Pandora Seafood House & Bar opens in Rockville (Menu+Photos)

Pandora Seafood House & Bar opened yesterday at Rockville Town Square. The construction took a long time, but once you step inside, you'll understand why. The interior is very impressive, with great detail and lighting accents. They did not simply refresh the old American Tap Room design.

Starters include selections from their raw bar, and appetizers like Lobster Foie Gras Ravioli and spiced prawns. The menu centers on specialties of the house like Cioppino, a classic Italian fisherman's stew featuring King Crab, mussels, clams, shrimp, calamari, and octopus in a spicy tomato broth, served with sourdough bread; and whole lobster. Cioppino will cost you $44, but serves two.

Entree choices range from several fresh fish selections, to land-lover's options like Mahogany Butter-Glazed Strip Loin and Honey Lavender Duck Breast. A wild mushroom risotto may fit the bill for vegetarian diners.

Pandora will be open Monday-Sunday from 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM for lunch, and from 5:00-10:30 PM for dinner. On Friday and Saturday nights, they will stay open until 1:00 AM. Pandora is located at 36-A Maryland Avenue, an easy walk from the Town Square parking garage on Maryland Avenue.

Rockville construction update: MOM's Organic Market at Upper Rock (Photos)

The exterior shell and windows of the future MOM's Organic Market at JBG Smith's Upper Rock development are completed, and HVAC and some lighting are in place. There's still a long way to go inside of the store, which will eventually be a convenient grocery store for Upper Rock residents in this growing community off Shady Grove Road at I-270.

MCPS a top ten offender in spending money that doesn't go to the classroom

TAX DOLLARS

DID NOT GO

TO EDUCATION,

STUDY FINDS

Montgomery County is ranked 8th in the nation in school spending that goes to administrators, rather than the classroom, according to Fox 45's Project Baltimore investigative unit. Baltimore City was the worst offender in the nation, their journalists found. Montgomery County Public Schools rank 8th out of all school systems in America in pumping cash to administrators, rather than to teachers and classroom costs. Six of the top ten are in Maryland.

This is once again proof that the record tax hike of 2016 did not go to hire teachers or improve academic performance (as recent PARCC test results proved - math scores declined, and English scores rose statewide, proving there was an obvious flaw in English portion of the test, rather than actual success by MCPS). In fact, a large chunk of the recordation tax money went to pay off the County's legal costs in the Silver Spring Transit Center debacle, in an outrageous and corrupt bait-and-switch by the County Council.

CVS Pharmacy opens in Upper Rock area of Rockville (Photos)

The CVS Pharmacy has opened at JBG Smith's Upper Rock development, slightly behind schedule of an expected mid-2017 debut. Still to come are other retail tenants, including MOM's Organic Market. This was formerly an office park development turned into retail space along Shady Grove Road near I-270. The CVS, for GPS purposes, is located at 20 Upper Rock Circle. It features a convenient drive-thru pharmacy, much like the Rockville Town Square location.

Gyroland to open in Rockville (Photos)

Maria's Bakery Cafe closed last month at 1701-B3 Rockville Pike. Replacing it soon will be Gyroland, a fast casual restaurant promising authentic Greek cuisine. Along with the namesake gyros will be other dishes, including salads and kebabs. Gyroland will be located at the Shops at Congressional Village.

Akira Ramen & Izakaya soft opening in Rockville (Photos)

Akira Ramen & Izakaya is holding a soft opening this week in Rockville. The new restaurant is located at 1800 Rockville Pike in the new Galvan apartments. Hours during the soft opening, which runs through this Friday, October 13, 2017, will be 5:00-10:00 PM.

Akira combines ramen dishes with casual Japanese gastropub fare. The soft opening menu (click photo below to enlarge for detail) includes 16 appetizers ranging from fried chicken to fried squid legs, 6 ramen bowls, and Green Tea cheesecake with green tea ice cream for dessert. Be one of the first to check it out in Rockville!

Halloween stores face off across Rockville Pike (Photos)

Spirit Halloween in Rockville

Ghouls have overtaken the former REI outdoor store at 1701 Rockville Pike. America's most popular Halloween store, Spirit Halloween, has moved in for the frightful season. Just across the street at 1616 Rockville Pike, in the former Annapolis Lighting showroom, Xtreme Halloween returns to scare up business. Both offer costumes, props and accessories. A tour of the animated props at Spirit Halloween is a Halloween season event in itself. But remember, when you see someone down in a sewer in Montgomery County, it's just as likely to be a crooked County Councilmember as a demonic clown. Well, technically, both are clowns.