Fialova holding early happy hour in Bethesda today for Freedom 250 Grand Prix events

The Freedom 250 Grand Prix downtown in Washington D.C. will be run tomorrow, but Fialova in The Bethesdan hotel at 8120 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda will be hosting an early happy hour this afternoon, Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. What's happening today on this Freedom 250 Grand Prix weekend? Drivers will be taking practice runs on the course in the late morning and early afternoon. Two IROC Series races will be held at 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM, featuring greats like Jeff Gordon and Bill Elliott driving vintage Pontiac Firebird IROC racecars. Qualifying for Sunday's INDYCAR race - the big one - will follow at 5:00 PM.

Padel Social opens new facility at Westbard Square in Bethesda

Padel Social has returned to Westbard Square in Bethesda at 5455 Westbard Avenue. The padel club has upgraded from its original pop-up courts to a permanent facility between The Kensington Bethesda senior living development and the Westwood Tower apartments. Features of the new facility include 3 outdoor padel courts with lighting, a clubhouse that also houses a fully-stocked pro shop, food and beverages for sale, and space to hang out before and after playing. 

Additional features, and a grand opening celebration, are in the works. Padel Social remains a significant amenity at Westbard Square. While padel is widely considered the fastest growing sport in the world, the number of padel courts in the Washington, D.C. area remains relatively small.

Chef Chris Jara serves a signature lunch menu at MI Cafe in Bethesda (Photos)

Chef Chris Jara, as seen on Food Network and Netflix cooking shows, served as guest chef in-residence today at MI Cafe, located at the Marriott International headquarters in downtown Bethesda. Four menu items devised by Jara could be purchased individually, or together as a complete lunch. The dishes served were Red Chili Pork and Hominy Tamales topped with cabbage and radish slaw, and served with a charred salsa; a Mexican Street Corn Salad with cotija cheese and lime; a Jamaica Hibiscus drink; and a Buñuelo Dessert Taco with a triple filling of coconut tres leches cake, cheesecake mousse, and pineapple caramel. 

Chris Jara guest chef at MI Cafe in Bethesda for lunch Thursday

MI Cafe, the Marriott International headquarters coffee shop that is open to the public at 7750 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, is continuing its sporadic guest chef series. Chris Jara is the latest celebrity chef from television to participate, and he will be presenting a special lunch menu at the cafe from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM tomorrow, Thursday, August 20, 2026. A San Antonio native, Jara is no stranger to upscale hotel properties, having worked as head pastry chef at several luxury hotels in that city. He's no stranger to TV audiences, either, appearing on Holiday Wars and Summer Baking Championship on the Food Network, and on Sugar Rush Christmas on Netflix.

Bethesda Shake Shack opening pushed back again

It's been a frustrating summer for Shake Shack fans in downtown Bethesda. The opening of the first downtown Shake Shack location at 7535 Old Georgetown Road had been set for June 24, then August, and most recently - according to Google - early September. But the most credible source, the restaurant itself, is now saying the "projected opening" is expected to be September 17. The interior fit-out is complete enough that they've had to put a sign in the window to inform prospective diners that the burger joint is not open for business yet. Here's another sneak peek inside:

Bethesda Curry Kitchen takes summer break until Friday

Bethesda Curry Kitchen at 4860 Cordell Avenue in downtown Bethesda is temporarily closed. The restaurant is taking a short summer break, and will reopen with regular business hours this Friday, August 21, 2026. As longtime readers know, a number of small businesses take a short break for vacations or business travel each summer. Many are family owned and staffed, and there are no "extra" employees to operate the business while they take time off. By the way, here's a chance to recognize a Bethesda business success: Bethesda Curry Kitchen has been going strong more than twelve years since it opened in February of 2014.

Sushi Masato opens in Bethesda

Sushi Masato has opened at 4914 Hampden Lane in downtown Bethesda at the Shoppes of Bethesda. The Japanese restaurant has taken over the former Tako Grill space. That storefront has been divided into two, with the other part soon to open as The One Cake bakery. But you can get a preview of it from the dessert menu at Sushi Masato.