Taylor Gourmet to open Rockville location this morning

Taylor Gourmet's newest Montgomery County location will open today at 826 Rose Avenue at Pike & Rose. The fast casual hoagie shop is in the ground floor of the Canopy by Hilton hotel at the Federal Realty development. If you are one of the first 100 people in line at 11:00 AM this morning, you will win a free tote bag featuring art by JD Deardourff.

Slapfish aiming for June opening in Rockville

Fast-casual seafood restaurant Slapfish is working towards a tentative early June opening at the Montrose Crossing shopping center at 12033 Rockville Pike. The 2250 SF restaurant will feature 68 seats inside, and 16 more on an outdoor patio space.

Slapfish will be open Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM, and Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 AM to 11:00 PM. They will serve craft beer and wine among the beverage choices.

Can they succeed like Luke's Lobster, or will they fail like LobsterME? Their prices appear to be lower than LobsterME in California. Will this location offer the Lobster Ramen Burrito? Stay tuned!

Rockville Farmers Market opens

The Rockville Farmers Market reopened for the season Saturday in the jury parking lot at East Jefferson and Monroe Streets in Rockville Town Center. It will be open from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Saturday through November 17. New vendors for 2018 will offer fresh cheeses, mushrooms from the Eastern Shore, beeswax candles, soaps, empanadas, herbs, flowers and other locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Image courtesy City of Rockville

Flower Child restaurant to open in Rockville

Flower Child, another healthy dining concept from the creator of True Food Kitchen, is coming to Montgomery County. Fox Restaurant Concepts has leased spaces at Wildwood Shopping Center in Bethesda, and at 10016 Darnestown Road in Rockville. Flower Child's menu consists of trendy vegetable and grain-based bowls, plates and wraps, with the option to add chicken, steak, salmon or tofu.

As expected, there is an emphasis on organic, non-gmo and superfood ingredients. Salads, and a short starters list with hummus, soup and avocado toast round out the menu. Beverage selections include local craft beer, wine and, of course, kombucha.

The Baked Bear to open May 19 in Rockville

Just in time for warmer temperatures, The Baked Bear will open its doors at Pike & Rose for the first time on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at 1:00 PM. Is there any reason to get there early? You better believe it.

The first 300 people in line will get a free ice cream sandwich. The first 20 people in line will also get a free Baked Bear t-shirt. And the first 100 people will be entered to win 50 pre-made sandwiches for a party or event.

The Baked Bear has a Cookie-of-the-Month on the menu, and this month's sounds pretty interesting: Mexican Hot Chocolate. Find The Baked Bear at 929 Rose Avenue #404.

Sneak preview of interior of JINYA Ramen Bar opening this summer in Rockville (Photos)

We knew JINYA Ramen Bar was opening at Pike & Rose, but now we know what the restaurant at 910 Prose Street will look like inside when its doors open early this summer. The chain sent me these renderings of the exterior and interior of their first Montgomery County location, and photos of a few dishes.

In addition to traditional, Americanized and custom ramen options like Spicy Chicken Ramen, Slurp Up Cilantro Ramen, Old Skool Ramen, and Spicy Creamy Vegan Ramen, JINYA will also offer salads, bowls, small plates, mini tacos (salmon, tuna or pork chashu & kimchee), desserts, and even Tokyo Curry Rice.

Japanese-cocktails, local craft beers, whiskeys, sake and seasonal house-made beverages will be among the beverage options. Outdoor patio seating will also be available. JINYA will share a building with the already-open L.L. Bean store, overlooking Rose Park.

Signage installed at Pike Kitchen Asian food hall in Rockville (Photos)

Signage is up at the future Pike Kitchen Asian food hall in the Edmonston Crossing shopping center on Rockville Pike. The space is located between LensCrafters and Taco Bell. Wave to me as I come through the drive-thru with a $5 box meal.