Maki Bar now open in Bethesda
Maki Bar—a new Japanese restaurant—is now open at the Trader Joe’s-anchored shopping center on Wisconsin Avenue. Co-owner Yi Hsieh said the restaurant officially opened Wednesday. The space seats 30 customers at tables and a sushi bar. A patio outside the restaurant is being built as part of the Shops of Wisconsin redevelopment, but Hsieh said she does not know yet if the restaurant will be able to use it. The menu features a variety of sushi rolls and Japanese entrees. There’s also a sizable beer and wine list comprised of Japanese beer, sake and California wines. The cozy restaurant is located one floor below Trader Joe’s at 6831 Wisconsin Ave.
Maki Bar's dining room. Credit: Andrew Metcalf
Urban Heights tents in rooftop
In preparation for the coming winter, Urban Heights in Bethesda has added a tent around its rooftop space in Bethesda’s Woodmont Triangle. The restaurant, which opened in April, installed the large white tent earlier this month and added portable heaters to its rooftop “Lotus Lounge.” The lounge features TVs and occasional live music. Chef Cliff Wharton has also modified the restaurant’s menu by splitting small plates into categories based on where they come from—garden, ocean or pasture—and by classifying larger plates as “for the table,” which means they are meant to be shared. He said the menu now includes bao (steamed buns) made with fried shrimp, pork belly, lamb meatballs, chicken, braised duck or sweet pork.
Shanghai Bao Kitchen opens at Westfield Montgomery
Another new fast-casual concept has joined the growing lineup at Westfield Montgomery mall in Bethesda. Shanghai Bao Kitchen, a dim sum restaurant, opened Nov. 10 in the mall’s new dining terrace. Ivan Liang, owner of Bob’s Shanghai 66 in Rockville, is behind the new concept. The restaurant serves salads, dumplings and steamed buns, which can be topped Chipotle-style with a variety of vegetables, dressings and toppings. Liang has previously said he’s planning to also serve the soup dumplings he popularized at Shanghai 66.
Chef Danny of Shanghai Bao Kitchen tests the steamer at the new restaurant before it opened. Via Shanghai Bao Kitchen on Facebook.
