UNCLE JULIO'S ADDS TABLESIDE GUACAMOLE AT BETHESDA ROW

If you haven't been to Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row recently, stop by and try their new tableside guacamole - literally made just for you. Fresh Haas avocados, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, garlic oil, tomato, onion and salt go into the stone molcajete, and are mixed right at the table. Tell them to add jalapeño, if you prefer a hotter flavor. They are chopped fresh, as well.

Uncle Julio's

4870 Bethesda Avenue

(301) 656-2981

TIA QUETA UPDATES ROOFTOP DECK, MAY OPEN IT TODAY IN BETHESDA

If the weather cooperates, we could have dueling rooftop restaurants in the Woodmont Triangle area of downtown Bethesda this weekend. Tía Queta, a longtime Mexican restaurant on Del Ray Avenue, has revamped its rooftop patio. Now the outdoor space has a new bar, and new flatscreen TVs.

This is the latest upgrade at Tía Queta, which recently got an exterior makeover, as well. The restaurant is already gaining a following among residents of the new luxury apartment tower next door, the Gallery Bethesda.

Tía Queta's timing is perfect, as Woodmont Triangle neighbor Roof officially opened its rooftop dining space on Thursday. It, too, has flatscreen TVs on the roof. With highs of 68 today, and 53 tomorrow, why not swing by both and check them out this weekend?

More snow on the way next week!

Tía Queta, 4839 Del Ray Avenue

301-654-4443

Saturday 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

GRINGOS AND MARIACHIS MENU (PHOTO) - NEW BETHESDA MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Here's the menu for Bethesda's newest Mexican restaurant (click photo to enlarge for detail):

Gringos & Mariachis is located at 4928 Cordell Avenue.

TIA QUETA GETS A MAKEOVER IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Tía Queta, the Mexican restaurant on Del Ray Avenue in downtown Bethesda, is suddenly fitting in more with its new neighbor, the Gallery Bethesda luxury apartment tower. Its previously yellow and blue exterior paint scheme has been replaced with muted earth tones, that blend with the high-rise next door. They still have the traffic light on the roof, and the Margarita St. sign has a prominent placement. The updated logo over the door has a downright fiery appearance. Compare these new photos with the old design as seen in Google Street View:

GRINGOS AND MARIACHIS OPENS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Bethesda's newest Mexican restaurant opened yesterday on Cordell Avenue. Gringos and Mariachis is the latest venture from the ownership of the popular Bethesda Italian restaurant, Olazzo. The restaurant also specializes in tequila and whiskey.

SNEAK PEEK OF ARTWORK AT FUTURE GRINGOS AND MARIACHIS RESTAURANT (PHOTO)

The soon-to-open tacqueria Gringos & Mariachis was hosting a private party recently. Visible through the door from the sidewalk was this interesting mariachi artwork:

NEW VIDEO MENU SCREEN OUTSIDE OF GUAPO'S IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS):

Guapo's may have the most hi-tech menu in Bethesda. A new video monitor installed by the Mexican restaurant's entrance shows the menu pages.

FATHER'S DAY SPECIAL AT GUAPO'S IN BETHESDA (PHOTO)

This Sunday, June 16, is Father's Day.

You can take Dad south of the border without leaving Bethesda.

That's right: the Mariachi band is coming back to Guapo's this Sunday. There will also be some food and drink specials.

You can make reservations now at 301-656-0888.

Guapo's is located at 8130 Wisconsin Avenue.

CINCO DE MAYO IN BETHESDA 2013 - BEST PLACES TO CELEBRATE (PHOTOS)

Where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Bethesda?

Where else but at a Mexican restaurant, right?

I'm picking Guapo's as the top spot again this year. Once again, they are having an actual mariachi band perform, which means actual Mexican atmosphere.  There will be specials on food and adult beverages, and mystery giveaways. No word if the Budweiser Girls will appear again this year.

8130 Wisconsin Avenue.  301-656-0888.

There's also Tia Queta, whose owners are actually from Mexico. They'll have specials, including beer specials on Budweiser and Bud Light (not Dos Equis or Corona?!). The restaurant also features one of the only two rooftop patios in downtown Bethesda, should the weather cooperate. Let's hope construction at That 70s Building next door takes the day off Sunday!

4839 Del Ray Avenue. 301-654-4443.

Once again, Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row is keeping quiet about its specials this year. But we already know they have great nachos, margaritas, and their house special Swirls. As well as outdoor seating.

4870 Bethesda Avenue. 301-656-2181.

Alas, Bethesda's newest Mexican restaurant, Plaza del Sol, has closed.

Everyone deserves a good margarita this Sunday. Except "that guy" at the table who proclaims Cinco de Mayo is "Mexican Independence Day!"

Check that history book!

AIR FLAMENCO IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA AT PLAZA DEL SOL (PHOTO)

You may have caught the weekly flamenco performance by guitarist Miguelito - and his revolving cast of talented dancers - at Plaza del Sol restaurant.  But you've never seen the show like this, from several stories in the air, above the restaurant's St. Elmo Avenue patio last Saturday night:

Click photos to enlarge!

NEW CALIFORNIA TORTILLA SIGN IS UP! (PHOTO) - BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE

The lighted sign for the new Bethesda location of California Tortilla has been installed!

There's still a lot of work to do, but you can always go to the original Cal Tort on the other side of Cordell Avenue, while we await the new store's grand opening.

NEW BETHESDA CALIFORNIA TORTILLA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Here are some pics of the future Cal Tort at the corner of Cordell and Norfolk Avenues in "Old Town" Bethesda:

New window cutouts

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!