The former co-owner and executive chef of Potomac's Bezu is opening a new restaurant on Elm Street in Bethesda in March 2011 that will serve food made with locally-grown ingredients.

After four years as co-owner and executive chef at Bezu — an Asian fusion restaurant in Potomac — Dennis Friedman left the restaurant in October when co-owner, Eddie Benaim bought him out. Friedman wasted no time and pulled together the ingredients for a new restaurant that will be located at 4917 Elm Street in Bethesda.

"I have not had a full night's sleep since leaving Bezu in October, but it has been worth it because the stars have truly aligned," Friedman said.  

The site, which is currently the location of Rock Creek Restaurant, will officially change hands on Dec. 31, although the restaurant will not open until March 1. The restaurant, Newton's Table, will feature American food with an Asian flare, Friedman said.

Feeding off the growing popularity of the farm-to-table movement, Friedman said Newton's Table will have many dishes made with natural, organic ingredients, although the restaurant will not be strictly organic.

Friedman said that developing relationships with local farmers is a crucial part of the restaurant's growth and one that he said he is looking forward to. Friedman, who has manned a pizza booth at the Bethesda Central Farmers Market, said he plans to use some of the farmers and suppliers from the market to supply produce for the new restaurant.

Friedman is pulling together a team of respected local business people to help him launch Newton's Table. Barbara Hawthorn of Barbara Hawthorn Interiors, Ltd. will completely redesign the site, and Jeffrey Weintraub, CPA of Goodman & Company will manage the restaurant's finances.

Hawthorn, who has designed several local restaurants including Bezu, said she is excited to work with Friedman again.

"I believe a restaurant designer's role is to reflect the chef's style and personality," Hawthorn said. "I want Newton's Table to be warm and comfortable yet timeless and original."

After going through tough negotiations with his former co-owner at Bezu, Friedman said he appreciates the hard work of his attorney — another key member of his team.

"I'm just in love with my attorney, and you don't often hear people saying that," Friedman said. "Howard Metro of McMillan Metro is just the best and will be part of Newton's Table's team."

Friedman is still working to secure a public relations firm that will help him publicize the restaurant's launch, he said.

Another important part of the restaurant's team is Friedman's girlfriend, Patty Pedroza — also a former Bezu chef.

"Besides being my key person in the kitchen she will also be helping me with the business side, paperwork, hiring/managing staff and bill paying," Friedman said.

Friedman said his family is also helping him get the restaurant going. That assistance is even evident in the name of the new restaurant. Friedman's father, Arnold Friedman started calling him "Newton" as an infant, and it stuck. Melissa Yunes, Friedman's sister, first mentioned the name as a possibility.

"I gave everyone nicknames. However, I can't remember why I gave him this one, but it definitely was a term of endearment from me to him," Arnold said.