First look: Kapnos Kouzina at Bethesda Row (Photos)

Here's an exclusive first look inside the future Kapnos Kouzina, celebrity chef Mike Isabella's rustic Greek restaurant opening soon at Bethesda Row.

You can see the furnishings reflect the theme far more than the building exterior, which was constructed many years before the restaurant moved in. The throwback awning attempts to make up for that.

It will be interesting to see how comfortable this wood furniture actually is in practical use. Stay tuned for an opening date for one of the most highly-anticipated restaurant openings in downtown Bethesda this year. Kapnos is located at the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Hampden Lane.

Firefighters responding to alarm at Bethesda Metro Center 3

A fire alarm has triggered a response by Montgomery County firefighters to the Bethesda Metro Center 3 building, according to scanner reports. There are no further details at the moment, and I have not heard any reports from the scene that there is indeed a fire.

Robbery/assault at Walt Whitman HS, sex offense on Montrose Rd. + more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on February 19, according to crime data:

Theft. 4800 block Bethesda Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 5000 block Battery Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 7000 block Glenbrook Road.

Drug arrest. Connecticut Avenue at East-West Highway.

Theft. 5400 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Robbery/assault. Walt Whitman High School at 7:59 AM.

Vehicle burglary. 5000 block Allan Road.

Theft. 5600 block Wood Way (Sumner).

Drug arrest. Rockledge Drive at Rock Spring Drive.

Theft. 7100 block Democracy Boulevard.

Other sexual offense. 6100 block Montrose Road at 6:25 PM.

Assault. 6700 block River Road at 9:09 AM.

Burglary. 12000 block Seven Locks Road at 12:43 PM.

Coach, Abercrombie reopen; Smart Toys closes at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda (Photos)

Coach has reopened at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. After a brief closure, Abercrombie & Fitch has reopened as well, moving to Level 1 next to UnderArmour.

On the negative side, Smart Toys has closed indefinitely.

Also appearing, is Coming Soon signage for José Andrés' new Beefsteak location, now confirming it will take over the Qdoba spot in the Dining Terrace. Read my report from last week for all the details on the big Beefsteak announcement.

Hardwood Artisans opening in Bethesda (Photos)

Hardwood Artisans is moving into the old Johnny Rockets space at the corner of Norfolk and St. Elmo Avenues in downtown Bethesda.

The custom wood furnishings retailer has several other area locations, including one in Rockville. It was founded in 1976. Their furniture is handcrafted.

This space was most recently leased by 7770 Norfolk as a sales office, before the condo tower switched back to be rental apartments.

First look: Carluccio's at Pike & Rose opening in early/mid March (Photos + menu)

Updated: February 24 at 8:47 AM - The article has been updated to reflect new information from a Carlucccio's spokesperson

Here's an exclusive first look inside the highly-anticipated Carluccio's restaurant and Italian market at Pike & Rose. Everything is ready to go here, and an employee said they expect to open officially next week. A spokesperson for the restaurant later said the restaurant would open in early-to-mid March.

A friends-and-family soft opening event took place yesterday. If you are planning to be at Pike & Rose anyway in the coming days, you might want to - hint hint - check by in case they have a soft opening for the public. There is no schedule for the soft opening events (publicly, at least), which will have limited hours, and a limited menu.

I have a hard copy of the menu. Scroll down below the pictures to see the menu, and plan what you'll order when they open. Click on any picture to enlarge it for more detail.

As you can see, there are many products available in the market section to help you create your own Italian meals at home.

This will be a must-try in the Pike District of North Bethesda.

Panettone

As Italian as...apple pie
and carrot cake

A romantic table
setting for two

Puttanesca, pesto, finocchio
selvatico, and more

Pastas and sauces

Breads, pomodorata, capperi al sale,
capricci di canelli, Antonio's Pepolata

Exterior in Muse Alley;
Carluccio's sign not installed yet

Car stolen from Chevy Chase Section 5, assault on Kentbury Way + much more - Bethesda crime update

Here's a roundup of crimes reported across Bethesda on February 18, according to crime data:

Theft. 4800 block Battery Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 8000 block Old Georgetown Road.

Vehicle burglary. 5200 block Rayland Drive.

Vehicle burglary. 4100 block Aspen Street.

Burglary. 5500 block Lincoln Street.

Assault. Kentbury Way at Kentbury Drive at 3:15 PM.

Stolen car. 7500 block Glendale Road (Chevy Chase Section Five).

Theft from vehicle. 5200 block River Road.

Vehicle burglary. 3400 block Thornapple Street (Martin's Additions).

Vehicle burglary. 7200 block Delfield Street (Martin's Additions).

Assault. 5400 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 3400 block Taylor Street (Martin's Additions).

Vehicle burglary. 8900 block Bradmoor Drive.

Theft from vehicle. 7900 block Paloma Court.

Theft. 10400 block Fernwood Road.

Assault. 5800 block Tudor Lane.

Assault. 12200 block Chase Crossing Circle (Pike District).

Death. 5800 block Nicholson Lane at 6:24 PM (Pike District).

Robbery. 7700 block Heatherton Lane at 3:22 PM.

Sexual assault. 8200 block Lochinver Lane at 2:54 PM.

Death. Rockville Pike at Twinbrook Parkway at 12:38 AM (Pike District).

Tommy Joe's installs signage at new Bethesda location (Photos)

The signs and awnings are up at the new Tommy Joe's Bar and Grill location, at the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues in downtown Bethesda. Here they are lit up at night. Tommy Joe's will open in March.

Bethesda neighborhoods rocked by vehicle break-ins, assault w/deadly weapon on Wisconsin Ave. + more - Bethesda crime update

At least ten cars were broken into in the Glenbrook Knolls, Greenwich Forest, Whitehall Manor and Battery Park/Battery Park Hills neighborhoods on Wednesday.

Here's a roundup of all crimes reported across Bethesda on February 17, according to crime data:

Other sexual offense. 4900 block Cordell Avenue.

Assault w/deadly weapon. 8200 block Wisconsin Avenue at 8:57 PM.

Drug arrest. 4900 block Battery Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 5200 block Goddard Road.

Vehicle burglary. 100 block N. Brook Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 100 block N. Brook Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 8200 block Maple Ridge Road.

Vehicle burglary. 5200 block Rayland Drive.

Vehicle burglary. 5400 block York Lane.

Vehicle burglary. 5600 block McLean Drive.

Vehicle burglary. 8000 block Overhill Road.

Vehicle burglary. 5600 block McLean Drive.

Vehicle burglary. 5600 block Wilson Lane.

Drug arrest. 5500 block Wisconsin Avenue.

Vehicle burglary. 6400 block Rock Forest Drive.

Drug arrest. 5000 block Nicholson Court at 1:11 AM (Pike District).

Creative Playthings moves into Tugooh Toys space at Bethesda Row (Photos)

From indoor toys to outdoor toys. Creative Playthings, a retailer offering outdoor play equipment for the backyards of Bethesda, is moving into the vacated 4823 Bethesda Avenue space that was previously home to Tugooh Toys.

I'm delighted to inform you that the play equipment is made in America, rather than overseas. The store appears to be a pop-up shop in its current form.