Bethesda Actually

Check these out:

This is super — check out how people got to work trying to clear the road yesterday after the rains and wind blew through the community:

I’m not a massive fan of shopping but every time I’ve been into the Mustard Seed on Wisconsin Avenue I’ve come away with some great clothes at amazing prices, so thought it was about time Mustard Seed got a shout out on Bethesda Actually!  In fact I find it hard to find button downs that fit well in the usual stores, but not so at the Mustard Seed.  Last time I went I came out with a Ralph Lauren shirt as good as new, for a very reasonable $16.  Thanks massively to the Mustard Seed for this great bargain, and thanks too to the guy who donated it!

The moment we’ve all been waiting for has arrived!  Bethesda’s latest eatery, Mussel Bar, opened for business last night and by all accounts it truly lives up to the hype.  More to come on Mussel Bar soon!

Picture published with generous permission of D.C.-based food writer Amanda McClements. Check out Amanda’s website, metrocurean.

Ever fancied a career in law enforcement, serving and protecting the rest of us from crime?  If so, this poster on the side of the police department building in Bethesda states that Montgomery County Police Department is now hiring officer candidates as well as 911 specialists.

After browsing the department’s website, the first line of the careers page says:

Due to current fiscal constraints, the County is under a hiring freeze.

I was about to read no further but luckily I kept going.  It appears that this hiring freeze is only in relation to certain positions, and for some roles only internal candidates may apply.  That said, if you’re interested in the above, definitely swing by their website and have a look what’s going.

The Bethesda Actually team dropped by Ali Baba’s Falafel (corner of Willow Lane and Wisconsin Avenue for lunch today – it’s been on our radar for a long time so we finally decided to check it out!  Satisfied?  Absolutely!  Ordered the small falafel, which was plenty filling enough for lunch time and reasonably priced.  And while we’re used to the Palestinian/Egyptian falafel, Ali Baba’s is the Eqyptian variant, well worth tasting.

Mohamed Elrafal traded in his antique business for his falafel stand, and the line waiting for his cuisine indicates it was a good move.  To find out more about Ali Baba’s and Mohamed, check out this article from the Washington City Paper.  And if falafel isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of standard fare on the menu too.

We’re very excited about the opening of the Mussel Bar on Woodmont Ave.  We’d heard it was due to open yesterday but according to the restaurant’s Facebook page, today is looking like the big day due to server training.  The picture below shows employee training underway.  Definitely check out the Facebook page; it’s an active group and really drawing the community into this exciting new eatery!

Image by Mussel Bar

An interesting read regarding the challenges facing local galleries during the long summer. If you have time try and check out a couple of galleries this weekend.

Friends,

Good news — Bethesda Restaurant Week is almost here! It will run from 23rd July to August 1st this year and will cost $12-15 for lunch and $25-30 for 3 course dinners. The participating restaurants, according to Bethesda UP, are:

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Friends,

Here is some info on the new Uptown deli via their release:

THE UPTOWN DELI, in Bethesda, a traditional Jewish delicatessen Opening in July. At 7905 Norfolk Ave.

“Give me your hungry,
Your deli deprived masses,
 Yearning to be fed.
Send them to me,
 I will feed and delight them”

says Deli Maven Howard Wasserman proprietor-impresario of the soon to be opened Uptown Delicatessen at 7905  Norfolk Avenue in Bethesda.

“The Uptown is the “emess” (the real thing) a New York  Jewish delicatessen with a legacy of  thickly filled Pastrami, brisket, Salami, Corned Beef and combination sandwiches, delicious  Matzoh Ball Soup,  sour pickles,Salami and Egg Omelets, Onion Bagels, Knishes,  Lox, Nova, Onions,  Dr. Browns Cream Soda ,Hebrew National frankfurters and authentic NY cheese cake with strawberries – it’s a true- to- tradition medley of  taste, smell, and ingredients  – like coming home” says Howard.

 If they awarded PhD’s in Delicatessen Science Howard Wasserman would earn one.  He swept sawdust on the floor of his father’s Baltimore Kosher Butcher shop and worked his way through high school and college working in Jewish Delicatessens. His entire career has been food and he knows the tastes, smells, recipes and the jokes.

The food at the Uptown will be wonderful, the atmosphere traditional with a few new wrinkles.
•        Uptown Deli will offer “fast, courteous and efficient self service”. No insulting Jewish waiters – but Howard has some one liners to make you smile.
•       For the émigrés from Brooklyn the Uptown will have “Do it yourself Egg Creams with Foxes U-bet included and Square Knishes.
•       Eat in or take out Platters. Enormous Sandwiches with names like “ The Big Fresser”, “Bris Kit, The Jets and the Mets, Uptown Canarsie,etc.
•        Catering Services for Jewish Holidays, American Holidays, every day is a Holiday, Shiva platters, Deli platters with the world’s best Corned Beef and Smoked Fish too. Corporate and party catering with loaded platters to full service events.  For More info, contact Howard at howardw@uptowndelibethesda.com