Urban Heights Receives ‘Satisfactory’ Review
Photo: Urban Heights exterior. Andrew Metcalf
Less than a month after Washington Post restaurant reviewer Tom Sietsema wrote a glowing review of the new Barrel and Crow on Cordell Avenue in Bethesda, the newspaper that infrequently reviews Bethesda restaurants deployed Tim Carman to Robert Wiedmaier’s new Urban Heights, which replaced Roof Bethesda in April.
His review wasn’t great. While Carman liked chef Cliff Wharton’s Filipino small-plate dishes, he wasn’t a fan of the space or the wait staff. “Neither the green servers nor the second-story dining room—a barren, glass-enclosed space in which diners play the role of great apes in a zoo exhibit—exude the necessary polish.” Carman gave the restaurant one and one-half stars out of four, a satisfactory/good review.
Denizens Brewing Co. to Celebrate One-Year Anniversary
Photo: The beer garden at Denizens Brewing Co. Adam Lowe.
The brewery that changed state laws before it opened and whose young brewmaster creates beers that made fans out of bar managers at popular craft beer hotspots will celebrate its one-year anniversary later this week. Denizens Brewing Co. is celebrating with four nights of events starting July 16 with DC101 broadcasting live from its Silver Spring beer garden and a live performance by Darcy Dawn & Co. On July 17, the brewery will give away free beer steins to the first 100 people who tell bartenders a birthday-themed password that will be shared on Denizens’ social media accounts.
On July 18, the brewery will hold its anniversary party, offering most beers for $5 and selling a limited-edition anniversary beer. A DJ will play in the beer garden at 3 p.m. and the funk band Sound Makers Union will perform at 8. On July 19, the brewery will round out the celebrations with an open house and brewery tours.
Not Your Average Joe’s Opens Monday
Bethesda’s latest restaurant—Not Your Average Joe’s—will open Monday at the former location of the Hamburger Hamlet on Old Georgetown Road. The large restaurant, serving mostly American fare, will be the company’s 23rd location. Most are located in New England, but there’s also one in Gaithersburg.
Matchbox Launches Summer Sessions Happy Hour
Matchboxfoodgroup is holding weekday happy hours this summer at its Rockville restaurant and other locations in the Washington, D.C., area to test dishes and drinks that may appear on its regular menu. The happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Menu items include $6 wines, $5 draft beers, $7 specialty cocktails like the summer sangria, and dishes such as lobster rolls, meatballs with mozzarella and pork belly.
