Chef Tim O’Neil Leaves Newton’s Table

Restaurant is currently undergoing transition into more casual dining spot

October 13, 2014 10:00 a.m.

Plans to remake Newton’s Table in Bethesda into a more casual restaurant grew complicated late last week when chef Tim O’Neil departed.

O’Neil had been working with executive chef/owner Dennis Friedman to shed the restaurant’s fine dining image and menu in favor of a transition into what Friedman called “the ultimate neighborhood restaurant” with lower prices and simpler dishes.

Friedman said Monday that O’Neil left Thursday when bank financing was delayed. He said that in recent weeks O’Neil had made a number of changes to the menu. “I let him run the restaurant for the last four to six weeks,” Friedman said.

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Friedman said he has removed most of O’Neil’s dishes from the menu and that he is taking over in the kitchen. He said he will decide in the next seven to 10 weeks whether to bring in a new chef or to continue running the kitchen himself.

Regardless, Friedman said that Newton’s Table will continue its transition into a more casual restaurant.

Friedman said last month the changes to the restaurant, which opened in April 2011, include reducing prices for entrees and updates to the décor like getting rid of white tablecloths. Friedman said he’s making the changes in an attempt to increase lunch business and to align the restaurant’s price point with other popular local dining destinations like Woodmont Grill.

O’Neil could not be reached for comment.

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