Tako Grill Reopens at New Bethesda Location
Tako Grill reopened this week at its new Bethesda location on Hampden Lane after closing earlier this year at its longtime Wisconsin Avenue spot. Tako Grill opened at the former location of Hinode Japanese Restaurant, which closed in July 2014 after the owners decided not to renew their lease at the Shoppes of Bethesda location. Tako Grill, also a Japanese restaurant, had originally planned to open sometime in March, after closing its Wisconsin Avenue space in February, but the opening was delayed. However, its website and Facebook page announced May 10 that it’s now open at 4914 Hampden Lane. Bethesda blogger Robert Dyer first reported the reopening.
Tako Grill’s former location at 7756 Wisconsin Ave. is owned by The Bernstein Cos., which is planning to develop the property and adjoining properties into a new Westin hotel and office building. Greg Rooney, a Bernstein vice president, said the company is “heavy into planning the Westin now” and expects to have drawings finished for the project by the first quarter of next year.
New Baklava Store Coming to Kensington
Baklava Couture, a bakery that sells its goods at D.C.-area farmers markets, is working to open a storefront location in Kensington. The business specializes in the phyllo-dough Greek pastries called baklava, but also makes Greek breads and cookies. The head baker and owner is Katerina Georgallas, a Silver Spring resident who grew up in Rockville. The new storefront location will be at 10560 Metropolitan Ave. Georgallas told The Washington Post that she plans to open in June. The bakery will share the space with Talia’s Cuzina, a Mediterranean caterer, that plans to sell sandwiches and salads, according to the Post.
Photos: Baklavas from Baklava Couture via Facebook; Sandwiches from Talia's Cuzina via Talia's website
Westfield Montgomery to Host Food Festival
Westfield Montgomery mall has a bunch of new restaurants in its dining terrace—Met Bethesda, Naples Ristorante E Pizzeria, Lobster ME, Cava Grill and many others that just opened in the past six months. It’s a far cry from the old food court and the mall is planning a celebration. This weekend it will host its first annual “Westfield Taste of Montgomery Celebration.” Events include happy hour cocktail flights paired with small bites at 4 p.m. Friday and chef demos at 11 a.m. Saturday. Starting on Sunday, Westfield will host the week-long “Taste Festival.” Participating full-service restaurants will offer prix-fixe menus from Sunday through May 24.
Cold Stone Creamery Opens at Westfield Montgomery
Westfield Montgomery mall’s dining terrace got a little cooler this week. Cold Stone Creamery opened a new kiosk Monday in the middle of the upgraded food court. Cold Stone is a national franchise known for its fresh-churned ice cream, which employees make daily in its stores. The ice cream comes in dozens of flavors that can be combined with a wide variety of toppings to make custom creations or the ice cream shop’s signature flavors such as “cheesecake fantasy” and “peanut butter cup perfection.”
Photo: The Cold Stone Creamery kiosk in Westfield Montgomery. Credit: Andrew Metcalf
