In the ever-shifting world of restaurant chefs, the latest scoop is that Pedro Matamoros, the former top toque at Silver Spring's Golden Flame, 8407 Kitchen Bar and Nicaro, is now heading up the kitchen at the new Mix Bar and Grille in Potomac.
The restaurant, which formerly housed the lovely Bezu, was gutted and renovated into a totally different-looking space – a more casual eatery with Plexiglas dining chairs, tall white banquettes, oak walls made from old whiskey barrels, five big screen TVs, cobalt blue light fixtures and a 20-seat bar.
Serving charcuterie and cheese plates, brick-oven flat breads, short ribs, crab cakes and other light and simple fare from $12 to the low $20s, the restaurant should be open by the end of the month.
Matamoros had said that he was buying Golden Flame with a silent partner (see my blog, July 26), but said today that the deal fell through.
Vassilios Marmaras, the founder and owner of the Golden Flame since 1972, said "there was no such agreement. I had an agreement [for him] to work here, but not to buy the restaurant."
Matamoros concurred that there was no signed, official agreement, but that the two had seriously discussed the idea.
9812 Falls Road, Potomac, 301-299-3000. www.mixbarandgrille.com
