Muse Alley renovations advance at Pike & Rose in Rockville

Extensive renovations on Muse Alley at Pike & Rose continue to advance at the Federal Realty development along Rockville Pike. The public space's primary function, aside from providing pedestrian access to several buildings and the Trade Street garage, is outdoor dining. It was essentially demolished, and now you can see the new overhead structure and lighting fixtures. Kusshi, Owen's Tavern and Garden, and Caruso's Grocery all remain open for business during the construction work.

Rockville Pike McDonald's construction advancing (Photos)

Here's a look at the progress on the new McDonald's restaurant at 11710 Rockville Pike in White Flint. New and improved, as this one - unlike the McDonald's that just closed nearby - will have drive-thru service. You can see the two drive-thru windows on the south side of the building now. Fast food restaurant construction is often measured in days or weeks, rather than the months this one has been. Another unusual aspect of this? I've never seen Home Depot protective wrap on a project like this before.

Thai Express opens at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda

Thai Express is now open in the Dining Terrace food court at Westfield Montgomery Mall. If something seems familiar about this, it's because Thai Express has filled the spot just vacated by Ruby Thai Kitchen as 2025 began. Like Ruby Thai, Thai Express features combo meals on the entree menu. Thai Express has a few additional side items, but one less soup option than Ruby Thai offered. Operating hours for Thai Express are 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday; they are closed on Sundays. 

Big Papi's Tacos opens in Rockville

Big Papi's Tacos is now open at 201 E. Middle Lane in Rockville Town Center. They are holding a soft opening this week with a limited menu. A ribbon-cutting will be held this Friday, April 18, 2025 at 11:30 AM with taco samples. Finally, they will close out the week with their grand opening on Saturday, April 19.

Duke's Grocery opening today in Potomac

Duke's Grocery will open its new Potomac location today, April 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM, the Washington, D.C. restaurant announced last evening on Instagram. The East London-inspired pub is located at 10128 River Road, at the Potomac Place shopping center. Duke's boasts the "best burger in D.C.," its Proper Burger. The burger features Creekstone Farms Angus beef patties on a brioche bun from locally-famous Lyon Bakery. You could take a more-authentic British route by ordering the Fish and Chips or a Banger and Mash. But then again, look at this burger:

Photos courtesy Duke's Grocery

Dulce Crepes to open at Park Potomac

Dulce Crepes is coming to Park Potomac in 2025. It will be located at 12525 Park Potomac Avenue in Potomac. The 1595-square-foot restaurant will serve sweet and savory crepes, paninis, all-day breakfast, açaí bowls, and beverages that include coffee, smoothies, and milkshakes. A vegan menu will be available. Dulce Crepes is expected to open this spring.

“We are incredibly excited to bring Dulce Crepes to Park Potomac and introduce our signature crepes to the Maryland community,” Dulce Crepes Manager Francisco Aleman said in a statement. “We look forward to becoming a part of the Park Potomac community and serving our new neighbors.” Dulce Crepes has an existing location in Northern Virginia.

"Ultimate Wagyu experience" coming soon to Rockville

Beef lovers in Rockville must prepare themselves for "the ultimate Wagyu experience," coming soon to the Twinbrook Quarter development. Genki Wagyu Shabu House will open later this year at 870 Festival Street. Signage posted at the location promises the "ultimate unlimited Wagyu experience" for diners. Wagyu, which is comprised of the four primary breeds of Japanese cattle, is among the most-expensive meats in the world.

First look: The Lady Vintner wine bar in Rockville (Photos)

The window coverings have been removed at The Lady Vintner wine bar at 42 Maryland Avenue in Rockville Town Center. Located in the ground floor of the BLVD 44 apartment building, the craft-beer-and-wine bar and retail store has been in the works for about a year, following the closure of previous tenant Pour Vino N' Hops. The 1300-square-foot space will offer a diverse selection of high-quality wine and beer, an in-house sommelier, and a specially-curated food menu including paninis, flatbreads, charcuterie, fine cheeses, and more. It is scheduled to open in "early spring," which means very soon - stay tuned for an opening date.

Update on Big Papi's Tacos, opening soon in Rockville (Photos)

A giant neon mustache has descended upon Rockville Town Center. Several lighted signs have been installed at Big Papi's Tacos, opening soon at 201 E. Middle Lane. Last night, they were all lit. Still to come is the exterior signage. Stay tuned for an opening date!

Bouboulina steakhouse sets opening date in Rockville

Everything the founders of CAVA touch turns to gold, and Federal Realty is banking on another King Midas moment at Pike & Rose this Friday, March 21, 2025. There are plenty of steakhouses in the region, but here comes a Mediterranean-inspired steakhouse, with the debut of Bouboulina. Named for a heroine of the Greek War of Independence of 1821 who commanded her own fleet, and is believed to be the first woman in world naval history to attain the rank of admiral, Bouboulina will serve premium cuts of steak and fresh seafood from its wood-fired grill. Meals will start with the wonderful aroma, flavor, and texture of house-baked breads.

CAVA founders Ted Xenohristos, Dimitri Moshovitis and Ike Grigoropoulos already have two other restaurants at Pike & Rose, Julli and Melina. Bouboulina joins the neighborhood at 921 Meeting Street. That is in the ground floor of the new 915 Meeting Street office building, and right across from the Trade Street parking garage. 

Photos by Deb Lindsey

Big Papi's Tacos opening soon in Rockville

Big Papi's Tacos is "opening soon" in Rockville, according to signage posted in the windows of its future storefront in Rockville Town Center. The Mexican restaurant will be located at 201 E. Middle Lane, in the ground floor of the BLVD 44/Cambria Hotel. Big Papi's has two existing locations in Maryland, in Frederick and Hagerstown. The growing chain was founded by Victor Alvarez and Carlos Jimenez, two disc jockeys who found themselves idled when the pandemic lockdown happened in 2020.

The specialty of Big Papi's is their quesabirria, which they describe as a "crispy, meaty taco that’s made when chili-spiced corn tortillas are cooked on a smoking hot flat top grill and topped with tender carne asada, melted cheese, diced onion and a bit of cilantro. The crispy taco is then served alongside a savory, chili-tinged consomme broth." They suggest you "think of it like the spicy Mexican equivalent of a French dip."

Argument escalates to assault at Rockville restaurant

An argument between two dining parties escalated into a physical altercation at a Rockville restaurant on March 3, 2025. The incident occurred at a restaurant in the 2000 block of Veirs Mill Road at 1:49 PM, according to Rockville City police. A man and a woman allegedly began arguing with another party of two women, and then physically assaulted them. The man and woman proceeded to flee the scene in a white Honda Civic. Police say they have obtained the tag number of the Civic. If you were a witness to the incident, and have any information that could help police, call the department at 240-314-8900.

Chef Wang Kitchen opens in Rockville

Chef Wang Kitchen is now open at 199-E E. Montgomery Avenue at Regal Row in Rockville. The Chinese restaurant's menu features a wide selection of tapas-sized entrees at very reasonable prices ($3.99 to $5.49), as well as bigger combo plates that offer a lot of food for a little price ($8.98 to $11.98). Chef Wang can also whip up noodle, ramen, and deep-fried dishes, and you'll want to try the dim sum and "secret menu." Operating hours for Chef Wang Kitchen are 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.

McDonald's reopens at Cabin John Mall (Photos)

A dapper Ronald McDonald is greeting customers at the remodeled McDonald's at 11301 Seven Locks Road inside Cabin John Mall in Potomac. The renovated restaurant has reopened for business with a new look, and a new interior configuration. Everything is geared toward the new normal of takeout and delivery orders being the main driver of business after the pandemic. But the updated interior design is also a welcome reward for loyal customers who fought to keep this location open when it was in danger of closing a few years ago.