Nearly three years after D.C. star chef Mike Friedman and his team announced plans to open Aventino and AP Pizza Shop in Bethesda, the restaurants are set to open in the middle of this month, according to spokesperson Molly Hippolitus.

Aventino, an “airy” and “vibrant” two-level restaurant, will serve Roman fare reflecting Friedman’s Italian-Jewish background, Hippolitus said in an email to MoCo360. AP Pizza Shop will be a casual takeout counter located adjacent to Aventino at 4747 Bethesda Ave.