A Restaurant Celebrating Immigrants Will Open Near the White House

Immigrant Food will open near the White House

The next project from Enrique Limardo, the chef behind 14th Street hotspot Seven Reasons, is a restaurant with a cause. Washingtonian reports that Venezuelan-born Limardo, Seven Reasons co-owner Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger, and former ThinkFoodGroup board member Peter Schechter (all first and second generation Americans) will open “Immigrant Food,” a fast-casual spot pointedly located a block from the White House.

Besides just serving meals, the plan is to put out an online magazine, help diners donate to immigrant causes, and offer English language classes and more services with programs led by local nonprofits.

Hank’s Pasta Bar in Alexandria shutters for a revamp

Restaurateur Jamie Leeds just closed her Italian spot near Old Town this week temporarily in order to upgrade the space. A Hank’s Pasta Bar rep told Eater: “The restaurant has begun renovations that will bring new options to devoted guests, including a seasonal rooftop bar and an expanded regional Italian menu. The new space will be debuted at the end of 2019.”

The Little Beet adds a mall location

Healthful chain The Little Beet is prepping to open a location at the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City’s food court by the end of the month, ARLnow reports. A Dupont location closed this summer.

Rendering: Leon

Leon hosts an art contest

British fast-casual chain Leon is opening its third Washington restaurant at 1350 I Street NW, and in partnership with CulturalDC, the company reached out to local artists to design a mural for the new outpost. The list is narrowed down to four submissions, and the public can vote for a winner on Instagram and Facebook.