Beginning today, Lemon Slice Café is planning a soft opening with a limited menu at its location on the lower level of 8737 Colesville Rd., according to owner Beth Yohannes.

A veteran of more than 20 years in the catering industry, Yohannes has taken over the space formerly occupied by Dip n Rolls, which closed at the end of July.

Yohannes started in the industry by going to culinary school in London right after high school. She spent time working in a restaurant to get some experience, then opened a London restaurant with her brothers that at one point was featured on the United Kingdom’s public service Channel 4.

Later, she and her husband moved to Houston, where Yohannes opened a deli and first featured her “hot meal of the day” concept.

“The hot meal of the day gives me a chance that I come and cook whatever I want,” she said. “It helps me be more creative than doing the same thing day in and day out. That’s my sanity.”

A hot meal of the day will be featured at Lemon Slice, along with a soup of the day. Yohannes also will offer a salad bar with a large selection of fresh produce that will be accompanied by a selection of traditional Ethiopian ingredients.

Yohannes moved to this area about six years ago. For the past five years, she’s been providing lunches at St. John’s Episcopal School in Olney, which worked well for her as her children were growing up.

Now that her youngest is a high school senior and driving on her own, Yohannes looked for something else to do.

“I need more challenge,” she said. “I need to go out a little bit, so I was looking for something suits me.”

The café menu will include burgers and fries as well as healthy choices, Yohannes said, along with hot and cold sandwiches, paninis, wraps, pastries and snacks.

Yohannes said she would follow the hours that Dip n Rolls was open—7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.—but she may expand the time, depending on the demand. The café will be open six days a week and close on Sunday.

Photo of Beth Yohannes by Mike Diegel