José Andrés Closes D.C. and NYC Restaurants in Wake of Coronavirus

Chef and humanitarian activist José Andrés has closed his restaurants in D.C. and NYC, citing the desire to halt the spread of the novel coronavirus. “We are in an unprecedented emergency,” he said on Twitter, “and as painful as it is, ALL restaurants, bars, etc. must be closed across America if we are to avoid what’s happening in other countries. This is the only way.” Per a press release, the restaurant employees will be “provided with paid leave and current health benefits for at least the first two weeks.”

As of today, all of his D.C. restaurants (including Minibar and the entire Jaleo portfolio) are closed. Some will be transformed into what the chef is calling “community kitchens” in conjunction with Andrés’s nonprofit World Central Kitchen. The community kitchens will offer to-go meals to those who need it. The community kitchens plan to “operate out of the restaurants’ side doors with a limited number of volunteers from 12 – 5 pm daily beginning Tuesday, March 17, offering only takeout service.”

Reopening as community kitchens in Washington, D.C., area:

• America Eats Tavern, Georgetown

• Jaleo, Bethesda

• Jaleo, Crystal City

• Jaleo, Penn Quarter

• Oyamel, Penn Quarter

• Zaytinya, Penn Quarter

Reopening as community kitchens in NYC:

• Little Spain’s Spanish Diner at the Mercado Little Spain, Hudson Yards

Watch the chef’s video announcement here: