Issuu

Local Plates, Global Palates

FOOD + BEVERAGE

MAMMA LENA’S RUSTIC ITALIAN REINVENTION

WEGMANS’ ROCKVILLE CHEESE EXPERTS SHARE THEIR PICKS

SWEET TREASURES: DONUTS, BUNDTS & BEYOND

LAPERAUX HOSTS DMV TASTEMAKERS

Savoring the Season

As someone who grew up right here in Gaithersburg, I’ve always known this town was rich in flavor—not just on the plate, but in spirit. From cozy kitchens to community taprooms, food has long been our way of gathering, celebrating, and staying connected. And in this issue, we’re honoring the businesses that continue to make Gaithersburg a destination for food lovers and flavor seekers alike.

In this issue, we visit Mamma Lena Trattoria Napoletana, where family recipes and Neapolitan tradition transform a Germantown strip mall into a little piece of southern Italy. We raise a glass to Montgomery County’s craft beer revival, with stories from Saints Row Brewing, Elder Pine Brewing & Blending Co., and Waredaca Brewing Company—each bringing something entirely unique to our local brewing scene.

We also spotlight the family-owned experts behind Wegmans' cheese counter in Rockville, curators of flavor who turn your next board into a masterpiece. And we explored the sweetest finds in the metro area—bundt cakes, donuts, and boutique chocolates that make everyday feel a little more celebratory.

Each of these businesses offers more than just great food; they offer a sense of place. And in a world that moves quickly, these places remind us to slow down and savor the moment.

Fall always stirs up memories for me. My mom’s sopa on cold evenings, the smell of cinnamon and roasted garlic in the kitchen, the sound of music humming from the stereo. Food wasn’t just dinner, it was connection.

So here’s to comfort food, to the power of a well-poured pint, and to the stories we gather around the table.

ANICIA JUAREZ, EDITOR @GAITHERSBURGCITYLIFESTYLE

October 2025

PUBLISHER

Adam Taylor | adam.taylor@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Anicia Juarez | anicia.juarez@citylifestyle.com

MANAGING EDITOR

KC Cole | kc.cole@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Marie Robey Wood, Anicia Juarez, Debra Wallace

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kalorama Photography, Sri Namburi

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

COO Matthew Perry

CRO Jamie Pentz

VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson

VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders

AD DESIGNER Josh Govero

LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle

Proverbs 3:5-6

On August 3rd, the RAMMYS awards presented by the Restaurant Association (RAMW) to honor excellence in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s restaurant and foodservice community. 1-3: The RAMMYS 2025

Photography by Kalorama Photography

Photography by Kalorama Photography

Spanish Business Accelerator Launches

Montgomery County Business Center, in partnership with M&T Bank, recently launched its second Spanishlanguage Business Accelerator Program. Starting August 4, this free seven-week initiative supports up to thirty local Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs in developing business plans, mastering financial statements, marketing strategies, and even integrating AI for growth. The program concludes with a pitch competition and prize awards. It underscores the county’s ongoing commitment to empowering Latinx-owned businesses through accessible, culturally responsive resource-building.

Adelante! Business Expo Returns

The Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber is reviving its Adelante! Hispanic Business Expo this October. Sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, this second-year event—set for October 9— brings together nearly fifty vendors, interactive workshops, and economic insights that spotlight Hispanic business impacts locally and nationally. Tickets are affordably priced at $22, honoring 22 years of Chamber service. It’s a must-attend for MoCo business owners looking to connect, grow, and celebrate Hispanic entrepreneurship.

MOVE Grant Expansion

Montgomery County Council expanded the MOVE (Make Office Vacancies Extinct) Grant Program, now offering $1.65 million in FY 2026 funding—nearly doubling last year’s $750,000 allocation. The initiative offsets office lease costs for businesses in commercial corridors, helping local entrepreneurs maintain presence and grow amid post-pandemic recovery and shifting suburban real estate dynamics. It signals the county’s commitment to revitalizing vacant spaces and supporting diverse small businesses.

AROUND TOWN

& The Newest Flavors in the Area

ARTICLE BY ANICIA JUAREZ

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

October 2nd

WHEATON FARMERS MARKET

Evans Neighborhood Park, Wheaton, MD

Celebrate the harvest season at this bustling community market, held every Thursday in October from 3–7 PM. You'll find fresh local produce, artisan breads, baked goods, and small-batch jams, perfect for anyone who loves farm-to-table freshness. The relaxed, family-friendly vibe makes it a great spot to grab a snack, chat with local growers, and soak in the fall spirit. visitmontgomery.com/events

October 2nd

CLARKSBURG FARMERS MARKET

Clarksburg Yard, Clarksburg, MD

Don’t miss the final weeks of this charming suburban market, open Thursdays through October. Enjoy fresh vegetables, seasonal baked treats, and warm apple cider from

passionate local makers. It's a casual but curated experience where visitors can shop, dine, and mingle with vendors who know their harvests by heart. Bonus: Live acoustic sets and pop-up food stalls keep things festive. visitmontgomery.com/events

October 4th

TASTE OF BETHESDA

Bethesda Row, Bethesda, MD

Experience the best of Bethesda’s restaurant scene in a single afternoon. This open-air festival features tastings from more than 50 local eateries, covering everything from sushi to crepes. Live music on multiple stages and family activities round out the offerings. Get there early, it draws a crowd. bethesda.org

October 4th

POWHATAN’S FESTIVAL OF THE GRAPE

Historic Courthouse Green, Powhatan, VA

Just over two hours from Potomac, this award-winning festival features over 30

Virginia wineries, food trucks, live bands, and boutique shopping. Sip cabernets and chardonnays under the fall leaves while enjoying wood-fired pizza, barbecue, and sweet Southern desserts. It’s a day-long indulgence worth the drive, perfect for groups looking to toast the season with flair. www.powhatanwinefestival.com

October 5th

TAKOMA PARK STREET FESTIVAL

Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, MD

This iconic street fair blends community charm with serious culinary delights. With over 185 booths, visitors can sample street eats from empanadas to Korean fried chicken. Multiple live music stages and a family zone make it fun for all ages. It’s walkable, vibrant, and packed with small-town energy in the best way. mainstreettakoma.org/festival

October 6th

SILVER SPRING ARTS & CRAFTS FALL FAIR

Veterans Plaza, Silver Spring, MD

This evening street fair turns downtown Silver Spring into a lively art and food mecca. Discover fall-inspired crafts and artisan goods while nibbling on gourmet donuts, empanadas, and international street food. With the plaza lit up and live music filling the air, it's a perfect after-work destination for casual foodies. eventbrite.com

October 7th

COCKTAILPRO – SPICED & STIRRED

National Harbor, MD

Join mixology lovers at this showdown where local bartenders compete to craft the best “spiced” fall cocktail. Guests sample each drink, cast their vote, and enjoy small bites along the way. Expect seasonal ingredients like cinnamon, cardamom, and apple shrub in every glass. ]nationalharbor.com/events

October 10th-12th

MOUNT VERNON FALL WINE FESTIVAL & SUNSET TOUR

Mount Vernon, VA

Held on the East Lawn of George Washington’s estate, this elegant festival pairs Virginia’s finest wines with breathtaking views of the Potomac River. Each evening ends with a candlelit tour of the mansion. Bring a picnic blanket and savor the sunset with a glass of Chardonnay in hand. mountvernon.org/winefest

October 11th

POTOMAC DAY 2025: ANNUAL COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

9812 Falls Road, Potomac, MD

The much-loved, community festival hosted by the Potomac Chamber of Commerce is a celebration which brings together residents, businesses, and families in a spirited day of Fall fun. Expect a lively parade, business fair booths, a classic car show, petting zoo, and kids’ festival with rides and games. Rain or shine, the event fosters community pride, enjoyment, and connection under Maryland’s crisp October skies.

October 11th-12th

VIRGINIA WINE & GARLIC FESTIVAL Amherst, VA

A deliciously unusual pairing, this fest celebrates the bold flavors of Virginia wine and farm-fresh garlic. Expect garlic ice cream, garlicky crab cakes, and robust reds to wash it all down. Add in live bluegrass, craft booths, and mountain views, and it’s a full-sensory weekend retreat. rebeccaswish.com/wineandgarlic

October 12th

OKTOBERFEST IN KENTLANDS

Bohrer Park, Gaithersburg, MD

Live oompah music, authentic bratwursts, soft pretzels, and locally brewed beer? Yes,

please. Oktoberfest at Bohrer Park is a can’t-miss fall staple. This free, family-friendly event also features mead tastings, cider vendors, and a huge crafts market. Plus, shuttle service from satellite lots makes it stress-free. gaithersburgmd.gov/oktoberfest

October 17th-19th

HARVEST FEST AT DROUMAVALLA FARMS WINERY Leesburg, VA

Celebrate the grape harvest with wine flights, autumnal charcuterie boards, and scenic strolls through the vineyard. Local artisans and food trucks round out the day, offering everything from lavender jams to harvest empanadas. It’s cozy, uncrowded, and perfect for a fall date or friend group outing. droumavalla.com

October 26th

HARBOR HALLOWEEN

National Harbor, MD

This family-friendly Halloween celebration blends spooky and sweet with trick-or-treating, a pet costume parade, live entertainment, and delicious fall-themed treats from local vendors. With waterfront views and festive energy, it’s a top pick for foodies and families alike. nationalharbor.com/events

A QUIET CULINARY JEWEL

Finds a

Tradition

Home at Mamma Lena, Germantown’s Italian Treasure

In the unassuming setting of a Germantown strip mall, where chain restaurants and big-box convenience stores form much of the visual landscape, a modest trattoria has quietly distinguished itself as one of Montgomery County’s most memorable dining experiences. Behind its simple glass front, Mamma Lena Trattoria Napoletana has spent nearly a decade showing that exceptional Italian cooking does not require a fashionable downtown address, only commitment, craft, and authenticity.

The story of Mamma Lena begins in December 2015, when the Borrello-Varriale family opened the doors of their small trattoria. What has followed is a sustained reputation built not on marketing campaigns or flashy design but on consistency, hospitality, and an unwavering respect for the cooking traditions of Naples. For many diners in suburban Maryland, the restaurant has become more than just a place to eat—it has become a destination for nourishment of both the body and the spirit.

Step inside and the contrast with its strip-mall exterior becomes immediately clear. The atmosphere is intentionally intimate: a small number of tables arranged to encourage conversation and closeness rather than spectacle. Diners often remark that visiting Mamma Lena feels more like sitting down in someone’s home than entering a commercial dining room. The décor is modest, and the lighting is warm, creating a sense of comfort and familiarity.

At the center of this experience is the family itself. The BorrelloVarriale family manages the restaurant together, and their presence is strongly felt throughout the evening. Service is attentive without being stiff, professional yet suffused with the unmistakable warmth of genuine hospitality. Guests are greeted not as anonymous customers but as visitors who have been welcomed into an extended home. Reviews often highlight the staff’s ability to strike the delicate balance between polish and personal connection, a quality that has become one of the restaurant’s defining characteristics.

But of course, the food remains the anchor. Mamma Lena’s menu has been carefully crafted to honor Neapolitan traditions while allowing for a handful of personal flourishes that make each dish unique. The experience often begins with a simple but generous gesture: complimentary bruschetta, topped with tomatoes and basil, which serves less as a canapé and more as a welcome note from the kitchen. From there, the antipasti selections set the stage for the depth to come—crisply fried calamari, a seafood salad that tastes fresh and bright, and sometimes thin slices of smoked fish paired with peppery greens. These starters confirm the restaurant’s reputation for attention to freshness and balance.

The pasta offerings represent the heart of the menu. One of the restaurant’s most recognized dishes is the gorgonzola and pear linguine, a combination that risks overindulgence in less careful kitchens but here achieves a satisfying equilibrium between

(Scott Suchman | The Washington Post)

“NEARLY TEN YEARS AFTER OPENING, MAMMA LENA REPRESENTS MORE THAN JUST ONE FAMILY’S DEDICATION TO FOOD.”

creaminess and sweetness. House-made pasta provides both the texture and the integrity needed for the dish to resonate. Other pastas showcase equally thoughtful design: linguine with lemon and black pepper delivers on the Italian idea of simplicity as mastery, while the Bolognese with fennel sausage deepens a familiar sauce with layers of savory complexity. Each preparation offers something distinctive, united by technique and respect for ingredients.

Still, pasta is only part of the story. Mamma Lena also honors the Neapolitan legacy of pizza, serving pies with the signature combination of a blistered, lightly chewy crust and restrained, high-quality toppings. Patrons often note one signature pizza topped with mozzarella, anchovies, capers, and arugula—a reflection of southern Italian coastal influence. While

its composition is simple, the harmony of flavors demonstrates the kind of discipline that distinguishes traditional pizza-making from more Americanized versions.

Dessert provides closing notes that echo the restaurant’s ethos of familiarity elevated by execution. The classic tiramisu is the centerpiece, prepared in house and praised for its balance of creaminess and espresso bite. While the menu occasionally rotates to include cheesecake or other sweets, tiramisu remains the symbolic conclusion to many evenings here, acting as both comfort and final flourish. Critical recognition has matched the loyalty of local patrons. In May 2025, Tom Sietsema of The Washington Post highlighted Mamma Lena in his coverage of hidden gems across the region. His positive review validated what many Germantown

residents had already come to treasure: that outstanding dining can thrive outside the shadow of downtown Washington, D.C., and that authenticity and quality will always find their audience, regardless of location.

Nearly ten years after opening, Mamma Lena represents more than just one family’s dedication to food. It has become a demonstration that culinary excellence is not geographically bound. Great meals may be associated with high-profile downtown restaurants, but Germantown proves that a strip mall storefront, with enough vision and commitment, can match or even surpass more glamorous competitors. Regulars speak of the comfort of returning week after week, while first-time visitors often leave surprised that such depth and refinement could be found in such an unassuming setting.

In a county as diverse and dynamic as Montgomery, restaurants often come and go with the shifting tide of trends. Mamma Lena, however, endures precisely because it resists chasing trends. Its foundation is in tradition, its soul is in family, and its success lies in offering not only food but also a sense of place. Long after diners leave, what tends to linger is not just the taste of pasta or pizza but the feeling of slowed-down intimacy—a welcome escape from hurried suburban rhythms.

As Germantown continues to evolve, Mamma Lena remains a reminder that excellence often hides in plain sight. For those seeking the spirit of Naples translated with honesty and care to suburban Maryland, the modest door of this family trattoria continues to open onto an experience that, while quiet, is nothing short of extraordinary.

FAMILY-OWNED WEGMANS PROVIDES EXEMPLARY PRODUCTS AND CUSTOMER SERVICE

Let’s Talk Cheese

ARTICLE BY DEBRA WALLACE | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY WEGMANS FOOD MARKETS

“One of the things we strive to do is to make great meals easier with non-cooking offerings.”

When shoppers at the Wegmans in Rockville sample and buy pieces of authentic Italian Parmigiano Reggiano or TripleCream French Brie, they are usually unaware of how much preparation, care, and hard work go into each of these products.

When the Rockville store opened in June 2025, the cheese demonstrations and other samples quickly became a customer favorite.

The history goes back some 22 years when Danny Wegman, Wegmans Chairman of the Board, assembled a team of experts to begin an exhaustive process of how to provide his customers with “the ultimate cheese experience,” by melding old-world methods and new-world technology.

The pursuit of perfectly ripened brie, camembert, triple cream, and other soft cheeses found in France prompted Danny Wegman to take his team on a journey to conduct extensive research on the cheese-making process.

The result was acquiring the right technology, bringing together cheese experts, and building state-of-the-art cheese caves in the company’s headquarters in Rochester, New York.

This was all backed by the 109-year-old family-owned and operated, community-oriented grocery company, which provides these scrumptious, unique options to all Wegmans stores. The company motto: Great people who work together can accomplish anything.”

“We traveled throughout France, spending time in caves and discovering that the process had a lot to do with temperature, humidity, and outside air flow, all of which dramatically changes the product,”

AS A WASHINGTONIAN TOP DENTIST AND THE FACE OF SMILE MAKEOVER,

Smiles of Chevy Chase is known for redefining the dental experience by blending advanced technology, personalized care, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Receive all your dental needs in one location with a team you can trust!

Located in the heart of Chevy Chase, our premier office is designed to provide a luxurious and comfortable environment where your oral health is our top priority. From general dentistry to cosmetic transformations, state-ofthe-art implant surgery, and expertise in sedation dentistry, we combine artistry and precision to create beautiful, healthy smiles that radiate confidence. Whether you’re here for a routine check-up, fillings, whitening, crowns, veneers, extractions, implants, Invisalign, laser-therapy for periodontal disease and Botox for TMJ discomfort, you’ll experience the perfect harmony of cutting-edge techniques, advanced technology, and compassionate care.

explained Cathy Gaffney, Wegman’s Vice President of Cheese and Deli, who has been with the company for 32 years.

The goal was to figure out how to bring these products across the pond and put them in the ideal environment where they could be successfully finished to the perfect level of ripeness. So, they built cheese caves in Rochester, with the help of a 25-member team.

The new cheese caves were opened in 2014. A short time later, 32-year Wegmans veteran, Mike Riley, became Wegmans’ Category Merchant, Olde World Cheese.

“Besides developing perfectly ripened cheeses,” Riley says, “we discovered that we could start making our own varieties, which resulted in many unique products (including brie and goat cheese) that you can only find at Wegmans.”

It took a couple of years to get the Wegmans’ supplier partners to understand what the company was trying to build, so they could work together on “the ripeness curve."

It was important that these partners know that the key to the success of this massive cheese endeavor, “was to understand what we were trying to do and develop, and to have them produce, package, and ship a product on a specific day every time, so we could finish that recipe here in the caves,” says Gaffney.

“Creating superior cheese products is a lot about partnerships,” Gaffney adds, “because we know that you're going to get a completely different experience with the level of quality that we're bringing to you.”

She adds that, “it doesn't matter whether we're selling a French Brie for brunch or Italian cheeses to prepare Sunday dinner. They're all very passionate, knowledgeable about what they're sharing. We want our folks in the stores to stay passionate and knowledgeable about the products they are sharing with our customers.”

Another important aspect of the extensive cheese process is a certification program for the Wegman teams to learn more

about the Italian Parmesan, which at its centerpiece is the proper “cracking” of the Parmesan wheel.

The wheels come in 80-pound pieces, and Riley says that since most customers prefer smaller chunks, “we literally crack the wheel, negotiate it instead of cutting it – and listen for the crunch – in the most minimally invasive way.”

“We feel that cheese evokes a good feeling; it can be an appetizer, in a charcuterie board, part of the main meal, or the centerpiece of lunch or dinner,” he adds. “Our mission statement is to bring to our customers the best cheeses from around the world.”

“One of the things we strive to do is to make great meals easier with non-cooking offerings. And that's something the Wegmans family has always asked us to do,” says Riley.

“I'm in the business of helping people, and in doing so, helping the stores carry that forward to people,” he adds. “So, my job is to go all around the world to find the best cheese possible and to understand local, national, and international trends, and try to bring those experiences back to our customers.”

Wegmans is a values-based family company that was founded by brothers Walter and John Wegman in Rochester, New York. In 1950, Robert Wegman (the second generation) became chairman until he died in 2006.

Today, Danny Wegman (third generation) serves as chairman, and Danny’s daughter, Colleen Wegman (fourth generation), is president and CEO, and his daughter, Nicole Wegman (fourth generation), is president of the Wegmans Brand.

“Everyone involved is dedicated to providing high-quality products and exemplary customer service,” says Riley, “in the same way as the previous generations.”

For more information, go to: Website: https://www.wegmans.com Address: 1590 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD. 20852

Cheese Caves Link: wegmans.com/cheese-caves

LAPERAUX, THE JOURNEYMANCHEF’S FRENCH BISTRO

ARTICLE BY MARIE ROBEY WOOD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SRI NAMBURI

Bistro Cooking At Its Finest

Ready to sample authentic French cooking without the hassle of driving into D.C. or the stress of searching for a parking place in Bethesda? Then consider Laperaux- The Journeymanchef’s French Bistro, a gem of a restaurant located on the border of Gaithersburg and Germantown in Cloppers Mill Plaza.

As its full name implies, Laperaux is a bistro. In the words of Gregory Webb, Laperaux’s chef and owner, “a bistro is not fine dining but a real commitment to the classic executions of French cuisine.” Bistros offer French favorites such as steak frites, coq au vin, French onion soup, and steak aux poivre. Across France, bistros are traditionally family restaurants serving lunch and dinner with a break between so the chef can go to the markets before dinner services.

Laperaux differs from the traditional bistro model in several aspects: although it closes the main dining room at 3 p.m. and doesn’t resume seating again until 5 p.m., ‘Louie’s Bar’ opens at 3 p.m. to provide continuous dining options through the entire day. The bistro also features a jazz pianist Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights to add to the lively yet relaxed atmosphere.

Patrons of Laperaux can opt to sit outside in a patio space with 20 seats, indoors in the dining room (which has an open kitchen) with 60 seats, or at the quieter bar just three steps off the main room. It offers a progressive French wine list and guests who come with their own bottles of wine can have a server decant it for them for a small corkage fee. Sunday brunch is served once a month or so, usually celebrating a festive holiday.

Webb has decades of experience as a chef. He started at 18 apprenticing for a well-known French chef in Westport, Connecticut. He studied at George Washington University and stayed in Washington through most of the 1980’s. He subsequently worked in New Orleans, Boston, New York, and Mexico City, and even owned his own restaurant in Houston. He worked in New York City as a corporate chef before moving his family to Gaithersburg in 2009. Most recently, before starting Laperaux in February of 2023, he was chef of the Paladar Latin Restaurant in Gaithersburg, MD.

Over the course of his career, Webb has made a point of studying classic cookbooks teaching the French culinary repertoire, including legendary chef Auguste Escoffier’s classic Le Guide Culinaire. He has become so adept at cooking French cuisine that many diners have asked to meet “the Frenchman in the kitchen.”

Webb is a master chef who is proud that he and his team cook everything served at the bistro from scratch. This includes cutting their own fish, grinding their own burgers, and making everything from pâté maison to fresh whipped chocolate mousse – never using mixes of any kind. And, if a visitor asks for a special dish not on the menu, such as the Potomac couple originally from Lyon, France who requested their usual New Year’s Eve dish of quenelles of pike, he can usually recreate it on request.

CONTINUED >

Steak Tartare

Charred Octopus-curried pepper rouille, hazelnuts

Potomac Lifestyle Cocktail

The chef takes food very seriously. He goes to the market four times a week, allowing him the opportunity to provide new menu options while also supporting local independent suppliers. Each week Webb drives to farmer’s markets as far as Jessup, Maryland, and Chantilly, Virginia, to source the freshest produce, fish, and dairy products for his weekly menus.

Laperaux opened in February of 2023 and has gradually gained a faithful group of returning patrons, many frequently driving from Frederick, Olney, Bethesda, and Potomac. Jennifer Edwards, a regular, says “Laperaux has the best French onion soup I’ve ever had.” Her friend Cheryl Dembroski adds: “My favorite is the steak frites. Plus we love the atmosphere – you can tell the chef really cares.”

Laperaux is also a family affair, with Webb’s wife Heather helping out with marketing and their two sons, 13 and 15, working at the restaurant two days a week.

Salade Nicoise. peppercorn seared ahi tuna, haricots verts, boiled egg, olives, tomato, poached potato, and dijon vinaigrette

Escargots Bourguignon. Burgundy snails, garlic, anise, shallot, pernod, parsley, and butter, with red wine demi-glace and garlic croustades

LISA MORRIS , aka @occasionallyluxe, is a top DMV luxury lifestyle blogger. She shares style, beauty, wellness, and travel content. Her ventures include Occasionally Luxe Style Box and luxury vacation properties in Florida and Charleston.@chs.occasionallyluxe

Meet The DMV Top Foodie and Fashion Influencers

DANI SAUTER , aka @blonde_inthedistrict, is a digital fashion influencer and model. Her blog, founded in 2014, focuses on style, self-expression, beauty, and travel. She’s a Washingtonian StyleSetter and twice voted Best of NoVA Fashion Blogger.

BARNETTE HOLSTON, aka @DCFashionFool, is redefining men’s fashion in D.C. through his blog, social media, and TV appearances. As a stylist and model, he offers fashion tips and inspires men to embrace style passionately.

Move Better, Hurt Less-On Us

At Regenerative Orthopedics and Sports Medicine (ROSM), we understand how arthritis can limit your daily

That’s why, for a limited time, we’re offering a Free Arthritis Initial Consultation-no insurance required.

During your visit, our expert team will:

Review any existing imaging or recommend appropriate diagnostics | Evaluate your condition and explain tailored treatment options

Introduce cutting-edge regenerative medicine therapies and holistic solutions | This no-obligation consultation is your first step toward relief.

Follow-up visits can be billed through your insurance plan if needed. Do not let arthritis pain limit your lifestyle- take advantage of this opportunity today!

Locations in North Bethesda, DC, Tysons VA, and more

SWEET IS

So Good

Sweet Findings in the DC Area

ARTICLE BY MARIE ROBEY WOOD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

From boutique candy stores to cozy donut pop-ups to charming pastry shops, the metro area has something to satisfy every kind of sweet tooth!

Nothing Bundt Cakes

“A party without cake is just a meeting.” – Julia Child

After working twenty years in the corporate world, Verelyn Gibbs Watson fell in “love at first bite” with Nothing Bundt Cakes, leading her to open the brand’s first location in the DC metro area in 2016. The bakery caught on and Gibbs Watson now runs Nothing Bundt Cakes at four locations: Gaithersburg, Bethesda, Germantown and Rockville.

Known for their moistness and signature cream cheese frosting, each of her cakes come in the easy-to-recognize bundt shape. The cakes’ ten core flavors include red velvet, chocolate chocolate chip and white chocolate raspberry, plus seasonable flavors such a lemon raspberry or pumpkin spice.

Customers can choose from different size cakes – 8-inches or 10 inches, tiered options, and even individualized-sized cakes – bundtlets - and bite-sized – bundtinis.

Gibbs Watson believes strongly in supporting the community that includes career partnerships for individuals of differing abilities and opportunities for returning citizens, and giving back through donations and special events to schools and non-profits.

Being active in the community also involves board service. She is currently Chair of The Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce and a board member of The Upcounty Hub.

Services at Nothing Bundt Cakes include delivery, pickup, as well as corporate catering and custom gifting.

For information go to https://www.nothingbundtcakes.com.

Images Courtesy of Nothing Bundt Cakes

Owner Verelyn Gibbs Watson

Chouquette Chocolates

“Nine out of ten people like chocolate. The tenth person always lies.” – John Q. Tullius

Sarah Dwyer, owner of Chouquette Chocolates in Gaithersburg, is a perfect example of someone who followed her dream to live a bigger life. After working in finance for many years she moved to France IN 2009 and studied at the Le Cordon Bleu Pastry School in Paris. Inspired by European techniques and modern designs she was able to open Chouquette Chocolates in 2010.

Bradley Food and Beverage Store in Bethesda was the first to carry the chocolates, helping her get established in the area.

Fifteen years later she a successful business where 2,000 retail stores carry her products, including shops in the U.S. Senate and the White House Historical Preservation Museum.

Dwyer’s love of chocolate started when she was young and would squish a bunch of Whitman chocolates together trying to find the caramel. Today the most popular chocolate she sells is the salted caramels. Dwyer’s chocolates are handcrafted with real ingredients. There are 16 other mouth-watering flavors are available, including a nod to Maryland – Old Bay!

Many of Chouquette's flavors are inspired by Dwyer’s love of travel – the lavender fields of France resulted in a delicious lemon-lavender caramel that brings her back to her visit to that spot.

Dwyer can design custom chocolates for weddings, anniversaries, high school and college graduations, even for memorial services. Her chocolates make sweet housewarming gifts, and themes range from the DC monuments to the Maryland flag and the cherry blossom festival.

Dwyer shares her love of chocolates by holding chocolate-making classes as well as open houses, including a chocolate party on November 14th in her Gaithersburg store where people can make some treats and pick up chocolates to bring home.

The ingredients are Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance Certified Chocolate, gluten-free, soy-free, GMO free, with no corn syrup. They also employ individuals with differing abilities from Cornerstone and Sunflower Bakery. This policy, according to Dwyer, “is not a charity, it’s smart business”

Chouquette Chocolates is located at 7621 Rickenbacker Dr. Suite 500, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 | (301) 651-4442 | www.chouquette.us.

Donisima

“You can’t buy happiness but you can buy donuts – and that’s kind of the same thing.” - Anonymous

Step inside Donisima at The Square, located at 1850 K Street in downtown DC, and you’ll quickly realize that this is not your typical donut shop – it’s a modern pastry shop that takes the classic American donut and adds Latin flavors, culture, and history.

Founded during the pandemic by chef Miguel Guerra Jr., and his father, Miguel Guerra Sr., Donisima traces its roots to Medellin, Columbia, where the two first began crafting doughnuts using a slow-fermented brioche dough and boldly flavored fillings from native ingredients.

Favorite donut flavors include guava and cheese (the most popular), chocolate and hazelnut, and tropical flavors of mango and passion fruit. One unique donut comes from a popular Columbian desert called Arequipe, consisting of a sweet, caramelized milk- based filling. Seasonal flavors include an all-corn donut in the summer and, at the end of August, a piña colada donut.

Custom donuts can be ordered in advance for such celebrations as Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day, graduations, and even weddings. For a special wedding treat Guerra will design donuts that match the wedding cake from photos that customers send him in advance. Football fans can order batches of donuts designed with their favorite team’s logos.

Customers need to go to Donisima’s web site – https://www.donisima.com – to order their choices and to arrange for pick-up or delivery.

Chef Miguel Guerra, Jr.

Owner Sarah Dwyer

LOCAL FAMILY EXPANDS From Tacos to Brewing

A MEXICAN CULINARY DYNASTY BREWS IN GAITHERSBURG

In Montgomery County’s strip-mall landscape, one family has quietly rewritten the script. Over the last twenty years, José and Teresa Valdivia and their extended family have transformed everyday storefronts into beloved culinary destinations that locals and beer lovers cherish.

CONTINUED >

Why Choose Us?

Experienced & Caring Educators – Our passionate team supports each child’s unique

Engaging

Safe

Flexible

It started in 2003 at Taco Bar El Güero, a gas-station counter tucked into Gaithersburg’s industrial fold. Despite changing from Chevron to W-Express to Shell, the restaurant held firm, with al pastor, lengua, and smoky chorizo tacos earning fanatical loyalty. It’s a place that feels less like a quick stop and more like a hidden local treasure.

By 2017, the family expanded their vision to Ixtapalapa Taqueria, also in Gaithersburg. Named after Mexico City’s sprawling borough, this eatery gives space to scratch-made mole and hand-ground masa—each bite layered with care and craft that turns first-timers into regulars.

“It’s a place that feels less like a quick stop and more like a hidden local treasure.”

Next came La Gula Mexicana in Germantown, “authentic Mexican and new Mexican” in fast-casual form. Here, rotating antojitos and playful tacos show the family’s flair for balancing tradition with fresh creativity.

But the latest chapter is perhaps the boldest: Mayan Monkey Brewing Co., located in Olde Towne Gaithersburg. Built in the former Growlers space at 227 E. Diamond Ave, it’s the family’s first full-scale brewpub. Officially open since late 2024, Mayan Monkey brews house beers like Chula, a Mexican-style lager, and Block Party, an American black lager in collaboration with Saints Row. Head brewer Matt Furda, formerly at Landmade Brewing, leads the program with precision and passion. The brewpub also offers an expanded menu (think gorditas, burgers, wings), live music, and a lively, full-service vibe.

Together, these four spots tell a story of Gaithersburg innovation: immigrant-rooted family hospitality, culinary art, and now, the craft of locally brewed beer. In a place full of chains, they show how community and true flavor can flourish in the most unexpected places.