BARNEY'S HORS D'OEUVRES REVIEW AND KORBEL BRUT CHAMPAGNE REVIEW (VIDEO)

HAPPY

NEW

YEAR

Happy New Year to all readers! Here's a review of some classic New Year's Eve party refreshments: Barney's Hors d'Oeuvres, and Korbel Brut Champagne. The two Barney's varieties reviewed in this video are the Franks 'n Blankets, and the Party Assortment (spicy beef turnovers, potato puffs, and spinach and cheese puffs). We'll also sample a very affordable Champagne from California.

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ROCKVILLE NEW YEAR'S EVE EVENTS - DECEMBER 31, 2013

The biggest night out of the year doesn't require a trip downtown on Metro. There are some great spots to celebrate right here in Rockville:

Bar Louie

Bar Louie is the best for younger folks. For $45, enjoy cocktails from 9 PM to midnight, a Champagne toast, a DJ from 10 PM to 1:30 AM, party favors, and a breakfast buffet from midnight to 2 AM.

La Tasca

La Tasca's New Year's Eve gala includes unlimited tapas from their special New Year's Eve menu, a bottle of wine for every 2 guests, party favors, midnight Champagne toast, music, and their Fin de Año celebration. To see the menu and make reservations, visit their special website.

Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar

Salsa dancers, dinner, a DJ and dancing are on the menu at the new Paladar in White Flint. Book your table here.

ZHANG RESTAURANT AND BAR TO OPEN AT 1560 ROCKVILLE PIKE (PHOTOS)

The former location of Chicken Out at 1560 Rockville Pike is getting a new tenant. Zhang restaurant and bar will serve Chinese and Thai cuisine, as well as sushi. This is the latest addition to Rockville's varied and sizable Asian restaurant list. Mr. Bánh Mì just opened last Thursday up the Pike in the Ritchie Center.

MR. BANH MI MENU (PHOTOS) - MR. BÁNH MÌ OPENS IN ROCKVILLE!

Can't get enough of Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches? You're in luck: Mr. Banh Mi is now open in the Ritchie Center on Rockville Pike, near Wooton Parkway and behind the IHOP. A great new addition to the Rockville dining scene!

Here is the menu (click photos to enlarge):

Bánh Mì

Dessert drinks

Specialty drinks

Smoothies

Fresh fruit or veggie juicers

LEAN CUISINE ROASTED TURKEY BREAST REVIEW (VIDEO)

A real turkey dinner like Thanksgiving or Christmas from Lean Cuisine? Can it be done? It's time to test out Lean Cuisine's Roasted Turkey Breast frozen dinner, featuring turkey and all the trimmings.

HOLIDAY CHIPS AHOY COOKIES REVIEW (VIDEO)

Chips Ahoy, America's best-selling chocolate chip cookie, has a very inclusive Holiday cookie. The packaging gives a shout-out to Chanukah and Kwanzaa, as well as to Christmas.

Of course, the most important cookie issue is, how does it taste? Watch my video review to find out!

PINK BANK DEMOLITION BEGINS IN ROCKVILLE TOWN CENTER (PHOTOS)

Demolition of the historic Rockville building known as "The Pink Bank" has begun. The building was cleared for condemnation by the previous Mayor and Council on October 14. In its place will be a mixed-use development by Kettler. Most historic preservationists are dismayed by the demolition, and a sitting member of the city's Historic District Commission, Jessica Reynolds, took city leaders to task in a recent letter.

The New Formalist structure was built at 255 North Washington Street in 1965, when it was known as the Suburban Trust Building. This demolition is an unflattering reflection of our disposable society, and echoes the mass demolition of the city's original, historic town center decades ago.