Del Merei Grille to close in September

Sad news for Del Ray diners: the Del Merei Grille is frying its last pickle Sept. 24.

Chef and co-owner Eric Reid, 32, says the closure was prompted by his landlord, United Dominion Realty, which plans to redevelop the Calvert shopping center. As of press time, it was unclear what will take the restaurant's place. Reid wasn't at liberty to discuss his future, but he hopes it's in another kitchen. "We want to do something to stay in the area," he says. "It's where our families and friends are."

Reid opened the restaurant, which became popular for its deviled eggs, shrimp and cheesy grits and terrific potato salad, with childhood friend and now sister-in-law Mary Reid in 2005. Any new endeavor will likely follow a similar format. "We want to continue the southern-style American comfort food," he says.

Meanwhile, fried pickle fans have three weeks to get their fix and regulars can expect to find a weekly-changing menu highlighting hits from the restaurant's early days: fried pepperjack cheese with a tomato Creole sauce ($8), pork loin with sweet potato and bacon hash ($18) and a mixed grill plate ($14).

Del Merei won't shutter with a whimper. "Business has actually picked up since the rumor came out," says Reid, "and the entire last week leading up to the close we will have a celebration of some sort."

--Justin Rude