First look at Cooper’s Hawk, Thai and Chinese on Rockville Pike, Duck Donuts ducks out

Cooper's Hawk lands in Rockville

This week we got a sneak peek at Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, opening July 15th at Rockville’s new Research Row development. Wine is star of the show here, of course, with a Napa-style tasting room and a wine-centered gift shop at the entrance. But Cooper’s Hawk is also serious about its food: We sampled a delicious shrimp and scallop risotto, pan-roasted barramundi and ginger/soy-glazed New York strip steak, each with a complementary wine pairing. The decor is handsome but low-key, with a spacious cocktail bar, private dining areas and a bakery to tempt you on the way out. For your own sneak peek, check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

New Thai for Wintergreen

New restaurant on the way to Wintergreen Plaza: Thai Street Eats, a fresh concept from the family that owns Bethesda’s Bangkok Garden. “This will be a fast-casual, quick-eats type of restaurant where you can get a great rice or noodle bowl on the go,” says owner Nina Laohapant, who will continue working at her family’s restaurant while she builds out the former Kino Spoon space at Wintergreen. The menu will center on pad thai, pad see ew, drunken noodles, basil fried rice, green curry rice and tom yum soup, along with mussel pancakes, pork skewers, grilled squid and fish cakes. Doors should open around November.

China Garden opens its doors

This week marks the opening of China Garden, the dim sum palace that replaces Paladar at North Bethesda Market on Rockville Pike. The spacious restaurant is from the same team that owned the short-lived Pandora Seafood House and Bar in Rockville, as well as another China Garden that closed two years ago in Arlington. Like its predecessor in Virginia, this new China Garden is expected to become a hub for Asian wedding receptions and other large events.

Duck Donuts ducks out

Duck Donuts closed its doors on Rockville Pike this week. A spokesman declined to explain the reason, but promised the store would return with a renewed commitment to “a superior product and customer service.” Duck Donuts made its Montgomery County debut three years ago at Rockville’s Sunshine Square shopping center. Another location in Gaithersburg has remained open for business as usual. Update: Duck Donuts reopened July 17th with no official explanation for the short-lived closing.