Club Capri coming soon to Wheaton

Club Capri has leased the 11222 Grandview Avenue in the Wheaton Triangle area. The sports bar and grill is anticipated to open this summer. Initial operating hours are expected to be 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 AM to 3:00 AM Fridays and Saturdays. This 7000-square-foot space was formerly home to Rumba Y Carbon. 

Is this merely an opening, or a triumphant return? There was a popular Italian restaurant called The Capri on Grandview Avenue for several decades during the golden age of Wheaton. From what I have heard, the owner of Club Capri is a member of the same family, so this establishment should be of interest to longtime residents as much as to newcomers seeking a sports bar.

Wheaton Sport Bar space available for lease

A sign has been placed outside the Wheaton Sport Bar building indicating that the restaurant and lounge space is available for lease. It's a great location with high visibility, but there continues to be frequent turnover in tenants. 

Perhaps the loss of parking at the nearby Lot 13 and surrounding area during the Montgomery County government office building construction was a factor. That project is now completed.

Islands Lounge update from Wheaton

It's been a long road, but Islands Lounge is getting closer to opening at 11300 Fern Street in Wheaton. An artist was decorating the exterior walls with vibrant Caribbean-themed art on Sunday. Islands Lounge will be the largest Caribbean restaurant, bar & lounge in the D.C. area when it opens. Check out the menu on their website and get on their mailing list. Stay tuned for an opening date!

Islands Lounge finally moving forward in Wheaton

Islands Lounge, which had planned to open this spring in Wheaton, is finally moving forward. A renovation permit has been requested from Montgomery County for the old Ferdinand's space at 11300 Fern Street. The restaurant, bar and lounge will serve Caribbean cuisine.

Tilted Kilt Wheaton Plaza exterior unveiled (Photos)

The seemingly endless wait for the long-anticipated opening of the Tilted Kilt at Wheaton Plaza continues. But the restaurant has taken the wraps off its exterior at last. Signs for the bar first appeared in October of 2015. After many delays, an opening date of September 19, 2016 was set - and then scratched.

There is currently no official opening date announced, so stay tuned...

Tilted Kilt sets opening date at Wheaton Plaza

After months of delays, the new Tilted Kilt at Wheaton Plaza is now planning to open on September 19. The restaurant and pub will have a prime market opportunity with Hooters closing in Rockville later this year, leaving zero competition in Montgomery County for the Tilted Kilt. You'd think Twin Peaks might want to step into this vacuum at this point.

Bar Louie officially open at Wheaton Plaza

If you missed the soft opening events on Tuesday, don't worry - the new Bar Louie at Wheaton Plaza is now officially open. And it's off to a promising start.

Early Facebook feedback shows 8 reviews. All are giving the new bar and restaurant 5 stars except for one 4.5 star review from a customer who was disappointed they didn't have sweet tea.

Patio seating set up at Bar Louie as new Wheaton Plaza wing starts to open to public (Photos)

The walkway through the new wing of Wheaton Plaza has opened to the public. While the main marquee signage is not up yet at the AMC Wheaton 9 Theatres cineplex, some wayfinding signs have been installed elsewhere at the structure to direct patrons.

Wayfinding signage
directing moviegoers to
the future AMC Wheaton 9
cineplex near Bar Louie

Most notable this weekend was the brand-new outdoor seating set up for patio dining at the new Bar Louie this week. There's even a nice fire pit outside. Have you signed up for a free meal at Bar Louie tomorrow (Tuesday, July 19) before it opens to the public? Spaces are limited.

If you've been waiting impatiently for the Wheaton renaissance, or are just a longtime fan of Wheaton Plaza, this is an exciting moment. While the public-private partnership is about to get underway on the new Lot 13 office and residential buildings at the Metro, here is the private sector at work nearby. Along with Olive Garden (which will be the only Olive Garden in Montgomery County), these three new businesses at the mall are sure to create a bustling new hub of activity in Wheaton.

Be one of the first to dine at the new Bar Louie at Wheaton Plaza!

You can be one of the first to experience the new Bar Louie at Wheaton Plaza this coming Tuesday, July 19, 2016. They'll be conducting training at lunch and at dinner that day ahead of the grand opening.

You have to make reservations online. Click here to RSVP.

There is a choice of a FREE meal for lunch between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM that day, or a FREE specialty burger (with your choice of free fries or tots) during the dinner between 5:00 and 8:00 PM.

Seating may "sell out," so sign up ASAP. Maximum table size will be 4 persons for this event.

In trying to find it by car, remember, this is in the new addition to the mall with the AMC Theatres Wheaton 9 cineplex (still under construction). It's near the JC Penney.

Bar Louie

Westfield Wheaton Plaza

11006 Veirs Mill Road

Wheaton construction update: Bar Louie (Photos)

Bar Louie is rumored to be opening very soon at Wheaton Plaza. It will be in the new structure with the AMC Theatres Wheaton 9 cineplex and - most eagerly awaited - Olive Garden. They're still hiring for Bar Louie, and some recruitment materials are out at the mall.

As you can see, the Tyvek that was on the front facade in my last update has been removed. You'll also notice fencing (presumably for outdoor dining) has been erected around the restaurant and bar.

Bar Louie coming to Wheaton Plaza

Westfield is continuing to reposition Wheaton Plaza in the local retail market, now bringing Bar Louie on board. Along with a recent signing of Tilted Kilt as a bar tenant, the retail center appears to be aiming for a younger audience seeking nightlife.

Bar Louie will be on Level 2 of the mall, in a 7846 SF space. There is an existing Bar Louie location in Montgomery County, at Rockville Town Square. Westfield has a Bar Louie at its Countryside mall in Florida.

UNPLUGGED SPORTS BAR COMING TO WHEATON

Unplugged Sports Bar & Restaurant has filed with the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services for a construction permit in the De Lounge space at 11305-C Georgia Avenue in Wheaton. The 2,868 SF space is across the street from the recently-opened El Fogon de Wheaton nightclub and restaurant, but far smaller in size. This sounds like good news for sports fans in Wheaton.

STEVE MORRIS, FERGUS KENNEDY - LIVE IRISH MUSIC AT THE LIMERICK PUB IN WHEATON TONIGHT

Stop by the Limerick Pub in my old stomping grounds of downtown Wheaton tonight.

Steve Morris and Fergus Kennedy are appearing live at the pub tonight at 8:00 PM, for an evening of Irish music.

They've also got a couple of great entrees this weekend:

Leg of Lamb Sandwich is a hand carved leg of lamb in rosemary au jus, placed on a toasted Kaiser roll. With your choice of potato, it is $14.50.

Their Seafood Platter features lightly-fried, fresh beer-battered cod, and panko-breaded jumbo shrimp, oysters and jumbo lump crab balls. With your choice of potato and veggie or salad, it's a deal at $17.50.

Limerick Pub is highly-rated on Yelp and Trip Advisor, and is located at 11301 Elkin Street in downtown Wheaton.