BETHESDA CURRY KITCHEN OPENS (PHOTOS)

Here's a new place to try for lunch today: Bethesda Curry Kitchen has opened at 4860 Cordell Avenue. You can see the menu here.

KRAZE BURGERS OPENING DECEMBER 12 AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

A second Bethesda location of Kraze Burgers will open this Thursday, December 12, in the food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The South Korea-based chain opened its first US location at Bethesda Row about 2 years ago.

SYMMETRY SALON STUDIOS OPENS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Symmetry Salon Studios has opened at 4908 Hampden Lane in downtown Bethesda. It is one street over from Bethesda Row.

The salon, which brings stylists with different specialties under one roof, will offer cuts, coloring, blowouts and much more.

To make an appointment, call 240-800-4060, or stop by today, to check out the facilities for yourself.

MAX BRENNER OPENING AT BETHESDA ROW (PHOTOS)

First the Israeli equivalent of Starbucks opened in Bethesda. Now "Startup Nation" is bringing us the Israeli equivalent of Willy Wonka.

When you hear that Max Brenner started in 1986 in Ra'anana, Israel, your first thought might be, "so this is the Godiva of Israel." But Godiva's staid mall outposts have not prepared you for the chocolate experience of Max Brenner.

Co-founder Oded Brenner embraces the Wonka comparison, saying that he wants customers to experience a "3-D" world of chocolate. Brenner has been quoted saying, "I have freed chocolate from its cage."

Your chocolate addiction may reach new extremes when you purchase a chocolate-filled "syringe," made to squirt into your mouth, from the restaurant's gift shop.

What can you expect to find on Max Brenner's chocoholic menu?

* Waffle fries dusted with chili powder and cocoa powder

* Chocolate burger

* Chocolate pizza

* A romantic chocolate fondue menu for two

* Max's White Russian (the restaurant's signature cocktail, made with Absolut Vodka, Kahlua, and white chocolate, served on the rocks)

* Illegal Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Pancakes

* The Brenner Burger (with secret BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese and Vidalia onion)

* Really Cheesy - Really Crunchy Mac & Cheese

* Crepe Brulée & Sugar Waffle

* Urban S'mores

* The Melting Chocolate Truffle Heart Cake and Shake (Milk and white chocolate heart-shaped cake served with vanilla ice cream, berries and an iced milk chocolate "shot")

* Chocolate Chunk Pizza (choice of toppings includes hazelnut, peanut butter and/or marshmallow)

* O.M.G. Chocolate Chunk Cookies (served with whipped cream, berries and melted chocolate)

The pizza was featured on Food Network's Best Thing I Ever Ate.

This decadent menu arrives in a Bethesda Row-appropriate package: Brenner not only learned chocolate-making in Paris, but says Max Brenner is ultimately a fusion of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory and a Parisian café. Which fits the Row's faux-European atmosphere perfectly.

Of course, each Max Brenner restaurant features location-specific menu items, so some surprises are in store.

Save Metro fare to Coco Sala in the District, as Max Brenner may satisfy your chocolate addiction closer to home.

BRUCE VARIETY OPENS AT NEW LOCATION IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS) - 8011 WOODMONT AVENUE

Bruce Variety has reopened in Bethesda at its new location, 8011 Woodmont Avenue.

A friendly employee was welcoming each customer entering the store yesterday. There is convenient parking alongside the store, and you can park for free on weekends, according to the posted sign.

Much of the familiar Bruce Variety products are back in stock, including thread, craft supplies and, yes, Mad Libs books.

The store has more open space, and brighter lighting than the old location, even though the cramped aisles and dim lighting were part of the original's charm. Overall, it is much easier to get around this store during more crowded times than the old one.

Enjoy a virtual tour of the new store below. It is also a virtual online catalog, as you can click to zoom in on each photo to see all of the individual products.

The Captain 20 Dick Dyszel pirate stole the show. Now that's classic Bethesda for you.

FREDDY OPENS IN BETHESDA AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTO)

Freddy has opened at Westfield Montgomery Mall. You may remember my preview not long ago. Inside, you'll find high-end activewear, and the ultra-tight Wr.up jeans. The chain is based in Milan.

BETHESDA BLUES AND JAZZ RENOVATION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

Renovations continue at the historic, art deco Bethesda Theater, which will officially become Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club on March 1.

Here is an exclusive photo gallery of the theater and new kitchen:

TASTY IMAGE OPENS IN BETHESDA

Tasty Image, the store that can put your face on a piece of candy, is now open at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda.

Talk about perfect timing - Valentine's Day is only 10 days away, and Tasty Image can create candies with custom images just for you or your chocoholic Valentine.