Mandalay Restaurant to Remain on Bonifant Street Until Mid-2021

Mandalay Restaurant and Café will continue operating at 930 Bonifant St. until mid-2021, according to an email to the Source from manager Joe Myint. In December of last year, the Myints announced their intention to move in August 2020 to a location in Washington D.C. near the former Walter Reed complex at 7302 Georgia Ave. N.W.

Urban Butcher Hits “Pause” Button on Operations

Report: Urban Butcher owner planning second Silver Spring restaurant

Urban Butcher has hit the “pause” button on operations at the restaurant at 8226 Georgia Ave. “due to the current situation,” according to an announcement on its website and Facebook page. The operators will concentrate their efforts at “Urban Butcher’s younger brother,” El Sapo Cuban Social Club.

Buena Vida Concept Eliminated in Favor of Tacos, Tortas & Tequila Menu

The upscale Mexican, all-you-can-eat menu at Buena Vida has been eliminated from the Silver Spring restaurant in favor of offering the casual Tacos, Tortas & Tequila fare, said Ivan Iricanin, founder and CEO of Street Guys Hospitality. The unlimited menu concept will remain, however, in the form of weekend brunch offerings at TTT.

Two More Silver Spring Businesses Closed for Violating COVID-19 Restrictions

The county’s Department of Health and Human Services closed two more Georgia Avenue businesses in Silver Spring for failing to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Society Lounge at 8229 Georgia Ave. and Republic Garden at 8402 Georgia were both shut down on Sunday July 12, both for not maintaining social distancing. In addition, both businesses had their licenses suspended.

Not Your Average Joe’s Has Permanently Closed in Ellsworth Place

Not Your Average Joe’s restaurant in Ellsworth Place has permanently closed, according to an email sent to customers today (July 9) and forwarded to the Source. The message, signed by Peter D’Amelio, the company’s chairman and CEO, reads, “We have truly enjoyed being part of the Silver Spring community.”

Kefa to Leave Library Location, Bump ’n Grind to Take Over

Kefa Café will leave its location in the Silver Spring Library and open a café in the new Wheaton Library, while Bump ’n Grind will take over the Silver Spring spot. “We have been honored for the past five years to operate the coffee shop located on the grounds of the Silver Spring Library,” said Kefa’s co-owner Lene Tsegay in a statement, “and we are proud to have established a precedent for creating a welcoming and supportive community space for library customers.”

Locavino Honored with Award from Wine Spectator Magazine

Locavino, the wine café that overlooks Veterans Plaza in Silver Spring, has been recognized with a 2020 Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator magazine. The award “recognizes thoughtfully chosen wine lists that offer quality and diversity, as well as compatibility with the restaurant’s style and menu,” according to the announcement.