CHINA CHILCANO DEBUTS IN WASHINGTON DC`S PENN

A. PRESS RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT
EMAIL
Madeline Block
mblock@baltzco.com
PRESS CONTACT
Chloe Mata Crane
EMAIL
cmcrane@baltzco.com
PHONE
212-982-8300
CHINA CHILCANO DEBUTS IN WASHINGTON DC’S PENN QUARTER
Chef José Andrés Opens Contemporary Peruvian Restaurant in the Heart of Downtown DC
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 7, 2014) – José Andrés, the award-winning chef who
introduced America to traditional Spanish tapas and championed the path of avant-garde
cuisine in the U.S., opens China Chilcano, a contemporary Peruvian restaurant, in the heart
of Penn Quarter in downtown Washington, DC [418 7th St, NW; 202-783-0941
www.chinachilcano.com]. The restaurant celebrates Peru’s deeply rooted and diverse
culinary heritage, including its native Criollo, Chinese Chifa and Japanese Nikkei cuisines.
The name pays homage to Peru’s celebrated fish stew and one of its established national
drinks, the Chilcano.
Drawing from time-honored techniques and traditional dishes, the menu at China Chilcano
explores the crossover of indigenous ingredients between these three distinct culinary
cultures and is divided into sections including Dim Sum, Soups, Ceviches, Chaufas,
Sanguches and much more. José’s creative interpretations of Criollo classics, such as Papa a
la Huancaina y Ocopa, an appetizer of native yellow potatoes served with two spicy, creamy
sauces; Chinese-Peruvian favorites like Siu Mai de Concha, pork shumai dumplings; and
Japanese-Peruvian items like the spicy, refreshing Ceviche Nikkei with Erizos de Mar are
showcased to both celebrate and reinvent contemporary Peruvian cooking.
“Peru is an astounding place. You have incredible native foods, Chinese classics done the
Peruvian way, raw seafood like you may find in Japan, all in one beautiful country,” shared
chef Andrés. “My team and I spent a great deal of time there as well as in Asia these past few
years and are very excited to share this world of flavors.”
Other highlights include Chinese-inspired Wantán Especial with noodles, chicken, shrimp,
pork and bok choy; and the classic Aeropuerto—fried rice with noodles and 20 vegetables;
offered alongside items like Chaufa a la Cubana with huevo frito, fried bananas and fresh
tomatoes. Additionally, the menu features items inspired by Peru’s early Japanese
immigrants, such as the Causaki California Roll; and the Tiradito de Concha Abanico con
Maracuya, bay scallop, aji limón, passion fruit and salsa criolla. Desserts like Suspiro de
Limeña, the iconic sweet of custard and meringue, a favorite in Lima; Raspadillas, a classic
street food of shaved ice and fresh fruit syrups; and Ponderaciones de Kiwicha (also known
as Amaranth) with algarrobina ice cream, chocolate and a crispy spiral fried cookie, round
out the menu.
The beverage program, inspired by the history and multitude of native products and flavors
of Peru, will feature a full bar with one of the largest libraries of Pisco in the U.S., and a
curated wine list with nearly 50 labels highlighting the South American region, rounded out
1
PRESS RELEASE
with some European options. The beer selection includes classics such as Nuevo Mundo,
Cumbres, and Cuzqueña. The cocktail menu focuses on unique ingredients and Peruvian
spirits with global inspiration; ranging from the traditional Pisco Sour and Chilcano; to more
adventurous sips such as the Déjame Querete, pisco, persimmon, cinnamon, lemon,
Cholotini,,Macchu Pisco, prickly pear, passion fruit, lemon or the Pisco Alejandro, CinnamonStar Anise macerado, soy milk, honey, and vanilla.
The 158-seat restaurant—located at 418 7th St NW—was designed by renowned Spanish
architect and designer Juli Capella, a long-time Andrés collaborator, to reflect the ebullient
spirit of modern Peru. Highlights include a striking wall mural of a floral-tattooed femme
fatale by Cecilia Paredes called ‘Both Worlds,” distressed wood floors and a traditional
sunken Japanese dining table inspired by the menu’s Nikkei influences. Red neon lights
evoking the ancient designs found in Peru’s Nazca desert hang from the ceiling, and a
prominent 300-gallon fish tank celebrates the menu’s extensive seafood offerings.
China Chilcano is open seven days a week, starting with dinner only Tuesday – Thursday
(4:00 – 11:00 PM), Friday & Saturday (4:00 – 12:00 AM) and Sunday & Monday(4:00 –
10:00 PM). Beginning in early February, the restaurant will also open for lunch daily and
weekend brunch.
For more information or reservations, call 202-783-0941, visit chinachilcano.com, or follow
Facebook or Twitter @ChinaChilcano
About José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup
ThinkFoodGroup, founded by award-winning chef José Andrés and his partner Rob Wilder, is the
creative team responsible for renowned dining concepts in Washington, DC, Las Vegas, Los
Angeles, Miami and Puerto Rico, including minibar by José Andrés, Jaleo at The Cosmopolitan of
Las Vegas, and The Bazaar by José Andrés at SLS Hotel Beverly Hills and South Beach. The
company also oversees all of the creative and educational efforts for José Andrés, an
internationally recognized culinary innovator, passionate advocate for food and hunger issues,
author, educator, and television personality. Named to Time’s “100 Most Influential” list and
awarded Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation, Andrés is credited with creating the
“Spanish food boom” in America. He is the Dean of the Spanish Studies program at the
International Culinary Center, and was host and executive producer of Made in Spain on PBS. His
cookbooks include Tapas: A Taste of Spain in America. Andrés has taught at Harvard and George
Washington University. In late 2010, José Andrés and ThinkFoodGroup launched World Central
Kitchen, a nonprofit, which aims to feed and empower vulnerable people in humanitarian crises
around the world. For more information, visit www.thinkfoodgroup.com
###
CONTACT: For additional information please contact:
Madeline Block at Baltz & Co PR: 212.202.6517/ mblock@baltzco.com
Chloe Mata Crane at Baltz & Co PR: 212.202.6509 / cmcrane@baltzco.com
2