While munching recently on mushroom fritters at downtown Bethesda’s Rooted3, a fast-casual plant-based restaurant, Jane DeMarines wasn’t expecting to see anyone famous—much less White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
But there was Jean-Pierre waiting in line for her order as DeMarines, executive director of Bethesda-based nonprofit Climate Diet, was dining at the vegan eatery last week during a meeting of the Veg Society of D.C. Climate Diet aims to promote awareness about the impact of food and animal agriculture on the climate and the environment.
“It was particularly fun to see the White House press secretary, you know, just standing there like one of us, getting food but very approachable,” DeMarines told MoCo360 Thursday.
Rooted3, at 4916 Cordell Ave., opened its first location in Bethesda in January, according to an Instagram post. The plant-based spot serves bowls, fries, buffalo and BBQ cauliflower bites, a variety of veggie fritters, brunch options, superfood smoothies, organic cocktails and spritzers.
Jean-Pierre began serving as the White House press secretary in May 2022. In 2011 she was the deputy battleground states director for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign. She later served as the deputy campaign manager for the 2016 presidential campaign of former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley.
In May, she spoke at the graduation ceremony for Rockville’s Thomas S. Wootton High School held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.
Underground Pizza Co. to host Rockville pop-up Saturday
After closing its downtown Silver Spring location in June, Underground Pizza Co. is returning to Montgomery County on Saturday with a pizza pop-up at 7 Locks Brewery at 12227 Wilkins Ave. in Rockville. The pop-up runs from 3 to 8 p.m., or until the pizza sells out.
According to an Instagram post, the Detroit-style pizzas will be cooked on-site and vegan and gluten-free crusts will be available. In addition, street corn pizza will be offered at the pop-up, according to the business.
Underground Pizza Co. announced the closure of its downtown Silver Spring location at the end of May after more than two years of operation at 8235 Georgia Ave. Its locations in Baltimore and Towson remain open.
Downtown Silver Spring SmartTrip card discounts
This summer, several downtown Silver Spring restaurants are offering dining deals to customers who show their SmartTrip card or app. Here are some of the available deals:
- A buy one small bowl, get one free deal at Bibibop, a Korean bowl spot, at 935 Ellsworth Drive;
- A free burger with the purchase of any burger combo deal at Dog Haus at 933 Ellsworth Drive;
- 15% off any dine-in purchase at Kusshi Sushi at 8512 Fenton St.;
- $10 off purchases of $25 or more at Miss Toya’s Creole House at 923 Ellsworth Drive; and
- 10% off purchases of $10 or more at Sweetgreen at 8517 Georgia Ave.
The SmartTrip Summer Shutdown Deals program runs through Sept. 10. Downtown retailers such as Silver Spring Ace Hardware, Nike, Uniqlo, H&M and LOFT are also offering discount deals.
According to a press release, the discount program stemmed from the summer Metro Red Line closures that run through Aug. 31 due to construction and upgrades underway by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Administration (WMATA). The program aims to incentivize customers to visit the downtown area as the Metro closure makes travel to the area more difficult, the release said.
“The Metro Shutdown Deals further encourage the community to shop, dine and enjoy the entertainment this summer at Downtown Silver Spring,” Laurie Yankowski, regional marketing director for Downtown Silver Spring, said in the release. “It’s the perfect location for back-to-school shopping or to just take advantage of the many deals available.”
For more information on the discounts and deals, visit the downtown Silver Spring website.