Closings

Bethesda

Bethesda Barbecue Company – Dennis Friedman attempted to rebrand his high-end concept Newton’s Table on Elm Street as a barbecue restaurant, but it didn’t work out, closing less than a year after the change.

Brasserie Monte Carlo – The brasserie operated for more than a decade in Woodmont Triangle, but closed quietly in August. A new French concept is planning to open next year in the space.

Steamers – The Woodmont Triangle crab house shut down in August amidst financial problems and allegations of liquor license violations.

Tara Thai –The Thai restaurant made a move to Westfield Montgomery Mall after it closed its Bethesda Row location.

Parker’s – Like Tara Thai, this American restaurant closed at the end of March on Bethesda Row to make way for Williams-Sonoma.

Hard Times Cafe – This neighborhood institution closed in May.

Pizza Pass – The pizza shop that offered a variety of pies closed its Woodmont Triangle location after a little over a year in business.

Boloco – The Bethesda Row burrito shop closed when the Boston-based chain decided to abandon the Washington, D.C. market.

Pitzze Restaurant – The sheriff’s office shut down the Wisconsin Avenue restaurant in March after the owner reportedly failed to pay rent.

Rockville

Chef Geoff’s Rockville – Owner Geoff Tracy said he closed the restaurant in November after the Rockville location of the local chain failed to catch on.

The Potomac Grill –The family-style restaurant on Rockville Pike opened in 2006. It announced its closure on a Facebook post in August.

Ted’s 355 Diner –The old-school diner on Rockville Pike closed this summer after three years in business.

No. 82 Steak Out – The Rockville Town Square restaurant attempted to make a name for itself with its steak frites, but it closed in less than a year.

Potomac

Benny’s Bar and Grill – Potomac – Benny’s, which was known for its live music and bar scene, closed after owner Benny Fischer sold the restaurant to the owner of the Irish Inn in Glen Echo. The new owner plans to reopen the restaurant as a traditional Irish pub in 2016.

Gaithersburg

Largent’s – Gaithersburg – The former chef at Bethesda’s Food, Wine & Co. was planning to revamp the sports bar, but then the owners abruptly announced is closure.

Openings

Bethesda

Silver – Owner Robert Giaimo, who started the successful Silver Diner chain in 1989, hopes the new upscale diner concept near Bethesda Row can be a prototype for future expansion into urban areas.

PassionFish Bethesda – Chef Jeff Tunks and Passion Food Hospitality brought their PassionFish seafood concept, which has a Reston location, to Bethesda in September.

Barrel and Crow – Chef Nick Palermo has received rave reviews for his mid-Atlantic cuisine at this Woodmont Triangle restaurant that was opened by two former Grapeseed Bistro managers.

Not Your Average Joe’s – The casual chain restaurant opened in July at the former location of the Hamburger Hamlet on Old Georgetown Road.

Gusto Italian Grill – Silver Spring and Bethesda – Think Chipotle, but Italian food. A former New York finance executive opened two locations of this fast casual concept in the fall.

Villain & Saint – Chef Robert Wiedmaier was influenced by his 1970s roots when he created this rock venue concept on Wisconsin Avenue.

Urban Heights – Wiedmaier’s restaurant group took over the unique former Roof Bethesda spot on Norfolk Avenue and it turned it into a Filipino concept in the spring. However, it appears changes are already underway.

Maki Bar – This new Japanese restaurant offers sushi at a cozy location below the Trader Joe’s at the Shops of Wisconsin. The restaurant opened in November at 6831 Wisconsin Ave.

Soup Up Bethesda – Owner Donna Henry is serving up her blend of traditional Jamaican and Cuban soups at the unique PeriPoint building at the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Wilson Lane.

Cooper’s Mill – This mid-Atlantic restaurant featuring pan-seared rockfish and a sizable craft beer menu opened in October at the Bethesda Marriott.

Paul Bakery – The French bakery chain joined the lineup of new restaurants in the Flats apartment building near Bethesda Row. It’s directly on the Capital Crescent Trail.

Naples Ristorante E Pizzeria – The 190-seat restaurant inside Westfield Montgomery Mall’s newly renovated dining terrace offers authentic Neapolitan-style pizza.

Crave – This Minneapolis-based burger, sushi and wine restaurant opened in Westfield Montgomery Mall in January.

Rockville

7 Locks Brewing – Two University of Maryland graduates opened this brewery in an industrial area of Rockville. It’s tied for the largest brewing operation in the county with Denizens Brewing Co. in Silver Spring.

Peter Chang Rockville – Chinese master chef Peter Chang continued the expansion of his burgeoning restaurant empire with a Rockville outpost that offers his sizzling Sichuan cuisine.

Ev & Maddy’s – An Olney couple opened their first restaurant—a French bistro concept—at Rockville Town Square in February.

Stanford Grill – Think business casual, with the quality food to match. This large restaurant in Rockville bakes its own bread and brought in a big name Las Vegas chef.

Potomac

Indigo House – Potomac – This Asian concept from the owners of Bethesda’s Persimmon opened at the Cabin John shopping center in January.

North Bethesda

Summer House Santa Monica – Chef Jeff Mahin brought his California concept to North Bethesda in an airy, sun-filled space that has proven popular.

Stella Barra Pizzeria – Mahin also opened this pizza restaurant next door to Summer House at Federal Realty’s Pike & Rose development.

Gaithersburg

Ted’s Montana Grill – Ted Turner himself visited Gaithersburg for the October grand opening of the new location of his chain restaurant that offers a variety of bison on its American menu.

Inferno Pizzeria – Respected former D.C. chef Tony Conte, who helmed the kitchen at the Oval Room for years, opened this Neapolitan-style pizzeria near his home in September.

Old Town Pour House – The beer bar from Chicago opened a new location at the expanding Crown development.

Silver Spring

AG Kitchen – New York City Latin chef Alex Garcia opened his first restaurant outside of the Empire state in June.

All Set Restaurant and Bar – The downtown restaurant offers New England classics like clam chowder and lobster as well as a variety of cocktails.

The Urban Winery – This family-owned operation produces wines for tastings and lets customers create their own.

Mix Bar and Grille – The owner of Potomac’s Mix Bar and Grille expanded with a second location in Silver Spring this year.

Kensington

Baklava Couture and Talia’s Couzina – Two in-laws are behind these sister restaurants that offer sweet and savory Greek treats on Metropolitan Avenue.

All photos by Andrew Metcalf