Asian food courts and another Rockville restaurant closing — plus a move for Starbucks on the Pike

Looks like 2018 will be the year of the Asian food court in Rockville. Two such projects are scheduled to open this summer: one in the downtown area and the other at Edmonston Crossing on Rockville Pike. The Edmonston project, to be called Pike Kitchen, will include Vietnamese pho and banh mi sandwiches, Korean street food and baked goods, poke bowls, ramen dishes, homemade ice cream, bubble tea and a coffee roastery. A similar project, known as The Spot, is planned for the ground floor of the new Metropolitan apartment building on North Washington Street. (Click here for details.) “These food halls are not just going to focus on Asian customers,” says Pike Kitchen co-owner James Park. “We’re looking for new ways to get millennials and younger people to try this food. Once they taste these Asian spices, there’s no going back.”

Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar has closed its doors after five years at North Bethesda Market on Rockville Pike. It’s the second major departure for the Whole Foods-anchored center, following the recent exit of Brio Tuscan Grill. (See our May 4th edition for more on that.) This year will likely bring more changes for North Bethesda Market, which was just acquired by CBRE Global Investors.

This hasn’t been confirmed yet, but we’re hearing buzz that a move is in the works for Starbucks at Pike & Rose. The busy store, which sits on an outparcel that was built before Pike & Rose took shape, is rumored to be relocating to a central spot next to H&M. That space is only steps away from the new park where CAVA‘s founders will soon be opening their Julii restaurant. (Haven’t heard about Julii? Click here.)

The giant bouncy-house craze continues with a new addition near Rockville Pike: Launch Trampoline Park is now open at 4942 Boiling Brook Parkway. Here you’ll find the usual mix of birthday party packages and jumping hours for adults and kids, with plans for sessions designed for the special needs community. Jumping prices range from $16-$24 for one to two hours. Birthday parties start at $299. For additional details, click here.