Sunday, June 30, 2013

THE BUKHARA INDIAN SPICE CRAZE RESTAURANT OPENS IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

A new Indian restaurant has opened its doors at 9736 Traville Gateway Drive, in the Traville Crossing shopping center.

The Bukhara touts an "Indian Spice Craze" that awaits you inside.

Check the photo below for restaurant hours, and visit their website for menus.

This is another great addition, adding variety to dining in that area of Rockville.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

CANTINA BELL DOUBLE STEAK QUESADILLA REVIEW (VIDEO) - TACO BELL REVIEW

The long-rumored Steak Quesadilla has finally been added to Taco Bell's upscale Cantina Bell menu. I tried it at the Rockville location last night, and here is my review.

Created by Chef Lorena García, the quesadilla contains a double serving of thick-cut steak, in a special marinade, and melted Pepper Jack cheese. The tortilla wrapper is nicely browned. Included in the box are tortilla chips with two dipping cups: Cantina Fire-roasted salsa, and reduced fat sour cream.

All of this costs $4.99, but don't forget the county council takes some additional money for themselves through the "take-out tax."

By the way, the Taco Bell interior dining room is still closed for renovation. But the drive-thru is still open. From what I saw through the windows, the work is far from finished.

Friday, June 28, 2013

MOCO PLANNING BOARD "INDEPENDENT" FARM ROAD INVESTIGATOR IS HEFTY DONOR TO POLITICIANS WITH OVERSIGHT ROLE IN THE CASE

EXCLUSIVE INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

The "independent" investigator hired by the Montgomery County Planning Board to untangle the Farm Road dispute is actually a massive donor to politicians who have oversight authority in the case.

It was widely reported yesterday that Bethesda attorney Douglas Bregman was appointed by the board. He was relentlessly described as an experienced attorney, highly-respected, and - in the words of Board Chair Francoise Carrier - a man of "unquestioned integrity."

Those traits are not necessarily in dispute. But the truth is more complicated than the Planning Board press release.

"And now," as the great Paul Harvey used to say, "the rest of the story:"

Douglas Bregman is also a very hefty political donor in Montgomery County. And his donations are to politicians who have legal oversight, and may launch investigations, in the Farm Road dispute.

According to Maryland campaign finance records, Bregman donated $4000 to Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler. Gansler has been asked for years, by citizens, and by elected officials, to open an investigation into the Farm Road matter, in which several African-American residents of a historical kinship community in Sandy Spring have been duped out of a road, addresses, and property rights by Planning Department "mistakes" that benefitted a nearby developer.

Gansler now disputes that anyone asked him to investigate Farm Road. But, in fact, Del. Herman Taylor and Councilmember Marc Elrich asked him to do just that, in a joint letter 5 years ago.

Now that the dispute has become high-profile, Gansler could - and should - launch a state investigation. Having a preliminary report produced by a $4000 donor to Gansler is not a good way to start.

Bregman has also donated thousands of dollars to Maryland Senator Brian Frosh (D - District 16). As a legislator, Frosh has oversight authority over the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, of which the county planning board is a part.

But, wait! Frosh is also a rumored candidate for Maryland attorney general.

Oops!

According to the Washington Post, Bregman was also part of Steve Silverman's staff in his 2006 run for county executive. Silverman was strongly supported by developers in that race. Bregman has also given $1250 to County Executive Ike Leggett.

This is hardly the "objective" investigator we need in this case. Farm Road is a very serious matter. There could ultimately be criminal charges, as well as federal civil rights violations. People could go to jail.

A Bregman investigation that turns up no smoking gun, and recommends modest changes to keep a similar "mistake" from occurring in the future, could defuse higher investigations by Frosh and Gansler. Given the amount of money both have received from Bregman, sadly, there is the - at least - public perception that they would give his opinions more weight.

Given the weight of the issues involved, an FBI investigation is called for. There needs to be a truly independent investigation, with people answering questions under oath, and a thorough search of all existing or deleted computer records, emails, etc. by federal investigators. There is a clear justification for Justice Department involvement regarding the civil rights issues in this case.

I don't believe it's appropriate to "choose your own investigator." Bregman is part of the MoCo political apparatus, that has much to lose if a Farm Road investigation uncovers unflattering details. He may well be of the highest integrity. But that's not the issue here. This case requires a thorough investigation, and one where there can be no perception of favoritism.

Bregman is not the person who can provide that assurance. The state has been implicated in emails uncovered by the group Save Sandy Spring. So it can't provide that assurance of integrity here, either.

We now need a federal investigation of the Farm Road matter, sooner rather than later.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

WATCH HOOTERS SWIMSUIT PAGEANT TONIGHT AT HOOTERS OF ROCKVILLE

Tonight, the winner of the recent Maryland Hooters swimsuit pageant in Rockville will take on the world for the international title in Las Vegas. The only place you can watch it live is - surprisingly - at Hooters of Rockville. They will also be offering an All-you-can-eat special on the famous Hooters wings from 6:00 PM to close, if you show or print this coupon:

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

RUFFLES MAX FLAME GRILLED STEAK POTATO CHIPS REVIEW (VIDEO)

The Fourth of July is almost here, and for many, it's time to fire up the grill for hot dogs, chicken, burgers and... steak, of course.

Here is a review of a new Ruffles potato chip promising the flavor of a flame-grilled steak. Let's find out if it delivers, or not. If you live in a downtown apartment, could this be a way to have grill smoke flavor, without the grill?

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

CHICK-FIL-A ROCKVILLE OPENING AUGUST 22! (PHOTOS)

The new Rockville Chick-fil-A restaurant, on Route 355 in the Montrose Crossing shopping center, is now scheduled to open August 22.

Here are some photos of the current construction status, and a Chick-fil-A rendering of what the finished restaurant will look like.

Monday, June 24, 2013

MINI OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY DEALERSHIP CLOSED IN ROCKVILLE, MOVING TO GAITHERSBURG (PHOTOS)

The Mini of Montgomery County dealership is moving way up the Pike to Gaithersburg. A new, larger Mini dealership will open today at
621 N. Frederick Avenue.

Meanwhile, the Rockville location has been cleared out, with the exception of 2 Minis, and will now become the Passport Premier Auto dealership.

Friday, June 21, 2013

NOISY SUMMER NIGHTS AHEAD IN FALLSGROVE AREA OF ROCKVILLE

New sounds may join the coyote howls and ambulances in Fallsgrove this summer.

Dustin Construction has requested a Temporary Noise Waiver from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection for nighttime digging, construction and burial of a new underground sewer line.

The company describes the work as follows: road deck demolition, pipe installation, and road deck repair.

[Insert jackhammer sound here.]

Work will span the summer from June until late August, between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM on weeknights.

The work will be at the Darnestown Road intersections with Shady Grove Road and Glen Mill Road.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

TASTYKAKE CHOCOLATE BELLS REVIEW (VIDEO)

Tastykake has released a second Hostess knockoff product. First, they cloned Twinkies with Dreamies.

Now they've copied their famous Ding Dongs. Watch my review to find out how successful Tastykake was this time.

"Begun, the Clone Wars have."

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

MAHOU BEER FROM SPAIN NOW ON DRAFT AT LA TASCA ROCKVILLE

Mahou, the most popular beer in Spain, has landed in Montgomery County. And guess what?

Rockville is the first to have it!

Mahou is now on tap at La Tasca, one of the best restaurants in Rockville Town Square.

Monday, June 17, 2013

TACO BELL DINING ROOM CLOSING FOR RENOVATIONS IN ROCKVILLE, DRIVE-THRU TO STAY OPEN

Taco Bell on Rockville Pike announced that, starting today, its dining room will be closed for 3 weeks of renovations.

The drive-thru of the restaurant will remain open throughout that time, however.

So you can still get everything on the Taco Bell/Pizza Hut menus during the closure, by using the drive-thru.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

RUFFLES ULTIMATE SWEET & SMOKIN' BBQ POTATO CHIPS REVIEW (VIDEO)

I've tried the Jalapeño Ranch and Honey Mustard flavors. Now there's a third Ruffles Ultimate chip: Sweet & Smokin' BBQ. Here's my review.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

MR. BÁNH MÌ OPENING IN ROCKVILLE (PHOTOS)

Wonderful news from the Ritchie Center on Rockville Pike:

A new restaurant called Mr. Bánh Mì is coming soon.  From the name, this could be exciting for fans of bánh mì in Rockville and beyond. There are other purveyors of bánh mì within blocks of this location, so it will be a competitive environment.

If you haven't had bánh mì before, it is a Vietnamese baguette that has its origins in the colonial French influence in Vietnam.  The sandwiches are usually filled with meat, and can also have spicy condiments on board.  In recent years, many upscale American restaurants have started adding these to their menus, but they are usually not as authentic as those served by chefs in actual Vietnamese American restaurants.

Stay tuned for more details.

Monday, June 10, 2013

DUBALL HOTEL ROCKVILLE TOWN CENTER CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (PHOTOS)

A second tower crane is now working at the Duball construction site on E. Middle Lane at Rockville Town Center.

Here are some scenes from the site yesterday:

Friday, June 7, 2013

DORITOS DINAMITA CHIPS REVIEW (VIDEO)

The good news is, the spicy Latin flavors of Doritos Dinamita chips have belatedly arrived in our area.

I found bags of the Nacho Picoso and Chile Limón varieties at CVS, and here is my review.

The bad news is, the last time I went to CVS, all the bags were gone. Maybe they are back in stock by now.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

FREE SHRIMP WITH DRINK PURCHASE AND THIS COUPON TONIGHT AT HOOTERS OF ROCKVILLE

Get 12 free shrimp with purchase of a drink tonight at Hooters of Rockville.

Just show this coupon on your phone (or print it out, if you prefer):

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

BURGER KING CAROLINA BBQ WHOPPER REVIEW (VIDEO)

Burger King's Summer Menu includes a new Carolina BBQ Whopper. Last night, I tried it, and here is my review.

The Carolina BBQ Whopper features a quarter-pound beef patty, thick-cut bacon, tomatoes, red onions, iceberg lettuce, pepper jack cheese, Sweet Southern dressing, and Carolina BBQ sauce, all on a sesame seed bun.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

MCDONALD'S BACON AND CHEESE QUARTER POUNDER REVIEW (VIDEO)

Incredible! I've completed the trifecta, testing all 3 of McDonald's new Quarter Pounders. Today, I have a video review of the Bacon and Cheese Quarter Pounder for you.

In the video description, you will find links to my reviews of the Habanero Ranch, and Deluxe Quarter Pounders, as well.