New in PQ: China Chilcano, Bakers & Baristas

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.

Chinese-Peruvian Restaurant Opening in Penn Quarter

China Chilcano set to open this year at 418 7th St NW

José Andrés --owner of Penn Quarter's Jaleo, Oyamel, Minibar/Barmini, and Zaytinia-- will open another restaurant in the neighborhood this summer. China Chilcano is slated to open later this year at 418 7th St NW. The cuisine will span both Chinese and Peruvian. The hybrid concept is not new to Andrés; he already operates China Pablano (PDF menu), a Chinese-Mexican combination, in Las Vegas.

418 7th Street NW will be transformed into a rather large restaurant space. At 7,000 square feet, it could seat 140 diners at peak. This space was an Olsson's Books and Records store until 2008. Then a plan for Wagamama to open in the space dragged on for years, but bet it never became an actual restaurant. Good luck to Andrés and the Think Food Group.

Detail of window covering at China Chilcano