Bethesda is buzzing with new gastronomic offerings as Piccoli Piatti Pizzeria has recently opened its doors in the Westbard Square shopping center, adding a delightful Italian flair to the local dining scene. The restaurant had its soft opening last week with a special promotion, inviting patrons to enjoy a free meal, a gesture that highlights its eagerness to connect with the community.
Located at 5306 Zenith Overlook, Piccoli Piatti Pizzeria is the second establishment in Montgomery County for this Bethesda-based eatery, already known for its vibrant offerings of pizza, pasta, and small plates. Guests can savor a range of red sauce and white pizzas, including unique options like the Norma, topped with mozzarella, ricotta, and eggplant; the ‘Nduja, featuring a bold combination of salami calabrese, pancetta, soppressata, and stracciatella cheese; and the Inverno, which brings together goat cheese, mozzarella, brussels sprouts, caramelized onions, and herbs. For those looking for gluten-free options, the restaurant offers gluten-free pizzas for an additional $4.
In addition to pizzas, Piccoli Piatti’s menu showcases an enticing variety of salads, pasta dishes, soups, and small plates such as arancini and eggplant parmesan, providing something for everyone. Lunchtime patrons can also delight in sandwiches offered during dining hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For visitors eager to dine at Piccoli Piatti, the restaurant operates from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, according to its website.
In another corner of the food scene, Carmen’s Italian Ice & Café in Rockville is gearing up for a sweet celebration in honor of National Ice Cream Day this Sunday. The popular shop, known for its Italian ice and frozen treats, will be open for a full 24 hours, offering small custards for just $4 throughout the day. However, this special deal will only be available at the Rockville location, which also has branches in Clarksburg, Gaithersburg, Kensington, and Olney.
To add to the excitement, customers who purchase a $4 custard on Sunday will have the chance to win several prizes, including a party cooler, gift cards valued up to $100, and exclusive Carmen’s merchandise. In a unique twist, the shop will run the “Stuff your Stanley” promotion from midnight to 8 a.m., where customers can bring their own insulated cups to the store and fill them with Italian ice for $10.
After the early morning special, an “Ice Cream for Breakfast” event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon, featuring delicious donut ice cream sandwiches for a delightful start to the day. This initiative reflects Carmen’s commitment to creating fun and engaging ice cream experiences for its customers.
Meanwhile, PLNT Burger is serving up something special for plant-based food enthusiasts. Until September 1, both locations in Montgomery County will feature the ‘Happy Crabby Sandwich,’ a plant-based crab cake sandwich created in collaboration with Mind Blown, a Virginia-based seafood company. This limited-time sandwich is crafted with plant-based crab cakes seasoned with Old Bay and stacked with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and house-made tartar sauce on a toasted bun.
Spike Mendelsohn, co-founder and culinary director of PLNT Burger, emphasizes the fun and health-conscious approach behind this culinary collaboration. The sandwich was reintroduced to the menu on June 8 to honor World Oceans Day and support the Coral Restoration Foundation, marking its third consecutive year on the menu.
In a continued effort to promote sustainable eating, PLNT Burger will make the Happy Crabby Sandwich available not only at its Montgomery County locations but also at its establishments across Washington, D.C.; New York; Boston; Philadelphia; and Virginia.
With the arrival of Piccoli Piatti Pizzeria and the exciting offerings from Carmen’s Italian Ice and PLNT Burger, Bethesda’s dining scene is set to thrive and attract more food lovers in the coming months.
image source from：bethesdamagazine
