maman to open Bethesda Row location

Provençal-inspired French bakery cafe maman has signed a lease at Bethesda Row. The latest buzzworthy brand from New York City to enter the D.C. market, maman will later open cafes in Georgetown and at Union Market in the District. Bethesda Row's will be first to open, in late spring or early summer, Federal Realty announced this morning.

Oprah Winfrey has made maman's Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookies famous, but there is an expansive menu of breakfast, brunch, lunch, bakery items and coffees. The Bethesda Row location will have floral decor, and vintage windows and antique furniture that recall the south of France. This is just the announcement francophiles needed to hear with the recent departure of Le Pain Quotidien.

Photo courtesy maman

Chevy Chase, Spring Valley, Cabin John on Le Pain Quotidien's closure wish list

Bethesda Row, Wildwood not on list

The future of Le Pain Quotidien as a whole is murky indeed, but a court filing in its bankruptcy case is giving us our first hint as to the future of some of its area locations. It contained a list of Le Pain locations where a rejection of unexpired leases and abandonment of property would be undertaken by the firm, if approved in the proceedings.

Notably, Bethesda Row and Wildwood Shopping Center were not on the list. Unlucky locations that made the list included  Wisconsin Place in Friendship Heights, Spring Valley in Northwest Washington, Cabin John Shopping Center, Union Station, F Street NW, and K Street NW.

Tout de Sweet takes summer break in Bethesda

L'horreur!

French pastry shop Tout de Sweet is the latest downtown Bethesda small business to take a summer break. They will reopen on Tuesday, August 16, 2016.

If you need French pastries between now and then, you have Fresh Baguette and Paul Bakery on Bethesda Avenue, and - closer to Tout de Sweet -  the new Gold Leaf Bakery at 4918 St. Elmo Avenue in the Bainbridge Bethesda luxury apartment tower.

Tout de Sweet is located at 7831 Woodmont Avenue.

TOUT DE SWEET CLOSES TEMPORARILY FOR RENOVATIONS THIS WEEK (PHOTOS)

French pastry shop Tout de Sweet is temporarily closed, as of today, on Woodmont Avenue. The expected closure is necessary, while the macaron haven expands into the old Gaylord's Lamps and Shades space next door. Tout de Sweet will reopen on June 18, 2014.

If you simply cannot survive without French baked goods and desserts until then, I suggest trying Fresh Baguette at 4919 Bethesda Avenue, or Praline Bakery & Bistro, at 4611 Sangamore Road (in the Shops at Sumner Place shopping center).

TOUT DE SWEET EXPANDING IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

EXCLUSIVE!

French pastry shop Tout de Sweet is getting bigger in Bethesda. The macaron hotspot is busting out a wall, and expanding into part of the former Gaylord's Lamps and Shades space next door, on the street level at the Fairmont Plaza condominiums.

The construction work has begun, and will conclude in July, if all goes as planned. However, Fairmont Plaza residents have been advised that there could be some noticeable noise and vibration this upcoming Monday morning, May 19, between 8:00-11:00 AM. Probably a good time to head down to the new Peet's Coffee & Tea, which is expected to open that day.

Tout de Sweet

7831 Woodmont Avenue

CHRISTMAS TREE MADE OF MACARONS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

A Christmas tree made entirely of macarons in the window of Tout de Sweet is turning the heads of passersby. The pastry shop is located on the ground floor of Fairmont Plaza, along Woodmont Avenue.