New Restaurants, Gym Debut on Bethesda Row

Bethesda Row has three new eateries – and one new place to work off those calories – as three restaurants debuted this month and a new gym gears up to open Sept. 23.

Vapiano, Taylor Gourmet and Equinox gym have leased space in the newly completed building in the 7300 block of Woodmont Avenue, while American Taproom has replaced the Austin Grill at the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Elm Street.

The addition of the new businesses is another step in bringing a balance of options to Bethesda Row, said Ralph Ours, director of leasing for lifestyle properties in the mid-Atlantic region for Federal Realty, the company that manages Bethesda Row. Taylor Gourmet brings a quick deli sandwich option, he said, and Italian restaurant Vapiano offers a fast dinner with great atmosphere.

"We're always trying to bring best-in-class retailers and restaurants," Ours said.

Stephanie Coppula, spokesperson for Bethesda Urban Partnership, said she looked at the businesses as a bright spot in the local economy.

"It's great to see the building finished," Coppula said. "You hear negative things about the economy, and it's great to see new businesses move into Bethesda."

The new Equinox health club will fill a 31,000 square-foot "anchor" space in the development at 7254 Woodmont Ave. The upscale gym will be the third Equinox location in the Washington, D.C., metro region and will feature a salt-water infused pool, spa with massage and esthetician services, and a range of other services. Equinox also touts its array of class offerings. The facility opens Sept. 23.

Taylor Gourmet, at 7280 Woodmont Ave., opened Sept. 2. On a recent Tuesday evening, the shop saw a steady stream of customers ordering authentic Philadelphia-style hoagies. The sandwiches — ranging in price from $6 to $7 for a 6-inch sandwich to $8 to $9 for a foot-long — feature store-roasted meats, fresh vegetables and bread shipped fresh from Philadelphia every day.

Since they've opened, they've almost run out of bread several nights, said co-founder Casey Patten.

"This is a great little neighborhood with a lot of families and great traffic," said Kirk Spare, director of operations at the three-restaurant, District-based chain. "It helps that we're on one of the best corners in the area."

"[This location] totally wasn't something that was on our radar for growth, but it was a location we couldn't pass up," Patten said.

Bethesda resident Brian Rosenthal, 23, sat by the window in the restaurant — with a décor Patten describes as "industrial, rustic and contemporary" — eating the Race Street, a combination of turkey, prosciutto, pesto and fresh mozzarella.

"It's pretty good," Rosenthal said between bites. "It's not like a Subway. It's higher class. There's more meat in it, which is awesome."

That same night, Sept. 7, at the corner of Woodmont Avenue and Hampden Lane, Vapiano rolled out the red carpet for its opening event, a private party with a step-and-repeat photo area outside. The location is the chain's fifth in the metro region, all featuring chip cards that keep track of purchases at the high-end, cafeteria-style Italian restaurant.

The 5,600 square-foot restaurant lets patrons get their food — whether it be pasta, salad or pizza — quickly while still maintaining the feel of a full-service restaurant, said Stuart Biel, leasing agent for Federal Realty.

American Tap Room, the third new restaurant in the area, replaces Austin Grill, another eatery owned by the same company.

"American Tap Room seemed to be a more logical fit in Bethesda with what the trends seem to be and what the community responds to," said Rebecca Vaughn-King, executive assistant at Thompson Hospitality, which owns the restaurants.

On a recent evening, the sidewalk seating was nearly full, as were the tables inside the restaurant, which boasts hardwood, brick and brass around its several fireplaces. The beer and wine selection is large — 50 of each — and the prices are reduced from the other American Tap Room location in Reston, Va., said director of operations Frank Mitolo.

Construction will resume in the area again soon as Federal Realty has signed a lease with Cava restaurants, a Greek mezze-style eatery with locations in Rockville and Capitol Hill. Work will begin on the restaurant in a few weeks, and it should open by the end of the year, said Federal Realty's Ours.