BERRY YOGURT SPACE NOW OFFICIALLY FOR LEASE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Looking for prime downtown Bethesda real estate for your restaurant or retail concept? The former home of the recently-shuttered Berry Yogurt is now officially for lease, by landlord Douglas Development. I'd like to think we could get one of the tenants Douglas Development has established relationships with, like Shake Shack. I've been let down before (Relic, anyone? - that's still for lease, and was turned over to Papadapoulos Properties. Which has been unable to find a tenant for the vacant former nightclub for nearly a year). But... optimism!

It's a pretty sizable space. Nearly too big, for Berry Yogurt's purposes. And is on what, in future years, will be the Bethesda Avenue of the redeveloped Woodmont Triangle.

FORMER BERRY YOGURT SPACE GETS THE WINDOW PAPER TREATMENT (PHOTOS)

Berry Yogurt closed its doors permanently on Norfolk Avenue about a month ago. The space has been cleared out, and is for lease. In the last few days, paper covering over the windows has appeared.

BERRY YOGURT CLOSED IN BETHESDA? - LIGHT IS ON, BUT NOBODY'S HOME (PHOTOS)

Berry Yogurt, the Bethesda frozen yogurt spot known for its attempts to marry sushi, salads and bubble tea with its dessert menu, has been closed when I've passed by in recent days. Perhaps it has had limited hours, or as a small business, had to temporarily close for emergency reasons.

But the status of the Norfolk Avenue store remains unknown. Initially, the phone just rang and rang. Now when you call, a recording comes on to announce the phone has been disconnected. It also appears key items like the cash register have been removed. Yet the storefront sign continues to be brightly lit.

Stay tuned for further updates, but it does not look good for Berry Yogurt at the moment.

NEW BUBBLE TEA FLAVORS AT BERRY YOGURT IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

Only a week ago, I told you about the new boba tea at Berry Yogurt on Norfolk Avenue.  But already there is a different tea menu posted in the window. Click to enlarge for all the details:

BUBBLE TEA ADDED TO BERRY YOGURT MENU IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Berry Yogurt, the frozen yogurt shop on Norfolk Avenue, has added a large variety of Boba tea (a.k.a. bubble tea) drinks to its menu just in time for summer.

Boba tea originated in Taiwan, with the boba being tapioca "bubbles" floating in the tea-milk blended beverage. Sweet or fruit flavors can be blended in, and served in an icy form.

You will see the complete boba menu below; click to enlarge for more details.

One apparent subtraction from the menu here: sushi. I don't see it mentioned anymore.

NEW SUSHI BUFFET IN BETHESDA - LUNCH AND DINNER

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

I like this new retro sign

Bethesda's newest sushi bar at Berry Yogurt on Norfolk Avenue has added a buffet for lunch and dinner.  Prices are $8.49 and $11.95, respectively.

EXPANDED SUSHI MENU - WITH PHOTOS! - BERRY YOGURT BETHESDA SUSHI BAR

INCLUDES

"BETHESDA ROLL"

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

The new sushi bar at Berry Yogurt on Norfolk Avenue continues to grow in popularity.  Now they've posted a new, expanded sushi menu - complete with photos - to tempt passersby.  And now I'm posting it here for you:

MENUS FOR BETHESDA'S NEWEST SUSHI BAR - BERRY YOGURT ON NORFOLK AVENUE

Things have turned around in the 48 hours since my last update on the new sushi bar at Berry Yogurt.  In contrast to Tuesday, on Wednesday there were a good number of people dining inside and on the sidewalk patio.

I have the actual sushi menu here for you, and pricing beyond the initial 49 cents per piece rate I told you about on Wednesday.  It's a pretty short menu - California Roll, California Roll with fish roe, two kinds of Avocado Rolls, "Futo Maki" (futomaki is a thicker, larger sushi roll), and "Hoso Maki" (hosomaki=thinner roll).

Last evening, there were still more people there than usual, although you certainly can't tell that from the pictures here.  Wednesday, there were actually two sushi chefs in white outfits.  It seems that the addition of the sushi bar is actually boosting business for them, which is always good news.

I also have a picture here of the Japanese grocery store I was telling you about - Hinata on St. Elmo Avenue.  It's well worth a visit, even if you're not actually dining there.  All kinds of imported Japanese products - you never know what you might find.

Berry Yogurt,  7920 Norfolk Avenue.  301-654-5316.

NEW SUSHI PLACE IN BETHESDA - PAY BY THE PIECE, 49¢ EACH!

Berry Yogurt seems an unlikely place to have sushi.  But a few days ago, the Norfolk Avenue frozen yogurt shop put up a sign promising just that in the near future.

Yesterday, I was headed over to Cordell Avenue towards the California Tortilla Grand Opening, and Berry Yogurt had a new sign - and sushi.

I didn't have time to stop in, but did not see sushi being made at that time. There is a case that is storing sushi, and an employee wearing a white chef's outfit.  The shop had no customers at the moment, and as you can see in the photo, Cal Tort's grand opening was drawing all the crowds.

Berry Yogurt faces tremendous competition from Yogiberry and Sweetgreen at Bethesda Row, so they obviously are hoping to appeal to a wider audience.  And the lunch crowd.  Their main competition is probably going to be the Japanese market around on St. Elmo Avenue.  They fly their seafood in from Japan, so I'm interested to find out more about Berry Yogurt's sourcing.

But for now, just a quick heads up to let you know it's open.