ROOFTOP RESTAURANT OPENS AT ROOF BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Last evening was the first official night of Alan Pohoryles' long-awaited rooftop, the architectural centerpiece that gives new Bethesda restaurant Roof its name. The weather isn't as pleasant as it will be, but last night's temperatures felt downright warm compared to a few days ago.

Diners didn't have to miss the NCAA tournament. March Madness continued as scheduled on large flatscreens outside on the roof.

Roof is the only full-scale rooftop restaurant and bar in Bethesda. The Doubletree Bethesda hotel has food, cigar and adult beverage events on its rooftop, and Mexican restaurant Tía Queta has a rooftop patio on Del Ray Avenue. So this will be quite the novelty this spring, summer and fall. One other interesting issue will be neighbors' response to the noise. I reported yesterday that some residents of Triangle Towers have already complained, before the rooftop had even opened to the general public. This type of complaint is not unique to Roof; balancing nightlife with residential neighbors is one of the big challenges ahead, as the county considers expanding bar hours, and exempting venues from some current noise restrictions.

Rooftops like this are needed, to move ahead in one category of dining and nightlife where Bethesda has previously trailed Clarendon and the District.

The first official rooftop
diners enjoy the view
of the
Woodmont Triangle
district from Roof

FIRST WINDOWS INSTALLED AT FUTURE BETHESDA ROOFTOP RESTAURANT (PHOTOS)

The first windows, and tiled facade, are in place at Roof, the future Bethesda rooftop restaurant at the corner of Norfolk and Cordell Avenues.

Will you be drinking a craft beer or a glass of Pinot Grigio, and enjoying the early evening breeze above Old Town Bethesda this August?

It's certainly possible, but I wouldn't bet your life on it. Given all the regulatory hurdles restauranteurs face in Montgomery County, my money would be on the second half of September. But stranger things have happened, so we can hope for the best.

Roof is a concept by the owner of Tommy Joe's on Montgomery Lane, and the building it will sit atop is formally called Norfolk-Cordell II. It was designed by architect Steven Karr, and, as I've said before, one of the fresher designs among buildings currently rising or planned in downtown Bethesda.