Firebirds Wood Fired Grill coming to Gaithersburg (Photos)

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, named one of 2014's "breakout brands" by Nation's Restaurant News, is expanding to Montgomery County. The upscale American restaurant is due to open in 2016 at the Spectrum development in Gaithersburg, according to the developer.

Spectrum at Watkins Mill Town Center is one part of a major urban-style development that will eventually straddle Interstate 270 along Watkins Mill Road. The new segment of Watkins Mill Road has already been constructed between I-270 and MD 355, but its interchange with I-270 has yet to begin construction.

Firebirds will be in a prime location at Watkins Mill and MD Route 355. Their menu includes steaks, seafood, and sides like tater tots and Green Chile Mac & Cheese. There will also be a Firebar with a patio, with signature martinis and margaritas, and Bar Bites like Pretzels and Samuel Adams Beer Cheese. Their signature, best-selling concoction is the Double Black Diamond Martini.

They use only Midwestern corn-fed beef, and hard woods for their wood-fired grill. Oak is the primary wood used, although they also use locally-sourced hardwoods like hickory depending on the location. All woods used must be able to sustain a cooking temperature of 700 degrees.

The Charlotte, NC-based chain currently has locations in several states, some of which are relatively close in Leesburg, Woodbridge and Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Stay tuned as we take an in-depth look at Watkins Mill Town Center's future this week, right here on Sam Eig.