Looking to explore the newest restaurant and retail additions to Town Center? From an Asian bakery to a Japanese restaurant, read on for a rundown of the newest businesses to land in this area of Rockville.
Kabuto
1 Choice Hotel Circle, R200
First, Kabuto is a new sushi bar and hibachi spot in the ground floor of the Choice Hotels corporate headquarters.
The modern interior boasts both general table seating, where a full menu of ramen, sushi, soups and appetizers are available, and seats up next to hibachi grills. There, guests enjoy a display of the chef's knife skills while they cook up everything from chicken and New York steak to lobster and salmon. Pick one or make it a combination plate, like the Kabuto deluxe, which has filet mignon, lobster tail and scallops.
With a 3.5-star Yelp rating out 20 reviews, Kabuto is still finding its way, but it's early days.
Yelper Brian C., who reviewed Kabuto on Jan. 1, wrote, "The restaurant has a very clean geometric aesthetic. It comes off as minimalistic and let's the food stand out. The staff is incredibly friendly and well trained. The food is amazing."
Kara F. noted, "In total, we were there for two hours and 15 minutes. The food was very good, but they are obviously starting to figure out the flow. I'll definitely go back, but hope things are a bit smoother next time."
The new spot has yet to post its hours online.
Pour Vino n’ Hops
42 Maryland Ave.
Pour Vino n’ Hops is both a bar and store, selling wine and beer. Its rotating menu includes offerings from well-known and local producers, as well as from hard-to-find regions. There is a short food menu of cheese, charcuterie, nuts and olives, but guests can bring in outside food. There is no corkage fee to open any drink purchased inside the store.
With a five-star rating out of four reviews on Yelp, Pour Vino n’ Hops has been getting positive attention.
Yelper Jessica C., who reviewed Pour Vino n’ Hops on Dec. 12, wrote, "Fun new spot. Great place to pick up wine and beer, but there's also a small, intimate bar area where they serve select beers and wine. Great pricing, too."
Ale O. noted, "Very cute spot in Rockville Town Center. Nice wine selection, fair prices, and they have small bar area. I sat there with a friend and enjoyed a glass of wine. The general manager is very friendly and knowledgeable. They have wine tastings and cheese platters."
Pour Vino n’ Hops is open from 10 a.m.–10 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.–11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.–9 p.m. on Sunday.
Japong Bakery
785 Rockville Pike, Unit I
Finally, Japong Bakery offers Asian-style breads and pastries from a strip mall storefront.
Look for signature treats like matcha cheesecake and the house puffs, which are made with custard cream and vanilla beans. The numerous savory options include a bacon cheese loaf, pork sung cake and a ham and corn roll. Croissants—butter, fruit, almond—are available as is or can be used to make a sandwich. Fancy packaging means your takeaway would make a fine gift.
Japong Bakery's current rating of 4.5 stars out of 67 reviews on Yelp indicates positive attention from users.
Yelper Trisha C., who reviewed Japong Bakery on Dec. 3, wrote, "The cream puff is a must. I never had any other cream puff that was so flaky on the outside. Combining that texture with the smooth, sweet cream just made it the best cream puff I have had. They have a large cream funnel, and only put the cream into the puff when you order them, keeping the puff really crispy."
Melissa C. noted, "Very clean bakery with lots of variety. I got a couple cinnamon buns and a roll. The samples of cheesecake were pretty good. It tasted more like sponge cake to me. Note that there's no seating here, so it's purely to-go and leave."
Japong Bakery is open from 9 a.m.–8:30 p.m. on Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m.–8 p.m. on Sunday.
