Shanghai Bao Kitchen closes at Westfield Montgomery Mall (Photo)

Here's a surprising and disappointing closure to report from the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Shanghai Bao Kitchen has closed, only a couple of weeks after next-door neighbor Shilla Bakery opened. A blank wall has been erected in front of their space. Shanghai Bao Kitchen had a solid 4-star rating on Yelp, and had been reviewed favorably since it opened exactly two years ago.

Shanghai Bao Kitchen, Yum Crepes temporarily close; Cold Stone Creamery for sale at Westfield Montgomery Mall

Update 12/30/16: Both Shanghai Bao Kitchen and Yum Crepes have reopened for business

Shanghai Bao Kitchen and Yum Crepes, two fairly recent additions to the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, appeared to have closed yesterday. Neither was open during regular business hours.

In other Dining Terrace news, the Cold Stone Creamery kiosk in the food court's center is for sale. While still open for business, in the sale listing, the owner is describing the reason for selling as a "family matter." One problem I can say they had, is a lack of special menu items the chain was promoting everywhere else. I stepped up to the counter during Shark Week to order the limited-time-only Shark Week sundae, and was told, "we don't have that." You don't have that? 

Sales listing for
Cold Stone Creamery

Shanghai 66 opens at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Shanghai 66 is now open in the Dining Terrace at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. The latest venture from the creator of Bob's Noodle employs a Chipotle-like ordering system, in a menu that includes baos and dumplings.

On the wall at the restaurant is a chalkboard listing the locally-sourced ingredients currently in use at any given time. The branding doesn't push the original "Shanghai 66 Innovation Kitchen" name, sticking with the more-widely-known Shanghai 66 brand.

Shanghai 66 Innovation Kitchen posts Coming Soon signage in Bethesda (Photos)

Coming Soon signage is now up in the Dining Terrace for Shanghai 66 Innovation Kitchen at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Shanghai is the latest venture from Ivan Liang, the man behind the popular Bob's Noodle 66 and Bob's Shanghai 66 in Rockville.

The menu is yet to be revealed, but will center around dumplings and organic fillings and ingredients.

They're hiring, and the beginnings of their official website have gone live.

Shanghai 66 Innovative Kitchen coming to Bethesda

Score another one for Westfield Montgomery Mall - they've just signed on a new concept from the man behind Bob's Noodle 66 and Bob's Shanghai 66 in Rockville. A man who's developed quite a loyal following among food critics, diners and Top 100 restaurant lists alike. That man is Ivan Liang, who shows you one of his secrets in this Washington Post video on soup dumplings.

Now Liang is opening Shanghai 66 Innovative Kitchen in the mall's new Dining Terrace.

This move recalls Westfield's luring of popular local restaurants like Cava Mezze Grill and Hollywood East Cafe into their malls in recent years, as they attempt to broaden and expand their dining offerings.

Stay tuned for an opening timeline.