It has been nearly two years since it was announced that the Michael Schlow restaurant group would bring The Riggsby to Bethesda. Now it’s confirmed that The Riggsby won’t be coming, after all.
After multiple reader tips, we called The Salt Line DC today and spoke with a representative who was able to confirm that the restaurant would be moving in to 4900 Hampden Lane– the space that was formerly home to Kapnos (and would have been home to The Riggsby). We were also told a Ballston, VA location would be opening in 2-3 weeks.
The Salt Line DC location is a waterfront venture that opened near Navy Yard in June of 2017 with a 100-seat patio bar overlooking the Anacostia River. While the Bethesda location won’t be overlooking the water, Bethesda Row offers a highly walkable, bustling downtown experience in Montgomery County.
“At The Salt Line, we’re taking inspiration from that magical blend and creating a lively and welcoming experience of classic New England dishes influenced by the bounty of the Chesapeake.
Each day The Salt Line features a rotating selection of local Chesapeake and New England oysters.When available, you can find ‘Cthulhu Deeps’, The Salt Line proprietary oyster, on the menu. Hailing from Otter Cove farm on the Damariscatta River in Maine, Cthulhu Deeps are the perfect balance of crisp, briny, and salty with moderate flavor and texture.”
The Riggsby was originally expected to open in spring/summer 2020 and would’ve been adjacent to fellow Schlow restaurant group fast-casual spot, Prima, which opened in May 2019 ended up never reopening after the Covid closures in March 2020. Chiko took Prima’s place in October of last year.
The Salt Line Bethesda will open “sometime in 2022,” per our conversation earlier today.
