FOUNDING FARMERS POTOMAC REVIEW (VIDEO + PHOTOS)

I had Christmas dinner at Founding Farmers in Park Potomac last night. Starting with a Palm Belgian Pale Ale, I ordered the table biscuits and the Sausage Mushroom Gnocchi. How did it all taste? Watch my review to find out!

Palm Belgian Pale Ale

Menu 

Table Biscuit with
butter and honey

Farmhouse Platter

Sausage Mushroom Gnocchi

Peanut Butter cookie (bottom) and
Macaron

DRUG ARREST IN RANDOLPH HILLS, THEFT AT LORD & TAYOR PLUS MORE - BETHESDA CRIME UPDATE

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on December 23, according to crime data:

Theft. 7400 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 7400 block Waverly Street.

Theft. 4400 block Willard Avenue.

Drug arrest. 4300 block Star Lane (Randolph Hills).

Theft. Lord & Taylor (White Flint Mall).

Theft. 5100 block Nicholson Lane.

Theft. 4800 block Boiling Brook Parkway (Randolph Hills).

Vehicle burglary. 5700 block Marinelli Road.

Theft. Macy's at Westfield Montgomery Mall.

DOWNTOWN BETHESDA " PLUMBING HOUSE " UP FOR LEASE (PHOTOS)

Get yourself a bottle of Liquid Plumbr if you're looking for a plumber at this house. The former headquarters of M.H. Barnes Plumbing and Heating at 4901 Rugby Avenue, vacated less than 3 months ago, is on the market for lease as of yesterday. It is expected to be demolished in a few years for the Brightview Bethesda assisted-living project, but landlord Jaffe Group needs to pay the bills in the meantime.

TOWN HOUSE LIMITED-EDITION CINNAMON SUGAR PITA CRACKERS REVIEW (VIDEO)

The Christmas Countdown continues with a review of Keebler's limited-edition Town House Pita crackers with cinnamon and sugar. Pringles has proved how difficult it is to mix dessert ingredients with chips and crackers. Can Keebler succeed where others have failed? Watch my review to find out!

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS IN DOWNTOWN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Here is a photo tour of Christmas decorations on Cordell and St. Elmo Avenues, in the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood of downtown Bethesda:

The Palisades apartments
on Cordell Avenue

The Palisades

The Palisades

Flanagan's Harp & Fiddle
on Cordell Avenue 

The Palisades

Big Planet Comics on
Cordell Avenue

Bethesda Florist on
St. Elmo Avenue

Bone Jour on
St. Elmo Avenue

BETHESDA RESTAURANTS OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS 2014 - CHRISTMAS DAY DINNER

If a Christmas Day dinner at home isn't in the cards for you today, try one of these Bethesda restaurants that may have reservations available for you:

Positano Ristorante

Choose from Positano's Feast of the Seven Fishes menu, or their regular Italian menu. Traditional Italian Christmas sweets will also be available today. Open noon to 9:00 PM tonight.

4948 Fairmont Avenue

(301) 654-1717

Founding Farmers

Choose from their regular menu of American favorites. Open from noon to 8:00 PM. Take Montrose Road exit West from I-270.

12505 Park Potomac Avenue

(301) 340-8783

Yuzu Bethesda

Japanese cuisine, sushi and holiday cocktails. Open noon to 2:30; 5:00-10:00 PM.

7345 Wisconsin Avenue

(301) 656-5234

Brasserie Monte Carlo

French cuisine; no details about special Christmas entrees.

7929 Norfolk Avenue

(301) 656-9225

SWISS MISS CANDY CANE COCOA REVIEW (VIDEO)

Christmas is less than 12 hours away, and on this episode of the Christmas Countdown, I am testing a third limited-edition Swiss Miss holiday cocoa flavor - Candy Cane. This sounds like the most Christmas-appropriate one of all. Does the flavor live up to the promise? Watch my review and find out! Plus we'll check in with a news anchor for some breaking news.

DIVERSITY, BIPARTISANSHIP EMPHASIZED AS HOGAN ADDS 6 CABINET MEMBERS

Maryland Governor-elect Larry Hogan added 6 more members to his cabinet yesterday in Annapolis. His selections appear to reflect his stated intention of cooperating with Democrats, who hold power in the state legislature that will have to approve his initiatives.

The incoming governor appointed Van Mitchell as Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, General Linda Singh as General Adjutant of Maryland, Charlie Evans as Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources, Joe Bartenfelder as Secretary of Agriculture, Ben Grumbles as Secretary of the Department of the Environment, and Jimmy Rhee as Special Secretary of Minority Affairs.

Mitchell, a Democrat, was a Deputy Health Secretary in the Bob Ehrlich administration, and a veteran of the state legislature.

Singh is the first woman, and first African-American, to be named adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard.

Evans played a key role in one of Ehrlich's major legislative accomplishments, the so-called Flush Tax that funds sewer upgrades to protect the Chesapeake Bay.

Grumbles served in the administration of George W. Bush, and could become a prominent figure in the current debate over fracking in the state.

Bartenfelder is a Democrat who served on the Baltimore County Council for nearly 20 years, and in the House of Delegates. An experienced farm manager, he has also been a member of the Maryland Farm Bureau, which praised his selection yesterday.

Finally, Hogan also made history by making Rhee the first Korean-American to be appointed to a Maryland cabinet.

“We have been working to assemble a talented, diverse, and bipartisan Cabinet to help us in our mission to change Maryland for the better,” Hogan said at the press conference where he announced the selections.

DC AREA THEATERS SHOWING THE INTERVIEW ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN DC, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA

If you feel compelled to make a statement about free speech and The American Way - or just are a big fan of James Franco - the following DC-area theaters are showing The Interview on Christmas Day (none are in Montgomery County, so far):

THEATERS SHOWING THE INTERVIEW IN MARYLAND

Xscape 14 Theatres, in the Brandywine Crossing shopping center on Route 301 in Brandywine, MD.

THEATERS SHOWING THE INTERVIEW IN DC

West End Cinema in the District.

Angelika Pop-Up Theater at Union Market, 550 Penn Street NE in the District.

THEATERS SHOWING THE INTERVIEW IN VIRGINIA

The Alamo Loudoun theater in Ashburn, VA.

Manassas 4 Cinemas in Manassas, VA.

More theaters could agree to host the controversial film, but this was the list of closest theaters as of this writing.

GIANT BAKING UTENSILS HOVERING OVER PIKE & ROSE! (PHOTOS)

In a scene reminiscent of Hardware Wars, giant baking utensils have landed at Pike & Rose, and attached themselves to the side of the PerSei apartments. Actually, these are just the latest design additions to the building's facade that recall a legendary area baking equipment company.

HALLMARK DUKES OF HAZZARD CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT REVIEW (VIDEO)

A rare Dukes of Hazzard ornament is part of Hallmark's 2014 Christmas Keepsake Ornament collection. "Jumpin' General Lee" features the iconic Dodge Charger doing what it did best on television, smashing through some kind of a barn wall in the process. One of many nostalgic pieces in Hallmark's 2014 line-up, alas, the General lacks any Hemi exhaust note, "Dixie" horn, or voices of the Duke Boys. Is it worth $17.95? Watch my review to find out, and get some helpful advice on driving the back roads of Hazzard County from our "expert."

SILVER RESTAURANT AT BETHESDA'S LOT 31 APPLIES FOR LIQUOR LICENSE, ANOTHER PARKING SIGN

The future Silver restaurant concept, coming to the StonebridgeCarras Lot 31 project across from Bethesda Row, has applied for a liquor license with Montgomery County. It is being developed by the creators of the local Silver Diner chain. Located along Woodmont Avenue, the Silver restaurant will be decidedly more upscale than its diner predecessors.

In other news at Bethesda's former Lot 31 site, a second parking "spaces available" sign (see above photo) has been installed for the 900-space public parking garage that will lie beneath both The Flats and sister condo building The Darcy. The first sign was installed Friday along Woodmont Avenue.

Delivery of the project is expected by third quarter 2015.

STELLA BARRA, SUMMER HOUSE SANTA MONICA TO OPEN JANUARY 15 AT PIKE & ROSE

Artisanal pizza and California cuisine will arrive at Federal Realty's new Pike & Rose development next month. Stella Barra, a pizzeria concept by Chef Jeff Mahin, and Summer House Santa Monica (also created by Mahin) will open on January 15, 2015, at 11825 Grand Park Avenue. Both restaurants are part of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group, of which Bethesda Row's Mon Ami Gabi is a family member, as well.

Construction continues on the interior, but as you can see, a lot of work has been done on the exterior facade. Already popular in Southern California and Chicago, Stella Barra will be a must-try for pizza fanatics in the DC area. Red and white pizzas will join 40 bottles of wine and some unique menu additions created just for this location. Summer House will be centered around a wood-fired grill, and will employ locally-sourced ingredients and simple preparation of American food in a beach house-themed setting.

BORDEN EGG NOG REVIEW (VIDEO)

Borden Egg Nog certainly brings back fond memories of childhood Christmases past. It's been missing in recent years, but I found it in a new, resealable container this year at Giant. No more punching holes in the top of a metal can, and now it will stay fresher. Unlike other egg nogs on the market, Borden's can stay off ice for many months until you open it.

Elsie the Cow, Borden's famous mascot, is still on the package, as well. During my review, you'll also learn a bit about her history, and about the history of egg nog.

Does Borden's egg nog still taste as good as it did decades ago? Watch my review to find out!

BETHESDA CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: SMOOTHIE KING OPENING POSTPONED TO JANUARY (PHOTOS)

While Smoothie King's interior looks close to ready for opening day at 4710 Bethesda Avenue, that opening has been postponed until January. Smoothie King will be in the former Zen Tara Tea space in the Seasons building. It has an existing location still operating in the Connor Building off of Woodmont Avenue, which will eventually be demolished for the Westin Bethesda hotel project.

DUMPLING DOJO CLOSES AT WESTFIELD MONTGOMERY MALL (PHOTO)

One of the more innovative, non-chain eateries at Westfield Montgomery Mall's Dining Terrace has closed. Dumpling Dojo has been walled off with advertising for new mall additions ArcLight Cinemas and MET Bethesda. The restaurant has been removed from the mall's online directory, as well.

There were some signs the restaurant might be closing in recent weeks, but the latest events appear to confirm those red flags. Owner Jeffrey Yu is the son of Janet Yu, who owns the popular Hollywood East Cafe in Wheaton, so the opening of Dumpling Dojo brought high expectations in August of 2012. I've never heard anybody complain about the food there, so the reason for the closure is speculation at this point.

Dumpling Dojo has at least one other area location, in Annapolis at Annapolis Mall.

ROY ROGERS HOLSTER FRENCH FRIES REVIEW (VIDEO)

One of the most iconic packaging concepts from Roy Rogers in its golden age of the 1970s and 1980s was the french fries holster, or Holster Fries. Just as the name implies, your golden fries arrive hot in a container that looks like an Old West gun holster. Well, sort of. The holster of the earlier era really did look just like a gun holster, faux leather texture design and all. Today's Roy Rogers holster has toned down the realism quite a bit, and is red rather than leather brown. I don't know if it is smaller, too, or if it just seems smaller to an adult than childhood recollections.

In any case, the holster is emblazoned with the words, Holster Fries, and the famous cut-out markings for those who simply must slip their belt through the slots and hit the trail with french fries ready for a quick draw. Also fortunate, is the fact that the fries are the same style as the old days, crispy outside and soft inside.

How do they taste? Watch my review to find out!