+34
Union Market mastermind Richie Brandenburg and Minibar alum Rubén García reveal their plans for The Square, a culinary powerhouse debuting downtown this year.
alum Rubén García have been tight-lipped about their massive project with developer Tishman Speyer at International Square—a 1.1 million square-foot complex occupying nearly a full block in downtown DC.
Now the creative duo, who spent years collaborating atThinkFoodGroup, are ready to reveal their plans: a huge, collaborative culinary marketplace in the development with 16 stalls, a specialty grocery, butchery, bakery, bar, and Spanish restaurant known collectively as the Square. It’s slated to open near Farragut Square later this year. Brandenburg and García, a Barcelona native, both have extensive experience in the food hall realm. Brandenburg is the culinary vision behind Northeast DC’s Union Market and neighboring Latin marketplace La Cosecha. García spent years as Andres’s right operational hand, and helped create Mercado Little Spain in New York City. All of these projects shaped their vision for the Square and what they want it to be—part restaurant, part marketplace, and part culinary incubator. But don’t call it a “food hall.” “We don’t like to call ourselves a food hall, because we’re doing everything opposite of a food hall,” says García. “We’re a big restaurant, and opening the doors of the restaurant to our friends in the city.” Instead of the every-vendor-for-themselves path of many food halls, Brandenburg and García are taking a collective approach. A bakery will turn out breads and pastries that the restaurant, vendors, and grocery can utilize. Ditto for the butchery, where whole animals can be broken down and shared. “It’s about buying power. If I have 13 tenants that want beef, why does everyone need to order from a different company? It’s stupid,” Garcia says. “We can all get together, and in one week, we can go through a full cow. They [the chefs] will save money, have a better product, and have a story to tell, because the cow came from this place.” Brandenburg also sees power in numbers when it comes to the operational side, and says the Square will operate more like a casino or hotel. That means there will be one head purchaser, one accountant, and shared software to track inventory and sales. “We’ve seen the opportunities that come with scaling,” says Brandenburg. “If we’re taking on most of the operational nuances, it gives the chefs who we’re collaborating with the ability to focus on cooking and create great cooks working underneath them.” So who are the chefs? “We have a lot of rings on fingers but no wedding date,” says Brandenburg. He says the team is courting “mainly established chefs in the industry” but not big restaurant groups. “You won’t see any repeat concepts,” he says. “We’re talking to chefs that have maybe one restaurant, or none, or have lost one [in the pandemic].” Early on, restaurateur Rose Previte of Maydan/Compass Rose had signed on to the Square for a casual kebab conceptWhile the specific lineup is yet to be announced, Brandenburg says they’ve curated a list of styles and cuisines they’re looking for, similar to how chef’s build a menu with must-have dishes like steak or chicken. The Square will likely contain options for Asian and Mexican food, sushi, smoked seafood, and an oyster bar among the offerings. Brandenburg and García will operate two of the 16 stalls, as well as the anchor restaurant and bar . The specialty grocery will be a collaborative effort, with some of the in-house bakery products and meats, and items favored by professional kitchens.The 25,000 square-foot marketplace will have indoor and outdoor seating, an airy atrium, and seats for about 500 diners in the first phase. There will also be a banquet and event venue, similar to Union Market’s Dock 5. García says that in addition to chefs, they’re working with local artists and musicians, and plan to activate the space with a variety of events. “This market is from DC to DC. It’s not just about food, it’s about experience,” García says. “One thing Richie and I learned fromThe Square. 1875 I St NW.
Scratch the next story
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
VyStar Credit Union customers experiencing issues with mobile appVyStar Credit Union reported issues with its mobile app on Monday, and a message on its official Twitter page posted in the evening said problems were still apparent.
Read more »
Fort Worth police union offering free, discreet counseling for officers struggling with mental healthThe union that represents Fort Worth police officers took a significant step toward supporting their mental health. And just weeks into the program, one officer is highlighting how it’s helping him. “Until some of us are willing to step up and do what I’m trying to do now, we will never be able to remove the stigma associated with mental health.'
Read more »
Workers start union push at Trader Joe's in western MassachusettsOrganizers at the store in Hadley sent an open letter to company CEO Dan Bane dated Saturday citing concerns about pay, benefits and safety. They asked for a union election “without interference or obstruction.'
Read more »
Brookline schools to reopen Tuesday after district, teachers union reach tentative agreementJUST IN: Public schools in Brookline are reopening today after the Brookline Educators Union and the school committee reached a tentative agreement for a new contract:
Read more »
European Union and US to coordinate efforts to control 'negative impacts' of Russia's warBoth sides praised “unprecedented cooperation on export controls” which notably aims at preventing Moscow from further developing its industrial and military capabilities.
Read more »
Apple Store employees accuse company of union busting | EngadgetThe company allegedly held captive audience meetings in the lead up to a union election in Atlanta..
Read more »