Both downtown Silver Spring food halls are progressing steadily toward their respective openings.
The 11-vendor Solaire Social food hall, overseen by Chef Akhtar Nawab of Hospitality HQ and constructed by ADI Construction in Springfield, Va., was originally slated for a Spring 2023 launch but is now anticipated to open in the coming months.
A spokesperson for the Solaire 8200 Dixon apartment complex, which houses Solaire Social, told the Source that they plan to have a soft opening for building residents in May, followed by a public launch in early June.
The first tenant announced for Solaire Social is Fire Pit Brazilian BBQ, a food truck based in Rockville featured in an episode of the WETA PBS series ‘Signature Dish‘ aired in March.
Fire Pit opened in 2022 at the Golden Arcade shopping center in Rockville. Owner Gui Gonzalez hails from Porto Alegre in Brazil, where Fogo de Chão opened its first restaurant, according to Washington Post food critic Tim Carman, who announced Fire Pit’s impending arrival at Solaire Social in his September 2023 review.
Meanwhile, Commas at Ellsworth Place is inching closer to its opening. Though an official date is not set, Ellsworth Place representative Jenn Buonanotte told MoCo360 that furniture and signage should be installed by late April, with the full eatery lineup to be announced in the coming weeks.
The first tenants announced for Commas include:
DMV Empanadas was founded by Bolivian siblings Marco and Nacho Almaraz. The company has sold hand-held snacks at farmers’ markets in the Washington/Baltimore area for almost a decade. Starting from their shop in Gaithersburg, the Almaraz brothers have gone from their original chicken filling to offering nearly 20 other options such as arroz, spicy pork, shrimp Old Bay, and cheeseburger.
Natalia Kalloo launched Trini Vybez as a food truck in 2020. The truck has been spotted at local food markets and festivals and offers catering for private events. Trini Vybez specializes in Trinidadian street food, featuring traditional cook-ups, curries, and roti with options for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free customers.
Tokoa came to life when Evelyn Cruz and Delmy Hernandez, longtime friends and restaurant workers, merged their expertise and passion to craft their takes on beloved dishes. The menu highlights a variety of cheesesteaks and burgers, ranging from timeless classics like the Philly Cheesesteak to more inventive options, such as spicy cheesesteak and cheese-filled burgers.
J&J Mex-Taqueria, a family-owned and operated establishment, has catered to the DC community since 2015. José and José Tovar, a father-son team, are dedicated to sharing genuine Mexican recipes, flavors, and sauces that have been handed down through generations and fostering connections with their customers.
Commas will occupy the former location of F21 Red on the third floor of Ellsworth Place at 8661 Colesville Road. The food hall will be located next to McGinty’s Public House and will join a variety of diverse stores and restaurants within the mall, including Outback Steakhouse, which just opened this week.
Rendering Courtesy of Ellsworth Place