Bethesda Curry Kitchen reopens

Bethesda Curry Kitchen has reopened as planned, after a utility wire mishap cut off power to the restaurant for nearly a week. After a couple of days to restore fresh food supplies, the restaurant is again serving customers at 4860 Cordell Avenue.

BERTRAM'S INKWELL OPENS IN NEW WHITE FLINT LOCATION

A rare item of good news from White Flint these days:

Longtime White Flint Mall tenant Bertram's Inkwell has reopened in its new location, directly across the street from the mall.

Bertram's is now located in One Central Plaza, at 11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 109.

The store has a wide variety of specialty writing instruments, papers, and other pen-related accessories.

Stop by and say hello. There is garage parking as well as street parking.

Questions? Call Bertram's at 301-468-6939.

VIDEO OF LANDMARK BETHESDA ROW CINEMA AFTER RENOVATION - EXCLUSIVE!

The Bethesda Row Cinema has reopened after a $1.6 million renovation. See the new bar, concessions, leather seating, automated ticket kiosks and more in this exclusive video! For photos and a review, visit my report from last night's Grand Reopening, posted earlier this morning.

LANDMARK BETHESDA ROW CINEMA REOPENS AFTER $1.6 MILLION RENOVATION (PHOTOS)

The Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema officially reopens today, after a massive, $1.6 million renovation inside and out.

Last night, the theater held a VIP reception to mark the grand reopening. The new bar/concessions area did live up to the designs promised in renderings before the theater closed.  However, the "shimmering screen" that hangs above is more subtle than you might have expected.

Speaking of concessions, the new bar is nicely-designed to accommodate a crowd. The bartenders - or at least, the bartender who made my drink - know how to mix drinks properly. I had the Signature Cocktail, the Bethesda Row Fizz. This consisted of Buillet Bourbon, ginger ale, Cointreau and a fresh - organic! - navel orange slice. Quite refreshing.

They also had sliders, and catering by their neighbors, Mon Ami Gabi and Haagen-Dazs. The latter supplied ice-cream cupcakes designed to resemble popcorn bags, with real popcorn on top.

I took the opportunity to test the seating, to find out which rows and seat numbers are the best. That's good to know, as all seating is now reserved. I also did a test run on the automatic ticketing machines in the lobby.  This I got on video, to show you it's so easy, a caveman can do it.

There was a screening of new film Kon-Tiki at 8:30, and I found the new screen to be pristine and error-free, which can't be said about other local theaters.

The popcorn was above average, but not life-changing. I got movie theater butter on mine.

One celebrity in attendance was legendary Washington movie critic Arch Campbell. It was an honor to meet him, after watching his reviews since I was a child. Arch said the renovated theater is a great addition to Bethesda Row, and he certainly knows movie theaters!

I can also report that the Phillips Crab Pretzel is still on the menu, as well as Phillips Crab Cakes.

The leather seating is the widest I've encountered in the region, and there was a wonderful "new car" aroma in the air.

Any issues? The air-conditioning could have been turned up a bit higher. And maybe I did subconsciously expect the Mark Cuban connection to score at least one movie star for last night's event. I was a little disappointed there weren't searchlights out front, as they used to be synonymous with movie premieres.

But, to paraphrase the hipsters, don't let perfect be the enemy of the great, as this makeover is great.

There's a full set of brand-new movies debuting today, with stars like Pierce Brosnan, Robert Redford and Kate Hudson. So give the new Cinema a spin while it's still got the new car smell!

More pics to come!

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.

HAANDI REOPENS IN NEW BETHESDA LOCATION (PHOTOS)

Haandi has reopened on Norfolk Avenue after a long closure and move from its former Fairmont Avenue home.  The Indian restaurant is a favorite among locals, and the new spot was once home to Uptown Deli.

RITA'S CREPES OPEN AGAIN AT BETHESDA ROW

Rita's Crepes has reopened at Bethesda Row, if you hadn't noticed already.  The cart had to shut down during the recent cold snap that affected its waterlines.

Yesterday I passed by on the Barnes and Noble side of Woodmont, and the cart appeared to be open for business.

BETHESDA METRO ELEVATORS REOPEN 2 DAYS EARLY (PHOTOS)

WMATA completed the delayed repair and inspection of the Bethesda Metro station elevators 2 days ahead of their previously-announced target, Friday.

Last evening, I was able to summon and enter the working elevator. (Whether it keeps working, is anyone's guess!).

Now, some may be reluctant to pop the Champagne corks over an early finish of long-delayed repairs.  But then you realize that we haven't even started on the escalator rehab nightmare, or the long-postponed southern elevator station access project by the Regal Bethesda 10.

FOONG LIN CLOSES FOREVER. AND THEN REOPENS. HUH?

What's going on at Foong Lin?  The restaurant had announced August 31 as its final day on a large banner out front.

But Saturday night, I passed by and there were people inside.  A sign said they were closed for a private party.

Sunday night, it got even stranger.  The restaurant was open for business, and even had a list of specials out front!

If developer JBG has allowed them to stay longer, and they can make money during that time by reopening, it makes perfect sense why they would do so.

Will they be open tonight for dinner?  I guess we'll find out in a few hours...