Foodie News: Scion in Silver Spring, Pacci's Backstory, Modern Irish Cooking and More

Get caught up with the food scene in Montgomery County and adjacent Washington, DC, neighborhoods with 1 Meat, 3 Sides. This week, a popular DC restaurant's plans to open a second location in Silver Spring take center plate.

One meat:

The popular Scion Restaurant in Dupont Circle, DC, will open a second location this spring at 1200 East-West Highway in downtown Silver Spring. 

"Scion will be quite similar to what we have in Dupont as far as the menu is concerned," owner Joanne Liu told Silver Spring Patch. It'll be brunch, lunch and dinner with a focus on American craft beers—at least 12 on tap and lots of bottles, Liu added.

Liu said that Silver Spring was the perfect place to expand and that she's sure her food, which she describes as "sophisticated comfort food," will be a welcome addition to the neighborhood. 

Read more on Silver Spring Patch.

Three sides:

In Gaithersburg, new restaurant The Bench—a kitchen, lounge and lakeside patio—will be part of the new venue at the Gaithersburg Marriott, located at 9751 Washingtonian Blvd., Gaithersburg Patch reported.

The restaurant's menu has been developed over the past three months by Executive Chef Aaron Tootill, according to a news statement. The process is one that Tootill relishes, Gaithersburg Patch added.

***

Ever wondered what the backstory is on Silver Spring's Pacci's Neapolitan Pizzeria and Pacci's Trattoria & Pasticceria?

Both are owned by Spiro Gioldasis, who was born in the U.S. and is of Greek heritage. He lived for seven years in Crete, and worked at an Italian restaurant there, Silver Spring Patch reported.

"I fell in love [with the cuisine], and said one day I will open my own pizzeria," Gioldasis recalled. After operating his own restaurant on the Greek island, he returned to the U.S. to build on his dream in Silver Spring.

Read more on Silver Spring Patch.

***

Chevy Chase native Evin Bail O'Keeffe—who now lives in County Cork, Ireland—contributed recipes and photographs to A Modern Irish Cookbook, which consists of recipes from Ireland's food-blogging community, Chevy Chase Patch reported.

"To me, my Irish roots are something I cherish and I love living in Ireland, especially given its current focus on artisan food producers and local ingredients. Being included in A Modern Irish Cookbook marries those roots with the modern producers, while adding awareness about sustainability, health and managing time in the kitchen," O'Keeffe said.

A Modern Irish Cookbook may be downloaded from Goodall's website for €2.99 ($3.89).

Dessert:

Kentlands chocolatier SPAGnVOLA likely will bring its delicious dark chocolate bars, bonbons and truffles to a new location in Bethesda "via a partnership that’s in the works with a 'high-end' existing business," Bethesda Now reported. Read more on Gaithersburg Patch.