100 Montaditos, the Spanish chain that gutted and renovated the defunct Green Papaya on Elm Street in Bethesda, is opening tomorrow, October 12, according to the restaurant’s Twitter account.
And boy, does the place look different.
The formerly serene space has been significantly jazzed up with dark salmon-colored walls, jammed with hundreds of old-time photographs in antique frames of Spanish buildings, street scenes and monuments. There’s not a spare space on the wall to be had.
A handsome white marble-topped bar rings the right side of the restaurant, and to the right of the entranceway, there’s a huge “100 Montaditos” sign made with Spanish tile.
On Wednesday, the company was still waiting for the Spanish-imported tables and chairs to be released by U.S. Customs, but the furniture apparently did arrive.
While some of the international chain’s restaurants have counter-service, this location will have wait staff.
According to Steve Walker, co-owner of the Bethesda franchise, the restaurant seats 83 diners inside, and about 12 outside.
This is the first U.S. restaurant outside Florida, but the company has plans to open several more American locations, including one in Arlington, Virginia and New York City.
A montadito is a tapas-size sandwich topped with ingredients such as Serrano ham, chorizo and manchego cheese. 100 Montaditos will source about half its ingredients from Spain, although other sandwiches on the menu are decidedly American.
Yes, you can get a hot dog, bacon, ketchup and mustard montadito.
100 Montaditos, 4922 Elm St., Bethesda, http://us.100montaditos.com/home
