Jose Andres to open DC eatery for Archives exhibit

[May 17, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Celebrity Chef Jose Andres is creating a new restaurant in Washington to accompany a new National Archives exhibit.

Andres announced plans Monday for America Eats Tavern, opening July 4 as a temporary restaurant for the summer. He will transform his Cafe Atlantico with a menu showcasing the nation's food history. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Archives.

The pop-up restaurant is part of a partnership with the National Archives exhibit "What's Cooking, Uncle Sam? The Government's Effect on the American Diet." Andres is advising on the exhibit opening June 10.

America Eats Tavern will have a casual menu downstairs and a refined menu upstairs. It will offer native ingredients and trace the origins of some dishes, such as New England clam chowder.

The restaurant name was drawn from the "America Eats" writers project of the Works Progress Administration during the 1930s. It's Andres' first new restaurant in Washington since opening new concepts in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Another of Andres' eateries is credited with popularizing Spanish small dishes known as tapas. Recently, Andres won the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Chef award.

Minibar, Andres' exclusive dining spot within Cafe Atlantico, will not change but will close briefly during the creation of the new restaurant, a spokeswoman for ThinkFoodGroup said. The restaurant group plans to find a new location for the 25-year-old Cafe Atlantico.

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Online:

http://www.cafeatlantico.com/

[Associated Press; By BRETT ZONGKER]

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