Stephen Hartzell IN as Toro Toro's Chef

Toro Toro won't open its doors until later this month, but they've got their chef de cuisine in place. Steve Hartzell will lead the day-to-day operations of the kitchen at Richard Sandoval's upcoming pan-Latin steakhouse.

"I'm very excited," said Hartzell, who is in the process of making the final tweaks to the restaurant's menu. Hartzell has worked on and off for Sandoval's restaurant group since 2006. at such restaurants as Zengo and El Centro. He also worked at the former Potenza restaurant and at The Tasting Room in Frederick.

Hartzell is excited about such dishes as a tuna causa, kind of a potato and sushi cake featuring tuna tartare and avocado. He also says the restaurant's meat program, carved tableside, will be a restaurant highlight, with many meats from local farmers (he did a blind taste test with the company's corporate chefs to try out the products). Toro Toro opens in late March at 1300 Eye St. NW.
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