Jaleo and a unique mexican restaurant to become new dining destinations Crystal City, Virginia
Will anchor new retail district currently under development
Washington, D.C. -- Proximo Restaurants and Charles E. Smith Commercial Realty, a division of Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO) today announced that two new cutting-edge restaurants will open in Northern Virginia—in Crystal's City new retail streetscape currently under development.
This retail streetscape, in the heart of Crystal City, along Crystal Drive will feature a new Jaleo location and a new Mexican restaurant showcasing the traditional regional cuisines of Mexico. Together, Jaleo and the Mexican eatery, as yet unnamed, will create a sophisticated, urban dining destination, drawing people from throughout the region.
The two restaurants, slated to open summer 2004, will be the anchor tenants for Crystal City's new pedestrian-focused urban retail and dining district that will add an additional 60,000 square feet of retail to the existing 400,000 square feet already in Crystal City. The new retail and restaurant mix will feature broad sidewalks, outdoor cafes, enticing storefronts and parks.
The restaurants will be owned and managed by Roberto Alvarez, Rob Wilder and Jose Andres, the team behind the fabulously successful Washington hotspots Jaleo, Cafe Atlantico and Zaytinya. The restaurants are collectively known as Proximo Restaurants, which is the name of the management company.
Spanish-born Jose Andres, winner of "Best Chef Mid-Atlantic Region 2003" awarded by the James Beard Foundation, will spearhead menu development at both eateries. The Proximo team is doing extensive research in Mexico to craft the concept for their restaurant, which will feature "antojitos," the small plates of Mexico. As at Jaleo and Zaytinya, the small plates will create an dynamic and festive format allowing diners to experience the restaurant’s unique and wide-ranging Mexican cuisine. The restaurant will feature a world class selection of tequilas, mezcals and quality Mexican wines.
"Jaleo and its sister Mexican restaurant will set the tone for the new redeveloped Crystal Drive retail and dining district—they bring the cosmopolitan, energetic, innovative cuisine, and hip, urban experience that's consistent with our vision for the Crystal City of the future," said Henry Fonvielle, Senior Vice President of Smith Commercial Realty. "These restaurants, two-way streets, wide sidewalks and exciting architecture will make Crystal Drive a fantastic area for people to spend leisure time."
The Washington architectural firm Adamstein & Demetriou (designer of Zaytinya and other top Washington eateries), will design the new restaurants together with G & G Arte (designer of Jaleo, Cafe Atlantico and other top restaurants), each about 7,000 square feet, contributing a high level of visual energy to the new retail district.
