A Westfield Montgomery Mall spokesperson has confirmed that Legal Sea Foods will close at the mall in Bethesda. This was likely not a surprise, as Westfield has recently made a major investment in updating and expanding its dining offerings. The Cheesecake Factory is expected to open at the mall as early as next month, as well as other newcomers like Wicked Waffle in the renovated food court. Bobby Flay opened a Bobby's Burger Palace at Montgomery Mall in October.
What's going in its place? Not that it was a great place to eat, hopefully another food option that is more appealing.
ReplyDeleteUnknown at the moment, but definitely a source of intrigue. If Westfield could get a Great American Restaurant Group restaurant (Coastal Flats, etc.) or bring something like Sugarfish from its Southern California malls, it would be in a strong position to challenge Tysons Corner as a dining destination. Particularly with The Cheesecake Factory now on board.
DeleteWould be nice to get a Great American Restaurant. My fear is they just make it a retail spot.
ReplyDeleteFrankly, I don't consider Wicked Waffle and Bobby's Burger Palace to be competitors with Legal Seafood. I have come to realize that the shopping place for me is now Tysons, almost exclusively. When I cannot find soemthing at Nordstrom's or Macy's at Montgomery Mall, I go to Tyson's and it is ussually there. I am hoping that in a few years, the White Flint renovation wil make it my shopping area of choice.
ReplyDeleteIf Tysons indoor mall is the shopping place for you, I don't think the urbanized White Flint will be your shopping area of choice.
ReplyDeleteTyson's has been my #1 shopping destination for decades - even before Tyson's Galleria opened up. I hope they can bring more good quality restaurants to Montgomery Mall. It just doesn't seem to offer the caliber of restaurants that Tyson's has.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I liked Legal Seafood and miss it very much. Their departure leaves a big hole for quality seafood in Potomac and Bethesda. Cheesecake Factory is less of a destination for us.
ReplyDeleteSo let me get this straight: a place that serves fresh seafood of superb quality is going to be replaced, if at all, by another mediocre, nationwide chain outlet that serves cholesterol and carcinogens? Way to go in 2014.
ReplyDeleteI can understand Marylanders not appreciating really good seafood; outside of crabs, there is little or none around. But they always appeared to be doing good business, and I can only conclude Westfield wants to increase teenybopper foot traffic over oldies who go to Legal, dine, and leave.
Heard this rumor tonight, thanks for confirming.. I heard another location in New York was closing too...
ReplyDeleteI'll still be in Bethesda, in case anyone is interested in Fresh Seafood