Silver Spring’s official dining guide is on the street, with a few interesting items added to its listings.
First, there’s the Across the Street Cafe at 8622 Colesville Rd, directly across the street from the AFI Silver Theatre. (Get it?) Neither the dining guide nor the joint’s unoriginal name allude to a particular cuisine. Diners must wait until its nondescript “spring 2008″ opening to find out.
Adding to the mystery is whether the restaurant’s name will actually stick. Last summer, before renovations began inside the former clothing store, the space was dubbed the Rainbow Cafe, according to the blog Silver Spring Scene. And on the dining guide’s map of downtown eateries, the place is listed as the Silver Spoon.
Perhaps the place should be pegged the CIA Front and Tavern, serving burgers with a side of intrigue seven days a week.
Then there’s Sabroso, immediately next door at 8624 Colesville Rd. According to the Silver Spring Scene blog, that joint will serve South American-style rotisserie chicken. Opening date: spring 2008, says the dining guide.
On page 23 of the guide is the long anticipated Hook and Ladder Brew Pub, slated to open in late 2008 inside Silver Spring’s former fire station (8131 Georgia Ave). But a recent swing past the century-old brick building revealed no sign of a microbrewery in the works.
“The project is definitely moving forward,” Dan Lyons, Hook and Ladder PR guy, declared. Instead, the renovations are undergoing what Lyons called “normal development delays” and could start in July. More importantly, the place is sticking with its late 2008 opening, Lyons said.
Further along in the dining guide, the Red Rock Canyon Grill (8525 Georgia Ave) describes its “roomy leather booths … with a quieter dining area on the side”. But the grill forgets to mention its new patio section, under construction along Ellsworth Drive, according to one employee. The patio is flushed against the building, leaving about 8 feet of sidewalk between it and a row of thin, ornamental trees and benches.
And then there’s Starbucks, with two downtown locations listed in the dining guide and a zillion more around the globe. The ubiquitous coffee shop is giving away free coffee this afternoon (Apr 8), but only between 12 noon and 12:30 p.m. Get it while it’s hot.
Photos: (lead) The new dining guide and my thumb; (left) construction of a new patio outside the Red Rock Canyon Grill along Ellsworth Drive. Credits: J. Deseo/SSP.
August 21, 2008
17 Comments at "The Watercooler"
“Sticking with its late 2008 opening” … Nevermind that when first announced it was spring 2008. Alas, I continue to wait.
Speaking of microbrews … Wasn’t there once upon a time a rumor of Old Dominion opening a pub in Disneyland? (Disneyland = Peterson Co’s downtown)
Editor’s note: Yeah, the Old Dominion idea was scratched at some point. Had to do with the company’s sale. — JD (Apr 8, 2008)
I really like the name “Across the Street Cafe,” much as it does violence to my sense of location. (Where am I? Across the street! But if I’m across the street from where I am, where am I?) Bravo to all non-chain enterprises in Silver Spring. I look forward to sampling a burger, with or without intrigue.
Downtown really needs more bars…. too bad about Old Dominion….
Dear JG,
You should know that “BARS” are not permitted in Montgomery County. All establishments serving alcohol in Montgomery County are required to also serve food while they are open.
I can’t name one bar in the DC Metro area that I’ve been to that does not also serve food. Not one, even the dives do.
Thanks for your comments, JG.
Here’s the deal with Montgomery County’s liquor laws: In order to serve booze onsite, a facility must generate at least 50 percent of its revenue from food sales. There are also minimum seating requirements and kitchen sizes, depending on the class of liquor license, and rules limiting space for dance floors and stages.
This is why you’ll never find a straight-up, drink-yourself-blind bar or nightclub in MoCo. Selling buffalo wings and mozzarella sticks won’t cover the 50-percent food-sale requirement. And the limits on dance or stage space are so tight, most places wouldn’t bother.
People in Utah have an easier time than this!
I’m originally from Utah and that is absolutly true. You can at least have a few beers without having the menu forced on you.
Oy, the liquor laws in MoCo make the Taliban seem like lushes.
The problem for many of the businesses on the east side of Colesville Road (I think it’s east; anyway, the non-AFI side) is that most people walk up from the Metro on the west side, and crossing Colesville in an inconvenient drag. It’s not like in Manhattan, where you can often stroll across the one-way streets or avenues in-between traffic lights. I think that’s why that side of Colesville is so barren compared to the other.
Solutions: a 15 second traffic signal smack in the middle of Colesville, between Fenton and Georgia. Or, a pedestrian bridge. I like the bridge idea. It can be a curving ramp to help folks in wheelchairs or with walking difficulties, and it can be as artistic and creative as the fountain on Ellsworth.
This alcohol thing is crazy. Last week at Piratz Tavern the server carded us, despite the fact that my wife and I look our ages (let’s say over 45).
Last night at Adega the cashier asked for ID - I went off on the guy, totally embarassing myself (and spouse), eventually asking Walter if they couldn’t use common sense. He explained that because of a crackdown by MoCo he had instructed his employees to card everyone, no matter how old they appear to be.
He went out of his way to offer us a round for the trouble which was typical of Adega, but what is with MoCo? I feel like I’m back in Catholic high school.
Editor’s note: How’s this for stupid: I was carded at a movie theater while trying to buy tickets for “Superbad”. According to the moron at the ticket counter, the film wasn’t suitable for children under age 12 — like me. I’m 37 years old! — JD (Apr 11, 2008)
I’m 45, and I still get carded in various places, not just MoCo. It’s a case of zealous law enforcement and people who are too frightened to use common sense. However, since the penalties are so draconian, I *almost* understand this ridiculous over-reaction.
Jennifer, it’s ironic that you got carded in a movie where McLovin’ could get away with pretending to be over 21.
I like the Penguin’s new design!
Hello! I caught this a little late. Across the Street Cafe is going to be selling American/Italian food and will have a nice bar inside. Sabroso will be selling Peruvian rotisserie chicken (ala Pollo Rico), Brazilian/Argentine churrasco and salads. A very simple menu. Keep up the good work!
Editor’s note: Thanks for the info, Sabroso! — JD (Apr 28, 2008)
I’m glad that we’re getting another Italian restaurant on Colesville (Across the Street cafe). The missus and I finally tried DeMarco’s on Saturday, and were seriously disappointed. The pasta was undercooked, the appetizers were nothing special, and while our server was polite, he had zero idea on how to be a waiter (says I, based on my dining out experience and time served as a waiter).
Incidentally, the missus and I were carded last week at Adega’s, and we’re both in our forties. The guy at the counter shared the laugh with us, but we all agreed that MoCo’s penalties are so severe that, stupid as it is, Adega is better safe than sorry.
Yesterday I saw that the “Across the Street Cafe” has a banner up, though the property within is still empty. Also, the banner says that it’s a restaurant and a bar. Does MoCo know that an evil BAR is opening up? If not, please don’t tell them.
Yes the county knows its a bar. The owner is a bartender and he has already had a hearing with the county to receive his liquor and bar license.
I see that ‘Across the Street Cafe’ is now open, and Sabroso South American Grill has a banner up. What’s the latest scoop ?
Editor’s note: This person’s screen name has been modified. — JD (Jul 25, 2008)
Across The Street opened earlier this week, and the menu looks like standard diner fare. No scoop yet on whether it’s any good.
No solid word on when Sabroso will open, but it may not be too much longer.
Holler back.