, Atlantic. The new owners paid $40,250,000.” The shopping center was built in 1969 and is currently undergoing a $20 million renovation. It’s anchored by Aldi and Big Lots, and is home to Ledo Pizza, a recently opened Starbucks, Dollar tree, Advanced Auto parts, and more. Below you’ll find a list of all businesses that are scheduled to open in the shopping center soon:

Baskin Robins: Back in January, @themocosource reached out to let us know that Baskin Robbins would be coming to the Montgomery Village Shopping Center and last month we were able to get confirmation from klnb that the ice cream shop will be coming to the vacant space next to Suburban Hair and Linda’s Nails. No opening date has been announced.

Dickey’s BBQ: In May we reported that Dickey’s Barbecue Pit will be opening a new location in the center, next to the upcoming Kobe Japan (which is next to the Moe’s). Dickey’s Barbecue Pit previously opened a Montgomery County location in Germantown back in February 2013. The restaurant closed the following year and reopened under new management in July 2014 before closing permanently in early 2016. The first Maryland location was in Gambrills, but has since closed. Currently there are nearby locations in Pasadena, MD, two in Fairfax VA, and one in Alexandria VA. There is no expected opening date at the moment.

Fiesta Laundromat: Fiesta Laundromat, which currently has a location  at 7601 New Hampshire Ave in Takoma Park, will be opening in the center next to Boo Boo Pho and across from the MV Animal Hospital, according to KLNB. Per their website, “At Fiesta Laundromat, we take immense pride in our work, whether we are working with large-scale corporate clients, individual laundry clients or our walk-in customers. Take a look around our website and learn more about the variety of laundry services we offer.”

Hangry Joe’s: In August we reported that Hangry Joe’s Hot Chicken is coming to the Montgomery Village Shopping Center and will be located in the brand new space next to the recently opened Starbucks. Earlier this year Hangry Joe’s opened locations at 2533 Ennals Ave in Wheaton and 10050 Darnestown Road in the Travilah Square shopping center, and at 718-B Rockville Pike.

Kobe Japan: Construction is ongoing at the site of Kobe Japan Hibachi And Sushi . The restaurant has additional locations at 1163 University Blvd E in Takoma Park and 13623 Georgia Ave. Suit A in Aspen Hill. According to their website, the menu features, sushi and sashimi, bento boxes and hibachi.

SafeSplash Swim School: SafeSplash will be located on the new Centerway Rd extension, behind Suburban air and Linda’s Nails. This will be SafeSplash Swim School’s second Montgomery County location after opening the area’s first SafeSplash facility, located within LA Fitness on Rockville Pike in Rockville. SafeSplash typically offers learn-to-swim lessons to children as young as six months of age. No prior swimming experience is needed. Adult and adaptive lessons are typically offered as well. Various class levels are offered to suit different swimming abilities. Per SafeSplash, “Students are taught in small classes (no larger than 4 students to 1 instructor), by experienced and passionate instructors. SafeSplash uses a proven, proprietary instruction method that has been tested and refined over the company’s history, across 10 years and over 4 million swim lessons.”

Jersey Mike’s has announced it will be opening its upcoming restaurant at the Northgate Plaza in Aspen Hill on Wednesday, February 15, at 10am. The restaurant, which is currently hiring, will be taking over the  location that was formerly home to Body & Brain Tai Chi– between Dunkin’ and Roy Rogers. Additional details on the grand opening festivities will be announced soon.

Jersey Mike’s was founded as Mike’s Submarines in Point Pleasant, New Jersey in 1956. Peter Cancro started working at the restaurant in 1968 when he was 14 and the shop was on its third hour. Three years later the shop went up for sale again and with the help of a local high school football coach who was also a banker, Cancro was able to pull together $125,000 to buy it at age 17. He began to franchise the restaurant in 1987 and now has over 2,000 locations with various locations across Montgomery County, including in Burtonsville, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, Rockville, and Wheaton.

Feature photo courtesy of Jersey Mike’s on Facebook.

The first 100 customers at the renovated Wendy’s in Derwood could receive free food for a year. The renovated Wendy’s location at 15807 Frederick Rd will hold its grand re-opening on Saturday, January 28th. As the fast food chain did with its 18425 Woodfield Rd restaurant in Gaithersburg, they’ll give away 100 VIP ticket to those 16 and older and present in line at 10:30am when the dining room opens (a purchase is necessary to be considered for a card). Anyone who gets a VIP ticket will be able to come back to the store once a week for a year to receive a free sandwich, salad, or breakfast biscuit.

Per MyMCMedia, “the renovations include brighter dining areas with multiple seating options, including private booths and lounge seating and new beverage dispensers.”
Feature photo courtesy of Wendy’s on Facebook.

Taco Loco is now open at 8417 Georgia Ave in Silver Spring, the former site of Guavaberry Dominican Restaurant and The Greek Place.  Menu items include tacos, tortas, gorditas, soups, tamales, elote loco, birria pizza, and more. According to a report from Source of the Spring, Taco Loco began in White Oak as a mobile catering business. You can view the restaurant’s Facebook page here.

Guavaberry Dominican Restaurant opened in March 2022 and its menu featured fish, stews, and mofongo, a dish made with mashed fried green plantains. The Greek Place closed at the end of 2021 and its menu featured menu featured gyros, spanakopita, chicken souvlaki, and falafel.