Shrinking Chain Pi Pizzeria Is Closing in Bethesda

It’s still early in the year, but 2018 is so far pummeling restaurant owners with ties to Bethesda, Maryland. Hospitality vets Alonso Roche and Alvaro Roche have closed two fledgling eateries in the past month, nixing Spanish-themed Tapabar and all-day eatery Bold Bite Market one right after the other. A nearly decade-old Greek restaurant is calling it quits January 30. Meanwhile, other parts of the city are dealing with similar departures.

BETHESDA—Bethesda Magazine reports that the last remaining Yamas Mediterranean Grill (4806 Rugby Avenue) is shutting down after dinner Tuesday, January 20. “The construction has really hurt our business,” owner Tony Alexis told Bethesda about the decision to halt the nearly decade-old operation. An Adams Morgan outpost lasted less than a year.

BETHESDA—Pi Pizzeria, the pizza restaurant that started in St Louis, Missouri, is closing its shop at 7137 Wisconsin Avenue by the end of the week. A staffer tells Eater the lone Maryland outpost, which debuted in April 2016, should be done by Friday, February 2 (Sunday, February 4 at the latest). The Pi worker says the Penn Quarter location is staying put.

DOWNTOWN—Doughnut shop/burger joint Bold Bite Market flamed out after just a few months on 19th Street NW.

NORTHWEST—Long-standing Lebanese eatery Cafe Ole is closing on Wednesday, January 31.

SHAW—Drift on 7th, restaurateur Ferhat Yalcin’s second attempt at a neighborhood seafood spot, closed January 29.

• All of 2018’s D.C. Restaurant Closures [EDC]