A building housing one of Bethesda's longest-operating and most-beloved restaurants has just hit the market. 4918 Cordell Avenue has been home to Pines of Rome since it moved there from 4709 Hampden Lane in October 2017. It includes not only the restaurant, but also some additional land and vehicle parking space.
Pines of Rome is still open for business, and cannot be forced out, as the restaurant owners purchased the property in 2016 prior to relocating here. Maryland real estate records indicate that the property has not be resold since. What will happen to the restaurant and its famous white pizza if the building changes hands is unclear at this time. The asking price for the property is $3,750,000, according to the online sale listing. While the listing does not name the restaurant, the square footage, date of construction, and - most obviously - the street address match Pines of Rome.
Owning the property means that the astronomical rents most Bethesda restaurants struggle under are not an issue. However, the current property tax valuation of $2,888,500 would represent an astronomical property tax payment due annually. And massively hiking property taxes is far from the only burden the anti-business Montgomery County Council has piled onto business owners (and residents) in the County. In the years since Pines of Rome moved to this location, the Council has put the minimum wage on steroids, and raised a variety of taxes and fees. And all Montgomery County restaurants and bars still must buy all their alcoholic beverages from the County government liquor monopoly, unlike their competitors across the D.C. line and the Potomac River.
18 comments:
The owners could be tired of working so hard for so long. They may also want to take the profits on the sale and enjoy life. Pines of Rome does make the best white pizza and their glass of the house red is generous.
Fall of an empire... #Bethesda'sDemiseContinues
His sons may be working like mules in the place, but Marco Troiano, the owner, hit escape velocity some time ago, perhaps not undeservedly. His discernible contribution these days is parking his white Porsche in front of the restaurant and allowing a rotating cast of courtiers to dine with him as he he holds forth, Pascha-like, between forkfuls of special dishes not in the menu. His days of frenzied running around, making sure all is in order, are memories of another age and address.
My family and I were there last night for dinner and the place was absolutely packed. I hope this real estate news will not see the shuttering of the restaurant. In Bethesda’s era of swish, expensive, trendy dining destinations —not a one of them serving food worth even mentioning, much less paying the exorbitant sums charged— Pines has remained steadfast in its dependable, satisfying fare, including the aforementioned white pizza, which deserves inclusion in some gustatory hall of fame for its crave-worthiness.
One of the most overrated restaurants in the entire DC area. Yes, it's popular and yes, it's often busy. But, my gosh, is their food underwhelming. I never have understood how it's been successful for so long. It's on par with Amalfi in Rockville also not ever been great. The current Pines is one of the few remaining single family homes in downtown Bethesda. I remember Bethesda Surf Shop very well. They were in a huge house with a big front porch. Those were the days
Their pizza is good and the price is right!
Bethesda Dies Under Democrats.
Have you ever tried Persimmon? 5⭐️s ! Thank me later.
This was fun to read! I haven’t had the pleasure of dining here, sadly.
Bethesda Surf Shop, dam that was a long time ago
Jimmy Finnegan. Sure was.
Damien Salvatore. Yes, they've done well and Persimmon is a nice restaurant with great parking right behind. Good call.
Damien and Stephanie have sold Persimmon. They own 2 restaurants on MacArthur Blvd., Sals Italian which is fantastic and Red Tomato Cafe. Damien is a great guy as well as being a great chef. I'm a Pines fanatic having gone there since opening in 1972.
Worst food in Bethesda
6:15 - At least someone else knows. Gosh, is it bad.
7:44 - Yeah, I forgot that they sold that one. Yeah, that are good peeps. True.
Taxes this past year were $39, 981. So roughly 2000 pizzas just to pay the tax. Each Month. Then there's the power, water, heat/AC, insurance, wages - No thanks.
Moribund Bethesda. Has a ring to it.
Staple in Bethesda. I hope it doesn't go. Hate what Bethesda is becoming. Government hand in hand with developers ruining any mom and pop businesses.
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