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Retail & Restaurant news for Rockville, Potomac & North Bethesda. We know it all. And we like to share.

RW Restaurant Group

Out-of-the-box holiday gift guide — with special deals and discounts

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Holiday gifts, deals and discounts

Blue present boxWelcome to our special advertorial holiday gift issue, where you’ll find our picks for some of the best gifts from local businesses, working artists and other stuff we love. We also have great deals and discounts to make the most of your holiday budget. Feel free to forward to friends and family who can use the discounts… or the hints.

 

 

 

 

Pirasta NYC coloring book

 

Giant coloring gifts at Leila

Coloring books for adults and families are a big trend this year — and it doesn’t get any bigger than these giant coloring posters from Pirasta, $40 including a box of markers at Leila Fine Gifts & Jewels. Leila also sells Posh coloring books by Sterling Publishers ($13) with markers or colored pencils for a few dollars more. “Coloring is better than therapy,” says store owner Deb Shalom. “Just light a fire, put on some good music, get some hot chocolate or a glass of wine, and enjoy! The books are great on a winter weekend afternoon, or spread one of the posters out on the floor and let everyone go at it after a holiday dinner.” Not into coloring? Leila has plenty of other gifts for everyone on your list — including jewelry, Judaica and beautiful housewares. Leila Fine Gifts & Jewels, next to Dunkin’ Donuts at Cabin John Shopping Center, 7737 Tuckerman Lane, Potomac. Call (301) 299-5675 or click here for more.

 

 

River Falls Tavern corn dish

 

 A premium restaurant gift card

Everyone loves to receive dinner at a fabulous restaurant. Here’s one gift card that offers nearly a dozen places to choose from. RW Restaurant Group, headed by chef Robert Wiedmaier, sells flexible gift cards that work for almost all of the company’s restaurants: Marcel’s and Brasserie Beck in D.C.; River Falls Tavern in Potomac Village; Boulevard Tavern in The Kentlands; Wildwood Kitchen, Urban Heights and Villain & Saint in Bethesda; and three locations for Mussel Bar & Grill. Pick up a certificate at a restaurant near you — or click here to order online — and let your recipient do the choosing.

 

 

Ibhana paisley scarves wide shot

 

Gorgeous silk scarves from Ibhana Boutique

For a woman looking to dress up a work wardrobe or add some flair to a simple black top, you can’t go wrong with these paisley silk scarves from Ibhana Boutique. Made in India and measuring a generous 66 inches in length, they’re available in a rainbow of colors: red, turquoise, purple, pink, beige and grey. The scarves normally sell for $35, but Store Reporter readers pay just $25 while supplies last. Ibhana, which opened last August, specializes in wrinkle-free, washable and travel-friendly clothing and accessories from designers like Damee, Fridaze, Joanel, Joseph Ribkoff, Lior and Lipault. Ibhana Boutique, Potomac Woods Plaza, 1079 Seven Locks Road. For more information, call (301) 424-0906 or click here.

 

 

On Cloud 9 emoji pillows

 

Express your emojis at On Cloud 9

Emoji pillows are a must-have for many girls and teens this season — and the ones at On Cloud 9 are soft enough for sleeping as well as room decor. (Hint: They also do double duty as both a holiday gift and pillow for visiting friends and cousins.) The store has a variety of emoji pillows, including holiday themes and light-up styles, with prices starting at $20. Shop On Cloud 9 for these and other stylish gifts for babies, girls, teens and women. On Cloud 9, Potomac Woods Plaza, 1085 Seven Locks Road. For more information, call (301) 251-1331 or click here.

 

 

The Bottle Shop with wine bottle 300

 

Holiday deals at The Bottle Shop

The Bottle Shop at Potomac Woods Plaza can help you find the right libation for every occasion. The store carries wine, craft beer, olive oil and chocolates, with an expert staff that can guide you toward premium selections or great deals like this $17 bottle of Carignan. On Saturday, Dec. 12 from 2-5 p.m., The Bottle Shop will host a special year-end tasting event with door prizes plus wine and beer reps pouring premium selections for the holidays. There’s no obligation to make a purchase — but if you do, everything will be 15% off. The Bottle Shop at Potomac Woods Plaza, 250 Fortune Terrace, Suite 102 in Rockville. For more information, call (301) 738-WINE (9463).

 

 

Fitness Together Female Trainer-3

 

Three personal training sessions for $99

After weeks of holiday parties — and the extra pounds that come with them — couldn’t we all use a little help getting back on track? Fitness Together offers an introductory package of three personal training sessions for just $99. Clients receive metabolic testing, nutrition and weight loss coaching, heart rate zone training and more in the company’s private studios. “We see a lot of people who spend an hour and a half at the gym and they don’t get results,” says co-owner Rick Coe, who runs Fitness Together with wife Robin. “When you have a coach and accountability mechanisms, you’re going to change that dynamic.” Fitness Together, 6708 Wisconsin Avenue above Staples in Bethesda, or 12189 Darnestown Road in Gaithersburg’s Shops of Potomac Valley. For more information, call (301) 219-0094 or click here.

 

 

Dormify whites

 

Fabulous teen decor at Dormify

The teen retailer Dormify has offices in New York, but its roots are in Potomac: It was founded in 2011 when Churchill mom Karen Zuckerman was struck by the lack of stylish options for decorating her daughter’s dorm room. Four years later, Zuckerman and daughter Amanda have turned Dormify into a nationally known website for trendy decor that appeals to teens of all ages. We tested a few of this seasons’s selections and picked some that would work for almost any girl: the cuddly Essentials Throw Blanket and Faux Mongolian Pillow ($49 and $36); the initial-shaped marquee lights ($30); and various accessories with our new favorite slogan: “Namast’ay in bed.” Another popular item this year is the inflatable travel HoodiePillow seen on Shark Tank. Dormify’s holiday sale is going on now, with some items as much as 70 percent off. To shop the site, click here.

 

 

Valerie Nahmani triple ring

 

Something sparkly from Valerie Nahmani Designs

Druzy jewelry is on the wish list for many women this year, and Bethesda-based Valerie Nahmani Designs has some gorgeous examples to choose from. The designer, a Potomac native, says her typical customer is a busy mom who wants pieces that are equally at home on the beach or at a cocktail party. Necklaces, rings and bracelets range from $95 to the mid-$300s, featuring semi-precious stones in 24-karat gold-plated settings. See the pieces in person at the Landon Greens Sale this weekend (Dec. 3-5) or at Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase every weekend starting Dec. 11. Through Dec. 24, Store Reporter readers get 15% OFF any order from Valerie Nahmani Designs. To start shopping, click here.\

 

 

Michael Mullan New York print 300

 

Your favorite city in a frame

Is there someone on your gift list who adores New York or San Francisco? Perhaps a Northwestern grad who love Chicago, or a Tulanian with a soft spot for New Orleans? Vermont-based artist Michael Mullan lends his fun, quirky, mid-century sensibility to colorful illustrations of these cities and more, including Seattle, Los Angeles, London and Paris. Mullan also has prints that celebrate beer, cocktails, camping, the Beatles, vintage jazz and other favorite subjects. Most can be purchased in the form of greeting cards, art prints or cheery canvases that will add a pop of color to any wall. Through Dec. 24, Store Reporter readers can get 25% off anything from Mullan’s site (www.groovy-gravy.com) with the promo code GOODGRAVY. To shop now, click here.

 

 

Christmas with the Mousekins 300

 

An original sketch for your little Mousekin

Maggie Smith, a popular children’s book author and illustrator, has an especially delightful holiday book called Christmas with the Mousekins. If you order directly from Smith’s Etsy shop, she’ll include a personalized inscription (“A Merry Mousekin Christmas to the Perry Family!”) plus some hand-drawn mice and snowflakes for decoration. The book is perfect for snuggling on a winter night with poems and stories about picking out the perfect tree, baking cookies for friends and neighbors, welcoming Nana Mousekin and more. And it’s filled with interactive touches that encourage readers to follow the Mousekins’ lead: recipes for baking gingerbread mice, instructions for cutting out paper snowflakes, and other projects that grow increasingly complex as the kids get older. $25 including shipping and personalization; for details, click here.

 

 

My Gym girl 300

 

A month to play at My Gym

A month of classes at My Gym makes a great gift for parents of little ones or a thoughtful gift from a grandparent. There are Tiny Tykes classes for babies and Waddlers for toddlers, all the way up to Cardio Kids for the “older crowd” of 7-to-10-year-olds. Through Dec. 24, Store Reporter readers can get a month-long My Gym special for $99 including four classes, unlimited free play sessions, lifetime membership and a “swag bag.” Classes must begin by March 31st at My Gym Potomac (Cabin John Mall at 11325 Seven Locks Road) or My Gym Bethesda (5110 Ridgefield Road). For My Gym Potomac, call (301) 983-5300 or click here. For My Gym Bethesda, call (301) 652-2820 or click here.

 

 

Container Store beverage bottles 300

 

The Container Store — when you need a gift quick

If you’re really in a jam for last-minute gifts, The Container Store on Rockville Pike is always good for stocking stuffers that work for just about anyone. We tested some selections from this year’s batch, and it just so happens that two of our favorites have to do with beverages. The Portable Wine Glass ($11.99) features an incredibly clever design that stores the stem in the bowl for easy travel, then assembles instantly via built-in magnets. And the S’well Water Bottle ($34.99) is prettier than most, with a leak-proof top and a promise to keep your liquid hot for 12 hours or cold for 24. (The wine glass goes in the dishwasher but the water bottle, alas, does not.) Shop these and other stocking stuffers at The Container Store in Congressional Plaza, 1601 Rockville Pike, or shop online by clicking here.

 

 

Vineyard Vines opens, Irish pub on the way, Amazon same-day shipping and a River Falls Tavern giveaway

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Vineyard Vines at Westfield Montgomery Mall

 

Vineyard Vines, Johnston & Murphy open at the mall, while J. Crew takes a summer break

It’s a busy time in the Nordstrom wing at Westfield Montgomery Mall, where two new stores opened for business last weekend and a third closed its doors for the summer. The big news for many is the Maryland debut of Vineyard Vines, whose breezy, clean-cut clothes have earned a huge following among preppies from Massachusetts to Palm Beach. The brand has become a staple at college campuses as well as our local high schools, where the pink whale logo is as popular with today’s teens as Izod crocodiles and Polo ponies were with their parents. Not to be outdone by its snazzy new neighbor, the mall’s nearby J. Crew store closed its doors last week for a major remodeling that should be done by early August. The other new addition in the Nordstrom wing is the classic shoe store Johnston & Murphy, which built its reputation in men’s footwear but now offers a range of clothing and accessories for both sexes. In other mall news: A huge Peet’s Coffee station with plenty of comfy seating is about to open in the Sears wing, while the women’s clothing store J. Jill is relocating to the former Fossil space near Macy’s.

 

 

River Falls Tavern tuna

 

Win dinner for two at River Falls Tavern in Potomac Village

This week we have a fabulous giveaway from the River Falls Tavern in Potomac Village, which is offering dinner on the house for one lucky pair of Store Reporter readers. RW Restaurant Group, which purchased the Tavern last spring, has introduced a sophisticated new menu under the direction of famed chef Robert Wiedmaier. Top picks include the Braised Boneless Beef Short Rib, served with creamy garlic polenta and glazed young carrots, and the Peppercorn and Coriander Seared Rare Tuna (shown here), served with roasted beets, emerald kale and farro salad. For more on what’s happening at the River Falls Tavern, click here for our May 28th edition. Want to win dinner for two (up to $65) and try the new dishes for yourself? Click here to email us (subject line: Tavern) or click here to enter via Facebook. Update: Store Reporter reader Nicole Kustner won this giveaway. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great contests.

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Amazon logo

 

Amazon same-day shipping

This week brought some welcome news for Amazon Prime shoppers in greater Rockville and Potomac: The company just launched same-day delivery service in the greater D.C. area, including area codes 20850, 20854, 20817 and many others nearby. You can now order by noon for guaranteed delivery by 9 p.m., or by midnight for delivery the next day — as long as you spend at least $35 and choose items marked with the Prime Free One-Day logo. The list of qualified items is not exactly comprehensive, but we spied plenty of things (batteries, printer cartridges, kids’ birthday presents, etc.) that could easily spare us from a last-minute shopping trip. Same-day shipping is free for Prime members, but it’s also open to other Amazon customers for a $9.98 delivery fee. And here’s some more good news: Amazon says it will soon start offering free shipping for everyone on inexpensive items that weigh less than eight ounces.

 

 

Guinness beer

 

Irish pub on the way to Rockville Town Square

An Irish pub is joining the restaurant lineup at Rockville Town Square, where three new eateries are now scheduled to open in the next few months. Finnegan’s Wake Irish Pub, the first venture from local husband-and-wife team Terry and Vanessa Laurin, will start renovations this month at the Gibbs Street space that formerly housed Carbon Peruvian Chicken & Grille. Rockville Town Square, which lost nearly a dozen tenants in the past 12 months, is now looking to entice diners with locally owned ethnic restaurants like the recently opened Ev & Maddy’s (European-style bistro) and Peter Chang (traditional Chinese). Also on the way are Miso Cafe (Korean/fusion) and Samovar (food from Tajikistan). Those two, along with Finnegan’s Wake, should be open by fall.

 

Robeks maple water smoothies

 

Congrats to the winners of our Robeks gift cards

Congratulations to Store Reporter readers Christy Taylor, Ron Gravitz, Margie Ritter, Rhoda Ganz and Amy Pelletier, who won our gift cards for the Robeks smoothie store at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great giveaways, and like us on Facebook (click here) to make sure you don’t miss a beat.

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ThinkGeek Star Trek man

 

Gamers and geeks are worth big bucks

Video game retailer GameStop has announced plans to buy Geeknet, the Fairfax company that runs the popular ThinkGeek website, in a $140 million deal that’s expected to close this summer. ThinkGeek specializes in goofy and nerdtastic merchandise from Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, Marvel and other franchises that appeal to adults and kids alike. (Theoretically, at least, these are the same people who like to shop in GameStop’s stores — and will be thrilled to check out that Captain America Stealth Shield Watch in person.) Apparently geek chic is worth a lot these days: GameStop expects this acquisition to boost its sales by $100 million per year.

 

 

 

River Falls Tavern update, BBQ at Hank Dietle’s, goodbye Fossil store — plus a Robeks giveaway

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Tavern at River Falls sign

 

Latest on The Tavern at River Falls

Three months after purchasing The Tavern at River Falls on River Road, RW Restaurant Group has begun to put its mark on the Potomac Village institution. “We’ve gotten rid of some dishes that weren’t selling, and put our own spin on the dishes we kept,” says Tavern co-owner Frank Shull, who operates 11 D.C.-area restaurants in a partnership headed by famed chef Robert Wiedmaier. The changes started with the bar, where Shull says customers will find “better beer, better wine, better cocktails.” The menu is getting shorter but higher in quality, Shull says, with new dishes including swordfish, grilled calamari and stuffed baked oysters with crabmeat. Coming soon: nightly drink specials (margaritas, mojitos and blood-orange crushes) and an extensive brunch menu on Saturdays and Sundays. Even the restaurant’s name is being streamlined, from The Tavern at River Falls to the shorter River Falls Tavern.  Under the RW umbrella, the Tavern is now a sister to such popular Wiedmaier restaurants as Marcel’s, Brasserie Beck, Wildwood Kitchen and Mussel Bar & Grille.

 

 

Curley's Q food truck

 

BBQ at Hank Dietle’s

Hank Dietle’s Tavern, the Rockville Pike dive bar that celebrates its centennial next year, is serving up a new dinnertime menu from the Curley’s Q barbecue truck. “We’ll be in the kitchen at Dietle’s Tuesdays through Sundays from 5 to 8 p.m. to start,” says Curley’s owner David Cornblatt, whose specialties include St. Louis-style ribs, smoked brisket, and pulled chicken and pork sandwiches. Cornblatt, a Potomac native who hung out at Hank Dietle’s in high school, has been trying to take over the kitchen since last fall. “Typical permitting issues” were the cause of the delay, he says. “We’ve got the food truck and catering down to a science, but there are a lot of nuances in running a kitchen. We’ll probably have a grand opening in June when we’ve got everything just right.” Cornblatt will have some company on the Pike this summer with the opening of Helen’s Bar & Grill, now under construction in the former Addie’s space right next door to Hank Dietle’s. Click here to read more about Helen’s in our May 7 issue.

 

 

Robeks maple water smoothies

 

Win a Robeks gift card

This week we’re giving away gift cards for the Robeks smoothie store at Congressional Plaza on Rockville Pike. The store is showcasing a new line of “fitness smoothies” made from maple water — a seasonal product that’s only available through June 15, while the maple trees are still producing spring sap. Can’t make it in by then? Don’t worry, the gift cards won’t expire. Update: The winners of this giveaway were Christy Taylor, Ron Gravitz, Margie Ritter, Rhoda Ganz and Amy Pelletier. Stay tuned to Store Reporter for more great giveaways.

 

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Fossil watch

Fossil exits the mall

The Fossil store at Westfield Montgomery Mall closed its doors over Memorial Day weekend, a casualty of the company’s decision to move out of the clothing business and return to its core products: handbags, wallets and watches. “The Montgomery Mall store was huge because it sold so much clothing, and you just don’t need all that space if you’re only selling accessories,” an insider tells us. If you’re fan of Fossil’s retro vibe, the next-closest Fossil store is at Tysons Corner.

 

 

Mars Goodnessknows Snack SquaresHershey Brookside Fruit & Nut Bars

Hitting the sweet spot

Look for some new “healthy” snack bars on the shelves of local stores this summer from candy companies trying to steal market share from brands like Kind and Clif. At an industry trade show last week, Hershey debuted a line of snack bars under its high-end Brookside brand (with see-through packaging to show off the fruit and nut pieces), while Mars showed its own line of Goodnessknows Snack Squares (with bite-sized sections for portion control). All the bars incorporate fruit, nuts, oats, seeds and dark chocolate, with serving sizes below 200 calories and no artificial flavors. Whether they’re really “healthy” is debatable, but they’re clearly designed to get the attention of shoppers who typically skip the candy aisle. Major marketing campaigns are on the way.