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Commas Food Hall

Commas Food Hall Teases Silver Spring With Bold Flavors and Early Openings

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After seasons of suspense and shifting timelines, Commas Food Hall has softly opened its gates inside Ellsworth Place mall in downtown Silver Spring. Nestled on the third floor, in the long-vacant space of the former F21 Red, this much-anticipated culinary hub welcomes visitors with a vibrant medley of flavors—from loaded fries to Nepalese dumplings and craft cocktails. Though full operations are yet to unfold, the current launch offers a tempting glimpse. With more vendors warming up behind the scenes, Commas now begins its theatrical entry into Silver Spring’s dining spotlight.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Commas food hall begins soft launch at Ellsworth Place mall, Silver Spring.

  • Located on third level, formerly occupied by F21 Red (closed 2019).

  • Open vendors include:

    • TATO’s (loaded fries, wedges, baked potatoes)

    • J&J Mex-Taqueria (Tex-Mex, also at Solaire Social)

    • Momo Hub (Nepalese dumplings)

    • C³ (beer, wine, cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks)

  • Mall spokesperson Jenn Buonanotte confirms more vendors will open “in coming weeks” pending inspections.

  • Remaining vendors to include MV Asian Kitchen, The Champs Kitchen, 6 Skewers, Claude Have Mercy, Tokoa Cheesesteaks.

  • Only three of twelve vendor spaces are still marked “coming soon.”

  • Original opening delayed from late 2023 due to renovation and permitting hurdles.

After several rounds of delays and much local anticipation, the Commas food hall has finally begun a soft launch inside Ellsworth Place mall in downtown Silver Spring. Positioned on the third floor in the space formerly occupied by F21 Red — a store that closed its doors in 2019 — the venue is beginning to welcome diners with an initial wave of vendors while the rest prepare to open in phases.

As of now, four of the planned eateries have officially opened for business, showcasing a curated mix of cuisines that reflect the cultural diversity of the area. One of the standout vendors is TATO’s, known for its comfort-style offerings such as loaded fries, wedges, and baked potatoes, served with a variety of toppings and sauces.

Joining TATO’s is J&J Mex-Taqueria, a family-run Tex-Mex operation based in D.C., already familiar to local foodies for its presence at the Solaire Social food hall. The eatery brings classic Mexican-American fusion dishes to the Commas lineup.

Another addition is Momo Hub, which introduces patrons to the flavors of Nepal through its specialty — momo dumplings, served both steamed and fried, and often accompanied by tangy sauces. Rounding out the currently open quartet is C³ (Commas Cocktail Bar), offering a broad beverage menu that includes beer, wine, signature cocktails, and non-alcoholic alternatives.

Mall representative Jenn Buonanotte confirmed the soft launch, stating,

“We’re excited to see Commas come to life after a long development process. Several vendors are in their final stages of inspection and permitting, and we expect them to open over the next few weeks.”

Commas, which was initially slated to open by the end of 2023, saw multiple postponements due to a range of issues related to construction, renovation, and approval processes. Though the delays stretched beyond the expected timeline, mall officials have maintained confidence that the project will reach full operational capacity soon.

“Out of the twelve total vendor spaces planned for Commas, only three remain unoccupied,” Buonanotte added. “These are clearly marked as ‘coming soon,’ and we’re in active talks to finalize their tenancy.”

Several new eateries are expected to open shortly as the rollout continues. These include MV Asian Kitchen, a pan-Asian concept; The Champs Kitchen, a vendor specializing in Caribbean-style street food; 6 Skewers, a Persian eatery focused on grilled meats and traditional sides; Claude Have Mercy, a seafood-forward restaurant; and Tokoa Cheesesteaks, a College Park favorite known for its loaded subs and regional flair.

While the full launch is still pending, the partial opening is being viewed by many as a step in the right direction for the food hall concept, which aims to reinvigorate the upper level of Ellsworth Place with a modern culinary hub. The variety of cuisines and the communal atmosphere are designed to draw in both casual mall-goers and destination diners alike.

As Commas Food Hall steps into the spotlight with its soft launch, it signals more than just the arrival of new eateries—it marks a fresh culinary chapter for downtown Silver Spring. With a careful rollout of diverse vendors and a space built for community, the food hall stands poised to become a lively anchor within Ellsworth Place. While a full launch still awaits, early visitors are already sampling the promise. If the initial offerings are any hint, Commas is cooking up a flavorful future worth watching.

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Spoonful of Warmth: Simple Soup Recipes to Beat the Cold

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As temperatures fall and comfort becomes a daily pursuit, simple soup recipes emerge as the season’s quiet heroes. From rich French onion to zesty tom yum, these humble bowls offer warmth, ease, and taste without the demand of complex cooking. With familiar ingredients, short prep times, and nourishing results, these soups turn the cold into something almost welcome. Whether rushed or restful, each recipe brings a spoonful of joy—light on effort, heavy on comfort. This curated collection serves flavour, function, and flair in one satisfying simmer.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Lara Lee’s tom yum: Ready in 15 minutes, spicy and versatile with store-bought paste

  • Felicity Cloake’s pumpkin classic: Balanced with stock and gentle aromatics

  • Yotam Ottolenghi’s beetroot soup: Slow-roasted with saffron yogurt topping

  • Hetty McKinnon’s turmeric broth: Energizing and ideal for low-motivation days

  • Jack Monroe’s red bean soup: Simple, hearty, with fluffy dumplings and bacon

  • Alice Zaslavsky’s shchi: Slavic cabbage soup that saves dying root vegetables

  • Marc Kuzma’s French onion: A wine-laced, eight-ingredient wonder in 15 minutes

When the city turns gray and the chill sneaks into our bones despite layers and blankets, something shifts in the kitchen. Out go the salads and summer grills; in come simmering pots, fragrant steam, and the quiet clatter of ladles. Few meals are as satisfying in winter as a bowl of soup—nourishing, comforting, and brimming with whatever the season offers. It’s one of the rare dishes that heals both hunger and mood, spoon by spoon.

More than just a meal, soup is a ritual. It transforms basic pantry ingredients or forgotten fridge veggies into something heartening. And whether you have 15 minutes or an entire evening, there’s a soup for that. We gathered seven creative and reliable recipes that prove soup season isn’t just about staying warm—it’s about cooking smarter, stretching leftovers, and keeping things easy in the middle of the week.

A Quick Fix with a Fiery Kick

Lara Lee’s 15-Minute Tom Yum Soup
Sometimes dinner needs to be more rescue mission than recipe, and Lara Lee gets that. Her go-to solution is a vibrant, spicy tom yum—sour, sweet, and packed with flavor thanks to store-bought tom yum paste. If you don’t have prawns, toss in whatever protein or veggie is handy. It’s a quick turnaround from kitchen to table and proof that convenience and complexity of flavor can coexist in one bowl.

A Fall Favorite Done Right

Felicity Cloake’s Pumpkin Soup
It may be predictable, but pumpkin soup earns its regular spot on winter menus. Felicity Cloake offers a version that’s clean and comforting. Her advice: skip the water and use stock—preferably chicken—to mellow and round out the pumpkin’s flavor. With just sautéed carrots and red onions, the soup retains its simplicity while delivering on warmth and balance.

A Bowl of Home and Memory

Yotam Ottolenghi’s Beetroot and Orange Soup with Saffron Yoghurt
This one takes time—but it gives back in depth and color. Ottolenghi’s beetroot soup involves roasting beets and garlic for over an hour, building sweetness and richness. It’s finished with a tart saffron yogurt swirl and a scattering of almonds. This soup leans more into the elegant and reflective side of comfort food—something that stays in the mind long after the last spoonful.

A Cure for the Seasonal Slump

Hetty Lui McKinnon’s Noodles in Ginger Turmeric Broth
There are those days in winter when everything feels heavier, slower. Hetty Lui McKinnon understands that mood and responds with a bright, spicy broth infused with ginger, turmeric, and garlic. Add noodles and bok choy, and it becomes the ultimate antidote for low energy. More than a recipe, it’s a wellness tool—designed to revive, restore, and reinvigorate.

Humble Ingredients, Big Flavor

Jack Monroe’s Red Bean Soup with Dumplings
Sometimes it’s the most modest ingredients that deliver the strongest impression. Jack Monroe’s soup starts with red kidney beans and ends with fluffy thyme-scented dumplings. Thick, rich, and satisfying, it’s topped with crispy bacon for a salty counterpoint. And despite its bold finish, it comes together with a calm, no-fuss simplicity.

From Forgotten to Fantastic

Alice Zaslavsky’s Shchi (Cabbage Soup)
What do you do with the fading vegetables at the bottom of the fridge? If you’re Alice Zaslavsky, you turn them into a Slavic-style cabbage soup. This traditional dish—called shchi—gathers fennel, potato, carrot, turnip, and cabbage in one pot. It’s budget-friendly, keeps for days, and makes you feel like you’ve done something good with very little. Perfect for end-of-week fridge cleanouts.

An Elegant Classic Made Simple

Marc Kuzma’s 15-Minute French Onion Soup
Don’t be fooled by its bistro reputation—French onion soup doesn’t need to be complicated. Restaurateur Marc Kuzma insists his version is as easy as it is elegant. With eight ingredients and just 15 minutes, it includes white wine and cognac for that rich, caramelized edge. The result is a deeply satisfying soup that tastes far more luxurious than the effort required.

Soup Is More Than a Meal
In winter kitchens, soup carries more weight than any other dish. It’s a balm against the cold, a clever way to stretch ingredients, and a reminder that even when energy is low, flavor and comfort don’t have to be sacrificed. These seven recipes offer a range of inspiration—quick fixes, long simmers, and everything in between. All you need is a spoon and a little steam rising from your bowl.

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