Silver Spring's Nicaro restaurant reopened today, under new management and with a new executive chef at the helm. Luis E. Martinez, a veteran of restaurants like Potomac Grill, Red Rock Canyon, the Cheesecake Factory and McCormick & Schmick's, and his team have taken the reins of the restaurant, which was previously run by chef Pedro Matamoros until his iteration of Nicaro closed on July 5.

"People who know food tell me I have big shoes to fill," said Martinez. The restaurant will now offer fusion cuisine, drawing on European flavors along with Latin and Cajun accents. "I try to make it so you can get a different texture in every bite," says the chef, 48. General Manager Anthony Talavera says the restaurant will reach out to the neighborhood with deals like $5 martinis on Wednesday and half-priced bottles on wine on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Expect live music nights to come in the near future.

As Tom Sietsema reported in a recent online discussion, Matamoros is moving to another location: 8407 at 8407 Ramsey Ave. in Silver Spring. Partner Nancy Mola says that she and Matamoros are working on the design and menu of the new restaurant and hope to open in October, pending permitting approval. In the meantime, fans of Matamoros can check out the Silver Spring FreshFarm market for a taste of his cooking. Dates aren't yet finalized for his future appearances at the market, but Mola says they'll add those dates to the 8407 Web site when they are.

-- Julia Beizer (GOG Blog, Aug. 4, 2009)