Music lovers have a new opportunity to enjoy creative and tasty food whi
le listening to folk and acoustic music by local and nationally-known musicians. Tami’s Table Café and Wine Bar, located at 12944-E Travilah Road, Potomac is the scene to check out. Partnering with Focus Music of Rockville, the restaurant will feature engaging live music while diners enjoy a glass of wine or a beer and delicious homemade food in a cozy restaurant just north of Potomac Village. In addition to the performances at Tami’s Café, Focus Music offers live music at Ted’s Diner in Rockville and in several churches in Alexandria and Mount Vernon, Va.
“We are pleased to get back into a restaurant space where people can enjoy an intimate ‘up-close’ listening experience with high-quality entertainment,” said Scott Moore, president of Focus Music. “We offer good music value for your money, personal contact with performers and a community of other music lovers to socialize with.”
Focus Music has been presenting live music to audiences since 2007 — but Scott and Paula Moore have been providing their favorite song-writer acoustic music in the basement, family room and backyard of their Rockville home since 1997. Focus Music is a volunteer-run non-profit organization, which delivers acoustic, folk, blues, bluegrass, Celtic, Americana and other types of music to the listening public. The group offers regularly scheduled performances, education, and encourages the career growth of new and emerging folk and acoustic music artists.
Tami’s Table will provide the venue for a variety of shows. The small café can seat 45 listeners and they do take reservations for evenings with musicians. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by an Open-Mike venue. On Thursday, April 24, songwriter, musician and recording engineer Jud Caswell will perform on the guitar, banjo, cittern, whistle, bodhran and uke. The multi-instrumentalist will sing a variety of his own songs, including “The Weight of the World,” recorded by Judy Collins who described it as “one of the best political folk songs I have ever heard.”
The folk-funk music of Connor Garvey and the down-to-earth folk music of Jenna Lindbo will be featured Monday, May 12. Garvey will pair his soulful vocals with the infectious joy of Lindbo’s songs. The two will provide an electric evening of inspiration and delectable tunes for the listeners. While there is no fee entrance fee, the suggested donation is $12-$15 per person.
Tami’s Table Café and Wine Bar opened last May, providing diners with delicious home-made farm-to-table lunches and dinners as well as 30-40 carry-out options. Owner Tami Mallios is excited with the opportunity to offer live music to her patrons. “It adds a new element to dining in and around Potomac,” she said. “We attract performers from ages 8–80 for our Open Mike Nights on Thursday and Friday, but having a set performer will be an outstanding addition to the Potomac dining scene.”
A self-described “food junkie,” Mallios competed on the “Master Chef” show, making it through six rounds. She has been catering for almost four years — but has always wanted to own a restaurant where she can feature her own recipes. Some of these include chicken with artichokes and lemon capers, seafood lasagna, blue cheese carmelized onion squares and much more. She features gluten-free and vegetarian selections in addition to gourmet salads, soups, entrees, sandwiches and desserts.
She offers a variety of pre-cooked and par-cooked meals for carry-out and special orders. Additionally, the restaurant offers a wide variety of beer and wine selections. Peter Mallios said, “We offer 100 draft beers and 100 different wines – and a great happy hour from 4-7 p.m.”
For reservations or more information about Tami’s Table, call 240-477-8835 or visit www.tamistablecafe.com. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Monday–Wednesday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. and Thursday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m. For more about Focus Music and to view their schedule of musicians, go to www.focusmusic.org.
