Pool Boy Posted September 27, 2016 Share Posted September 27, 2016 Not sure if an actual thread is started yet (if so please merge), but per this link: "Small Bites: Community Diner Targeting Late Summer Opening in Bethesda" by Andrew Metcalf on bethesdamagazine.com it was to have opened by 'late summer 2016' but I can tell you it is still not open and it is officially fall. That being said, I am interested in seeing it open soon as I would like to check it out. From the construction looks, I still think it is at least 2 to 3 months away though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras Posted September 28, 2016 Share Posted September 28, 2016 They are offering a "Founding Member" status. Per Robert Dyer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev29 Posted September 28, 2016 Share Posted September 28, 2016 FWIW... The place's full name is Winthorpe & Valentine's Community (a kind of random Trading Places reference). Also, Bucher has removed the original "diner" description from the concept. From The City Paper's Laura Hayes, Quote Beyond the Trading Places theme, Bucher wants to stray from the initial idea of an urban diner. “Through design, lighting, and music, we’re trying to get away from the diner image and go toward being a neighborhood hang spot,” he says. “It’ll be more clubby than a diner, but with food that’s comfortable, accessible, and reasonable. We’re not a Vegas nightclub, we’re not Tastee Diner, and it’s not Ted’s Bulletin.” He likened it to Stephen Starr’s Continental in Philadelphia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbucher Posted October 1, 2016 Share Posted October 1, 2016 We are planning Mid to late October open .... fingers crossed ... 9 months waiting for a building permit from Montfomery County made it unusually tough 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted November 1, 2016 Author Share Posted November 1, 2016 I noticed, after my being away on vacation, that the Community sign is up - 'Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. Cocktails.' I hope that, with such a call out to cocktails, that the Community folks really bring their A game and have an awesome cocktails program. Bethesda's cocktail culture, IMHO, is currently pretty weak. Given that the current cocktails bar for Bethesda is generally set so low, it'll be easy to be better than all the other places in Bethesda. But I'd really like to see more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 43 minutes ago, Pool Boy said: I hope that, with such a call out to cocktails, that the Community folks really bring their A game and have an awesome cocktails program. Bethesda's cocktail culture, IMHO, is currently pretty weak. Given that the current cocktails bar for Bethesda is generally set so low, it'll be easy to be better than all the other places in Bethesda. But I'd really like to see more. I wouldn't expect first-rate cocktails at a place called Community Diner that serves breakfast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 It's no longer Community Diner - it's "Community Restaurant and Lounge". While they are still doing breakfast (all day), they have changed the focus away from diner. Quote from a story in the City Paper from about 6 months ago: Quote Bucher wants to stray from the initial idea of an urban diner. “Through design, lighting, and music, we’re trying to get away from the diner image and go toward being a neighborhood hang spot,” he says. “It’ll be more clubby than a diner, but with food that’s comfortable, accessible, and reasonable. We’re not a Vegas nightclub, we’re not Tastee Diner, and it’s not Ted’s Bulletin.” He likened it to Stephen Starr’s Continental in Philadelphia. ETA: I just saw that Kev29 made the same post earlier. Oops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtureck Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 I wish he'd forget about whatever this rapidly evolving concept is, and just open another Medium Rare in the space. That's something that Bethesda can really use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted November 2, 2016 Author Share Posted November 2, 2016 I'll be interested to see what it becomes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbucher Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 Cocktails by David Strauss .. .. ...oh and wine program by previous somm at French Laundry ... Bethesda's getting cool again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 14 hours ago, mbucher said: Cocktails by David Strauss .. .. ...oh and wine program by previous somm at French Laundry ... Bethesda's getting cool again David Strauss (most recently Le Diplomate and Barmini) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtureck Posted November 7, 2016 Share Posted November 7, 2016 On 11/4/2016 at 10:00 PM, mbucher said: Cocktails by David Strauss .. .. ...oh and wine program by previous somm at French Laundry ... Bethesda's getting cool again I live in Bethesda. I'm not cool. Just tell me what the food's gonna be like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtureck Posted November 17, 2016 Share Posted November 17, 2016 On 11/1/2016 at 5:32 PM, mtureck said: I wish he'd forget about whatever this rapidly evolving concept is, and just open another Medium Rare in the space. That's something that Bethesda can really use. I may be getting my wish! "Another New Restaurant Coming to Woodmont Triangle Apartment Building" by Andrew Metcalf on bethesdamagazine.com 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted November 18, 2016 Share Posted November 18, 2016 3 hours ago, mtureck said: I may be getting my wish! "Another New Restaurant Coming to Woodmont Triangle Apartment Building" by Andrew Metcalf on bethesdamagazine.com You need to stay in more often, brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtureck Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 Apparently open for dinner, but no menu on the website yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 Maybe a warm opening, or a premature website banner? Nothing on Facebook yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras Posted November 30, 2016 Share Posted November 30, 2016 Robert Dyer is also reporting that they are open for dinner starting today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanielK Posted December 1, 2016 Share Posted December 1, 2016 Yeah, Mark just posted on Facebook a bit ago. Limited menu, dinner only, for now. His burger recipe is aces, so I'll bet they'll be good there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori Gardner Posted December 29, 2016 Share Posted December 29, 2016 I ate here a week or so ago. The food is mostly standard diner fare with a few items that are more creative i.e. lobster pop tarts. I was excited about a chicken sandwich on a donut roll, but it really was a slightly sweet bun that fell apart quickly with over-cooked chicken. The burger here however, is very, very good- as Daniel K. surmises. The "Trading Places" theme is very subtle. The Winthorpe and Valentine names appear on the plates and on the website- I don't remember if they are on the menu. There is a large mural on the back wall that features Dan Ackroyd and Eddie Murphy and various film quotes. In general, I like the concept and the decor, and will try it again. More details are in my blog post: http://beenthereeatenthat.net/2016/12/community/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rextopher Posted December 29, 2016 Share Posted December 29, 2016 Nice decor and vibe, and friendly waitstaff. I didn't eat much when I was here a few nights ago, but the bar food was not bad - I had tater tot nachos, which were perfectly good for a late night snack. The wine selection is excellent for a laid-back "hangout"-type establishment though the beer menu was somewhat thin. Cocktails were definitely above par for Bethesda. I had a martini which I believe was made with Hendrick's and an Old Fashioned, which they make with bonded Old Grand-dad. I'll certainly make a return trip to try the food. Overall a fine addition to the area and definitely somewhere I could relax for food and a few drinks with friends. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev29 Posted January 11, 2017 Share Posted January 11, 2017 Well here's one way to get your name out there A Washington Restaurant Is Serving a “Golden Showers” Burger (Washingtonian, Anna Spiegel) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jandres374 Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Closed and re-opening with new concept. "Burger Restaurant To Replace Community Diner in Bethesda" by Steve Hull on bethesdamagazine.com 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtureck Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 At least the donuts are sticking around...those are tasty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithhemb Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 202donuts, right around the corner, has better donuts and much better coffee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtureck Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 17 hours ago, smithhemb said: 202donuts, right around the corner, has better donuts and much better coffee. I'll be happy to research that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted October 27, 2017 Author Share Posted October 27, 2017 I'd heard not so great things from former co-workers that tried this place. So not surprising the concept was shut down. Also, not surprising on the pivot to something known and familiar like burgers. Honestly, if they can do burgers really, really, REALLY well and maybe do interesting burgers as specials different meats, etc), they might be able to stand out against all of the competition they'll have. That said, with all the development of condos and apartments in that town, there probably is room for yet another burger place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rorkin Posted January 7, 2018 Share Posted January 7, 2018 One burger at Community reported closed by Robert Dyer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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