Nada to open November 19 at Pike & Rose

Nada, a Mexican tacos and cocktails restaurant, will open this coming Monday, Novermber 19, 2018 at Pike & Rose. The 6300 SF eatery, located in the ground floor of The Henri apartments, will be the Ohio-based chain's first East Coast location.

With seating for 140, and 50 more on the outdoor patio, Nada will serve lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Nada’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. Brunch will be served Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy Nada

BACON CHICKEN CLUB BURRITO RETURNS AT CALIFORNIA TORTILLA!

After nearly 4 years of waiting, Bethesda bacon lovers can once again find the Bacon Chicken Club burrito at California Tortilla.

But for a limited time only!

For the uninitiated, the Bacon Chicken Club contains the following:  grilled chicken breast, Monterey Jack cheese, and smoky hardwood bacon, topped with Jalapeno Ranch and Roma tomatoes, on a bed of romaine lettuce and Mexican rice, wrapped in a soft corn tortilla.

Small size is $6.19.  Bigger bacon appetites demand the $6.99 regular size.

NEW BETHESDA CALIFORNIA TORTILLA TO OPEN OCTOBER 3 [PHOTOS]

ORIGINAL LOCATION

CLOSED LAST FRIDAY

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Cal Tort fans: "Keep your fingers crossed" for a Wednesday, October 3 Grand Opening of the new location at the corner of Cordell and Norfolk Avenues.

Last Friday, the legendary original Cal Tort closed its doors forever across Cordell.

Regular readers have already gotten an exclusive sneak preview of the new Cal Tort's slick interior here on the blog.

Remember the large sun that hangs from the ceiling inside?  Get this:  it lights up!

Now that's impressive.

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEW BETHESDA CALIFORNIA TORTILLA (PHOTOS)

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

Here's an exclusive sneak preview of the interior of the new California Tortilla restaurant in downtown Bethesda:

This sun suspended from the ceiling is
the centerpiece of the room; check out
those high-quality chairs - with cushions!

An appropriately avocado green wall color

George Kovacs light fixtures - swanky!

JAPAN MEETS MEXICO IN HANARO'S SUSHI ROLL OF THE MONTH

Hanaro's sushi roll of the month spans the Pacific in a fusion of Japanese and Mexican cuisine.

Tobiko is flying fish roe, by the way.

You'll be saying Domo arigato to me after trying this muy delicioso roll at Hanaro.

And DJ Alkimist will be (wo)manning the turntables at Hanaro tonight, starting at 9:30, because weekends start Thursday night in downtown Bethesda.

Hanaro, 7820 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda.  301-654-7851.

MEXICAN SHRIMP COCKTAIL!

It's not just Shrimp Cocktail - it's Uncle Julio's Mexican Shrimp Cocktail!

Forget about that little glass, this one can double as a light meal.

Interesting trivia:  Mexican Shrimp Cocktail was added to the menu by CEO Todd Conger.

Try this at Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row tonight!

MOTHER'S DAY FEAST AT BETHESDA ROW

I have to say, that of all of the great Mother's Day brunch and dinner options in downtown Bethesda, my personal favorite so far is the Plato de Madre at Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row.

If you like grilled salmon, shrimp or crabs... you're going to get all three on one plate!  First of all, you get the Salmon Campechito, mesquite-grilled, and served over a tequila cream sauce.  You also get crab-stuffed shrimp alongside the salmon.  And a side of Cilantro Rice.

This also sounds like a fairly healthy meal.  For example, the regular mesquite-grilled salmon they offer is listed in the Heart Healthy category on the menu.  And you're getting a serving of rice.

If you add their chips and guacamole/salsa, and a Swirl (a frozen margarita layered with house-made sangria), you have a great meal.

By the way, those tortilla chips, guacamole and salsa are all made fresh in the restaurant.

I'm wondering where the name of the recipe comes from.  There's a city called Campeche, and also Nuevo Campechito in the state of Campeche.  And then there's the ubiquitous use of the diminutive in Mexican Spanish...

I majored in Latin American history, and even I can't figure this one out.  Rick Bayless on Line 1...  (speaking of chefs who should open a restaurant at Bethesda Row!).

Anyway, the best part about the Plato de Madre is that it is available today, and through May 20!  So you don't just have to order it on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13.

If you'll excuse me, I may just head over right now...

Uncle Julio's, 4870 Bethesda Avenue, Bethesda.  301-656-2981.

CINCO DE MAYO IN BETHESDA: THE BEST EVENTS

Cinco de Mayo is Saturday!  This is one of the most festive days of the year, all over the world.  And that includes Bethesda!

Primero, wherever you go, be ready to correct "that guy" who is going to announce this is Mexican Independence Day.  Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day!  (That's actually September 16, by the way).  But what can you do with a guy who doesn't know the difference between El Grito and a Chipotle burrito?

Bueno.  Now on to the guide!

THE BEST

GUAPO'S

I'm picking Guapo's as the top spot, because they're doing more for Cinco de Mayo than any place I've heard from so far.

Saturday evening, they will have an actual mariachi band in the house.  The Budweiser Girls will be handing out giveaways and beer samples.  And a DJ will finish out el noche from 10 PM to close.

It sounds like an evening of not only genuine Mexican atmosphere, but also fun, and that's what Cinco de Mayo is really about, right?

Guapo's, 8130 Wisconsin Avenue.  301-656-0888.

DATE NIGHT

OK, so what if you aren't single, and your date isn't going to be favorably impressed by Budweiser Girls?  I have the solution:

PLAZA DEL SOL

The Gazette said that Plaza del Sol has the best Mexican food in downtown Bethesda.  Their chef is the former executive chef of Lauriol Plaza downtown.  You may have heard of it!

What makes it a great date night spot, is that they are having a live, flamenco performance by guitarist Miguelito, and dancer Ginette at 7:00 PM Saturday night.

Plaza del Sol, 4932 St. Elmo Avenue. 301-215-4199.

BEST OF THE REST

Now, a number of places are keeping quiet about their plans.  I'll try to keep you updated here, and on Twitter at @BethesdaRow as late news comes in.

For now, here are some I've heard from, and in other cases, I have to channel Carnac the Magnificent to guess, because they're not sharing!

UNCLE JULIO'S

Every day is Cinco de Mayo at Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row!  So I'm surprised their marketing for Saturday simply says, "Beer.  Margaritas."

I guess that's enough for certain target audiences, but don't forget, they've got great food, patio dining and - of course - their famous Swirls!

Uncle Julio's, 4870 Bethesda Avenue.  301-656-2981.

UNION JACK'S

Specials from 4-9 PM:  $3 Coronas, $15 Corona buckets, $5 Margaritas.  You get the idea.

They'll also have Game 4 of the Capitals vs. the Rangers on at 12:30 PM.

Union Jack's, 4915 St. Elmo Avenue. 301-6-JACK-61.

TIA QUETA

This is a family-owned Mexican restaurant in Old Town Bethesda.  The most distinctive feature of the restaurant, is their rooftop patio, the only one in Bethesda besides the Doubletree hotel!

They celebrate Friday and Saturday, with special prices on appetizers and drinks.

Tia Queta, 4839 Del Ray Avenue.  301-654-4443.

CALIFORNIA TORTILLA

Caltort is making it a 48-hour affair, too!  Make any purchase Friday, May 4, or Saturday, May 5, and you will receive a coupon for a FREE TACO, which you can redeem between May 6-15, 2012!

California Tortilla, 4862 Cordell Avenue.  301-654-8226.

Feliz Cinco de Mayo from Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row!

LOCO FOR

BOLOCO

AT

BETHESDA ROW!

Upscale Burrito Shop Grand Opening Update;

Boston's Favorite Burrito has a Surprise for

Foursquare Members

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

Are you going loco waiting for possibly the nation's best burritos to arrive at Bethesda Row? You only have to wait about three more months.

The grand opening of Boston's favorite burrito chain, Boloco, was originally reported as being planned for June. Now it will open on Elm Street in July, according to Alicia DeMartini of the company's public relations firm.

Boloco has a special benefit for Foursquare users: Those who attain Mayor status at Boloco restaurants can receive a Mayor's Card (pictured above) that entitles the Mayor and his or her guests to special benefits. So get ready to check in; the location will be the former spot of Baja Fresh.

Boloco will be quite an upgrade over that chain, however. Customers at Boloco will have many more menu options.

You'll be able to "goloco," and custom order your burrito. Boloco's emphasis is on grass/vegetarian fed, humanely produced meats with no antibiotics or added growth hormones.

The company also has a history of generous benefits shared by all employees, and helping non-English speaking staff learn the language free, so they can earn promotion to higher positions.

OK, OK, what about the food?, you may be asking.

It's not your typical burrito. Although you can order traditional burritos, Boloco also offers selections like Bangkok Thai, Tikka Masala, Cajun, and Memphis BBQ. Not just "inspired burritos," but Globally Inspired Burritos.

I can't wait to try the Jimmy Carter Shake (I'm not making this up!) with peanut butter and banana flavors. Although I'm wondering why that's not called The Elvis?

There's also a Cookie Monster and a Cape Codder (sorry, no vodka in the latter). And a Soy Berry Shake for a healthier option.

Are you a Nutella maniac? You're going to love Boloco! They have a Nutella Snack Wrap and a Nutella Shake. Personally, the Boloco chocolate chip cookie is my dessert choice.

So I'll see you in line on Opening Day at Boloco at Bethesda Row! The temperature will be just right for a milkshake in July.

UNCLE JULIO HAS

SIGNED YOU UP

FOR A

REFRESHER COURSE

New Beverages Debut for Spring at

Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive!!!

When you think of drinks at Uncle Julio's, their many special margaritas may be what come to mind.

But Bethesda Row's popular Mexican restaurant and Happy Hour spot has a new lineup of Spring beverages for all ages.

The weather is getting warmer, and after a long day at work - or a hot workout at the gym - these new drinks will hit the spot:

MANGO PASSION LEMONADE - You'll be passionate about this hand-shaken blend of lemonade and Uncle Julio's fresh Mango Passionfruit puree.

STRAWBERRY GUAVA LEMONADE - An exotic blend of fresh strawberries, guava nectar and lemonade.

CHERRY LIMEADE - A collision of sweet cherry and tart lime.

RASPBERRY ICED TEA - Freshly-brewed with real raspberries.

RASPBERRY ICED PALMER - Want lemonade with that Raspberry Iced Tea?

Enjoy patio dining al fresco, and cool off with one of these refreshing drinks at Uncle Julio's today.