D.C.’s Pro Tennis Tournament Adds José Andrés to Revamped Concessions Crew

Under new management, D.C.’s annual pro tennis tournament in Rock Creek Park has announced a new concessions program that will bring on several brands from beloved celebrity chef José Andrés along with a handful of other homegrown companies.

The Citi Open is expected to draw more than 75,000 fans to Rock Creek Park Tennis Center from Saturday, July 27, to Sunday, August 4. It’s billed as the as the fifth-largest professional tennis tournament in the U.S.

Entrepreneur Mark Ein, who owns the Washington Kastles in the World Team Tennis league, assumed management of the Citi Open from the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF) this spring. As part of his bid to upgrade the 50-year-old tournament and keep it in Washington, Ein has brought on Levy as the Citi Open’s new food and beverage partner.

Like it’s done at D.C.’s soccer stadium in Southwest, Levy has partnered with Andrés to bring on a handful of different concessions: Beefsteak for fast-casual, veggie-heavy meals; Pepe food truck for Spanish sandwiches; and Butterfly for Mexican tacos and tortas. The tournament will also have core menu items from Shake Shack, Marra Forni Neapolitan Pizza, Dolcezza Gelato, Ice Cream Jubilee, Compass Coffee, and OakBerry Acai Bowls.

Levy feeds fans at high-profile events like the U.S. Open, Kentucky Derby, and the Grammy Awards.

Beefsteak and Pepe will set up along with a sangria bar in an area branded as “José’s Way.”

An enclosed, air-conditioned tent called Market Square will house Beefsteak, Butterfly Tacos y Tortas, and Shake Shack. Located within view of the practice courts, the area will be free to enter for everyone at the tournament.

A new Moët & Chandon Stadium Club, an air-conditioned tent with indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the the 7,500-seat stadium court, will serve “premium” food and drinks as part of a luxury package.

Citi Open [rendering]

Citi Open [rendering]

Other drinking destinations on-site include a shaded Founding Spirits Cocktail Lounge serving a vodka “Match Point Mule” cocktail, and the Amstel Light Beer Garden & Rock Creek Grill featuring Heineken brews and snacks.

Single session tickets for the Citi Open start at $25. The tournament will continue to benefit the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF).

Meanwhile, Ein is also gearing up to unveil his new 700-seat stadium for the Kastles perched atop Union Market. The summer season featuring superstar pro Venus Williams kicks off Monday, July 15, with eight planned matches.

Food and drinks at the Northeast venue will include three-course VIP meals from Adam Greenberg’s nearby Coconut Club and James Beard Award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi, who owns Philly Wing Fry inside. There will also be vendors from the downstairs food hall (Arepa Zone, Bun’d Up, District Fishwife, Dolcezza, La Jambe, La Petit Lou Lou, Neopol) and incoming La Cosecha tenants La Casita Pupuseria and Peruvian Brothers.

• Citi Open tennis tournament has lofty goals under control of venture capitalist Mark Ein [WaPo]
• José Andrés Brings Arepas, Pupusas, and Gourmet Tortas to Audi Field [EDC]