Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Nada tacos, Scout and Molly's boutique coming to Pike & Rose

Federal Realty signs two tenants
to fill these corner retail spaces
 at The Henri
Two new tenants are signing on at Federal Realty's Pike & Rose development. Nada, a "taco and cocktail joint" from the Cincinnati-based Boca Restaurant Group, will open next year in the ground floor of The Henri luxury apartment building. It will occupy the corner space at Grand Park and Rose Avenues. Right next door to Nada in The Henri will be the second newcomer, Scout and Molly's, a boutique offering in-house stylists and promising a "comfortable" shopping environment for women.

In the great state of Ohio, Nada offers starters like Mexican Poutine and Mex'Orean Fried Chicken alongside the inevitable housemade guacamole. But that guacamole "outpaces most," according to the restaurant critic of ColumbusAlive.com. 

Kreeper Salsa with heat from habaneros and pasilla chiles in the Chicken Tortilla Soup offer some unusual flavors. Of course, tacos take center stage, and are clearly positioned as upscale. Options in Columbus include Fried Avocado and Crispy Pork Belly tacos. They also serve larger plates and a small selection of tapas, including some vegetarian options.
Future home of Nada
and Scout and Molly's in
the ground floor of The Henri
Nada's specialty cocktails in Cincinnati currently include their Nadarita, Chile Mango, and a Brazilian Mule. There is also a "large and exotic selection of blanco, reposado and añejo tequila," the restaurant says. This will be Nada's first East Coast location; their non-Buckeye State locations are in Indianapolis and Nashville. Nada's Pike & Rose location will be 6295 SF, about the size of Owen's Ordinary, for comparison. On paper, it sounds like Nada has a strong chance to maintain the record of top-notch dining options at Pike & Rose.

Meanwhile, Scout and Molly's was founded by Lisa Kornstein Kaufman, whose dream was to open "a place where women would feel comfortable shopping, a place where they didn’t have to worry about what they were wearing when they walked in the store, a place where women could count on a friendly face and an honest opinion." That opinion will come from Scout and Molly's stylists, and their apparel from labels like AG Jeans, Spiritual Gangster, Bernardo, Tees by Tina, Good Hyouman, David Lerner, Olive + Oak, and BLANKNYC.

The chain gets its name from the founder's two Labrador Retrievers, and plans to open 35 new locations in the next 12 months. Scout and Molly's currently has that many nationwide.

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Starbucks opens at The Daley at Shady Grove Metro apartments

If a stop at Starbucks is critical to getting yourself started for the day, imagine having one downstairs. Residents of The Daley at Shady Grove Metro apartments don't have to imagine it anymore. The building's new onsite Starbucks just opened, just in time for a PSL.

Of course, if you live in the Shady Grove area, this may have just become the closest Starbucks to you, as well. The Daley is located at 8010 Gramercy Boulevard in Rockville, off of Crabbs Branch Way.

Photo courtesy of The Daley at Shady Grove Metro

Monday, October 2, 2017

The Inkas closes in Rockville (Photos)

The Inkas has closed in Rockville, Originally known as Sazon Inka, the Peruvian restaurant more recently had a change in ownership and name. But under any name, the space at 6 N. Washington Street has been totally cleared out, and the Inkas sign is gone. You have to hand it to The Inkas' neighbor, the venerable Apollo, which keeps going year after year in one of the toughest industries to compete in.




Friday, September 29, 2017

Big week ahead for Rockville-Pinneberg Sister Cities 60th Anniversary

UPDATE 11:25 AM: The article has been updated to clarify which events are open to the public. 

Rockville will welcome a delegation of 13 residents of Pinneberg, Germany this coming Monday, October 2. They are here for the 60th anniversary of their sister city relationship with Rockville, and will be staying with city residents. The Pinneberg delegation will be officially welcomed to the city at Monday night's Mayor and Council meeting at City Hall, at 7:00 PM.

Forty-seven more Pinneberg residents will arrive on Thursday. The travelers will have a busy week ahead, with several events planned by the City and the Rockville Sister City Corporation.

In addition to those invitation-only events, don't forget about the big Rocktobierfest next Saturday, October 7, 2017 from noon until 6:00 PM in Rockville Town Center. That event is free to the public.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Rockville construction update: Doña Cecy's Pupuseria (Photos)

The new interior of the future Doña Cecy's Pupuseria is looking spiffy at 2002 Veirs Mill Road in Rockville. Furnishings are in place, and it looks like opening day isn't far in the future. They are also hiring all staff. Doña Cecy's is in the Twinbrook Shopping Center.


Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Planning Commission to review plan for new Avery Road drug treatment center tonight

The Rockville Planning Commission will review the proposal by Montgomery County to demolish and replace an addiction center at 14703 Avery Road at its meeting tonight at City Hall at 7:00 PM. Because it is a County government project under mandatory referral, commissioners will be limited in their ability to make drastic changes to the project, much less to stop it.

Along with increased beds, the new center will increase parking to 92 spaces. The site is within the Rock Creek watershed, so construction and any future runoff will have environmental implications.

City staff recommend approval of the project with conditions, including that existing and future impervious areas comply with City code on stormwater management.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Rockville construction update: Halal Guys (Photos)

The interior fit-out of the future Halal Guys restaurant at Wintergreen Plaza is still in the early stages. In fact, it looks like they're still demoing the space. This used to be the home of Rocklands Barbeque. A national chain, Halal Guys specializes in gyros and chicken, but is also known for falafel and the famous Halal Guys White Sauce.