BETHESDA ROW

BOUTIQUE WEEK

STARTS TODAY

Ladies, the day you've been waiting for is here. Bethesda Row Boutique Week starts this morning.

Here are some of the big events you want to know about today and over the weekend:

Amethyst on Bethesda Avenue is hosting a Lika Behar trunk show today and Saturday, and those items will be 15% off!

Not only is Ginger boutique having a White + Warren trunk sale all weekend, but every purchase you make there during Bethesda Row Boutique Week is going to score you a free Essie nail polish.

J. McLaughlin is inviting you to check out their merchandise and enjoy "sips and nibbles," which doesn't specify if those "sips" will be adult-beverage in nature... ...4-6 PM tonight!

Finally, Citizen Denim experts will be on hand at Luna starting at 10 AM this morning, until 7 PM tonight. That will ensure that you not only get a perfect fit on your first pair, but that the second pair you buy at a 20% discount will also be just the right size, too.

Power up with a pot of Peruvian coffee at Le Pain Quotidien on Bethesda Lane, and get ready to shop-til-you drop all weekend at Boutique Week at Bethesda Row.

For more details, and to enter to win a $1000 Bethesda Row shopping spree, visit http://bethesdarow.com/events/ right now!

TASTE OF BETHESDA

2011 INSIDER'S GUIDE

Everything You Need to Know!

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

The now-famous Taste of Bethesda is this Saturday, October 1, 2011!!!

Prepare to sample delicious foods from the restaurant capital of the world, Bethesda, Maryland.

First time attending? Not to worry, it's very simple. The event runs from 11 AM to 4 PM. Park in any of the nearby public garages along Woodmont Avenue and the Woodmont Triangle, and walk or take the free Bethesda Circulator to the blocked-off area - you can't miss it!

At the ticket booth, you pay $5 and receive 4 tickets. Each food item you exchange tickets for at any restaurant's tent will cost 1 to 4 tickets - an appetizer will obviously be less than a steak, for example. There's no limit to the number of tickets you can buy.

In between meals, burn off calories by walking across Wisconsin Avenue to the Chevy Chase Cars dealership, where the Back to Bethesda car show is always fascinating for muscle car buffs. (Like me!) Or, head down to Battery Lane to the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad's Rescue Day, that will entertain kids of all ages. Did I mention that a real helicopter will land at the squad?

Ladies, you haven't been forgotten - Taste of Bethesda just happens to coincide with Bethesda Row Boutique Week, which starts this Friday! Visit the boutiques of Bethesda Row for big savings, trunk shows, and bonus gifts with purchases.

But wait! There's more! The Bethesda Row fountain is reopening after its renovation on Saturday, too! And between 1-3 PM, you can get FREE Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream by the fountain!

There's lots to do, and even more to eat, at Taste of Bethesda, with many sponsors including Bethesda Urban Partnership and WJLA 7.

To prepare your strategy, here is an advance copy of the menu:

American Tap Room - Cilantro-lime hummus, MD crab soup
Bangkok Garden - Egg roll, curry puff, pad thai, chicken curry
Bangkok One Thai - Spring roll, pad thai, chicken fried rice
The Barking Dog - Sliders, BBQ, variety hot dogs
Bethesda Crab House - Crabcakes, shrimp, slaw
BGR The Burger Joint - Wellington burger, tuna burger, fries
Bistro LaZeez - Babba ghanouj, fattoush salad, chicken kabob
BlackFinn - Crab sliders, ying-yang shrimp, tomato feta dip
Bold Bite - Bold hot dog, NY hot dog, chorizo, choripan, fries
Brasserie Monte Carlo - Lamb stew, onion tart, cannolis
Bundles of Cookies - Whoopie pies, brownies, cookies
California Tortilla - Ceasar tacos, turkey chili
Caribou Coffee - Coffee, tea, lemon blueberry scones, cookies
Chef Tony's - Seared scallops, filet mingon, crab pasta, tiramisu
Daily Grill - TBD
Divino Lounge - Sausage, skirt steak, empanadas, paella
Flanagan's Harp & Fiddle - Steak jameson, guiness beef
Fresh Grill - Mini beef & fish sandwiches, fries
Georgetown Cupcake - Assorted cupcakes
Haagen Dazs - Ice cream, bottled water
Haandi Indian Cuisine - Murgh makhani, palak paneer, samosa
Hanaro Sushi - California & spicy tuna roll, teriyaki, tempura
Hard Times Café - Chili, dogs, fries, soda, water
Honest Tea - Honest tea, Honest ade, Honest kids
Jaleo - Paella, gazpacho
Jiffy Shoppes - Steak & cheese, gyros, pizza, spanikopita
Just Cakes - Cupcakes, pound cakes, water, juice
Kabob Bazaar - Rice, Addus Polo, chicken & beef kabob
Lebanese Taverna - TBD
Lilit Cafe - Gelato, soda, water
Louisiana Kitchen & Bayou Bar - Jambalaya, gumbo, étouffée
M & N's Pizza - Pizza, drinks
Mamma Lucia of Bethesda - Pizza, sodas
Matuba - Sushi roll, chicken teriyaki, tempura, Japanese soda
Morton's - Petite filet mignon sandwich
Naked Pizza - Pizza, cheesy breadsticks
Nest Café - Mussels, BBQ, Italian fries, sweet fries
Olazzo - Meatballs, pasta, cannoli
Original Pancake House - Nutella crepes, lemon crepes
Oz Restaurant & Wine Bar - Lamb, chicken and veggie kabob
Passage to India - Chicken makhani,veg. korma, samosa
Penang Malaysian Cuisine - Satay chicken, curry potatoes
Plaza del Sol - Fajita tacos, beans, rice
Quartermaine - Coffee
Ri Ra Irish Pub - BBQ wings, cottage pie, Kelly's chocolate cake
Rock Bottom Brewery - Crabcake, pulled pork & kobe sliders
Ruth's Chris - Tenderloin w/horseradish sauce, mashed potatoes
Saveur India - Butter chicken, palak paneer, samosa, rice
Shangri-La - Chicken momo
Smoothie King - TBD
Spring Mill Bread - Bread, muffins, brownies, pie, poptart
Sweet Basil - Pampia, curry puff, pad thai, drunken noodle
Taylor Gourmet - Italian, Locust St., Christian St., pasta salad
Tout de Sweet - Maccarons, cookies, bottled water, juice, sodas
Uncle Julio's - Tacos al carbon (beef/chicken), chips & salsa
Union Jack's - Banger sandwich, rib tips, bread pudding, pie
Uptown Deli - Corned beef, pastrami, knish, potato latke
Yamas Mediterranean Grill - Gyro, souvlaki, fries, falafel
Zen Tara Tea - Iced tea, desserts, hot tea & coffee

Taste of Bethesda

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Norfolk, St. Elmo and Fairmont Avenues, Bethesda

11 AM - 4 PM

AMERICAN TAP ROOM

BETHESDA ROW

VIDEO REVIEW

Another www.RobertDyer.net Exclusive!!!

I just uploaded a new video of my recent visit to American Tap Room at Bethesda Row. In the near future, I will post my full review here on the blog. But I wanted to get the video up as soon as possible, so here it is first:


http://youtu.be/_tMrAo5aHbc

BETHESDA ROW

FOUNTAIN

GRAND REOPENING

After a long renovation and transformation, the fountain in front of Barnes and Noble at Bethesda Row will officially open again this Saturday, October 1!

From 1-3 PM, you will be able to get FREE Haagen-Dazs ice cream by the fountain!!

I never understood the timing of this renovation. All summer, when the weather was ideal, the fountain was closed. An ugly, wooden Berlin Wall was constructed around the site, and space to hang out or listen to the many musicians who play impromptu concerts there was limited. It gave a bad impression to visitors during the biggest travel time, and disappointed longtime residents. It uglified what is widely considered one of the most attractive urban spaces in the country.

Perhaps one day this logic will be explained.

But the future is here this Saturday, and we can only go forward. During the Taste of Bethesda, you can take the Bethesda Circulator down Woodmont Ave to the fountain. Enjoy your free ice cream, and give your feedback about Bethesda Row fountain 2.0. Then take the Circulator back over to the Woodmont Triangle for more food from the best restaurants in the Washington, DC area!

Stay tuned for my Taste of Bethesda preview - all you need to know for the big event this Saturday!

LATIN FASHION

WEEK STARTS

TONIGHT WITH

FREE FOOD, DRINKS

AT THE PARVA

The groundbreaking, historic Latin Fashion Week launches early tonight at The Parva in Bethesda!

Join fellow fashionistas in celebrating this event. Or maybe you've been thinking about trying The Parva... Your timing is perfect! Because from 6-10 PM tonight, The Parva is serving FREE food and FREE drinks!!! Sample Chef Andy's dishes from across Latin America, and enjoy live DJs in the South Beach-inspired upstairs lounge!

The Parva is the perfect restaurant to host a celebration in honor of this recognition of Latino achievement and talent in the fashion industry from across the globe.

ROCKVILLE FREEWAY

UPDATE

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett held a town meeting last night at Westland MS in Bethesda. I attended and brought up the issue of the Rockville Freeway, as a long overdue (it's been on the books for over 50 years!) highway project that will relieve traffic congestion along the 355 corridor.

Surprisingly, Mr. Leggett said that he agreed that this road is necessary. This is quite a refreshing change from the county council's position, summed up best by Councilmember George Leventhal's remark last October: "The Rockville Freeway is dead."

The long-delayed 6 lane, divided highway is quite alive, however. Mr. Leggett noted that the freeway would provide "connectivity" between growing job and residential centers within and without of the county.

While Mr. Leggett concurred that such a road would have benefits, he was highly skeptical it could be built. "I don't share your optimism" about federal and state funding, he said, noting the dire state of transportation funds at both levels.

Mr. Leggett is the second county executive to acknowledge the value of the Rockville Freeway project; the first, Sid Kramer -alas- happened to also be part of the group of local and state officials who stopped it from being built! But as he did so, Mr. Kramer conceded that the freeway would have indeed reduced traffic congestion.

So I think it is a good sign and step forward that Mr. Leggett is at least open to the concept, and is not just dismissing the possibility. As I've noted previously, the White Flint sector cannot grow to the size projected in its oversize master plan without the Rockville Freeway being built first.

The freeway would connect the Montrose Parkway with the Intercounty Connector near Indian Spring Country Club.

I am more optimistic than Mr. Leggett about the funding, for a number of reasons, and would like to give that topic the time it deserves in a future blog entry.

Unfortunately, you probably won't see my question when the meeting is broadcast, because a large group of citizens opposed to the soccer fields in Potomac turned out, and dominated the night. The rules on time limits for speakers, and the clear instruction that the same topic was not to be brought up once it had been covered, were not enforced.

The result was that the topic of the Rockville Freeway, and others of interest to Bethesda and the entire county, will likely not be heard on Channel 6. Many of us came out in bad weather for a community discussion, only to find ourselves marginalized to an "after the 60 minute" segment. All because one group disrespected the rest of us by taking up the majority of an hour meant to cover a wide variety of topics. Worst of all, some went home without being able to speak at all. Again, it was not really convenient for busy people to attend, and I'm sure everyone could have been heard from if the rules had been enforced.

I do appreciate the fact that Mr. Leggett took some extra questions after the time limit, including mine, and overall it is at least good to hear that some elected officials recognize the tremendous need for the Rockville Freeway in light of the tremendous growth and automobile traffic in the future. We need to work to make the freeway a top priority, and to convince open-minded, responsible leaders that the funding can be achieved for this vital project.

ANOTHER BIG

NIGHT FOR

BEER LOVERS

IN BETHESDA

You already know about the big event tonight at Union Jack's at 6 - the first tapping of New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale.

But now you have a second consecutive night of high-end beverages ahead Thursday evening between 5-7 PM!

Join Kat Naughton of Flying Dog Brewery of Frederick at Georgetown Square Beer and Wine right here in Bethesda. She'll have samples of different Flying Dog beers for you to try!

BELGIUM

FAT TIRE

TO BE TAPPED

AT

UNION JACK'S

For the first time, Union Jack's Bethesda will tap Belgium Fat Tire Amber, Wednesday night at 6 PM!

Get there early, because...

• First 50 people get a Free Keepsake Fat Tire Glass
• Special $$ on Fat Tire Pints
• All 22oz New Belgium Bottles on Special

Union Jack's says, "Beer Nuts have been waiting for Fat Tire for years in MD/DC/VA and now it’s here!"

HAAGEN-DAZS

BETHESDA ROW

TOUR

Exclusive New Video!

Join me for a walking tour of Bethesda Row, and a visit to the Grand Opening of the new Haagen-Dazs store!

http://youtu.be/_hBpHhawL7M

FRIDAY SPECIALS

IN BETHESDA

Half-price Pita Pockets for lunch at Yamas Grill - and $1 drafts later tonight as their 1-year anniversary celebration continues.

Speaking of lunch, don't forget to check-in on Foursquare Monday-Friday 11-4 at American Tap Room at Bethesda Row to get 50%-off any lunch item!

Finally, for the ladies, BlackFinn Bethesda is hosting their annual "Martini and a Makeover" event tonight from 8-10 PM. What does this mean? Not only a ready-made girls night out, but also $5 Three Olive Vodka martinis, FREE dessert buffet, and prize giveaways every 20 minutes - from beauty items to a free $500 wedding planner consultation.

Stay tuned to @BethesdaRow for more!

JOE BIDEN

BRINGS STIMULUS

TO VAPIANO AT

BETHESDA ROW

Last evening, a Secret Service and Metropolitan Police motorcade entered downtown Bethesda and stopped at Vapiano at Bethesda Row.

It wasn't President Obama - it was Vice President Joe Biden and his wife stopping for dinner at the upscale pizza and pasta bar.

Of course there were plenty of Secret Service agents out and about. With many visits by the Obama family to Bethesda Row, this is starting to become routine. However, we are still waiting for the Commander-in-Chief himself to stop by some day. I think he'd like to try the DC Dog at Bold Bite, to find out if it really is better than the half-smoke at Ben's Chili Bowl. He also likes burgers, and there are plenty of those around downtown Bethesda, too. So, stop by soon, Mr. President!

AMERICAN

TAP ROOM

GIVES

FOURSQUARE

LUNCHERS

HALF-OFF!

Where is the best lunch deal at Bethesda Row? If you are on Foursquare, it will be hard to beat the price at American Tap Room on the corner of Woodmont and Elm!

Just go to the restaurant for lunch between 11 AM and 4 PM, check in at American Tap Room on Foursquare, and use the online offer to get 50%-off your check.

Order anything you want, and your lunch will be half-price! Incredible!

STRUT YOUR

MUTT ON

BETHESDA LANE

You are invited to a special patio event this evening at Redwood on Bethesda Lane. Feel free to bring your (well-behaved and leashed) dog.

That's because Redwood not only has food and drink specials for you, but also gourmet treats and a gift bag from Bone Jour for your canine friend(s).

The cost is just $10 per person, or $15 per couple. Best of all, the proceeds go to the Montgomery County Humane Society to help shelter animals!

So stop by Redwood between 5:30 and 8:30 tonight for this special, pet-friendly happy hour.

YAMAS GRILL

CELEBRATES 1st

ANNIVERSARY WITH

GEORGETOWN

CUPCAKE GIVEAWAY

Yamas Grill is celebrating its first year in Bethesda all this week. There is a different reason to stop by each day.

Today, the first 75 customers who make any purchase will receive a FREE Georgetown Cupcake from Bethesda Row's famous cupcake bakery!!! And the first 75 kids receive a Yamas bag filled with coupons and a special birthday prize favor.

Every day this week, if you dine-in at Yamas Grill, desserts are only $1! Yamas gourmet dips are only $1, too!

But they can also deliver lamb burgers, gyros, falafel and more right to your apartment or office in downtown Bethesda.

Congratulations to Yamas Grill for a successful year and more to come in Bethesda.

LOBSTERS CLAW

THEIR WAY BACK

TO BETHESDA

FOR LUNCH

TODAY

The Red Hook Lobster Truck is coming back to Bethesda for lunch today, starting around 11:30 AM at Veterans Park. They haven't been in town for awhile, so grab your lobster rolls, chips, whoopie pies and Maine sodas while you can!

PANAS GOURMET

GRAND OPENING

WEEKEND

Wait a minute, regular readers - and @BethesdaRow Twitter followers - might say - Panas Gourmet already had its Grand Opening weeks ago!

And you would be correct. Panas has been open on Elm Street in Bethesda for some time.

But this weekend, they're making it official. And you'll be getting FREE food as a result, if you follow these instructions.

Between 3-5 PM today, find Panas team members around downtown Bethesda, and they will give you an orange Panas balloon.

Bring the balloon to Panas, and you'll get a FREE cholado!!

What if you don't have the time or luck to find a Panas secret agent?

Just friend Panas on Facebook, or send them a tweet on Twitter, and show it to them on your phone or iPad/Android tablet screen.

The same deal applies Saturday, only the hours will be 11 AM - 1 PM, and your reward gets even better: an empanada!

NFL SEASON

STARTS TONIGHT

IN DOWNTOWN

BETHESDA

Redskins fans - and New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers fans - will want to be at Hard Times Cafe in downtown Bethesda tonight.

Hogs Haven is taking over the place again, starting at 6:30 PM.

What will you get for $15 to join the celebration? How about unlimited Budweiser or Bud Light! Bottomless cup! You'll also receive this season's exclusive Hogs Haven t-shirt. And have a chance at prizes! A roundtable discussion at 7! And you never know when Dexter Manley might show up...

There's a game tonight, too: Saints vs. Packers. I'm picking the Saints.

FREE REDSKINS

TICKET!

Is there any better price than free? If you read this blog or follow me on Twitter @BethesdaRow, you know you get a lot of FREE stuff - beer, wine, cupcakes, cheese, dessert, champagne, movies, prizes, etc.

Now here's another free offer you can take advantage of: a FREE ticket to the Washington Redskins vs. Arizona Cardinals game at FedEx Field on Sunday, September 18!

And you'll be helping others in the process!

Just participate in the Redskins Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday, September 12, at the Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20024, between 11 AM and 6 PM.

Every participant will receive a free ticket to the September 18 Redskins game!

You can avoid waiting that day by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS to schedule an appointment. Or just walk in the day of the event, and you can still get a ticket.

BETHESDA CENTRAL

FARM MARKET

RANKS #10

IN THE NATION

Regular attendees have been voting all summer in hopes of having Bethesda Row's Bethesda Central Farm Market named the top farmers market in America.

Unfortunately, as with the ukulele Guinness World Record shocker a few weeks ago, Bethesda lost the top spot nationally, and locally, at the last minute.

It wasn't a thousand strumming Swedes who beat us this time, but the venerable Eastern Shore town of Chestertown. It was an impressive victory, especially when you consider how small their population is compared to the DC Metro area. And Chestertown isn't exactly roadside to Route 50, so it wasn't a tourist vote. Chestertown simply outworked us, and congratulations to them.

Congratulations to Frederick Farm Fresh Market, which was #3.

Bethesda still came out an impressive #10 out of every farm market nationwide. When you consider how many there are just in our area, 10th is quite an accomplishment. Congratulations to BCFM, and we'll have another chance at the brass ring next summer!

BETHESDA ROW

PUBLIC PARKING

GARAGE 57

TO

GET SMART IN

NOVEMBER

Tonight will be a typical evening at infamous Garage 57 between Elm Street and Bethesda Avenue: horns honking, rude people, and driving around and around and around.

Eventually, you find out it was all just a waste of time. That car on the top level that should have pulled out of its space just as you rounded the corner? Well, its driver and his date are just getting started on their calamari appetizer around the block. Yes, everyone else had the same plan as you.

In two months, this may change.

The county just announced that this November they will install electronic displays over the entrances to Garage 57. They will tell drivers, in real-time, the number of vacant parking spaces.

Let's hope the system is accurate, because I've encountered some that claimed vacant spots when the garage in question was actually full.

Now, the system won't give us more parking spaces. In fact, when JBG demolishes the surface lots at Woodmont and Bethesda, we'll have less parking than ever.

But it will save a lot of wasted time searching in Garage 57.

TAYLOR GOURMET

NEW MENU

OPTIONS START

TODAY

When Taylor Gourmet opens its doors this morning at Bethesda Row, you will have two new options: Mayonnaise-mustard, and whole wheat bread. These were added in response to customer requests.