Six Anticipated 2016 Restaurant Openings

A big-name chef's new Greek concept in Bethesda and a beer garden in North Bethesda are among some of the restaurants expected to open next year

By Andrew Metcalf

Kapnos Kouzina

A rendering of the planned design for Kapnos Kouzina in Bethesda. Provided.

Chef Mike Isabella’s third Kapnos Greek concept is coming to Bethesda following a string of favorable reviews at his first two, which are in Washington, D.C., and Arlington. The new restaurant will fill the former Vapiano space at the corner of Elm Street and Woodmont Avenue. Originally, Isabella, of Top Chef fame, planned to open the restaurant in the fall of 2015, but the opening has since been pushed back to 2016.

Neighborhood Restaurant Group’s Beer Garden at Pike & Rose

The beer garden concept is expected to open on the ground floor of the PerSei apartment building at Federal Realty's Pike & Rose development, pictured here to the right. Credit: Aaron Kraut

Details about this new beer garden have been scarce, but Federal Realty first announced in 2014 it would be bringing in the Neighborhood Restaurant Group to build a beer-focused restaurant at its Pike & Rose development in North Bethesda. A mid-2015 opening was planned, but since then there’s been no word on construction progress. In November, a spokesperson for Federal Realty, the developer of Pike & Rose, said the beer garden is expected to open early in 2016. Neighborhood Restaurant Group is the company behind popular Washington, D.C. hotspots like Birch & Barley, Churchkey and Bluejacket.

Duck Duck Goose

Duck Duck Goose promotional image from its website

A French bistro to replace… a French bistro. Duck Duck Goose is the new French concept being built out by 4935 Bar and Kitchen owner Ashish Alfred at the former Woodmont Triangle location of Brasserie Monte Carlo. Alfred took over the space when Monte Carlo closed in August after a 15-year run in Bethesda. Alfred is planning to open his new restaurant in January.

Samovar

Some Russian flavor is coming to Rockville. Solijon Nasimov and Ika Nasimova, a father-daughter team who have worked in the restaurant industry for more than 25 years and served as the caterer for the Russian Trade and Cultural Missions, are developing this new restaurant at 201 N. Washington St. When it was announced, the plan was to open at Rockville Town Square in July, but it’s still being built out. Two other Rockville Town Square restaurants—Miso Café and Mellow Mushroom—are also expected to open in 2016.

Gringos and Mariachis II

The bar at Gringos & Mariachis in Bethesda. Photo by Violetta Markelou.

It has been a little less than two years since the Mexican concept Gringos & Mariachis opened on Cordell Avenue in Bethesda, but the owners are already in the process of opening their second location. The popular restaurant, which serves up tacos and margaritas, will open another location at the Park Potomac development near Montrose Road and I-270. The 3,000 square foot restaurant, which will be across the street from MoCo’s Founding Farmers, is planning to open in the spring or summer of 2016, according to Roberto Pietrobono, the co-owner of Gringos.

Helen’s

Helen's on Rockville Pike. Credit: Andrew Metcalf

Helen Wasserman, a longtime caterer in Washington, D.C., is working to open her first brick-and-mortar location at the former Addie’s spot on Rockville Pike behind Hank Dietle’s Tavern. Wasserman has dealt with setbacks over the past two years ranging from structural problems with the aging building to having the water cut off while the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission repaired pipes in the area. But recently she said the restaurant is nearing its opening. On Christmas, the restaurant posted on its Facebook page it’s now accepting reservations for Valentine’s Day. The menu is expected to be a mix of Asian, Spanish and Southern comfort food.