Bethesda construction update: Luke's Lobster expansion (Photos)

A lot of work had been done outside, and with glass installation, as of my last update from the expansion of Luke's Lobster at Bethesda Row. Now the interior has been worked on, and the new indoor seating is in place. That was the main reason for the expansion out to Elm Street, as well as the benefit of increased visibility from pedestrian and auto traffic along there.

Bethesda construction update: Luke's Lobster at Bethesda Row (Photos)

You can now see into the expanded portion of the Luke's Lobster space on Bethesda Lane. Glass was installed in the window punch outs yesterday. A new awning was installed on Elm Street, as well. This used to be an M&T Bank ATM machine, if you recall.

Expansion begins at Luke's Lobster at Bethesda Row (Photos)

Luke's Lobster, as I reported in late May, is expanding its Bethesda Lane restaurant space to add more customer seating indoors. The expansion, which will bring the space out to Elm Street, where an M&T Bank ATM used to be, will also increase the popular lobster roll eatery's visibility to pedestrian and automobile traffic along that busy road.

That construction project is now underway, but they are still open during the expansion.

TOUT DE SWEET REOPENING POSTPONED (PHOTO)

Bethesda French pastry shop Tout de Sweet has postponed its scheduled reopening. The shop closed June 3 to expand the shop into the former Gaylord's space next door on Woodmont Avenue. It had been scheduled to reopen two days ago. But the owner says the work is taking longer than expected to complete. Thus the reopening has been delayed, and the new date is to-be-determined, based on the completion of the project.

TOUT DE SWEET CLOSES TEMPORARILY FOR RENOVATIONS THIS WEEK (PHOTOS)

French pastry shop Tout de Sweet is temporarily closed, as of today, on Woodmont Avenue. The expected closure is necessary, while the macaron haven expands into the old Gaylord's Lamps and Shades space next door. Tout de Sweet will reopen on June 18, 2014.

If you simply cannot survive without French baked goods and desserts until then, I suggest trying Fresh Baguette at 4919 Bethesda Avenue, or Praline Bakery & Bistro, at 4611 Sangamore Road (in the Shops at Sumner Place shopping center).

TOUT DE SWEET EXPANDING IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

EXCLUSIVE!

French pastry shop Tout de Sweet is getting bigger in Bethesda. The macaron hotspot is busting out a wall, and expanding into part of the former Gaylord's Lamps and Shades space next door, on the street level at the Fairmont Plaza condominiums.

The construction work has begun, and will conclude in July, if all goes as planned. However, Fairmont Plaza residents have been advised that there could be some noticeable noise and vibration this upcoming Monday morning, May 19, between 8:00-11:00 AM. Probably a good time to head down to the new Peet's Coffee & Tea, which is expected to open that day.

Tout de Sweet

7831 Woodmont Avenue

NEW FAMILY REST AREA AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL

Cranky kids? Long day of shopping? Stop in at the new family room at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The space features child-level TVs and restroom facilities. Yet another upgrade by Westfield at the expanding mall.

Photo courtesy of Westfield

WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL EXTERIOR FOOD COURT ENTRANCE CLOSED (PHOTO)

The existing exterior entrance to the food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall has now closed. A temporary exit is open near Mirch Masala. The closure is obviously related to the food court and ArcLight Theaters construction projects.

MIRCH MASALA INDIAN GRILL REOPENS IN NEW BETHESDA LOCATION AT MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTOS)

The latest move in the Westfield Montgomery Mall food court is the successful relocation of Mirch Masala Indian Grill. It is now open.

This game of musical chairs is necessary to accomodate a major expansion of the mall's food court and movie theater, currently underway.

UBER EXPANDS BETHESDA SERVICE

Uber DC, an increasingly popular alternative to taxicabs, has just announced it is expanding service in the Bethesda area.

The company says the expansion will cover all of Bethesda, from Bethesda Row and nearby residential neighborhoods, to Congressional Country Club (sounds like the best way to travel to the golf tournament).

Average wait times should now be 10 minutes, which makes Uber even more competitive versus other taxi and sedan services.

SNEAK PREVIEW OF NEW SARKU JAPAN RESTAURANT AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Japanese restaurant Sarku Japan has been serving up sushi and other favorites for years in Westfield Montgomery Mall's food court.

But with the food court expansion underway, Sarku is one of several restaurants being relocated to accomodate the growth.

It is moving nearby, within the same food court area. The new restaurant space isn't quite ready, but why don't we take a sneak peek behind the curtain?

YOU'VE NEVER SEEN THE ELEVATOR AT MONTGOMERY MALL LIKE THIS! (PHOTOS)

A central elevator at Westfield Montgomery Mall is undergoing a complete overhaul. As you can tell from the photos below, this is not simply an emergency repair. Nearly every major component is apparently being replaced.

The mall is directing patrons to use the elevator by Sears during the closure.

This is yet another example of Westfield investing in the mall's future. From elevators to the movie theater to the food court to the Transit Center, a tremendous financial investment is being put into improving and expanding the mall. It's an example other mall operators across the country should adopt. Malls are still viable, and will continue to thrive in the future, when management shows pride in the facility like this, and puts the customer experience first.

By the way, parking lots at Westfield Montgomery Mall were full of cars yesterday. So much for the "malls are outdated" fad.

SLEEPY'S BUILDING COULD ADD 2 FLOORS ON WISCONSIN AVENUE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

A second downtown Bethesda landowner is bucking the mixed-use development trend.

An application is before the Montgomery County Planning Board requesting permission to add 2 floors to the Sleepy's mattress store building on Wisconsin Avenue. The store is near the new Bethesda Post Office, and across a public alley from the Strathmore Apartments.

The applicant seeks to retain the surface parking lot, and add an elevator and handicapped van parking space.

Planning Board staff is recommending approval under the condition that the applicant make sidewalk, alley, lighting and parking lot improvements.

This sounds fine to me, but I have 2 small concerns:

The staff's proposal to screen the parking lot from view of the sidewalk, and the apartments in back, does raise safety issues. One of the advantages of roadside surface parking is the ability of passing motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and police to note any criminal activity taking place in such lots.  Given that the lot has been there for years, is it really necessary to "hide" it? I would think shielding the apartments from headlights might make sense. But screening the street side doesn't.

The other concern is that the Planning Board staff report notes stair access from the lot to the alley. And that a lower-level business tenant can be reached from the alley via that staircase. However, a disabled person could not. I'd be interested to know if there is an alternative access method for customers with disabilities.

WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL GARAGE CLOSED BEHIND MACY'S HOME STORE (PHOTOS)

The parking structure behind Macy's Home Store at Westfield Montgomery Mall is now closed. An extensive renovation and mall expansion is underway. Westfield has placed signs to direct customers to additional parking as necessary. Just a heads-up if you are planning to go shopping at the mall this weekend.

JOSÉ ANDRÉS PEPE FOOD TRUCK ADDS BETHESDA ROW AS A STOP!!

INCREDIBLE!

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

World-famous chef - and owner of Bethesda Row's Jaleo - Jose Andres has announced what downtown Bethesda has been waiting 6 months to hear:

His Pepe food truck will be adding Bethesda Row as a stop from now on!  Pepe will also stop at the NIH campus.

Pepe's menu will include:

Butifarra Burger
Pollo Frito
Escalivada
Pepito de Iberico
Spanish Grilled Cheese
Futbol Club Barcelona
Jamon Serrano y queso Manchego
Pepito de ternera

Andres is perhaps the highest-profile restauranteur to "turn the tables" on the popular food truck phenomenon, by launching his own truck.

In terms of downtown Bethesda restaurants, Bold Bite recently launched a rolling hot dog cart out of its Fairmont Avenue location.

The competition for lunch dollars is just getting started.  Andres' expansion into Montgomery County (Friendship Heights and Rockville Town Center are also on the list of stops) could lure more big names and DC food trucks to downtown Bethesda.

BEEF `O'BRADY'S SPORTS BAR PLANNING BETHESDA LOCATION

NO SITE YET

SELECTED AS

TAMPA-BASED

CHAIN SEEKS

LOCAL

OPERATOR

Another Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row Exclusive

A sports bar chain with 210 locations nationwide finds "Bethesda an ideal market" for expansion.  Well, they're certainly not alone in that sentiment.

Beef 'O'Brady's is searching for a local entrepreneur to operate its future Bethesda franchise.  No location has been secured at this time, so where the bar will end up is a mystery for now.

James Walker, Chief Development Officer for the company, said they will seek to become part of the Bethesda community with "philanthropic partnerships and volunteerism."

While the bar features Angus Burgers, which are hardly rare these days, one unique offering is Paul Prudhomme's Blackened Seasoning, which should appeal to fans of New Orleans cuisine (like me!).

Despite the "Beef" name, the chain says its Buffalo wings are its most popular menu item.

I wouldn't expect an opening anytime soon on this one folks, until they get a local investor.