Gregorio's Trattoria coming to Bethesda

There's good news on the restaurant front at the Shops at Sumner Place. China Pavilion closed at the Bethesda shopping center last December. Now a new tenant has been found. Gregorio's Trattoria, an Italian restaurant with existing locations in Reston and Potomac, will open in the China Pavilion space in 2020. They should be open by spring.

I see Fettucine Alfredo and New York-style pizza on the menu, so I am already sold. They've also got chef's specialties like Rigatoni al Capone and Pollo Donaldo. In an area with few sit-down restaurants, and only fast-casual carry-outs anticipated in the disappointing Westbard plan, Gregorio's Trattoria should be a welcome addition to southwest Bethesda.

VINCE & DOMINIC'S PIZZA CLOSES IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Shocking news from Auto Park Avenue in Bethesda - Vince & Dominic's Pizzeria has closed after 31 years in business. The restaurant closed yesterday, after Home Depot declined to renew its lease, according to the owners. It certainly didn't close because of a lack of popularity. Many people set on a pizza feast for dinner were in disbelief as they approached the shuttered pizzeria last evening. One family exiting Five Guys mentioned that they had originally come for pizza, but had gone into the burger restaurant upon finding Vince & Dominic's closed.

Known best for its giant slices of pizza, Vince & Dominic's is the latest Bethesda institution to get the boot from its longtime home, joining Ranger Surplus, Bruce Variety and Eastham's Servicenter in the 18 months alone.

CESCO OFFERING SUPER BOWL TAKE-OUT MENU

Italian restaurant Cesco Osteria, on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda, has announced it will offer pre-ordered carry-out meals this Super Bowl Sunday.

The menu includes the following:

VEGETARIAN LASAGNA - made with eggplant

CLASSIC LASAGNA - with Bolognese sauce

FRESH FIELD GREENS SALAD

HOMEMADE FOCCACIA - topped with rock salt and tomatoes

1 lasagna + 1 salad + 1 foccacia serves 8 people - $65

1 lasagna - $49

PIZZA ($10 each)

Margherita
4 Cheese
Capricciosa

Place order by this Friday. Orders must be prepaid. To place a Super Bowl take-out order, call 301-654-8333.

Pick up orders by 7:00 PM Sunday.

BETHESDA ROW

RESTAURANT WEEK

Inside the Menus:

Vapiano

It seems like just yesterday I was walking the red carpet at the Grand Opening of Vapiano at Bethesda Row. Kate Michael was there, and rumor had it Katherine Kennedy and Lady Gaga (who was in town) might show up. And someone asked me if I was a member of the ownership group. The Donald Trump tie does it every time! The original, vertical Vapiano sign out front on Woodmont Avenue is gone, but the quality and freshness are still the same. And Vapiano is still a great choice for lunch, happy hour or dinner. Just ask Joe Biden!

Enjoy this Lunch ($15) or Dinner ($30) menu for Bethesda Row Restaurant Week:

Course 1:

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Your choice of Mista or Caesar side salad. What is a Mista salad? Just a fancy Italian way of saying mixed salad.

Course 2:

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Choose Pasta (Pomodoro, Arabiata (spicy), Aglio e olio (olive oil, garlic and chili), or Pomodoro fresco e basilica (cherry tomatoes and basil))

OR

Pizza (Margherita (many people say this is their favorite at Vapiano), Roasted Garlic and Tomato, Rucola (maybe better known as Rocket or arugula)

OR

Meal-sized, meaty (if you want) versions of the two above salads

Course 3:

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Dessert! House-made chocolate mousse with whipped cream on top. No complaints here!

One other notable point about Vapiano for Bethesda Row Restaurant Week: unlike most restaurants, Vapiano is including a fountain beverage in the price - essentially, a free drink!

So visit the "other side" of Bethesda Row, for a thoroughly modern Italian feast at Vapiano, and you'll find it's a short trip you'll make again and again.

ITALIAN WINE

TASTING TONIGHT

IN

BETHESDA

Cesco Osteria, the new Italian restaurant and nightspot on Woodmont Avenue, is offering a special $20 tasting of Italian wines tonight, 6:30-8:00 PM.

Walk-ins are welcome!

Try 10 Italian wines, including the three "Killer Bs:" single-vineyard Barolos, traditional and modern Brunellos and Piedmont Barbarescos.

You'll also enjoy hors d'ouevres, included in the price.

Ladies, stick around the rest of the evening in Cesco's CO2 Lounge, because it's Ladies Night.

So, if you've been wanting to try some new wines without breaking the bank, tonight's the night at Cesco.

7401 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda. 301-654-8333. 21+