Two very new and very different food spots are making waves in Penn Quarter.
China Chicano is the newest project by star chef José Andrés. He operates a handful of other large format, very stylized restaurants in the District, including two within one block on this new concept. China Chilcano is the chef's take on traditional Peruvian as it's been shaped by both Chinese and Japanese cuisines and techniques. It seats 158 and has quite a unique and engaging interior design. The restaurant is currently open for dinner service. 418 7th St NW.
Bakers & Baristas is taking over the space formerly occupied by frozen yogurt bar TangySweet. Bakers will be a "European-style patisserie," according to Washingtonian. Among the shrinking number of niche, hand-held food markets yet to be explored in DC, this seems like a viable one. Hey, as long as the coffee is good, I'm happy. [My current coffee go-tos in this neighborhood are Chinatown Coffee Company and Pitango Gelato. Always happy to give a new spot the chance.] They're planning to open by the end of next week. 501 7th St NW.
