Robert Wiedmaier's Mussel Bar Cracks Open Next Week

Chef-restaurateur Robert Wiedmaier (Marcel’s, Brasserie Beck, Brabo) is set to open Mussel Bar, an homage to his Belgian roots, early next week in Downtown Bethesda – just in time to celebrate that country’s national holiday on July 21; its stylish dark-wood setting features a boat-shaped central bar, a whimsical chandelier made from wine bottles, a strolling oyster cart and an open kitchen turning out wood-fired flatbreads, pork-belly gyros, grilled steak and salmon, and mollusks prepared in some dozen ways (7262 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 301-215-9027; check out the menu).