Two restaurants in downtown Silver Spring have closed, another has changed ownership and is reopening this weekend, one is currently hiring for several positions, and another is celebrating National Coffee Day this month.
Dimmples Kettles at 8073-8077 Georgia Ave. appears to be permanently closed. We reported earlier this year that a federal grand jury indicted the 38-year-old owner, Eric Tano Tataw of Gaithersburg, on charges of making threatening communications to kidnap and injure Cameroon citizens and providing material support to separatist groups.
Tataw, a Cameroon national who surrendered to federal authorities in April, allegedly refers to himself as the “Garri Master,” a term he coined referring to mutilation, ordered violent groups to murder, kidnap, and maim civilians as part of a separatist campaign against the Cameroonian government.
Although partner Beltha Mokube is officially listed as the registered agent for Dimmples Kettles in Maryland business filings, Tataw has previously claimed to be the owner of the restaurant in messages sent to the Source and in various social media posts.
Tataw informed us in 2023 that he had acquired the former Lotus Café at 8073-8077 Georgia Ave. in downtown Silver Spring, which had closed that summer; the restaurant was transformed into the “African-Vietnamese-Latino-Intercontinental” Dimmples Kettles and opened in the spring of 2024.
“Lotus Cafe isn’t closed,” Tataw wrote to the Source in November 2023. “It’s been bought over by Dimmples Kettles and will continue to serve the same menu with the same chef. Please update that.”
According to its website, Tataw also founded Dimmples Car Rentals, a Hyattsville-based membership-based rental agency owned by 75 individuals in the United States and Canada.
My hope & ambition are to make Dimmples Kettles, Maryland’s biggest restaurant & lounge chain, before extending our aggressive expansion across the US… Let’s keep building 👷♂️ 💪 pic.twitter.com/BRg5RpqGtK
— Eric Tataw (@EricTataw) August 8, 2023
Tataw first made headlines in 2024 when neighbors complained about wild pool parties at his Gaithersburg home, citing safety concerns and disruptive behavior, prompting the Montgomery County Council to introduce and pass legislation on preventing house party businesses.
Bill 13-25 was passed last July and strengthens licensing requirements, increases penalties, and closes loopholes related to for-profit, unlicensed residential events commonly known as “commercial house parties.”
Council President Kate Stewart said in a statement to WJLA that the legislation “protects the peace of our neighborhoods by cracking down on these unlicensed, profit-driven events that create noise, traffic, and safety concerns. People can still have their parties in their backyards. What we’re really focused on here is these for-profit unlicensed parties that are illegal, and to make sure we have the enforcement mechanism in place.”
In a bizarre twist to the story, WJLA has since revealed that Tataw, who was living in the Woodfield Road house in Gaithersburg and throwing the controversial house parties, is currently being held without bond on charges of attempted rape and assault.
According to charging documents, Tataw stands accused of attempting to rape a young woman and holding her against her will in the home in May of this year. A judge ordered him held without bond as he awaits trial.
Dimmples Kettles: 8073-8077 Georgia Ave., dimmpleskettles.com
Firepan Korean BBQ is currently hiring for several positions at its locations, including downtown Silver Spring, which opened in the former home of Pete’s New Haven Apizza at 962 Wayne Ave. in 2022.
According to posted signage, Firepan is currently hiring hosts and servers, and directs those interested to apply inside the restaurant.
Firepan Korean BBQ: 962 Wayne Ave., firepankbbq.com
Italian Kitchen has ended its 10-year run in downtown Silver Spring and is permanently closed.
According to Bethesda blogger Robert Dyer, the eatery at 8201 Fenton St. opened exactly ten years ago, in 2015. While the exterior signage remains and furniture still occupies the dining room, most of the restaurant’s windows are covered.
With the closures of Sergio Ristorante Italiano in 2020, Olazzo in 2021, and now Italian Kitchen, only Vicino Restaurante Italiano and Mamma Lucia remain as Italian restaurants still open in downtown Silver Spring, as well as Pacci’s Trattoria in the Forest Glen neighborhood.
Italian Kitchen: 8201 Fenton St., italiankitchenmd.com
The Effoi Restaurant management team has acquired Nexus Restaurant and Lounge and will be reopening it this weekend as Selam Garden Grill & Bar at 944 Wayne Ave.
The Ethiopian restaurant is co-located alongside Ghar-E-Kabab and will be hosting a grand opening celebration on Saturday and Sunday.
The MoCo Show first reported on the opening.
Selam Garden Grill and Bar: 944 Wayne Ave., instagram.com/selamgardengrill
Shuga x Ice at the Solaire Social food hall celebrates National Coffee Ice Cream Day on September 6 and National Coffee Day on September 29 by offering limited-edition coffee-based items.
The African-inspired ice cream and frozen dessert shop’s Flavors of the Month include Buna, a rich coffee ice cream made with Ethiopian coffee beans and infused with popcorn pieces, and Kenyan Masala Chai, a spiced black tea ice cream handcrafted with authentic Kenyan masala chai, ginger, and cardamom.
Additionally, the Kenyan Masala Chai Cold Brew Affogato returns to the menu. The collaboration with Cafe Shuga features single-origin cold brew coffee sourced through the West African Farmers Initiative (WAFI) and topped with a scoop of Kenyan Masala Chai ice cream.
Shuga x Ice at Solaire Social: 8200 Dixon Ave., shugaxice.com
Dining and Cooking