Ala Bethesda opening in vacant Positano building (Photos)

Ala Bethesda will fill the long-vacant Positano Ristorante Italiano building at 4948 Fairmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda's Woodmont Triangle. The cuisine won't stray that far from Italy, to an historically-dynamic culinary region further east in the Mediterranean: the Levant. Ala's existing Dupont Circle location was added to the prestigious Michelin guide, often a first step for the later awarding of a star or Bib Gourmand designation. It must be noted that Positano remained popular to the end with Jimmy Traettino at the helm, and never failed as a business; it closed as the result of a family real estate dispute.

Positano restaurant building for lease in Bethesda

The Positano Ristorante Italiano saga continues at 4948 Fairmont Avenue in Bethesda. Signs posted on the front of the building indicate the restaurant space is now available for lease. An internal struggle and legal battle caused the popular restaurant to close its doors more than a year ago. The owner of the business had hoped to reopen here, but it appears a return will likely have to be at another location.

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!

JBG GIVES BUSINESSES NEAR ITS BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION SITE A BOOST (PHOTO)

Sidewalk (and occasional street) closures on Fairmont Avenue related to construction of the 7770 Norfolk and Bainbridge Bethesda apartment towers have made a challenging environment for the businesses in that area. Now 7770 developer The JBG Companies has taken a step to lessen the impact by posting a banner at the construction site urging passersby to support those businesses, and to increase public awareness that the establishments are there and still open.

Among the businesses touted on the sign are Bold Bite, Positano, Coles Martial Arts Academy, ShipShape IT, Pronto Press, and College Nannies + Tutors.

BETHESDA RESTAURANT EXPECTING TO SET A PROM RECORD FRIDAY NIGHT

Jimmy Traettino, "CEO of Everything" at Bethesda's Positano Ristorante, says he expects to set a restaurant record for total number of prom dinner guests this Friday evening. After 37 years of operation, Positano regularly hosts students dining out on their last big night of high school. But this year, the restaurant is expecting a group of around 100. "That's a record for anywhere!" Traettino said Wednesday, adding, "I don't think any restaurant can match that."

Positano's prom diners started off in groups of two or four in the restaurant's early years. By the 90s, that number had risen to 20-30 per prom night. Over the last few years, it's been around 30-40. So it's quite a jump this year, coinciding with Churchill's prom. Fortunately, the restaurant has the capacity to handle large groups, making it a popular choice for wedding receptions and bar/bat mitzvahs.

Traettino says that, as part of a local family whose members have graduated from Walt Whitman, Bethesda-Chevy Chase and Walter Johnson high schools, he loves hosting prom dinner guests, and giving them a white tablecloth Italian dining experience for an affordable price.

Positano Ristorante

4948 Fairmont Avenue

(301) 654-1717