Cliff Wharton, the former chef de cuisine at the fondly remembered D.C. Asian fusion restaurant TenPenh, will be the chef at Robert Wiedmaier’s new restaurant in the former Roof Bethesda space on Norfolk Avenue. Wharton most recently was the executive chef at the popular Matchbox in Chinatown.
Widemaier’s new restaurant will be called Urban Heights.
“We wanted to incorporate the fact that it’s a second-story restaurant with a bar at the top, hence the name we came up with,” said Frank Shull, a partner in The Robert Wiedmaier Restaurant Group.
Urban Heights is aiming for a March or early April opening, according to Shull. He said they’re currently making minor changes to the restaurant, such as repainting, opening up the second-floor dining space, installing an awning over the rooftop bar and upgrading the furniture on the second- and third-floor patios.
“It’s going to be a great, fun place to go in Bethesda,” Shull said. “We’re excited to make it right.”
He didn’t provide details about the concept yet, but said they plan to provide more information about the menu in the next month.
The Washington Post previously linked Wiedmaier and Wharton in a 2012 story about chefs with custom vehicles. The two chefs were known to be part of “a group of culinary colleagues known as Chefs on Bikes” who ride motorcycles together, the Post reported.
The Robert Wiedmaier Restaurant Group took over the two-floor space complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and views of Woodmont Triangle in January. The former restaurant, Roof Bethesda, closed in November after being open for less than a year. The hamburger spot Smashburger remains open on the first floor below the restaurant space.
Wiedmaier, a Kensington resident, and his restaurant group also operate Wildwood Kitchen and Mussel Bar and Grille in Bethesda, Brasserie Beck in Gaithersburg and D.C., as well as other restaurants in the D.C. Metro area.
TenPenh, which took its name from its location on Pennsylvania Avenue, served D.C. diners for more than a decade with its Asian fusion menu that featured standouts like the Chinese-style smoked lobster and wok-seared spicy calamari salad.
The former owners of TenPenh—Jeff Tunks, Gus DiMillo and David Wizenberg of the Passion Food Hospitality restaurant group—are opening their own restaurant in Bethesda later this year as well. PassionFish, a seafood restaurant, will be located at the Lot 31 development near the corner of Woodmont and Bethesda avenues.
