GameWorks to the mall, Wildwood restaurant reopens, Mexican food for Rockville

Let the games begin

Something to look forward to post-COVID at Westfield Montgomery mall: a GameWorks “esports lounge” is on the way. Much like Dave & Buster’s, this chain offers a mix of the latest live-stream games, virtual reality, arcades, tournaments and old-school favorites like PacMan, Skee-ball and pinball machines. GameWorks also hosts birthday parties and corporate events, with a menu focused on burgers, pizza, milkshakes and alcohol. Opening date TBD across from Cheesecake Factory, next to the future Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana. Haven’t heard about Frank Pepe? Click here.

Wildwood restaurant makes a comeback

It’s not often that we get to tell comeback stories these days, but Le Pain Quotidien is the happy exception. The Belgian restaurant/bakery chain has begun reopening some locations, including the one at Wildwood. LPQ’s U.S. arm, which had been losing money even before the pandemic, filed Chapter 11 last spring and sold off all 98 locations for just $3 million. The new owner, New York-based Aurify, is now making a careful comeback in certain markets. Will this include the still-closed LPQ at Cabin John Village? That remains to be seen. The Wildwood restaurant (shown here) has been optimized for takeout, but communal and private tables will return when it’s safe to do so. For more photos of the newly reopened space — along with a lovely bûche de Noël holiday log cake — check out Store Reporter on Facebook and Instagram.

Rose's Luxury delivers this winter

When the holidays are over and the last of the festive meals has been eaten, it’s time to start thinking about what’s on the menu for January. The coldest time of the year might be the perfect time to call Rose’s Luxury, one of D.C.’s finest restaurants, for some fabulous food delivered right to your door. Check out the “Holiday Leftovers” menu: stuffed mushrooms, glazed ham, sweet potato casserole and braised greens, followed by Christmas cookies and eggnog. Then there’s the “Smokehouse 2.0” menu, featuring smoked everything: onion dip with winter veggies, do-it-yourself roast beef sandwiches, even a smoked apple tart. And you can never go wrong with “Rose’s Classics” like farro salad with lamb sausage and preserved lemon; Japanese fried chicken with napa cabbage, eel sauce and kewpie mayo; and tres leches cake for dessert. Rose’s offers no-contact dropoff of everything you need, with easy-to-follow instructions for assembly and reheating — all in the comfort and warmth of your own kitchen. Menus change every two weeks; pricing starts at $40 per person per night. Click here for all the details.

New Mexican restaurant for Rockville

Good news this week for Rockville Town Square: A new Mexican restaurant is taking over the former La Tasca space on Gibbs Street. Plaza Oaxaca, a new venture from two Mexican restaurateurs, will offer traditional fare, margaritas, and eventually live music and dancing. This is the second new restaurant planned for Rockville Town Square, where D.C.-based HalfSmoke is also under construction. For more on the closing of La Tasca, click here. For the scoop on HalfSmoke, click here.

MoCo dining ban stands

Last week’s prohibition on indoor dining is still in place after a Montgomery County judge ruled in favor of the measure. The Restaurant Association of Maryland, along with a group of local businesses, had filed a lawsuit arguing that the ban unfairly penalized their industry. But the court found that the measure was necessary to protect public health — and judges in neighboring Prince George’s County and Baltimore City came to the same conclusion. Local opinions are sharply divided on this matter. To join the debate on our Facebook page, click here.

The Store Reporter Guide

A weekly guide to some of our favorite local businesses

The holidays have arrived, and local restaurants and stores are here to make your time with family special. Check out this week’s Store Reporter Guide for a great selection.

DINING & DELIVERY

BROOKLYN’S DELI, homemade meats, soups & sandwiches at Potomac Woods Plaza, 1089 Seven Locks Road. Try our corned beef, hand-carved pastrami, brisket, nova, chopped liver, pancakes from scratch, cheese blintzes & more — plus artisan bagels from Bethesda Bagels. Phone: (301) 340-3354. Open daily for carry-out, catering & patio dining. Menu: brooklynsdelimd.com.

CAVA MEZZE is excited to offer our delicious family meals, salads, mezze, drinks & more at 10 percent off when you do contactless curbside pickup. Try our specialties like scallop risotto, fried calamari, opa opa shrimp, lollipop chicken, spicy lamb sliders, steak souvlaki, spanakopita & much more. We’re also excited to launch our new neighborhood food drops. Follow us on Instagram (@cavamezze)to see where we’re headed next. We’ll be open New Year’s Day offering brunch/lunch service starting at 11 a.m. Website and ordering info: cavamezze.com.

DOWNTOWN CROWN now offers curbside pickup for many stores and restaurants. Dining options include &pizza, Asia Nine, BurgerIM, Coastal Flats, Downtown Crown Wine and Beer, La Madeleine, Mezeh Mediterranean Grill, Paladar, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Starbucks & Ted’s Bulletin. 123 Crown Park Ave., Gaithersburg. Call (301) 330-5400 or click here for the latest info.

GREGORIO’S TRATTORIA, Italian favorites at Cabin John Village, 7745 Tuckerman Lane. Full menu and weekly specials featuring pizzas, pastas, seafood, meats, salads & more. Outdoor seating for lunch & dinner, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. We also offer curbside pickup, pay by phone & contact-free delivery. Phone: (301) 296-6168. Also check out our new location at 4611-A Sangamore Road, Bethesda. Menu for all locations: gregoriostrattoria.com.

JULII at Pike & Rose, now offering heated outdoor seating — or reserve one of our heated private outdoor igloos. We’ve added new family meals (chicken kabobs, chicken parmesan, rigatoni bolognese & family burgers) that feed four people for $55 to $65. Top off your meal with our cocktail pouches, beer & wine to go. Get 10 percent off when you choose contactless curbside pickup, or choose free delivery from DoorDash. To reserve a bubble: Email info@julii.com or call (301) 517-9090. Menu: julii.com.

LAHINCH TAVERN AND GRILL, regional American cuisine at Cabin John Village. We’ve got grilled chops, steaks, salads, sandwiches & more. NFL Ticket: Catch all the games on Sundays with Sunday brunch, bottomless mimosas & bloody Marys. Discounted beer and wine to go, carry-out, curbside pickup & outdoor dining options. Call: (240) 499-8922. Menu: lahinchtavernandgrill.com.

METRO MICROGREENS, locally grown hydroponic microgreens. Eighteen varieties available. High in nutrient density and helps boost the immune system. Stays fresh for 10 days to two weeks. Contact-free delivery. Email mark@metromicrogreens.com or call (301) 706-4884. To order online: metromicrogreens.com.

MOBY DICK KABOBS, Persian cooking on the go. Multiple locations in Maryland & the DMV. Our family platters feed 3-4 people starting at $36.99 or 5-6 people starting at $63. Check out daily specials like khoresht gheymeh (yellow split-pea soup with beef) on Wednesdays & ghormeh sabzi (herb stew) on Fridays. All locations open for carry-out, delivery & curbside pickup. Potomac phone: (240) 660-2626. Rockville phone: (301) 738-0005. Menu: mobyskabob.com.

MOSAIC CUISINE, modern French cooking in Rockville. We have a fabulous easy-to-serve holiday menu with beef Wellington, sole fillet, yule log, etc. Enjoy a waffle sandwich, steak frites, shiitake mushroom soup & much more. Curbside pickup at 186 Halpine Road, delivery with Grubhub or outdoor dining. Order online or by phone: (301) 468-0682. Menu: mosaiccuisine.com.

NORMANDIE FARM, pop on over for fine cooking in the heart of Potomac, 10710 Falls Road. Open for curbside & carry-out service for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Outdoor dining, family-style meals to-go, á la carte to-go & of course our famous popovers. Phone: (301) 983-8838. Menu: popovers.com.

OFF THE HOOK CATERING: The team behind the Go Fish food truck, now offering seafood pickup & delivery every Friday. Lobster rolls, lobster meat with butter, ready-to-cook crab cakes, creamy crab soup, weekly chicken & salmon specials, garlic-roasted green beans, corn bread, Mexi-slaw, fresh-baked cookies & much more. Email: missy@offthehookcatering.com. Menu: offthehookcatering.com.

PIKE KITCHEN on Rockville Pike offers some of the best Asian food in the DMV, all at one location. Instead of franchises, we carefully select operators who are passionate about cooking & creating. From mochi donuts, matcha lattes & bubble tea to bibimbap, bulgogi, ramen, katsu, poke bowls, sushi, pho & bánh mi sandwiches, here you can try it all. Open daily noon to 8 p.m. for carryout & delivery. Visit us: 1066 Rockville Pike. Call us: (301) 603-2279. Menu: pikekitchen.com/carryout-delivery.

POTOMAC PIZZA, a delicious favorite since 1978. Multiple locations in Maryland and the DMV. Potomac location: (301) 299-7700. Traville location: (301) 279-2234. Chevy Chase location: (301) 951-1127. Offering contact-free delivery, curbside pickup & takeout. Sister company Bagels & Grinds also offering bagels, lox & cream cheese pickup in Potomac on Saturday mornings. Menu: potomacpizza.com.

QUARTERMAINE COFFEE ROASTERS, locally roasted fresh coffee. Bethesda store open 6 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday with drinks, beans & pastries. Use the Quartermaine app or call (301) 718-2853. Also: $5 flat-rate shipping with $30 minimum for beans shipped to your door. Click on the person next to the shopping cart at www.quartermaine.com.

ROSE’S LUXURY: The Michelin-starred D.C. favorite is now offering delivery to our area. Choose two or three nights of impeccably prepared meals, including appetizers, entrées and desserts — $40 and up, per person per night. Your order will arrive with easy-to-follow instructions for assembly and reheating, complete with garnishes, pour-over sauces, dollops of whipped cream and custom Spotify playlists. Menus change every two weeks. Click here for details.

SISTERS THAI POTOMAC, Asian & Thai cuisine + desserts. Pickup and patio dining at Cabin John Village, 7995 Tuckerman Lane. Specialties like chicken satay, larb gai, pad thai, drunken noodles, curry dishes & more. Phone: (301) 299-4157. Free no-contact delivery with $30 to $40 minimum order. Menu: sistersthaicabinjohn.com.

THE GRILLED OYSTER CO., American fare, seafood & drinks at Cabin John Village. 7943 Tuckerman Lane. Try our oysters on the half-shell, crab hush puppies, Angus burgers, poke bowls & the $78 Clambake for two: double Maine lobster, spiced shrimp, steamed clams, corn, potatoes & cole slaw. Now open Sundays noon to 8 p.m., with brunch from noon to 4 p.m. Call (301) 299-9888 or email valerie@grilledoysterco.com to order. Menu: thegrilledoystercompany.com.

WINTERGREEN PLAZA has the stores, restaurants & services businesses you need — all in one place, with free & easy parking. Besides Food Lion, Classic Beer & Wine, Dunkin’ and Starbucks, this is the home of Chipotle, Habit Burger, Jersey Mike’s, Mission BBQ, Niwano Hana, Paisano’s Pizza, Sweet Frog, Ten Ren Tea Ginseng, The Halal Guys & Wingstop. Also: salons, professional practices, Bray & Scarff, The UPS Store, Pure Hockey, Rockville Soccer, TennisTopia & much more. For a full list, click here.

YEKTA Persian restaurant & market. 1488 Rockville Pike. Our restaurant is open for carry-out or curbside pickup, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Call (301) 984-0005 or use ChowNow, UberEats, Grubhub & other delivery apps. Our market is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Carry out or pick up curbside. To place your order, email info@yekta.com or call (301) 984-1190. Menu: yekta.com.

SHOP LOCAL

AUSTYN PARKER, fun jewelry for kids, cute clothes for moms & gifts for everyone. Message us for a private appointment at our new outdoor shop in Potomac. For kids: Make-your-own jewelry kits & online parties where everyone works on a project together. For moms: We’ve got your favorite brands like LNA, Monrow, Perfect White Tee, Generation Love, Chrldr & Comune. Shop Facebook or Shop Instagram. Call us: (301) 706-8122. Email us: randi@austynparker.com.

GYM & TONIC, luxury athleisure apparel. Whether you’re working out or working from home, we have the casual comfortable looks you want right now — plus lots of different style of masks, from tie-dye to camo! Now open for in-person shopping Monday-Saturday 12-4 p.m., and we’re always sanitizing for the safest possible experience. Prefer to shop from home? DM us for virtual visits & delivery in the DMV. Shop @lovegymandtonic on Instagram. Email us: wendyamy18@gmail.com. Call us: (301) 340-8800.

HANNA’S CONNECTION clothing boutique, inside the Cabin John mini-mall. Cozy up for the holiday season! Capes, scarves, wraps, sweaters, loungewear & more, all in stock now. Gloves, scarves, headbands & masks starting at $10 — plus a gift with purchase through the end of the year. Come on in for a private appointment, or schedule a virtual shopping session. Curbside/limited delivery/shipping available. Shop new arrivals on Facebook and Instagram. Call us: (301) 704-0264. New website: hannasconnection.com.

JOYFUL BATH CO., natural handmade bath and body care products for spa & wellness at home. 5534 Wilkins Ct., North Bethesda. Soaps, shower steamers, bath bombs, hemp ultra therapy, soy candles, Turkish towels & gift sets plus our own citric acid surface cleaner. Our custom baskets in all price ranges are better than a fruit basket for family gifts! Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday & 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. Call (301) 986-5320 or order online for shipping or curbside pickup: joyfulbathco.com.

OAK is a Kensington clothing shop with an ever-evolving, curated inventory. We focus on comfy modern silhouettes, athleisure, handbags, scarves & jewelry with a twist. Lots of natural fibers, fair-trade & U.S.-made products, mostly priced below $100. Our shop is small & personal, so you’ll never feel crowded or rushed. Open every day but Monday at 10511 Metropolitan Ave., minutes from Rockville Pike. Call us: (301) 933-0281. See our one-size items at oakthshop.com, shop Facebook & Instagram to see what’s in the store.

SCOUT & MOLLY’S BOUTIQUE, your North Bethesda fashion destination at Pike & Rose. We have tons of new winter arrivals. Check out our chic new Italian lines, unique jewelry items, messenger bags with guitar straps & fun comfy joggers. Click here for new face mask colors & styles. Shop Instagram. Shop Facebook. We will continue to offer curbside pickup, so feel free to shop online or call us at (301) 348-5047 to help with your shopping needs! Website: northbethesda.scoutandmollys.com.

THE BLUE HOUSE, a happy home furnishings & lifestyle boutique with a little bit of everything. 7770 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda. Freshly stocked with holiday goodies, from pillows, candles and home decor to lanterns with holiday scenes. Open 10:30 to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Call us: (301) 656-6088. Email us: thebluehousebethesda@gmail.com. Shop Facebook or Shop Instagram. Website: thebluehousebethesda.com.

FAMILY FITNESS

FITNESS FOR HEALTH: Dedicated to the special needs community, we offer an unparalleled evidence-based approach to therapeutic exercise, occupational therapy & physical therapy. We help our clients improve their gross & fine motor capabilities, fitness, visual motor function, self-confidence & self-esteem in our state-of-the-art facility — all while having fun! Conveniently located in Rockville, we’re open 7 days a week for in-person & telehealth services. In-network provider for Tricare & Kaiser Permanente. Call (301) 231-7138. www.fitnessforhealth.org.

MY GYM POTOMAC & MY GYM BETHESDA, now offering our awesome fitness & fun classes outdoors in Potomac. Small groups & age-appropriate classes allow us to run around with our friends & still social distance. Also introducing pod play dates! We’re still offering interactive live Zoom classes & birthday parties. And we’ve opened the Potomac location for small group indoor playdates & small three-hour camps. More info: mygym.com/potomac.

ROBERT SHERMAN FITNESS, personal training & Zoom classes from a master trainer for Reebok, Schwinn, SPRI, Beachbody, Lifetime & Equinox. Specializing in yoga, post-rehab, muscular strength, endurance, sports performance & active aging, with 37 years training/teaching globally. Choose in-home distanced sessions, Zoom classes for 1-4 people, or Livestream classes for as low as $10: yoga, core, strength, barre, cycle & Pilates. Email robert@robertshermanfitness.com or visit robertshermanfitness.com.

ROCKVILLE PERSONAL TRAINING, first three sessions $99. Our private studio on Rollins Avenue uses the latest research & technology for a fun, affordable & effective exercise program that’s designed specifically for you. We have backgrounds in medical exercise & clinical physiology, plus a decade of experience working with ages 9-90. We always wear masks, we disinfect between clients, & we keep you safe with HEPA & UV-C air filtration. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter. Call us or text us: (240) 630-0298.

FURNITURE, ART, JEWELRY & COLLECTIBLES

FREEMAN’S AUCTION, America’s oldest auction house, established in 1805. Potomac-based rep Debrah Dunner will help you consign fine art including modern & contemporary art, jewelry, 20th Century design & more. Virtual appointments, free auction estimates, easy no-contact pickup of your goods. Call (301) 738-0347; email ddunner@freemansauction.com; or visit freemansauction.com/specialists/debrah-dunner.

STX GOLD — turning your old jewelry into thousands of dollars since 2009. We buy gold, silver, platinum & sterling silver flatware, serving pieces & platters. By appointment only at our office, or we’ll come to you. We always wear masks & gloves for your safety. For a no-obligation appointment, call (301) 318-9788. Visit our website & check the current price of gold: stxgold.com.

CELEBRATIONS

CARD MY YARD POTOMAC is the premier yard greeting sign rental service, specializing in making your BIG day even BIGGER. Birthdays, anniversaries, babies or just because, Card My Yard will make it special! Locally owned and family-operated. Check us out on Facebook and Instagram. Email us: potomac@cardmyyard.com. Call us: (301) 908-3616. Book your greeting at cardmyyard.com.

FLASHBACK FILMS, photo & video montages for your special occasion — whether in-person or virtual. Professional montages at affordable prices for all your important milestones: birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, mitzvahs & more. We’re a locally based, student-run company and will work within your budget. Send us your photos and we’ll do the rest. Visit us on Instagram. For video samples & pricing, email flashbackfilms123@gmail.com.

LILAC, special occasion wear for girls, tweens & teens. We have the perfect outfits for graduations, cotillion, bar & bat mitzvahs (both service & party) and other special occasions. Plan for your upcoming events now; private shopping appointments are available. We also have fashionable face masks for kids & adults! Find us on Instagram (@lilacgirlshop) and Facebook (@shoplilacgirl). For more info, email sales@shoplilacgirl.com.

HOME SERVICES

JIMMY GUSKY HEATING & AIR, one-stop shop for heating, air conditioning, plumbing and ductwork, serving Rockville & the D.C. area. We always give you an honest opinion and transparent pricing, making repairs when we can and helping you decide when replacement is the better option. Have an emergency? We’re available 24/7. Call (301) 327-7306. Website: jimmygusky.com.

MIKE’S LOCKSMITH & SECURITY, offering lock repair and replacement, keyless & touchpad systems plus door hardware, high-security keys and mailbox lockdown. All work guaranteed as long as you own your home. For after-hour emergencies or regular appointments, call (240) 506-7500. For more information, email mike@mikes-locksmith.com. Website: mikes-locksmith.com.

TOWN & COUNTRY MOVERS, family-owned moving and storage company, based in Gaithersburg and serving the DMV since 1977. We handle local, long-distance and international relocations, as well as short-term and long-term storage solutions. Our staging division works with local realtors to enhance listings and improve home sales. Call (301) 670-4600. Website: townandcountrymovers.com.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

LAW OFFICES OF LLOYD A. MALECH, Bethesda family law attorney. Aggressive legal representation in high-conflict divorces, child custody & child support conflicts, spousal support and alimony battles, enforcing and modifying court orders, protective orders in domestic violence cases, and settlement agreements. Call us: (202) 441-2107. Website: malechlaw.com.

TAFF & LEVINE D.D.S. provides state-of-the-art dental treatment in a relaxing atmosphere surrounded by caring doctors and staff. No insurance? No problem! Join our V.I.P. dental plan, pay one monthly fee for free hygiene appointments and 10% off all other dental procedures. 7811 Montrose Road in Potomac. Call 301-530-3717. Website: taffandlevine.com.