After Resolving Water Issue, Helen’s Hopes to Open Soon

Photo: Locals may remember the former Addie's building as yellow, but it has since been painted gray to make way for Helen's. Credit: Andrew Metcalf

When longtime Washington, D.C., caterer Helen Wasserman took over the former Addie’s building behind Hank Dietle’s Tavern on Rockville Pike in January 2014, she hoped to open her new restaurant—Helen’s—that summer.

Fast forward nearly two years and the restaurant is still not ready to open. But Wasserman said Tuesday she’s now aiming to open before New Year’s Eve or the first week of January, but a lot of work remains to be done at the space.

Wasserman said her busy catering schedule and water issues in particular have delayed renovations at the restaurant. She said the building didn’t have water service from April until about three weeks ago due to Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission upgrading the water pipes in the surrounding neighborhood and the utility running into problems connecting the restaurant to the new system.

The building has been vacant since restaurateur Jeff Black closed Addie’s in 2013. That restaurant, which first opened in 1995, would help launch the culinary empire of Black and Barbara Black. Black’s Restaurant Group now includes seven restaurants, including Black’s in Bethesda and Black Market Bistro in Kensington. Jeff Black said at the time he closed Addie’s because he was unable to negotiate a deal with the landlord to fix problems with the building as his lease ended.

Wasserman is planning a fusion menu for her restaurant, which will likely include a mix of Asian, Spanish and Southern comfort food.