Great concert tonight

There was a great concert on the plaza tonight.  Deb Callahan, a blues signer from Philadelphia, performed with her band for a big crowd of all ages.  I haven't heard who will be featured next week yet, but I'm told they will be continuing to mix up the genres a little bit more (it began as a weekly jazz concert).

In other news, it appears that we will be able to enjoy two new restaurants in the next two weeks.  Carolina Kitchen is scheduled to open this weekend and Wild Onion is planning to open next week.  There is quite a buzz about Carolina Kitchen - the windows are uncovered and everyone who walks by stops to take a peek as the employees are being trained.  The interior looks very impressive and I've heard many good reviews of the food at the Largo location.  The windows are still covered at Wild Onion, but there is activity inside and I look forward to eating there soon as well.

21 comments - Posted by UTC Living at 9:09 PM - Categories: Events | UTC Retail

Wild Onion: Grand Opening June 7, 2008

Wild Onion cafe has announced a tentative opening date of June 7, 2008. This chef-owned cafe will be opening on the ground floor of One Independence Plaza, facing the fountain. They will serve hot and cold entrees, sandwiches, soups, salads, and desserts.

Wild Onion is now hiring. Applications for employment are available in front of the restaurant.

The restaurant's website is www.wildonioncatering.com.

Wild Onion will be joined this summer by Original Soup Man, Old Dominion Brewhouse, and Gifford's Ice Cream on the plaza level of One Independence Plaza.

36 comments - Posted by dbw63 at 1:46 PM - Categories: UTC Retail

The Carolina Kitchen Bar and Grill Opening Soon

It looks like they are putting the finishing touches on The Carolina Kitchen Bar and Grill, which is scheduled to open in early June.  The restaurant is located right next to the Royale 14 movie theater on America Boulevard at University Town Center.

The original Carolina Kitchen in Silver Spring burned down in 2003 and relocated to the Boulevard at the Capital Centre in Largo in 2005.  The new Hyattsville location will be more than twice the size of the Largo restaurant, seating up to 375 people.  It will serve soul food and American cuisine, and will feature a full-service bar with a fireside lounge, waterfalls, jazz performances, and two rooms for private events.  According to owner Lance London, "The concept is incredible home-style cooking done with an upscale flair."

London has big plans for his new location.  "Carolina Kitchen Bar and Grill needs to not just impress but amaze customers.... It is one of the most magnificent build-outs ever seen--not just in D.C. but in America."  He also has great things to say about Hyattsville, calling it "the new Bethesda."  "When I saw all the wonderful things going on in Hyattsville, I new it was the place for my brand-new, explosive restaurant," says London.

Sources:
Restaurateur to take Carolina regional, Gazette.Net (3/7/2008)
Hyattsville is the new Bethesda, WhyHyattsville.com (5/2008)
Prince Georges Restauranteur Brings Las Vegas to Hyattsville, Inside Prince George's Advertising Supplement.  Thanks to WhyHyattsville.com.

Posted by UTC Living at 8:29 PM - Categories: News | UTC Retail

Three Brothers Italian Restaurant Opens at the Town Center in Hyattsville

Three Brothers Italian Restaurant is now open at University Town Center.  The 4,000 square foot restaurant specializes in pizza and Italian-American specialties. This is their 15th restaurant in Maryland.

Read more...

65 comments - Posted by UTC Living at 9:32 PM - Categories: News | UTC Retail

Gifford's Ice Cream to open in Hyattsville

"One of the Washington area's oldest ice cream stores is coming to University Town Center in Prince George's County.  Gifford's Ice Cream & Candy Co. signed a lease Dec. 14 to open a 1,107-square-foot store at 6504 America's Blvd. in the new $1.2 billion mixed-use project in Hyattsville. Slated to open next March, it becomes the 11th restaurant in the complex and fifth in the region. Gifford's - which has been making gourmet ice cream and candies since 1938 - has other locations in Bethesda, Rockville, Chevy Chase and D.C."

http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2007/12/17/daily8.html

Published 12/17/07 by Washington Business Journal

36 comments - Posted by UTC Living at 6:00 PM - Categories: News | UTC Retail

More retail openings

Qdoba has a new neighbor on America Boulevard as Smoothie King opened last week. Stop by for fruit smoothies, sport beverages, energy bars, healthy snacks, vitamin supplements, herbs, minerals, and sports nutrition products.

And scheduled to arrive across the street later this week... Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries!

21 comments - Posted by UTC Living at 8:29 PM - Categories: UTC Retail

Off-campus housing complex emerging as dining, retail hub

The University of Maryland has cooperated with University Town Center by giving the complex a designated Shuttle-UM route and including Qdoba as part of the meal plan.

Read more...

28 comments - Posted by UTC Living at 10:43 AM - Categories: News | Towers | UTC Retail