Prima temporarily closed at Bethesda Row due to coronavirus pandemic

Prima, the fast casual Italian restaurant at 7280 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda, is temporarily closed. Although they were initially serving takeout orders after Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan mandated the closure of all dining rooms statewide, they have now decided to close until the pandemic pauses or ends.

The shuttering of Prima follows the closure of Chef Tony's yesterday, but one difference is that brown paper has been put up in the windows of Prima. Some restaurants in D.C. and other coronavirus-impacted cities have boarded up their storefronts as if a hurricane or riot was imminent (do they know something we don't know?); I've been waiting to see if that phenomenon extends to the suburbs or not. While the paper covers are forboding, the fact that the same chef-owner is about to open his The Riggsby concept right next door makes it unlikely that this would be the end for Prima here.

Rosh Hashanah pop-up bakery will offer pick-up at Bethesda Row

Washington, D.C. pastry chef Alex Levin will operate his 4th annual Rosh Hashanah pop-up bakery this year, and there are new delivery and pick-up options for those living inside the Beltway in Montgomery County. Selections this year will include a traditional honey challah (with or without raisins), handmade pies, apple butter honey cake (using Levin's recipe that was featured in the New York Times), two flavors of rugelach, and more.

You can arrange courier delivery between 1:00 and 5:00 PM on Saturday, September 28, 2019, or Sunday, September 29, 2019 if you live inside the Beltway. Or, you can pick up your order at Prima at Bethesda Row, located at 7280 Woodmont Avenue in downtown Bethesda, between 1:00 and 4:00 PM those same days.

Place your order online. If you have any questions, you can contact the chef directly at alevin@schlowrg.com

Prima opens at Bethesda Row

Prima, an Italian fast-casual bowl concept from celebrity chef Michael Schlow, is now open in Bethesda. They will be giving away free bowls on Wednesday. Prima is located in the old Taylor Gourmet spot at 7280 Woodmont Avenue.

Sign installed at Prima at Bethesda Row

The permanent sign has been installed at Prima at Bethesda Row. Chef Michael Schlow's newest venture will seat 22 indoors with 10 barstool window seats, and 16 seats on the outdoor patio. The launch day menu will be centered around 8 bowls, including The Amalfi Coast (Organic Baby Arugula, Buffalo Mozzarella, Basil-Marinated Tomatoes, Wild Mushrooms, White Beans and Fresh Herb Pesto) and The Crazy Sicilian (Organic Baby Arugula, Sicilian Tuna, Chickpeas, Basil-Marinated Tomatoes, Spicy Calabrian Chile-Red Pepper Spread, Lemon Vinaigrette).

More traditional Italian dishes like "pasta and pizza get a pass at Prima," Schlow's restaurant group said in a press release about the menu options. Instead, "sustainable proteins" will be flavored with fresh vegetables, fresh herbs, spices, olive oil and citrus. Diners will assemble their bowls in the same way they do at fast casual restaurants like Cava Grill and Chipotle, choosing greens or grains, vegetables, proteins and dressings and additional toppings.

“Italian food isn’t always perceived as healthy, but working with my talented team of chefs, we have been able to produce the wholesome and fresh flavors of Italy in a fast-casual environment,” Schlow said in a statement.  “Mediterranean flavors are so approachable and are perfect for a speedy, yet hearty meal.  We’re really excited to be able to open Prima and showcase this type of experience.”

Prima will be opening very soon; stay tuned for an opening date announcement.

Sneak peek at Prima at Bethesda Row

Construction continues at Prima, the fast-casual Italian concept from celebrity chef Michael Schlow replacing Taylor Gourmet at Bethesda Row this month. One new detail that has come to light is that the menu will feature bowls and salads heavy on vegetables and healthy protein options, like slow-roasted salmon. None of the menu items I've heard about so far are traditional Italian dishes, but we can still hope there will be Fettuccine Alfredo or Spaghetti & Meatballs on there somewhere.

Prima to open in May; the future of Kapnos Kouzina at Bethesda Row

Prima, an upscale fast-casual Italian concept from Boston celebrity chef Michael Schlow, is now scheduled to open next month at Bethesda Row. Construction has been underway for several months at the former location of Taylor Gourmet at 7280 Woodmont Avenue.

Less certain is the future of the vacant neighboring space that was home to Kapnos Kouzina, the very successful modern Greek restaurant from another celebrity chef, Mike Isabella. Shuttered after Isabella was caught up in a #MeToo scandal involving several of his restaurants, the rumor had been that Isabella's former business partner would try to revive the Bethesda restaurant under a different name.

But the latest rumor I've heard is that Schlow himself might be the celebrity chef to solve the Kapnos crisis. A source tells me Schlow may open a new outpost of his D.C. restaurant The Riggsby in the Kapnos space at Bethesda Row. There's precedence for this, as Schlow has operated other side-by-side restaurants elsewhere. However, a publicist for Schlow's restaurant group says she is aware of no plans for The Riggsby at Bethesda Row at this time.

The Riggsby at 1731 New Hampshire Avenue is a retro-American concept "with a flash of old-school Continental," as the Michael Schlow Restaurant Group describes it. Stay tuned.

Prima installs "Coming Soon" signage at Bethesda Row

The first outward signs of Italian fast casual restaurant Prima appeared yesterday at Bethesda Row. "Coming Soon" window screens were installed at the former Taylor Gourmet space at the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street. Prima is the latest concept from Boston-based celebrity chef Michael Schlow. 

Prima to open in Taylor Gourmet space at Bethesda Row

Prima, a fast-casual Italian restaurant, is coming to Bethesda Row. I've been chasing this story down since mid-November, when I first learned the restaurant would take over the Taylor Gourmet space - but the business was well-hidden in anonymous county and state government filings, suggesting it might be a prominent chef wanting to keep a new concept secret.

Sure enough, I've learned Prima is from the restaurant group of Boston-based celebrity chef Michael Schlow. You might remember him from Season 1 of Top Chef Masters, or from appearances on The Tonight Show and many other morning and cooking TV shows. Schlow has also been declared the best chef in the Northeast U.S. by the James Beard Foundation, and has won 13 prestigious awards. Here in the D.C. region, he has already launched Alta Strada, Casolare, Nama, Tico and The Riggsby. 

Now he'll be opening his latest concept at Bethesda Row, diagonally across from fellow James Beard honoree Jose Andres' Jaleo, and following his Spanish colleague's expansion into the fast-casual market. Prima, as the name suggests, will focus on lower-priced and faster-prepared dishes from the Italian cuisine that has brought Schlow such success in his larger sit-down venues. The menu will be farm-sourced, "vegetable-focused," and include gluten-free options.