Today, Thursday, March 19, marks the grand opening of Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, located within the prestigious Waldorf Astoria Washington DC. This new dining venue takes over from the celebrity chef’s former Spanish-Japanese restaurant Bazaar, which was launched in 2023. The latest iteration focuses on fire-fed delicacies for meat enthusiasts and is gaining popularity nationwide.
The rapid transformation into Bazaar Meat took just weeks to complete in the lobby of the historic Old Post Office Pavilion-turned-luxury hotel, representing José Andrés Group’s first new restaurant in D.C. in many years (1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW). Renowned Spanish chef and founder of disaster relief nonprofit World Central Kitchen, Andrés began his culinary journey in nearby Penn Quarter three decades ago with the celebrated tapas restaurant Jaleo. Today, he boasts 40 restaurants across the globe.
At this new iteration of Bazaar Meat, guests can explore a revised menu that showcases a wealth of international techniques. The menu is divided into enticing sections like Our Big Guys and Cooked José’s Way, featuring generous prime cuts such as bone-in New York strips sourced from Oregon and rib-eye chuletons hailing from Texas. Prices for these premium selections range between $105 and $115 per pound. Not to be missed is the indulgent Spanish suckling pig, which requires 24 hours’ notice and comes at a premium price of $540 for the full feast, or $160 for a quarter-sized serving.
The menu also features segments like From The Meat Bar, Meats From The Fire, and Not So Big Guys. A special Tasting Through Japan section offers an exquisite selection of wagyu beef cooked tableside on ishiyaki stones, priced at $50 to $60 per ounce. Additionally, diners can partake in a jamón experience that showcases Spain’s treasured pig, displayed prominently at the entrance. The menu also includes a raw bar and seafood options, alongside a la carte offerings like “beefsteak” tomato, zesty beef tartare, carpaccios, and a Waldorf salad—a fitting choice given the restaurant’s name. For those seeking comprehensive experiences, two tasting menus ($165 or $195) allow patrons to sample a broad selection of the culinary delights.
New signature cocktails for the D.C. area include the Stamp Collector Sazerac, which commands a price of $45, featuring 15-year Whistlepig rye. Also on the menu is a $22 freezer martini made with olive oil fat-washed vodka or gin. The Ben Franklin’s milk punch accompanies a carefully curated wine list that features both Spanish and local producers from Virginia and Maryland.
The refreshed restaurant maintains familiar aesthetics, largely unchanged save for new artwork and enhanced signage revealing its new name. The significant updates are in the kitchen, where an upgraded space is equipped to accommodate the rising demand for freshly grilled steaks.
Returning favorites from Bazaar include the whimsical foie gras sticks encased in cotton candy and José’s taco adorned with gold leaf and caviar. Another nostalgic offering is the Eisenhower Stew ($38), which pays tribute to the comfort food of the Cold War-era president, featuring a delicious blend of braised beef cheeks, potatoes, carrots, and demi-sec tomatoes.
The original Bazaar Meat first opened in Las Vegas in 2014 before relocating to the redesigned Palazzo at the Venetian Resort last year. A five-year-old outpost of Bazaar Meat is currently in Chicago, and just last fall, the Bazaar in New York City’s Ritz-Carlton Nomad transitioned into a Bazaar Meat. Two additional locations are set to debut in Los Angeles and Miami in 2026, according to a representative from Eater.
Andrés shares a special connection to the prominent Pennsylvania Avenue venue. Notably, in 2015, he withdrew from a restaurant endeavor within this venue following controversial remarks made regarding immigrants by then-presidential candidate Donald Trump. The hotel, once known as the Trump International Hotel, was rebranded in 2022, and a year later, during President Joe Biden’s administration, Andrés realized his long-held aspiration of opening within the newly minted Waldorf Astoria. His 150-seat Bazaar has taken over the lobby space previously occupied by the steakhouse BLT Prime by David Burke, complementing other noted establishments like the Michelin-starred Sushi Nakazawa.
Sophie Macaluso
“This is about creating a place where people come together to eat, drink, and celebrate,” stated Andrés in a statement.
Dinner service is available from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Weekend brunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Operating under the umbrella of humanitarian efforts, World Central Kitchen is currently providing free meals to TSA workers during the partial government shutdown impacting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
