Potomac Grocer opened last week in Potomac Village. Deborah Stevens
Surprise family or friends with stuffed pork tenderloin with currants and raisins — or take home a lobster tail with truffle butter. Try the grilled asparagus or chicken pesto penne — or choose among side dishes such as orzo salad, quinoa salad, or a salmon spread. Then move on to the dessert case — and try to decide which delectable sweet will best complete the meal.
Several years ago, River Falls resident Tom Spencer realized that Potomac needed a neighborhood gourmet market and carry-out restaurant with delicious and nutritious prepared for busy professionals, students, moms and dads who are on their way home from work, sports practices or school. His dream of providing Potomac with this concept came to fruition on Wednesday, Feb. 12 with Potomac Grocer — only to be closed by the snowstorm on Thursday and Friday. But now they are open and ready for business.
Word is spreading about the menu items prepared each day in the state-of-the-art kitchen in the back of the market by Chef Justin Key — and the fresh pastries baked daily by Pastry Chef Catherine McArdle. The market also offers a variety of prime cuts of meat and fresh seafood as well as organic milk, butter and eggs from a local farm. Cheese, crackers, soups, vinegars, sauces and even homemade chocolate and caramel toppings fill the shelves of the new store.
“We are gearing up to provide a sandwich, soup and salad bar within the week,” said Spencer. “I feel we have a niche in Potomac — something that has been missing in our community. Potomac residents had to drive to Bethesda or Rockville for a gourmet grocery store and there hasn’t been a butcher here in the Village for many years. We will be butchering our own meat here in the store and our seafood is delivered fresh every day. We are unique because we are offering the market as well as a full menu of prepared meals. Our menu selections will include meat, seafood and vegetarian items as well as gluten-free and dairy free items.”
Key graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Pittsburgh and then was employed with Canapés Catering in Frederick. McArdle was trained at L’Academie de Cuisine and was previously employed at Black’s Restaurant Group. Spencer currently has 10 employees.
“As we grow, we will be adding employees,” he said. “I would like to hire students to work here after school since we are predicting the dinner hours will be very busy. I am also planning on our web site being up and running soon. Customers will be able to order meals on-line prior to picking them up. This will make their wait time very short. We realize our customers are very busy and saving time is important to them.”
The new grocery is located in the heart of Potomac Village in the former site of The Surrey. Spencer has revamped the area. The market is spacious, decorated in a black and white contemporary style. It’s relaxing and comfortable and allows space for meeting and conversing with neighbors and friends. Parking is easy — but selecting among the many appealing meal items is difficult.
Holy Child Headmistress Maureen Appel stopped by to select dinner items to “dazzle her grown children” since they were coming for Sunday dinner. She was impressed and commented, “We have needed a market like this in Potomac for a long time. It is just exquisite. I love the uncluttered look — and I can’t wait to prepare these steaks and the grilled asparagus for my children. I want to feed them well so they will return every Sunday.”
Located at 10107 River Road, the store is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day except Sunday when they are open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Its website will be www.potomacgrocer.com and to learn more about them, go to its Facebook page. Call 301-299-4200 for more information or to place and order.