This summer, the Union Market District welcomes Stephen Starr’s El Presidente, a 6,000-square-foot high-concept restaurant reflecting Mexico City’s gastronomy. With extravagant seafood and an imaginative bar program, El Presidente offers an unparalleled dining experience.
An Avant-Garde Dining Experience – El Presidente’s neo-retro aesthetic transports diners to Mexico City. The menu celebrates Mexico’s diverse food culture with innovative dishes like Baja-style oysters, red chile-marinated tacos, and whole roasted cauliflower. The unique spotlight on marisquería (seafood) includes the “Gran Torre de Frutas de Mar,” a rich homage to coastal flavors.
Design and Ambiance – Designed by AvroKO, El Presidente’s three unique rooms and extensive patio evoke Mexico City’s eclectic energy. The year-round, 60-seat patio crafts a casual setting, summoning the power of bustling food markets and street vendors.
A Whimsical Beverage Program – The beverage program offers cocktails like Sgt. Pepper, made with mezcal, and Air Force Uno, featuring Mexican rum. Tequila and mezcal fans will find over 100 tequilas and 50 mezcals, along with unique gins and rums.
Opening and Future Plans – El Presidente will initially open for dinner, with lunch and brunch. Its location in the Union Market District marks STARR Restaurants’ continued growth in DC
Founded in 1995, Philadelphia-based STARR Restaurants is a leading restaurant group with 35 properties across four markets. Known for merging gastronomic artistry with cutting-edge design, STARR’s DC establishments include Le Diplomate, St Anselm, and Bread Alley.
Stephen Starr’s excellence was recognized in 2017 with the “Outstanding Restaurateur” award by the James Beard Foundation.
El Presidente is a gastronomic journey that promises to enchant and wow diners with Mexico City’s food heritage. Whether a food explorer or cocktail connoisseur, El Presidente invites guests to experience the flavors of Mexico within Washington, DC.
