First look: Gringos & Mariachis nears opening at Park Potomac (Photos)

The second location of Gringos & Mariachis at Park Potomac is nearing the finish line. This one has the benefit of a custom-designed exterior, and an outdoor bar/counter similar to the one at Owen's Ordinary at Pike & Rose. There's no official opening date yet, but the owners say "the wait is almost over." Here's a sneak peek:

Signs of Gringos & Mariachis, Addie's, Fall Festival at Park Potomac (Photos)

Two established names in Bethesda dining have posted Coming Soon signage at their future spin-offs in the Park Potomac development. Gringos & Mariachis is expected to open later this year, and has an existing downtown Bethesda location. Addie's was a perennial Top Restaurants list winner in North Bethesda's Pike District before closing. Their new location here will open next year.

Park Potomac will host a Fall Festival on September 24, from noon to 4:00 PM. If you caught Darcy Dawn at the recent Westwood Wednesdays, she's back to provide live music for this event. Food will be provided by Park Potomac's restaurants and food trucks, and there will be local beer and wine samples. Face painting, balloons and a petting zoo will keep kids busy.

Park Potomac is located at 12505 Park Potomac Avenue, right off the Montrose Road exit from I-270.

GRINGOS & MARIACHIS GETS EXTERIOR MAKEOVER IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Gringos & Mariachis has a new facade design on Cordell Avenue. Gone is the awning out front, replaced with a new logo stenciled directly on the building.

MIA'S PIZZAS HOPES TO REOPEN TODAY AFTER POWER OUTAGE - DUE TO SNOWPLOW ACCIDENT(!) (PHOTOS)

At least 2 Bethesda restaurants appear to have sustained damage from Monday's minor blizzard - and a snowplow. While Pepco restored power to hundreds of customers after a dump truck (with snowplow raised in the air) struck power lines on Cordell Avenue, Mia's Pizzas remained without electricity last night. A pole in front of the pizza parlor remains on the ground.

"Doh!!"

Next door neighbor Gringos & Mariachis seems to have a non-electrical problem: damage to its brand-new awning out front. Examine this photo to see for yourself:

Was it what Roscoe P. Coltrane
would call, "a horrendous
crash?"

Mia's is hoping to reopen today. Gringos and Mariachis is open.

GRINGOS AND MARIACHIS LAUNCHES NEW HAPPY HOUR IN BETHESDA

Gringos and Mariachis, the new Mexican restaurant on Cordell Avenue, has now added Happy Hour to its weekday schedule. Tuesdays through Fridays, 4:30-6:30 PM, you can now enjoy $5 house margaritas, $5 house sangria (red or white), and $2 off all draft beers.

GRINGOS AND MARIACHIS MENU (PHOTO) - NEW BETHESDA MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Here's the menu for Bethesda's newest Mexican restaurant (click photo to enlarge for detail):

Gringos & Mariachis is located at 4928 Cordell Avenue.

GRINGOS AND MARIACHIS OPENS IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Bethesda's newest Mexican restaurant opened yesterday on Cordell Avenue. Gringos and Mariachis is the latest venture from the ownership of the popular Bethesda Italian restaurant, Olazzo. The restaurant also specializes in tequila and whiskey.

GRINGOS AND MARIACHIS INSTALLS SIGNAGE IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

Another eagerly-anticipated Bethesda restaurant opening is that of tacqueria Gringos & Mariachis on Cordell Avenue. From the folks behind the popular Italian restaurant Olazzo, Gringos & Mariachis will specialize in tacos and tequila.

BETHESDA NEW YEAR'S EVE EVENTS GUIDE - JUST ADDED: GRINGOS AND MARIACHIS!

Making last-minute New Year's Eve plans? Here is my guide to some of the more intriguing New Year's Eve events at Bethesda bars and restaurants this year. The biggest news is the last-minute entry of the highly-anticipated Gringos & Mariachis restaurant to the list of New Year's Eve options.

Gringos and Mariachis

This is the one people will be talking about around town, given that the restaurant hasn't opened to the public yet! For only $45, be one of the first to try the food here (which you'd expect to be outstanding, coming from the folks behind Bethesda's popular Olazzo restaurant). Choose one item from each course on the 4-course menu:

Course 1:

Pineapple guacamole, halibut ceviche, or duck nachos.

Course 2:

Kale Caesar, tortilla chicken soup, or roasted tomato soup.

Course 3:

Lamb mixiote, red snapper Vera Cruz, or pistachio-encrusted chicken.

Course 4:

Coconut flan or rice pudding.

Vegetarian options will also be available. Email olazzo [at] yahoo.com for reservations. Phone: 240-800-4266. 4928 Cordell Avenue.

Guardado's

Guardado's is offering an All-You-Can-Eat menu for only $50, including Champagne and noisemakers at midnight. 4918 Del Ray Avenue. 6:00 PM-midnight.

The Parva

Table service is already sold out in the upstairs lounge, but you can still enjoy two floors of music all night ($30) and add a 3-course dinner for $20 more. Ironically, one of the appetizers on the menu is Beef Empanadas, a New Year's Eve tradition for me.  Call 301-312-6488 to reserve your dinner seat now. 7904 Woodmont Avenue. Starts at 6:00 PM.

Positano Ristorante

Positano will be open for lunch and dinner New Year's Eve, and there is no fixed menu or price; you can order whatever you like from the menu. They are also open on New Year's Day, from noon to 9:00 PM. Once again, you can order your preference from the regular menu. You may want to verify what the closing time is on New Year's Eve when you make your reservation. To reserve a table, call 301-654-1717, or email reserve@epositano.com. 4948 Fairmont Avenue.

Redwood

Redwood has a 1920s Prohibition theme, and numerous packages for all price points. There's even back room "gambling." If you just want to get into the party for $56, whisper this password to the bouncer after 9:00 PM: "blind tiger." See all the packages, and order tickets on Redwood's special website. 7121 Bethesda Lane. Dinner: 6:30, Speakeasy Party starts at 9:00.

Union Jack's Bethesda

Union Jack's presents its 8th Annual British Invasion Ball, complete with heavy hors d'oeuvres from 8-10 PM, a live DJ and dancing until 2:30 AM, party favors, midnight champagne toast, early morning Continental breakfast, billiards and darts, and drink specials all night. Order tickets online, or for a higher price at the door. 4915 St. Elmo Avenue. 8:00 PM - 2:30 AM.

SNEAK PEEK OF ARTWORK AT FUTURE GRINGOS AND MARIACHIS RESTAURANT (PHOTO)

The soon-to-open tacqueria Gringos & Mariachis was hosting a private party recently. Visible through the door from the sidewalk was this interesting mariachi artwork: