jandres374

FWIW:

• Grilled Oyster is going in the Pomegranate Bistro spot, and says they're shooting for Labor Day weekend.
• China Jade Bistro, in the old Jade Billows spot, opening projected for October.
• Benny's is going in the old Popeye's spot, no opening date listed.

2 new restaurants appear to be headed to the "glamorous" Cabin John Shopping Center:

The Grilled Oyster -- http://washingtondc....3171425083.html

Benny's Bar & Grill -- http://www.facebook....125966564192221

Looks like The Grilled Oyster Company is now open. Here is early menu.

GOC Opening Menu.pdf

Didn't see a separate thread anywhere but happened to walk by BD Mongolian BBQ last night and sign in window says they have permanently closed after 14-1/2 years. Happy to say I have never eaten there in 14-1/2 years. It seemend everytime I walked by there on my way to Modell's the place was always pretty crowded.

Apparently recent renovations did not help. From Nostos facebook page yesterday:

After a week of noise reducing renovations and maintenance work we have reopened! We are less noisy...We are freshly painted...We are rejuvenated...And we are looking forward to seeing you!

Closed. Haandi moving into this space.

Here you go:

http://www.eastpearlrestaurant.com/index.html

Bethesda Magazine reports that Persimmon is temporarily closed for renovations, reopening with new concept.

Looks like this place may be closed for good, not sure if anyone cares. Not even sure I care.

http://robertdyer.blogspot.com/2012/07/relic-nightclub-building-to-be.html

Happened to be back in the area last night at Haven and parked in the back lot. The outdoor patio bar was packed with people and apparently open, contrary to what I was told the night before about it only being open on weekends. Looked like mostly drinks being served - perfect night to sit outside and have a drink.

New lunch deal being offered by Virtue. Posted on their Facebook page. No menu on website anymore, except for a note saying new menus coming soon.

Leave the AC nest for $10!?

Yup! The Irish/American megapub will serve a $10 lunch at its bar, with such daily changing offerings as mussels with fries or kielbasa and salad. Add two bucks for iced tea or a cookie (Monday-Saturday, 11:30 AM-3:30 PM).

Met a buddy here last night for a couple beers. They have happy hour that runs from 4-7:30, with $1.50 off draft beers and a bunch of $5 apps. Pretty nice draft beer selection, maybe 8-10 different beers. We should have stopped there.

Decided to try a couple apps and nothing was worth going back for anytime soon:

Nachos - tried to order but they were out of nacho chips (really?)

Chili - dried out like it had been made days ago

Calamari - huge serving of breading and not much calamari to be found anywhere

Oxtail Wontons - decent but very greasy.

Place was practically empty the entire time we were there. Good place to grab a beer and watch a game at the bar (they have about 5 tv's in the bar). They also have a little outdoor area in the back with its own bar, but it is only open on Friday/Saturday night.

Service was friendly at the bar and he even removed two of the apps from the bill when he saw we only ate a small part of each.

I don't see this place surviving for long.

Was poking around the Palena Cafe website today and noticed they are now taking reservations for the Cafe. They also mention that they will soon be taking reservation through City Eats. This may be old news but was first time I noticed it.

New burrito chain opens this Thursday in the old Baja Fresh space on Elm Street in Bethesda. DC location (19th Street) opens later this summer.

http://boloco.com/

Passion Fin is now open although still no website with details. This is located in the same shopping center as Praline. Received a menu in the mail yesterday. Mostly sushi with some hibachi and Thai thrown in for good measure. Will try and hit them up for lunch this week and report back.

Went to Retro Ray's last evening.

Searched this thread for any updates on Retro Ray's. The website still shows the Retro Menu. The signs on the door still advertise "Retro Menu - Retro Prices". But we were given the regular RtS menu. Asked our waiter about the Retro Menu - his reply was "We aren't doing that anymore".

Disappointed not getting what we quite reasonably expected.

This is why we have given up going to any other than the basic Ray's. Too much of a guessing game as what concept and food will be offered. Very frustrating in this day and age.

Last two meals here have been extremely disappointing, enough for it drop out of our regular rotation. Last night in particular being a disaster. Portuguese mussels were so overcooked that there was barely anything left in the shell. I alerted the waitress who took the dish and would let the kitchen know, when she returned she asked if I would like to order anything else. I asked for an order of properly cooked mussels but she declined saying the kitchen thought the first order was prepared properly and a second order would be prepared the same way. Um okay. I declined and instead ate a bit of everyone else's plate, which was pretty mediocre.

Mentioned to a bartender (whom we were told was a manager) what happened and he didn't really have a response just that he would make it up to us next time we came in. I think we will pass, too many other options for my dining $.

Sad as we really used to like this place for a casual family meal out that did not break the bank.

New menu up with a couple additions. Prices are really beginning to creep up. Lobster roll w/fries is now $18. If I recall this time last year it was $15. Whole lobster now $23.95 - used to be $19.95.

Another vote for Tito's. By the way Montgomery County Liquors has had Tito's on sale the past few months for $24.99/1.75 L - cheapest price I have seen by far in the area.

Pink Jeep Tours are awesome. My kids still talk about it. Ate at Silver Saddle - avoid at all cost.

Franks Seafood:

Wild sockeye salmon sale $9.99 lb/whole fish. We will clean and fillet your purchase FREE!

Provisions Catering has done a number of parties for us. The owner Bunny is great to deal with.

http://www.cateringbyprovisions.com/index.html

Black Salt has a 3 course $18 lunch ($23 if you add a wine/beer).

New tapas restaurant in old Tackle Box space in Cleveland Park.
http://www.pulpodc.com/
http://www.washingto...veland-park.php

Took the office here for happy hour tonight, probably 10 of us. Really solid happy hour deals on bar food here. Buffalo wings, potato skins and chips were a big hit with the younger crowd, I think bar snacks are 4.50. Not many beers on special for happy hour which was disappointing, maybe only Amstel, Rolling Rock and 1 other. It would be nice if they added some of the draft beers to the specials. The 2nd floor back room with pool table and open windows overlooking the Potomac has to be one of the best spots in Old Town combined with a great beer list. Happy hour runs from 5:00-6:30

Got it. Thanks for clearing it up. My kids will be disappointed when I tell them we can no longer go here because they are not serving cicchetti.