Photos courtesy El Mercat Bar de Tapas
Omicron-variant coronavirus has caused cases and hospitalizations to spike in many parts of the country, and has resulted in restaurant closures in other cities. Public awareness of any increased risk in Montgomery County may have been lessened, as the Maryland Department of Health has failed to provide Covid-19 case numbers for nearly two weeks. State officials have blamed the failure on a hack of MDDOH's computer system.
Finnegan's Wake is located at 100 Gibbs Street at Rockville Town Square.
Perhaps they should have moved to downtown Bethesda, where there is an explosion of new French cafes opening. While this is the latest exit at Rockville Town Square, there are several new restaurants coming soon to the Federal Realty property, including HalfSmoke, Eko House, El Merkat Bar de Tapas, and Kumbia. Thai Chef just opened recently there, as well.
Stormwater runoff from hard surfaces, parking lots and buildings at and nearby the Town Square is routed through pipes into that underground sand filter - water from nearly 10 acres of surfaces. The filter removes sediment and debris, and then discharges the treated water into Maryvale Park and Rock Creek.
“We are excited to bring a unique Latin offering, to include exciting cocktails, beloved dishes and live music inspired by the variety of cuisines that represent South American food culture,” Kumbia co-owner Steven Tobar said in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming Kumbia to Rockville Town Square, to complement the now open Plaza Oaxaca, and the soon to open Thai Chef and Half Smoke, to name just a few,” Mickey Papillon, Vice President at Federal Realty added. “These new restaurants, alongside longtime Rockville favorites, make for a compelling and unique dining scene for the greater Rockville and Montgomery County community.”
The bigger news is that Lagos Bar & Grill has had a last minute name change to Èkó House. There is also more information about menu and the interior layout planned. As expected from the original name, it will be a Nigerian restaurant. Dishes served will include Suya, a spicy meal made with beef, lamb, or chicken; Nigerian Jollof rice; Nigerian yams; peppered soups; sauteed spinach; collard greens; and more. There are plans to rotate visiting African chefs through the kitchen over time, as well as to feature artists from across the African continent.
Its large 6500 square foot interior will have a private room for events.“Èkó House will provide a sophisticated blend of flavors, allowing Nigerians living in the community to reminisce of home, while introducing others to our cuisine, flavors and lively culture,” Èkó House co-founder Francis Odiase said in a statement this morning. “Rockville is one of my favorite neighborhoods to visit with the family, so we are excited to bring the vibrant features of Lagos here," co-founder Yomi Ajao added. "With its family friendly atmosphere and diverse cuisines, the addition of a Nigerian restaurant will make Rockville Town Square the place to be.”
After two hours, the parking fees are $1 (2-3 hours), $3 (3-4 hours), and $5 (4-5 hours). While parking there still won't be free for unlimited hours like it is at competing developments Rio Lakefront and Downtown Crown, the two free hours at least makes it competitive now.
