José Andrés Bringing Steakhouse to DC
Chef José Andrés will replace The Bazaar at the Waldorf Astoria with Bazaar Meat, a new steakhouse concept promising theatrical, large-format cuts with signature Andrés flourishes. The restaurant change signals a pivot toward more dramatic, meat-focused dining experiences in the DC market.
This marks a return to a steakhouse concept for the historic Old Post Office building, which previously housed BLT Prime during its tenure as the Trump International Hotel. The Bazaar by José Andrés, the restaurant being replaced, will close on March 11 after just over three years in the space. The move is a full-circle moment for Andrés. He had initially planned to open a restaurant in the building in 2016 but pulled out after then-owner Donald Trump made disparaging comments about Mexican immigrants, leading to a lawsuit and eventual settlement. Andrés, a shareholder in the investment group that later purchased the hotel, realized a long-held dream by finally opening The Bazaar there in 2023. Bazaar Meat is not a new concept for the José Andrés Group, with established locations in Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York. The restaurant is known for its "wild and wonderful celebration of the carnivorous," featuring everything from raw bar selections to large cuts of meat cooked over a central fire pit. Diners can expect whimsical small plates alongside the steaks, a signature of Andrés's time at Ferran Adrià's El Bulli. Signature dishes at other locations include "cotton candy" foie gras, caviar cones, and the "vaca vieja," a deeply flavorful steak from older cattle that Andrés spent over two years sourcing. The new restaurant enters a competitive market for high-end steakhouses in Washington D.C. It will vie for diners with established names like Bourbon Steak at the Four Seasons, STK Steakhouse, and Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, all known for luxury cuts and extensive wine lists. The Old Post Office itself is one of D.C.'s most iconic structures. Completed in 1899, its 315-foot clock tower is the third-tallest building in the city, offering views that rival the Washington Monument. The building was nearly demolished in the 1930s and 1970s before renovations preserved the Richardsonian Romanesque landmark.
