LA PLATA — Two new Waldorf restaurants could be serving customers by early December and two more are aiming for early March, according to updates their attorney gave Charles County’s liquor board on Nov. 12.
None of the four is open yet, and every date is a target that depends on permits and inspections still to come. The Board of License Commissioners approved each request, giving the owners more time to collect the health permits and use and occupancy permits they need before their approved alcohol licenses can be issued.
David Martinez of the Jenkins Law Firm represented all four.
Expectation Waldorf: end of November or early December
Expectation Waldorf, at 4575 Fairway Village Place in the new Fairway Village shopping center at Billingsley Road and St. Charles Parkway, is the closest to opening. Martinez said the restaurant has had its final health inspection and the health department was processing the permit.
One of the owners told the board construction is finished, managers and kitchen managers are hired and the staff is in place. He said he hopes to open at the end of the month or the beginning of December.
The board approved a change in the Charles County resident named on the license, which belongs to Waldorf Eatery LLC, and extended the deadline to pick it up to Dec. 9.
Tropical Lounge: hoping for Thanksgiving
Tropical Lounge is taking over the former Posh Lounge at 3242 Old Washington Road. The board approved its license in August.
Martinez said the gas line permit has been approved and the final health inspection was scheduled for the day of the meeting. If it passed, the owner could call for final county inspections the following week. “We would like to be open by Thanksgiving,” he said. The board extended the deadline to Dec. 9.
Farmhouse Waldorf: early March
Farmhouse Waldorf, on St. Albans Place, is in a newly built shopping center and has not started its interior work. Martinez said the health plan has been approved and the architect was resolving one county comment on the building plan, with a construction permit expected by the end of the following week.
The owners hope to finish the build-out by February, hire, and open at the beginning of March. The board, which approved the license June 11, extended the deadline to March 10, 2027.
Ocean Buffet: early March
Ocean Buffet is going into 3331 Plaza Way, which Martinez identified as the former Luciana’s site. He said the location “has been an issue” since the last restaurant there closed, but the new operator now has all of its construction permits and is building out the space.
The owner expects to finish in early February, then schedule final inspections and hire, and hopes to open at the beginning of March. The board extended that deadline to March 10 as well. The license was approved Aug. 13.
Board counsel noted that March extensions run into license renewal season. Staff said that when a new license is issued close to the renewal date, the office has the owner file a renewal application at the same time and prorates the fee.
Bonchon adds karaoke and trivia
An existing restaurant is adding something new. The board approved an entertainment endorsement for Bonchon at Waldorf Marketplace, which received its license in June 2025.
Owner Christopher Dorsey said he plans karaoke, trivia and music bingo aimed at families, most likely from 6 to 8 p.m., with a possible Sunday bingo from 4 to 7 p.m. The restaurant seats about 91, he said, and the events would use one of its three dining sections, with a DJ bringing the equipment. He said there would be no bands or concerts.
Asked how the restaurant would keep underage customers from being served on event nights, Dorsey said his staff is trained in alcohol service. The endorsement carries a $200 fee.
The board last month granted a license to Selby’s and gave a planned Waldorf taqueria more time, and approved a new owner’s license for the Waldorf Red Robin.
