Addie's sets opening date at Park Potomac

Addie's Restaurant will open Tuesday, August 22 at Park Potomac. Although the new iteration won't be in an actual house like the original Rockville Pike location, chef-owner Jeff Black has tried to make his ground floor space at 12435 Park Potomac Avenue to be "as welcoming as Grandma Addie's home," in homage to the namesake and inspiration for the restaurant. There is a "living room," a "dining room," a bookshelf-lined "den," and for a lucky few, a six-seat oyster bar.

As I previously reported, Addie's Mussels and Addie's Rolls are back on the menu, along with a customizable Seafood Tower with a broad array of selections from ponzo marinated uni to old standbys like Addie's premium raw oysters.

Addie's will take reservations, and serve dinner seven nights a week, brunch on weekends and lunch every weekday.

Addie's construction update (Photos)

The awning is up at Addie's, making a return to the area dining scene soon at 12435 Park Potomac Avenue at Park Potomac. There's been much more progress on the outdoor patio space. It appears there will be a small fountain outside.

Addie's sets opening date at Park Potomac

The return of Jeff Black's popular restaurant, Addie's, at Park Potomac is now scheduled for August 1, according to the Black Restaurant Group. Interviews for staff members will take place today through Friday at Black's Bar + Kitchen, located at 7750 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda, between 1:00 and 5:00 PM. Addie's is located at 12435 Park Potomac Avenue, accessible from the Montrose Road exit of I-270.

Addie's taking shape at Park Potomac (Photos)

A beloved Montgomery County restaurant is about to make a return at Park Potomac. The bare bones of Addie's, which restaurateur Jeff Black once operated at 11120 Rockville Pike near White Flint Mall, are starting to take shape in the more modern Foulger-Pratt development off I-270.

You can see there will be a substantial outdoor patio dining area, as well as a raw bar, and the fan favorite mussels on the menu. Addie's is named after Black's grandmother.

Signs of Gringos & Mariachis, Addie's, Fall Festival at Park Potomac (Photos)

Two established names in Bethesda dining have posted Coming Soon signage at their future spin-offs in the Park Potomac development. Gringos & Mariachis is expected to open later this year, and has an existing downtown Bethesda location. Addie's was a perennial Top Restaurants list winner in North Bethesda's Pike District before closing. Their new location here will open next year.

Park Potomac will host a Fall Festival on September 24, from noon to 4:00 PM. If you caught Darcy Dawn at the recent Westwood Wednesdays, she's back to provide live music for this event. Food will be provided by Park Potomac's restaurants and food trucks, and there will be local beer and wine samples. Face painting, balloons and a petting zoo will keep kids busy.

Park Potomac is located at 12505 Park Potomac Avenue, right off the Montrose Road exit from I-270.

Addie's to reopen at Park Potomac development

Jeff Black says loyal fans of his Addie's Restaurant on Rockville Pike have been asking him, "when are you reopening?" since it closed in November 2013. The chef and restaurant empire-owner's announcement Wednesday should delight those disappointed diners. While a modern office building is not the same as the humble abode of the old Addie's, Black promises he will at least "bring back the spirit of Addie's to Park Potomac."

The new Addie's will be in Foulger Pratt's gleaming new 12435 Park Potomac Avenue, designed by WDG Architects. This will be another feather in Park Potomac's dining cap, which already boasts the regional draw of Founding Farmers, as well as popular brunch destination Sugo Italian Osteria & Pizzeria.

Any Black venture is big news around here - Black's Bar + Kitchen on Woodmont Avenue is one of several downtown Bethesda restaurants I do not hesitate to recommend when visitors to town ask me for a top restaurant suggestion.

The 4000 SF new Addie's will have indoor and outdoor dining, and full raw bar and cocktail bar. Black says he will add some new vegan items inspired by his sons' suggestions. BoxWood Architects will design the interior build-out of the restaurant. There is currently no firm opening date.

Park Potomac is located right at the Montrose Road exit of I-270 (take the exit West).

Rendering courtesy WDG Architects

HELEN'S/THE BAR FILES RENOVATION PLANS, MAY HAVE SETTLED WHITE FLINT NAME DEBATE

Helen's/The Bar, a new restaurant opening in the former Addie's building at 11120 Rockville Pike, has filed renovation plans with Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services. According to the permit filing, the work will include both interior renovations, and outdoor work on the steps and ramp. The restaurant's opening has been delayed past Tom Sietsema's optimistic article's previous announcement of an April debut.

On the Helen's Facebook page, a Friday post said the restaurant likely won't be ready for a holiday opening in December. However, it said they may consider hosting a pre-opening holiday party for eager fans of Helen Wasserman's former DC catering business. Stay tuned.

The permitting process may have resolved the question of what to call the White Flint area, however. Some consider the area Rockville, and others call it North Bethesda. Competing developers are hopeful for a resolution to the battle, or a third name altogether. But Montgomery County's permitting department says 11120 is a Rockville, MD address. Given that Addie's was south of the area now being redeveloped, by that definition, all of White Flint along Rockville Pike would also be Rockville as well.

That debate won't be solved here, but the "White Flint is really Rockville" faction can certainly use such official documents to support their case.

Photo courtesy of Helen's/The Bar Facebook page

DATE NIGHT WITH

"PASSION" AT THE

STRATHMORE TONIGHT

Did you take my date night advice last month, and attend the screening of Metropolis with live symphonic accompaniment?

If it worked out well, I have an encore for you tonight, right here in Bethesda at the Strathmore at 8 PM.

A screening of the 1928 silent classic, "The Passion of Joan of Arc," will be accompanied by a live performance of the acclaimed original score by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Marin Alsop.

Renee Falconetti's portrayal of Joan of Arc has only been named one of the top 100 cinematic performances of all time. No big deal, right?

There is also a FREE pre-screening lecture for you really intellectual cinephiles.

To reserve tickets, and for all the details, go to

http://www.bsomusic.org/explorations

Ah, but what about the dinner?

I would recommend Addies and Black Market Bistro, part of the same family-owned group as Black's Bar and Kitchen. Both are close to Strathmore.

Timpano's and Cheesecake Factory are nearby as well, and Matchbox on Rockville Pike a bit further yet.