The excitement over the soon-to-open Ensemble at 4856 Cordell Avenue is growing as final design touches continue to be added to the tiny interior of the takeout and delivery-oriented restaurant. New menu boards behind the counter now sport names of some of the Steve Salis-owned brands the restaurateur is going to draw menu items from at this ghost kitchen concept. Visible brands include Ted's Bulletin, Federalist Pig, Honeymoon Chicken and Sidekick Bakery.
Robert Dyer @ Bethesda Row
Bethesda news, restaurants, nightlife, events and openings, real estate, crime reports and more - the way only a lifelong Bethesda resident like Robert Dyer can bring it to you. Everything you want and need to know about Bethesda, plus special investigative reports you won't find anywhere else. The must-read blog for breaking Bethesda news, when you want to be the first to know.
Friday, February 26, 2021
Excitement building for Ensemble in Bethesda
The excitement over the soon-to-open Ensemble at 4856 Cordell Avenue is growing as final design touches continue to be added to the tiny interior of the takeout and delivery-oriented restaurant. New menu boards behind the counter now sport names of some of the Steve Salis-owned brands the restaurateur is going to draw menu items from at this ghost kitchen concept. Visible brands include Ted's Bulletin, Federalist Pig, Honeymoon Chicken and Sidekick Bakery.
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Flying Kick Fitness relocating in Bethesda
Flying Kick Fitness is relocating in downtown Bethesda. They will be moving from their existing studio at 4711 Chase Avenue to the new location at the 4900 Auburn Avenue building in the Woodmont Triangle. Flying Kick offers taekwondo classes for children and adults.
Public parking garage opens at The Wilson in Bethesda (Photos)
Carr Properties' 7272 Wisconsin Avenue development reached another milestone on Wednesday. The public parking garage at The Wilson opened for public use. There is currently an "evening special" being offered - $12 after 5:00 PM until closing. Also at The Wilson, the sign for Tatte Bakery was installed, and it was lit last night.
Utility work on Wisconsin Avenue
AB Utility Consultants was working on Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda last night. The firm works on all types of engineering projects. It appeared last night's work may have been related to a contract they have with WSSC for a large number of projects across Montgomery and Prince George's counties.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Weekend dim sum to continue at CHIKO Bethesda Row after Lunar New Year success
The weekend dim sum brunch offered at CHIKO at 7820 Woodmont Avenue for Lunar New Year was so successful that the Chinese-Korean restaurant has decided to continue to offer it every weekend. Dim sum will be available via contactless pickup or delivery on weekends from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM. Diners can choose among the options of 3 for $20, 5 for $32, 7 for $45, or ordering a la carte.
Dim sum dishes available include the following:
-Pork & Kimchi Potstickers, Sesame Dipping Sauce
-Cumin Lamb Dumplings, Sichuan Chili Broth
-Chicken Springrolls, Chinese Hot Mustard
-Veggie Dumplings, Wok Fired Squash, Garlic Rice
-XO Shrimp Juk, Rice Porridge, Wok-Fired Shrimp
-Korean Fried Wings (5pc), Dry-Spiced or Spicy Soy Glaze
-Confit Duck Springroll, Sweet Chili Sauce
-Kimchi Pancake, Spicy Soy Dressing
-Beef Jeon, Egg-Battered Beef Patties
-Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Gochujang Aioli
Takeout and delivery orders can both be arranged through CHIKO's online ordering system. The dim sum brunch will also be offered at CHIKO's Dupont Circle restaurant, in addition to the Bethesda Row location.
Bethesda-Potomac Ride On 36 will no longer stop at Connelly School of the Holy Child "per the request of the school"
Ride On Route 36 will no longer stop at the Connelly School of the Holy Child at 9029 Bradley Boulevard in Potomac as of this coming Sunday, February 28, 2021. That has been the last stop on the route, which has run between the Bethesda Metro station and the school up until now.
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New Route 36 map effective Sunday, February 28, 2021 |
Ride On 36 will now loop back to Seven Locks Road via River Road, instead of crossing River Road. Montgomery County's Department of Transportation said the termination of service to the Connelly School stop is "per the request of the school." Click here for the new map and timetable that will become effective this Sunday.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
More details about new Bethesda Row development emerge at community meeting
Additional details about a new development project proposed for 7070 Arlington Road at Bethesda Row emerged at a required community meeting that was held virtually last night. Representatives for property owner Federal Realty made a presentation featuring the renderings I showed you last week, and answered questions for about 50 participants, one of the highest number of people to participate in a virtual development meeting since they became the norm.
Spanish Diner awnings installed at Bethesda Row
New awnings for future restaurant Spanish Diner have been installed at 7271 Woodmont Avenue at Bethesda Row. Each one has a different design and color. You may recall that the lighted sign was already installed in December. Spanish Diner is anticipated to open this spring.
Monday, February 22, 2021
Tatte Bakery sets opening date for Bethesda location
A couple of weeks ago, I reported that the opening of Tatte Bakery and Cafe at 7276 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda had been pushed back to March. Now I can report that the new official opening date is March 3, 2021 at 7:00 AM. That's good news if you haven't been able to snag one of the preview time slots for their Friends and Family event on March 1.
Hunter's Bar and Grill adds outdoor dining tent in Potomac
The long, cold, Covid winter continues in Montgomery County. The County loosened its ban on indoor dining on February 14, but capacity remains limited to 25%. That keeps patio heaters and dining tents a top priority for restaurateurs. Hunter's Bar and Grill at 10123 River Road has added a new fabric tent for outdoor dining. The restaurant has been a fixture at the Potomac Village crossroads since 1978.
Photo courtesy Hunter's Bar and Grill
Car stolen in Bannockburn
Montgomery County police responded to a report of a stolen car in the Bannockburn community of Bethesda last Friday. The vehicle was parked along the street in the 6500 block of Dalroy Lane. According to crime data, it is believed the car was stolen sometime between 5:00 PM on February 18 and 12:30 PM February 19.
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Mattress Firm starts closing sale in downtown Bethesda
Mattress Firm has begun its closing sale at 6950 Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Bethesda. It's really more of a moving sale, as the store is relocating to 7020 Wisconsin. No one is more excited about this than Tube Guy/Tube Man/Tall Boy, who is out in front of the store attracting the attention of drivers and passersby who need new mattresses.
Mattress Firm is moving because their building is being demolished for residential housing. The brand has made a successful run that is going to continue in downtown Bethesda, five years after it acquired Sleepy's, which occupied this space prior to that.
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Tastee Diner reopens in Bethesda (Photos)
Tastee Diner has reopened this morning in downtown Bethesda. The landmark diner temporarily closed December 15, 2020, after the Montgomery County Council banned indoor dining, as it has no outdoor patio space. Now that the ban was lifted to 25% capacity for indoor dining, the diner has reopened.