Bethesda restaurants open Christmas Day 2015 for dinner

Christmas Day will be here before you know it. If you'd like to celebrate the holiday by dining out, the time to make reservations is now. Here is my annual roundup of restaurants open for dinner on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and Happy Holidays to each of my readers!

City Perch

The main course for Christmas
Day at City Perch: Herb-crusted
prime rib (Photo Dylan+Jeni)

City Perch at Pike & Rose in North Bethesda will be open on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve this year. As with their Thanksgiving menu, the Christmas dinner selections again play up the contributions of award-winning pastry chef Sherry Yard. You also get 2 hours of free parking at Pike & Rose.

City Perch Christmas Day
menu - click to enlarge

11830 Grand Park Avenue

301-231-2310

Positano

From a classic Italian restaurant in downtown Bethesda, you might expect traditional feast of the seven fishes to be held on Christmas Eve, just as they do in Positano Italy. And you will find it Christmas Eve, from noon until 10:00 PM.

And you'll also find it Christmas Day, from noon to 9:00 PM, as well. The menu both days includes Clams Casino, Fried Cod, Linguini Clams, Octopus and Calamari Salad, Fried Smelts, Stuffed Shrimp, Calamari a la Luciana.

Pricing will be a la carte. You can order individual items, or all seven. Prepare for the aromas of Christmas sweets to fill the room. For those who would like to order something else, their regular menu is also available all day.

4948-4940 Fairmont Avenue

(301)-654-1717

Heckman's

The popular delicatessen in Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle neighborhood will be open with its full menu on Christmas Day.

4914 Cordell Avenue  

(240) 800-4879

Yuzu

Here's a welcome change for Christmas. This downtown Bethesda gem is offering a special Christmas sushi plate.

7345 Wisconsin Avenue

(301) 656-5234

Founding Farmers

This popular American restaurant at Park Potomac will be serving up Christmas favorites from noon until 8 PM on Christmas Day.

12505 Park Potomac Avenue

(301) 340-8783

Morton's

A veritable downtown Bethesda Christmas tradition, atop the Bethesda Metro station.

7400 Wisconsin Avenue

(301) 657-2650

Praline

Now here is a best-kept secret. Tucked away in the Shops at Sumner Place (better known as Little Falls Mall to longtime residents).

The Shops at Sumner Place

4611 Sangamore Road

(301) 229-8180

Ruth's Chris Steak House

Another Christmas tradition in downtown Bethesda. 

7315 Wisconsin Avenue

(301) 652-7877

Restaurants open Thanksgiving 2015 in Bethesda (Photos)

No cooking skills? No time? No family? Not to worry, the annual Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row guide to Bethesda restaurants open on Thanksgiving Day is here.

Make sure to call ahead to reserve your seat, and ensure there are still reservations available for the time you plan to dine.

Positano

Positano has been a fixture in downtown Bethesda since 1977, and is open every day of the year. While known for its Italian menu, you can also get a traditional Thanksgiving day feast with turkey and all the fixings at this spacious restaurant on Fairmont Avenue. They'll be open regular hours on Thanksgiving.

4948-4940 Fairmont Avenue

(301)-654-1717

Butterscotch Pudding Pot,
one dessert option on the
Thanksgiving menu at
Del Frisco's Grille

Del Frisco's Grille

A welcome new entry to the annual list is Del Frisco's Grille at Pike & Rose. Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with hand-carved turkey, cornbread stuffing, gravy and cranberry relish, a butternut squash bisque to start, and a choice of 2 sides and three choices for dessert. See the full menu for more details.

11800 Grand Park Avenue

(301) 881-0308

Dine with an aerial view of
the holiday lights of
Pike & Rose at City Perch
this Thanksgiving

City Perch

Another new entry also comes from Pike & Rose. City Perch's Thanksgiving menu switches out mashed potatoes for mashed sweet potatoes, gives you a choice from two starters, and plays up the restaurant's semi-secret weapon, renowned pastry chef Sherry Yard. That means not only five-star desserts, but a puff pastry lid on top of your Parsnip + Apple soup.

11830 Grand Park Avenue

301-231-2310

The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille in Chevy Chase will offer their Executive Chef's take on Thanksgiving favorites, as well as their regular menu.

5310 Western Avenue

(301) 718-7812

Founding Farmers

This popular American restaurant at Park Potomac will be serving up popular American Thanksgiving dishes from noon until 8 PM on Thanksgiving Day.

12505 Park Potomac Avenue

(301) 340-8783

La Ferme

Choose from classic turkey, or salmon or New York Strip at this longtime Chevy Chase restaurant,

7101 Brookville Road

(301) 986-5255

Le Vieux Logis

Yes, the revamped restaurant in downtown Bethesda raved about in the Washington Post is entering the Thankgiving sweepstakes this year, from 4:00-8:30 PM.

7925 Old Georgetown Road

(301) 652-6816

Maggiano's

A long-standing fixture on my list, Maggiano's will be serving a traditional Thanksgiving meal family-style.

Chevy Chase Pavilion

5333 Wisconsin Ave NW

(202) 966-5500

Morton's

A veritable Thanksgiving tradition, atop the Bethesda Metro station.

7400 Wisconsin Avenue

(301) 657-2650

Union Jack's Bethesda

Union Jack's will open at 6:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day, and will be serving its full menu.

4915 St. Elmo Avenue
(301) 652-2561

Oakville Grille and Wine Bar

For those in the Wildwood Shopping Center area, this is an easy drive with easy (and free!) surface parking.

Wildwood Shopping Center

10257 Old Georgetown Road

(301) 897-9100

Praline

Now here is a best-kept secret. Tucked away in the Shops at Sumner Place (better known as Little Falls Mall to longtime residents).

The Shops at Sumner Place

4611 Sangamore Road

(301) 229-8180

Ruth's Chris Steak House

The Thanksgiving restaurant meal that can start with a Louisiana seafood gumbo, if you wish. Another Thanksgiving tradition in downtown Bethesda. Check out the menu here.

7315 Wisconsin Avenue

(301) 652-7877

Urban Heights

Local celebrity chef Robert Wiedmaier is behind this rooftop restaurant also making its debut on my Thanksgiving list. They'll be open from 12:00-7:00 PM with an a la carte menu that will include some special Thanksgiving dishes.

7940 Norfolk Avenue

(301) 312-8282

Happy Thanksgiving

from

Robert Dyer

at 

Bethesda Row!

Taste of Bethesda canceled for 2015

For the first time in the history of the event, the threat of heavy rains and wind this weekend has resulted in the cancellation of the Taste of Bethesda this Saturday, October 3, 2015.

Associated event Come Back to Bethesda, a car show, has been cancelled as well, according to Ken Hartman, Director of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Services Center.

This is bad news not only for the restaurants that had planned to participate, but also for the retailers who are located within the event area in the Woodmont Triangle.

Bethesda Row Sidewalk Sale July 24-26, 2015

Save the date for Bethesda Row's summer Sidewalk Sale, which will be held from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26 this year. You could win a $100 gift certificate to spend at Luna by signing up online.

All that weekend, merchants around the Row will be offering specials and giveaways, and - of course - special sale prices.

Boutiques will be marking down apparel and accessories.

Restaurants will be included; you'll be able to try Summer House Santa Monica cookies and lemonade at Mon Ami Gabi, and free samples at Puree Juice Bar, Jaleo and Sweetgreen. Jaleo will even have a Sidewalk Sale menu that weekend.

Perhaps the most unique addition to the sale this year? Merino wool clothing store Icebreaker will be hosting a live sheep.

Visit the Bethesda Row website for a full list of specials and offers.

The Front Row at Bethesda Row Fashion Show 2015 (Photos)

Threatening skies didn't stop the annual Front Row at Bethesda Row Fashion Show under the tent on Bethesda Lane last night. Models wore the latest (and future) styles available from retailers around the Row, such as Bonobos and Sassanova. Georgetown Cupcake founders Katherine Kallinis Berman and Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne served as hosts, joining the list of style mavens on hand at the Federal Realty development Friday. Among them were Drybar founder Alli Webb and Donna Karan New York PR guru Aliza Licht, who appeared earlier in the day to sign autographs.

Speaking of Georgetown Cupcake, the popular bakery had a Front Row custom cupcake it was giving away Friday.

Let's take a look at some of the styles on the runway last night:

Katherine Kallinis Berman and
Sophie Kallinis LaMontagne hosted

Kate Michael - writer, editor, TV host,
and Miss DC 2006 - on the runway

Model Amanda Franklin

You can find this suit
at Bonobos at Bethesda
Row and Westfield
Montgomery Mall

Sassanova has this dress

Michael said her athleisure ensemble
inspired her to strike a few yoga poses
on the runway

Among the sponsors were Redwood,
Upstairs at Bethesda Row, and the Pallas
luxury apartments from Federal Realty
sister property Pike & Rose

Goodnight from Bethesda Lane

Passover dinner at Mon Ami Gabi in Bethesda April 3 & 4, 2015

Mon Ami Gabi at Bethesda Row will be serving Passover dinner this Friday and Saturday evening, April 3 and 4.

The popular French restaurant says it will offer a traditional Passover menu. Featured items include a Seder plate with matzo, matzo ball soup, homemade gefilte fish, braised beef brisket, and flourless chocolate cake for dessert.

The dinner will be served family style for $39.95 per person ($17.95 for children under 12), and will be available between 5:30pm and 9:00pm both evenings.

Reservations are highly recommended. Call the restaurant at 301-654-1234 to reserve now.

Mon Ami Gabi

7239 Woodmont Avenue

(Parking now available

in the Capital Crescent Garage

across Bethesda Avenue)

BETHESDA ST. PATRICK'S DAY SPECIALS 2015

Several Bethesda bars have announced plans for St. Patrick's Day (and for St. Practice Day) 2015. If your bar or restaurant would like to be added to the list, email me your St. Patrick's Day details at robert1999 [at] hotmail [dot] com.

HARP & FIDDLE

After Montgomery County's Nighttime Economy initiative flopped, several bars closed, including Ri-Ra. That leaves Flanagan's Harp & Fiddle as the only Irish bar in downtown Bethesda, meaning you'll have to stop in there at some point on March 17.

Harp & Fiddle will be going all out with live Irish music, bagpipers and Irish dancers all day. Of course there will be Guinness and Irish whiskey, and prizes and giveaways. If that isn't enough, the Jameson Girls will be in the house.

4844 Cordell Avenue

THE BARKING DOG

The Barking Dog will have Irish food, Irish whiskey specials and music all night March 17. Regular Guinness will be $6, and Blonde Guinness bottles will be $4.

4723 Elm Street

UNION JACK'S BETHESDA

4915 St. Elmo Avenue

TOMMY JOE'S

This spacious restaurant and bar will serve complimentary brunch from 10 AM-1 PM on St. Patrick's Day. Enjoy live music by Jimmy Nalls and Danny Costello from 2-5 PM. Specials include $4 Bud & Bud Light 16oz aluminum cans. No cover.

4714 Montgomery Lane

THE RESURGENCE OF BIG SUVS IN AMERICA - AND BETHESDA

Giant SUVs were thought to have been driven into extinction by the double whammy of the Great Recession and inflated gas prices. Media reports suggest that Americans are desperate to downsize their vehicles and housing. But just as the claim that "the suburbs are dead" proved premature, Summer 2014 auto sales numbers indicate Americans' desire for bigger and better trucks is only growing.

A USA Today article from August 25, 2014 (which appeared only in print, not online), says there is "oversized demand" for the next generation of outsized SUVs. The article cited Autodata figures which showed sales of the redesigned 2015 Cadillac Escalade shot up in July 2014, with twice as many of the yacht-like luxury truck being sold as had been moved last July. Ford Expedition sales were up 59.3%, and GM's Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon sales both notched 50% increases.

In comparison, overall new car sales increased only 9.1%.

Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell told USA Today's James R. Healey that "we just closed the order bank" for the 2015 Escalade, "and we have three times as many orders as we can supply."

The hot truck is a hot seller here in Montgomery County, as well. Patrick Coleman of Jim Coleman Cadillac in Bethesda says, "since the redesign, the new Escalade has had a tremendous amount of attention in our showroom. In fact, we have been unable to keep a supply in stock because the demand has been so high."

Workers at the Arlington, Texas plant where the Escalade is manufactured are now working 3 shifts just to keep up with demand, according to USA Today. Still, many of the Escalades being manufactured are arriving pre-sold at dealerships across the country, with prospective owners placing orders, and waiting for delivery of the SUVs. That can been the case at Jim Coleman as well, where many 2015 Escalades "are actually presold prior to their arrival at the dealership," Patrick Coleman noted.

With demand steady and Cadillac working to meet it, Coleman says the Bethesda dealership expects "sales to continue to be strong into the fall as we get more inventory."

Perhaps most interesting, is the study detailing how Americans use their large SUVs. Are they parking the low-gas-mileage vehicles and boarding public transit? Not according to an analysis by TrueCar.com cited by USA Today.

The top daily uses for large SUVs are shopping/errands (32.2%), commuting (25.3%) and "taking kids to school" (15.2%). Cadillac knows its upscale suburban buyer well, touting the Escalade as "the 420-hp gated community." "Once you've reached the top," Escalade's website argues, "there's only one direction to go - over." Sales figures suggest Americans nationwide - and locally - are doing just that.

Photo courtesy of Cadillac

EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW OF FUTURE WESTIN BETHESDA LUXURY HOTEL (PHOTO)!

NATURE-INSPIRED LOBBY

UNVEILED AHEAD OF

2015 OPENING

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Remember when I broke the worldwide exclusive scoop that Westin was going to build a luxury hotel at 7740 Wisconsin Avenue last year?

This is why you read this blog every day - fasten your seatbelt, it's about to happen again!

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you this exclusive first image of the lobby of the future Westin Bethesda hotel:

Concept of future Westin Bethesda lobby [Photo: Westin]

Westin says the lobby will be inspired by nature, and the centerpiece of the concept is the vertical garden.  In addition to meeting the goal of providing a calming experience in the lobby area, the vertical garden will also improve the space's air quality.

A consulting team from Ambius will select the final plants "for their detoxifying, high-oxygen-producing properties that improve overall air quality," said Westin's Nadeen Ayala.  Westin wants "guests (to) leave feeling better than when they arrived."

The lobby, designed in-house by a team led by Erin Hoover, will have other stress-reducing features.  Gone is the front desk!  In its place, are "check-in pods."  These New Age front desks emit Westin's "signature White Tea scent," and soft music and lighting.

Another area of the lobby will be geared towards business travelers.  The Dock will feature meeting tables with ample power outlets, computers and printers.

Hungry?  Next to the lobby seating, will be the Westin Grab & Go Cafe, with a "lively, engaging lobby bar experience in the evening."

Hmm.  Can that work?  "Excuse me guys, can you keep it down?  I'm trying to give a PowerPoint over here."

Shopoholics rejoice!  The Westin Bethesda gift shop will not only have the basics, but also Heavenly bedding and upscale bath products.

The hotel gym will lend you New Balance shoes (sounds kind of like a bowling alley) "apparel and fitness program content."  That's okay, I brought my own clothes, guys!

Well, it all sounds pretty posh.  But I'm still hoping for a pretentious, upscale, Las Vegas-style nightclub in the Westin.  The only other hotel being built downtown in the near future is the JBG project at Bethesda Row, so we have to get a 5-star nightclub - and outdoor/rooftop pool "dayclub" with cabanas - out of one of these.

Stay tuned for more details, and I'll start saving up my Starwood Preferred Guest points now.

What do you think of the lobby concept?  Are you excited about the Westin Bethesda?