7 things to do in Montgomery County, from Savor Bethesda to a Lunar New Year celebration

Savor Bethesda, a showcase of restaurants, kicks off Thursday through March 1. It’s a time for diners across the region to discover new bites and get reacquainted with old favorites.

But one shop that has sat in downtown Bethesda as Zao Stamina Ramen since May 2021 is introducing customers to a new focus and name: Ramen Menri.

“When people usually hear the word ‘ramen,’ their first impression toward ramen is Top Ramen, instant ramen, something like a quick snack, something unhealthy or junky,” said Payesone M. Hakamata, co-owner and chef of Ramen Menri.

“I do also enjoy junky ramen with a lot of fat,” he added. “But that shouldn’t be the only style.”

He and his wife, Shiho Hakamata, unveiled the new name on Feb. 1. “Menri” translates literally from Japanese as “little village,” Payesone said.

The makeover idea came from a concept the pair were already experimenting with at Zao. Their shop’s old namesake ramen punched through with garlic and spice. But the name change reflects how they wanted to evolve their cooking to offer more nuanced flavors that Payesone doesn’t see at shops across the region.

He would now steer customers toward the shio and shoyu ramens that highlight the subtleties of the dashi, ramen’s umami-rich stock. The couple makes their dashi without a fixed recipe, using a mix of ingredients produced in the Northeastern United States and Japan.

They wanted to teach their customers that ramen doesn’t have to be unhealthy, Payesone said. “It can always be very delicate and also makes your soul and body happy.”

Ramen Menri will offer a $20 lunch and dinner deal for a bowl of ramen and a small side. Other participating restaurants with meal specials include Aventino, Silver and more.

Here are other things to do around Montgomery County throughout the week.

‘The Alchemist’

Thursday through Saturday, 7 p.m.

Silver Spring’s Lumina Studio Theatre trains young actors in classics and will stage a production of the 17th-century comedy from English playwright Ben Jonson about greedy charlatans. Performances will take place at Silver Spring Black Box Theatre.

Tickets are $12-$18.

History Happy Hour

Friday, 6:30-8 p.m.

Historian, author and University of Maryland history professor Richard Bell will chat about his book “The American Revolution and the Fate of the World” at the Sandy Spring Museum. Bell will discuss the global effects of the founding of America on the occasion of forthcoming 250th anniversary celebrations nationwide.

Tickets are $16-$120.

Happy 8th birthday

Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

The Family Room, a treats and sundries store in Laytonsville, will celebrate eight years of operation by offering a free kid-size cup of ice cream throughout the day. Grab a scoop and shop around for locally-made goods.

Strong beer season

Saturday, noon-10 p.m.

Silver Branch Brewing Co. in Silver Spring is hosting Starkbierzeit, a toast to Bavarian high-ABV beers. They’ve brewed two beers for the event: Gnome de Guerre, a Belgian tripel that clocks in at 9% ABV and Branchinator, a doppelbock with 8.5% ABV.

No ticket is required but those who want a special mug that comes with a free pour, discounted refills and a priority “stein line” can fork over $25.

Lunar New Year in Rockville

Saturday, 1-3:30 p.m.

The Year of the Fire Horse kicked off Tuesday and Rockville will celebrate its Asian communities belatedly at Richard Montgomery High School. Festivities include dragon dance performances, crafts and snacks.

Admission is free.

‘It Happened Here: Remembering Three Lynchings’

Exhibit runs through March 15; Saturday discussion from 2-3 p.m.

The Montgomery County Lynching Memorial Project presents a photo exhibit at Silver Spring’s Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library to examine a piece of forgotten history from the late 1800s. Derrick Tabor, a member of the initiative, will be onsite to chat about the project and his group’s efforts on Saturday.

Admission is free.