Mussel Bar Belgian bites hit Bethesda

It's exciting when a quality bit-player finally becomes the leading man, except when that man is Khloe Kardashian. Finally letting his bivalves hog the spotlight, the chef behind Mussel Bar.

Planning to open next Thursday, MB's the latest from the masterful Belgian behind Brasserie Beck and Marcel's, now making his tasty mollusks the main event; the gastro-pub's an elegant 125-seater with dark wood booths, copious glass booze fridges, and a circular central bar, all making it the most attractive mussel bar since Arnold banned Mike Katz from his. The eponymous offerings're "the finest Prince Edward Island has to offer" and come prepped in a slew of styles, including classic white wine/garlic/parsley, green curry/lemongrass, tomato fondue/capers/garlic, and "wild-shroom"/pancetta/Parmesan/truffle cream, which you should also apply twice a day following too much shuffling. Bivalve bigots get plenty to feast on too, like marinated chicken doner kabobs ("popularized in Belgium by the immigrant Turkish residents"), "authentic" Belgian custard, and wood-fired tarts filled with everything from truffled ham & organic poached eggs, to wild mushrooms & bacon, a combination not seen since several hours before Kevin agreed to do Hollow Man.

Because Belgium is beer, they'll have schloads of Bel-brews, like Kasteel Rouge and Tripel on tap, plus Antigoon (the Brasserie Beck-born brew designed with the aid of Belgium's Brouwerij de Musketiers), described as "rich" and having an "unusual touch", also what Lamar Odom thought of that Kardashian dude at first, but then he decided to just go with it.