courtesy CHIKO

From an email:

“Due to the overwhelming success of our Lunar New Year Brunch, we’ll be offering dim sum service at both CHIKO Dupont and Bethesda moving forward. Guests will be able to enjoy said dishes via contactless pickup or delivery on weekends from 11 AM-3 PM, with the option of choosing 3 for $20, 5 for $32, 7 for $45 or order a la carte. The menu is as follows: Read More

14th and P Street, NW

On Friday we broke the sad news that Dolcezza’s logan location was closing. Four more are unfortunately closing too. From DOLCEZZA:

“For the past few weeks, we have been thinking a lot about what the last 16 years has meant to us as a family and the impact this business has had on our lives.

In 2004, we opened a small kitchen in Georgetown with the goal of bringing the amazing gelato from the parlors of Buenos Aires to our home here in Washington, DC.

Since then, our lives have centered around our family business. We have grown so tremendously over these past 16 years with Dolcezza.

We learned the importance of local farming and being guided by the seasons. We became parents of three beautiful little girls. We had family members married from chance encounters in our shops. We hosted dinners at our factory with our chef friends. We officiated weddings and threw concerts. Our little girl’s first job was selling pints with her grandmother at the Dupont Circle farmer’s market.

None of this is unique to Dolcezza — we are all crafting indelible stories in the many ways we interact with each other every day. But that takes nothing away from the overwhelming honor and appreciation we have for everyone who has been a part of our simple Dolcezza dream: our amazing employees, customers, farmers, chefs, makers, neighbors and city. You have made this an unforgettable ride and we only hope we have affected you in the same incredible way you have affected us.

So it is with these beautiful thoughts in mind and the sobering effect that COVID-19 has had on our industry that we are announcing the closing of five of our store locations: Logan Circle, City Center, Wharf, Dupont Circle, and Bethesda. These shops will be closing during the month of October. Read More

courtesy Call Your Mother

From a press release:

“Call Your Mother, Washington D.C.’s nationally renowned, locally grown “Jew-ish” deli, opens its first mobile kitchen, the Call Your Mother Trolley, Tuesday, July 14.

Also known as Honey, the original name of the antique streetcar, Call Your Mother’s bagel trolley is rolling into Bethesda, Maryland and parking next to Suburban Hospital at 8804 Old Georgetown Road. With social distancing in mind, guests can order bulk bagels and their favorite signature sandwiches ahead here or at the trolley. The full Call Your Mother menu will be available soon.

MENU (PDF)

“It’s one of the old trollies that used to tour the city, but it’s no longer orange and green,” says Andrew Dana, Founder and Co-Owner of Call Your Mother. Instead, the trolley is outfitted in the brand’s emblematic pink and green meant to evoke “Boca-meets-Brooklyn” blending outstanding bagels and bright South Florida vibes. Some of South Florida’s well-known Jewish retirement homes are the inspiration behind the names of Call Your Mother’s quirky woodfire bagel sandwiches. Read More

Thanks to Cynghia for sharing the sad news:

“It is indeed a sad day for many South East Asians in DMV area. We’ll miss you, Penang!!! No more chicken rice, belachan and salted fish fried rice” Read More

7141 Wisconsin Ave. via Facebook

Thanks to all who messaged us about these.

Villian & Saint posted yesterday: “To all our customers and bands that have performed at Villain, we have closed our doors. We have enjoyed serving and entertaining Bethesda for four years.”

Bethesda Magazine reported:

“Owner Robert Wiedmaier said Wednesday morning that he closed the venue Monday because it had been losing money and not getting enough business.”

And Hank’s Pasta Bar posted about their Alexandria location:

Photo by PoPville flickr user Patrick Thornton

“Dear PoPville,

why are there no independent bookstores in Bethesda? I know the Barnes & Noble closed down and Amazon Books is coming soon but it’s still puzzling. Surely there must be demand for a Politics and Prose or Kramerbooks like store?”

courtesy Hello Kitty Cafe Truck

This week’s question is inspired by the press release below. Hello Kitty super fans take note!! So I always love learning what some folks collect. Like you go into their kitchen and you see a thousand cow magnets or something like that. How in the hell did you get started collecting cow magnets?!? When I was a kid growing up, I used to collect baseball cards and autographs. I was fanatical and spent every penny on them. Besides some of the autographs they’re pretty much worthless today hahaha but it was fun at the time! So what things did you/do you collect? What got you interested in collecting them?

And regarding that press release – THE HELLO KITTY CAFE TRUCK – NEXT STOP: BETHESDA, MARYLAND! Read More

Photo by PoPville flickr user Molly Tolzmann

From an email:

“The last few years have seen a resurgence in passion for the show The West Wing, helped by its availability on Netflix, the West Wing Weekly podcast, the ten-year anniversary of the final episode, and, perhaps, the increasing need for many to escape to fictional politics. So what’s next?

From 28th to 30th September 2018, fans of the show will gather just outside Washington DC, in Bethesda, MD.

The weekend will consist of panels, re-enactments, trivia quizzes, dramatic readings, and all things inspired by The West Wing, Aaron Sorkin, and civic and political engagement more broadly. Funds raised through post-Kickstarter ticket sales and a silent auction will be split between Let America Vote, whose Board of Advisers includes Bradley Whitford (who played Josh Lyman) and Eli Attie (a writer and producer on the show), and Justice For Vets, where Melissa Fitzgerald (Carol Fitzpatrick) is Senior Director and for which many of the West Wing cast participated in a PSA in 2016. Read More