K2 Cafe is officially full go in Clarksburg after wrapping up a successful soft opening phase at the Clarksburg Market (23329 Frederick Rd).

The Poolesville based cafe has now fully opened its second location, bringing its Himalayan inspired bowls, wraps, and specialty drinks to Clarksburg. After a couple  weeks of testing operations, training staff, and welcoming early customers, the owners say the Clarksburg cafe is now operating as intended.

Current hours at the Clarksburg K2 Cafe are Wednesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cafe is closed Mondays and Tuesdays for now.

The opening is especially meaningful for co owner Nichole Hodges Abbasi, who teaches at Hallie Wells Middle School and has deep ties to the Clarksburg community. What started as an expansion plan is now a daily reality, with local residents stopping in for familiar favorites and first time visitors discovering K2 for the first time.

Founded by Nichole and her husband Ashar Abbasi, K2 Cafe first opened in Poolesville in 2021 and quickly developed a loyal following. Long lunch lines, cyclists fueling up after rides, and students grabbing meals became a common sight as the cafe carved out a niche with fresh halal ingredients and a menu blending American comfort food with Himalayan flavors. Popular items include tandoori chicken bowls, Himalayan chai, and house made cookies.

The Clarksburg location follows the same philosophy that helped make the original cafe a success, focusing on quality ingredients, cultural influences, and a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere.

A new Italian restaurant named Maurizio’s is set to open in Potomac in Spring 2026, bringing a deeply personal concept to the former Renato’s restaurant space at 10120 River Road in the Potomac Village Shopping Center.

The restaurant is named in honor of Maurizio Luise, the longtime Director of Operations for the Cava Mezze family of restaurants, who passed away unexpectedly in November. Luise played a central role in the growth and day to day operations of the group’s portfolio, which includes Cava Mezze, Julii, Melina, and Bouboulina.

The team behind those restaurants first confirmed plans to take over the Renato’s space in September 2024, partnering with Zuckerman Gravely Development to secure the lease after learning the longtime Potomac restaurant was closing. From the outset, the group emphasized its intention to respect the deep roots Renato’s had in the community while introducing a new concept.

“As someone from this community, I understand what Renato’s meant to Potomac, and we’re committed to honoring that legacy while continuing to lead in hospitality,” said co founder Ike Grigoropoulos. Ted Xenohristos, Founder and Chief Concept Officer of Cava, added at the time, “I’m excited for Executive Chef Aris Tsekouras to showcase his incredible culinary talents to a community I’ve been connected to for years.” Xenohristos grew up delivering pizzas for his uncle’s nearby restaurant, Tally Ho, giving the project a personal connection to the area beyond the new concept itself.

Chef Aris Tsekouras, who also leads the kitchens at Julii, Melina, and Bouboulina, will oversee Maurizio’s menu. Per our November 2024 update, diners can expect offerings that include fresh crudo, classic Italian meatballs, fried mushroom polenta, handmade pastas, burrata, and the ever popular chicken parmesan. A few dishes are also expected to pay tribute to Renato’s as a nod to the former family restaurant that served Potomac for decades.

Originally planned to open last year, the project has evolved into something more meaningful following Luise’s passing. Naming the restaurant Maurizio’s reflects both his influence on the group and the desire to memorialize his impact through a space rooted in food, hospitality, and community.

When it opens in Spring 2026, Maurizio’s will become the group’s sixth full service restaurant in Montgomery County, joining existing locations in Olney, Rockville, and Pike and Rose, while adding a new chapter to the Potomac dining scene.

The Churrasco is now open at 303 N Washington St in Rockville.

The eatery is located inside of Tiger Beer, Wine, and Deli and specializes in authentic Brazilian barbecue, featuring chicken, steak, and beef skewers that are served with rice and French fries.

According to the restaurant, its guiding principle is that “quality should be accessible.” The Churrasco is open Monday through Sunday from 11am to 10pm and is also available through delivery apps.

Taco Bar El Güero has officially reopened in its new home and with a new name. The longtime Gaithersburg favorite is now operating as El Güero Mexicano at 200 Ellington Boulevard in Downtown Crown (first look video below).

The move marks a new chapter for the Valdivia family-owned restaurant, which recently closed its original location inside the Shell station at 10003 B Fields Road. While the setting and branding have changed, the family has kept the core of what made the restaurant popular, including the familiar menu, pricing, and the return of the salsa bar.

El Güero Mexicano is now open daily, with extended hours compared to the former location. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 10pm, and Sunday from 9am to 10pm.

The menu continues to focus on classic Mexican staples, starting with an expanded all-day breakfast lineup. Breakfast options include a $4 breakfast taco with scrambled eggs, protein, and cheese, a breakfast burrito for $6.75, tortas de huevo offered half or whole, enfrijoladas topped with crema, queso, and avocado, and a hearty desayuno platter with eggs, protein, beans, rice, and tortillas.

Tacos remain a centerpiece of the menu, served on corn tortillas with fillings such as pollo, bistec, suadero, al pastor, chorizo, and veggie options, most priced at $4, with lengua available for $6. Burritos and bowls range from classic meat-filled options to vegetarian versions, starting in the mid-$6 range.

House specialties include taquitos fritos, sopes, quesadillas, sincrós, pozole, nachos, shrimp cocktail, and milanesa platters. Tortas are another highlight, made on in-house baked telera bread, including the classic milanesa torta and the larger Torta El Güero, available half or whole.

Sides include Mexican rice, refried pinto beans, house-made tortilla chips, fries, crema, queso, and guacamole. For drinks, the menu features horchata, Mexican bottled sodas, fountain sodas, coffee, and specialty beverages like the Güero Fizz made with mineral water, lime, chamoy, and grapefruit soda.

The new location also introduces beer, wine, and tequila-forward cocktails. Margaritas and mezcalitas are available alongside beers on tap and house red or white wine.

 

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20+ years after opening its first store in Houston, Texas, women’s boutique chain Francesca’s is closing all of its stores nationwide. According to a report fromWomen’s Wear Daily (WWD), the company is liquidating its inventory and preparing to shut down permanently.

A representative from the only remaining Montgomery County location, at Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, confirmed the store will be liquidating its inventory and closing within the next two months. The boutique is currently holding a “last chance warehouse sale” online with all clearance items priced at $15 and under.

Francesca’s operates nine locations in Maryland, all of which are expected to close as part of the nationwide shutdown in the coming months. In Montgomery County, the Montgomery Mall store was the last remaining location. Previous county locations at Rio, Pike & Rose, and Bethesda Row closed within the past five years.