Wednesday, November 04, 2015

De Tapas to open in Bethesda (Photos)

The brothers behind Bold Bite Burgers Half Smokes and Salads are venturing into small plates in their newest downtown Bethesda venture. De Tapas will open in one of the new storefronts being created out of the shell of the former BlackFinn Bethesda bar at 4901-A Fairmont Avenue.

Alonso and Alvaro Roche have leased the Greenhill Capital space facing Norfolk Avenue. Local architecture firm Steven J. Karr, AIA, Inc. is designing a new street entrance for the restaurant, among other modifications to this and one other future storefront. The construction contractor for the $500,000 project will be Sigal Construction. As the signs suggest, a Spring 2016 opening is planned.

The brothers have only teased the concept by posting signage with the name, so it's too early to speculate if this will be a traditional Spanish tapas restaurant. Perhaps with their Venezuelan heritage, they might provide a new twist on the Spain-oriented concept already well-established at Jaleo and the nearby Guardado's. Stay tuned.

32 comments:

  1. Anonymous5:15 AM

    Nice to see some activity with all the empty Greenhill spaces! Hopefully woodmont triangle can liven up again soon.

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  2. Anonymous5:15 AM

    Relentlessly positive coverage for Greenberg and his fallow properties.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous5:17 AM

      It's almost like the type of coverage dyer abhors from his least favorite publisher.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:39 AM

      Actually that's a really good point. Dyer complains about other news outlets only providing positive coverage and here he does the same with only ever saying the positives about Greenhill on his blog while there appear to be a lot of negative issues. And dyer just ignores the public outcry. Sounds like exactly what he purportedly champions against.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous6:26 AM

      Eh, it's dyer's MO. Just gotta take the bad with all the good stuff he does post.

      Delete
    4. 5:15: What is the negative to report here? A restaurant opening sounds like positive news to me.

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:17 AM

      Moribund economy always gets thrown in with every other post. Can you tell us a bit more about the situation with Greenhill? The numerous vacancies? The many closings in his buildings? The amounts of money owed him? What's his plan with these buildings? Will he actually use the assemblage to go high rise (himself or sell?)? What's with the renovations all taking forever? What happened with the tenant he said was coming to the NYC skyline Myra building? What's with his big wall in the middle of the sidewalk on Fairmont? Why do these little one story renovations that don't add too much value? Etc.

      Lots and lots us bethesdians would love to know and understand better about Greenhill.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous5:35 AM

    "The brothers have only teased the concept"

    WTF does this mean?

    Is "concept-teasing" like "Eve-teasing"?

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  4. Anonymous5:51 AM

    @5:35AM Tease the content = give hint but full concept not yet detailed.
    Comparing to Eve-teasing is ignorant.

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  5. Anonymous5:52 AM

    Tapas in the Woodmont Triangle? Yes, please.

    Another great pickup for Greenhill. Along with Domino's & Gusto.

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    1. Anonymous6:25 AM

      Looking forward to tapas in the triangle too!

      Delete
  6. Anonymous5:55 AM

    Hahaha. The Dyer Troll is conversing with himself.

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  7. Anonymous6:34 AM

    I think I've read more analysis, debate and discussion about Dyer's local news coverage than I've seen of the national media.

    Dyer really gets folks talking!

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    1. Anonymous7:32 AM

      Yeah he's so controversial it gets a lot of people boiling. Good or bad? I say good if the dialogue is processed constructively. Bad if one doesn't even consider other perspectives or facts.

      Delete
  8. Guardado's already has tapas in the triangle and it's fantastic. Especially for locals who want something low key with good food.

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    1. Anonymous7:31 AM

      Oh cool I'll go check it out.

      Delete
  9. Anonymous7:08 AM

    Dyer continues to be a Greenhill Fan-Boy! Hopefully this place will last longer than the typical Greenhill Tenant.

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  10. Anonymous7:11 AM

    Seems like there was a falling out between Dyer and Greenhill. He is just now getting to this news weeks later.

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    Replies
    1. 7:11: Check again - this is new information not previously reported - name, concept, it's not taking over entire BlackFinn space, architect, contractors, construction. Wake up and smell the tapas.

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  11. Anonymous7:24 AM

    I love tapas!

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  12. Anonymous8:00 AM

    If this is fast casual, I think it stands a fighting chance. The Roche brothers are already successful restaurateurs, and they probably are getting a good deal on rent since that space has been empty for a while. They also know the immediate area well since Bold Bite is basically next door.

    In other news, I'm going to try Soup Up for lunch today. Will report back if the $9 soup was worth it.

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  13. Anonymous8:01 AM

    Let's support these guys. Bold Bite is great.

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  14. Anonymous9:51 AM

    8:00am here again. Tried to go to Soup Up but couldn't find parking. Will try again tomorrow.

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  15. Anonymous10:04 AM

    9:51 AM The Cordell/St. Elmo garage is somewhat close.

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  16. Peter8:16 AM

    re: Anon @ 10:17 -- The Moribund Dyer likes to talk about "the moribund MoCo economy" only because, I think, he believes that the only driver of the economy is the tiny percentage of jobs that is actually encapsulated by those who work at a modern Fortune 500 company HQ. Or at least that is the impression that I get and others may get. Perception is reality, naturally.

    The fact that there are other spin-off jobs that may result -- teachers, firefighters, waiters, dry cleaners, construction, doctors, nurses, landscapers, retail, cops, lawyers, admins, bank tellers, plumbers, electricians, etc. -- don't really matter thus they do not exist. Remember, only Fortune 500 companies drive the economy, not the millions of small businesses that are probably far more connected to their communities.

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  17. Steve D.12:43 PM

    "Anonymous Peter said...
    The fact that there are other spin-off jobs that may result -- teachers, firefighters, waiters, dry cleaners, construction, doctors, nurses, landscapers, retail, cops, lawyers, admins, bank tellers, plumbers, electricians, etc. .

    8:16 AM"

    Spin-off from what?

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  18. Anonymous1:10 PM

    500 employees each in the headquarters of General Dynamics and Northrup Grumman.

    Gives a new meaning to "Fortune 500", doesn't it?

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  19. Anonymous8:17 AM

    What is this obsession commenter(s) have with Greenhill? Seriously. I'm really asking.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous9:57 AM

      Perhaps because his vacant buildings are all over the place?

      Delete
  20. Anonymous12:31 PM

    @8:17 If you take a quick walk around Bethesda, I think you'd notice the majority of the vacant properties, especially in the Woodmont Triangle area, have the Greenhill plaques on their facade. Maybe Bethesda could attract more businesses and improve the "moribund" economy if Greenhill didn't have such high rents and lease terms that are predatory and lead to early exits for many tenants.

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  21. Anonymous1:26 PM

    Thank you @ 12:31PM.
    Guess Greenhill has deep pockets to afford the vacancies.
    I have noticed (not just Greenhill properties) new places close quickly after only what I guess are free/reduced rent periods.

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  22. Anonymous6:37 AM

    Love Tapas....work near by....look forward to opening

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