White Flint Arby's-to-McDonald's conversion update (Photos)

The transformation of the former Arby's at 11710 Rockville Pike into a McDonald's has been more of a demolition project than a simple conversion. Rather than merely updating the facade and interior, a substantial portion of the building was first destroyed. You may recall that the construction plans called for adding about 170 additional square feet to the restaurant. It's almost certain that the drive-thru configuration will be updated to the dual-lane system now employed at most McDonald's locations in America. And the reconstructed building will go from a very outdated Arby's design to the latest McDonald's concept.

This is ultimately a move for McDonald's rather than a new location on the Pike. The existing Golden Arches restaurant down the street at 11564 Rockville Pike will move from its Saul Centers-owned site to this Polinger Company property. But it does bring the major bonus of a drive-thru, which the current White Flint McDonald's does not have. Contrary to the Montgomery County Council's war-on-cars logic, but consistent with its total lack of knowledge of the business world, the vast majority of fast food sales come via the drive-thru window.

Sneak peek: Oak Barrel & Vine at Westbard Square in Bethesda (Photos)

Oak Barrel & Vine appears close to opening at Westbard Square in Bethesda. Shelf stocking is proceeding at a rapid pace inside the store, which will replace the Montgomery County Liquor & Wine store that was demolished along with the Westwood Shopping Center on this site. Oak Barrel & Vine is the same business, and is still operated by the Montgomery County government, which holds a monopoly on liquor sales in the county. However, the rebranding and store aesthetic are designed to better resemble the types of more-upscale, privately-owned shops one finds elsewhere in the country. Whether this makes one feel better about local government controlling all liquor sales or not, the new stores rolling out countywide do have a more pleasing environment than its existing, generic retail locations do.

One of the key additions can already be seen here, where a tasting room is part of the new design. A row of taps is now visible inside. Local products are featured and labeled prominently, and imports are often stocked under the flag of the exporting country, such as Canada and Ireland.

This OB&V is also the first of the concept stores where the construction was led by an all-female team.  HBW Construction's interior fit-out here has been directed by Senior Project Manager Alexandra Dramby, Superintendent Jess Hipp, and Project Coordinator Cynthia Aparicio. HBW utilized unique finishes for the Westbard store, including brick, fabric, and barn doors. Each OB&V location is intended to differ from the others, rather than follow a cookie-cutter design. Stay tuned for an opening date!

Brio's Chicken closes at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

It was a very short run for Brio's Chicken at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The Peruvian chicken restaurant opened this past April, and has now closed. Now we can once again hope that this space will one day be filled by Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, or Chili's. 

Every jurisdiction in America has one of each of those chains, except Montgomery County. A truly bizarre situation, that can be quickly remedied by Westfield. As Montgomery County taxes rapidly go up, and average income level goes down, more and more residents need affordable dining options. The Charlie Palmer Steak crowd has fled for lower-tax points west of the Potomac. 

Grinch Experience Holiday Pop-Up Bar in Bethesda (Photos)

Are you ready for the Grinch Experience? No, it's not a meeting of the Montgomery County Council, but a pop-up bar inside Fialova, the restaurant at The Bethesdan Hotel at 8120 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. "You Sleigh Me: A Grinch Experience" will be open through December 31, 2024. A selection of Grinch-themed cocktails and adult hot chocolates are served amongst decor that would make even the Grinch feel at home. Admission is free; the food and drinks are not.

Cereal Milk Punch

Grinch Who Floo Fluff

Piccoli Piatti Pizzeria "coming soon" to Westbard Square in Bethesda

"Coming soon" signage has been installed at the future home of Piccoli Piatti Pizzeria on Zenith Overlook at Westbard Square in Bethesda. Promising "the best Neapolitan pizza in Maryland," the Italian restaurant has an existing location at the Wildwood Shopping Center. Ingredients used include flour imported from Italy, and Bertozzi cheese. If that's not enough, their tomatoes are grown in San Marzano, below Mount Vesuvius. A selection of pasta and mussels rounds out the main menu. It's great to see construction getting underway here.