North Bethesda Market Update

According to a nugget in this week’s Washington Business Journal, JBG has signed three new tenants for the North Bethesda Market complex on the Rockville Pike across from the White Flint Mall. These are: Seasons 52, Dolcé Amoré Café, and Arhaus Furniture.  These additions will join Whole Foods and L.A. Fitness.

Seasons 52 is a restaurant chain based in Florida, and owned by the Darden Restaurants, according to Wikipedia. Other restaurant chains in their portfolio include Red Lobster and the Olive Garden. Seasons 52 boasts 4 menus, one for each season (the '52' refers to the 52 weeks of one year). We checked out the dinner menu for summer which states the menu consists of “Seasonally inspired cooking with every item under 475 calories." Entrees seem reasonably priced and include this random sample: Tiger Shrimp Penne Pasta, Grilled Boneless Rainbow Trout, Grilled Rack of New Zealand Lamb. Key Lime pie, one of my personal favorites, is on the dessert menu, and given that the chain is based in Florida, we are assuming this will be made with fresh key limes!  We can’t wait to try it out.

Dolcé Amoré Café is rooted in Del Ray, Florida (we sense a theme here) where, according to tripadvisor, it is a ‘hidden gem.’ The dinner menu ranges from Chicken Saltimbocca to Eggplant Parmigiana to Chicken Caprese. The menu is moderate to expensive. The owners seem firmly rooted in their community too, which will be a big plus.

When JBG presented their plans to the Planning Board they talked about open sidewalk cafes facing Woodglen and we assume these restaurants will fulfill that promise to we nearby residents who will be walking to the restaurants.

We can't wait too for the sculpture on the interior 'Paseo' street that JBG promised in their presentation to the Planning Board way back when.

Finally, furniture store Arhaus, which looks to be a chain store with branches in Annapolis and Baltimore, as well as Tyson’s Corner and Fairfax. To get an idea of their furniture, check out the website, here.

Gee, these all sound like great additions to our neighborhood. One comment to all the developers: please keep looking for some more unusual stores and restaurants as well. Check out Busboys & Poets; check out E Street Cinema; take a chance on some local restaurants. That’s how Volt and The Tasting Room got started up in Frederick. We who live here all know that little Thai or Cuban restaurant, or that barbeque spot located out of the way…Take a chance.

Paula B.