José Andrés Expands Empire with New Hotel

José Andrés, the acclaimed chef and humanitarian, has announced the opening of his first luxury hotel, Bazaar House, in the Georgetown district of Washington, D.C. The hotel, set to open in 2027, will feature 67 rooms and will be located at the site of the former Latham Hotel on M Street Northwest, an area known for its federal-style buildings and luxury shops. This project marks a significant personal and professional milestone for Andrés, who has built much of his career in the U.S. capital. Reflecting on his arrival in Washington 30 years ago, Andrés expressed his deep connection to the city and his excitement for this new venture.

Bazaar House will expand the Bazaar brand, which began with the opening of his Los Angeles restaurant. Although that location closed in 2020, the brand has continued to thrive with restaurants in cities like New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas. José Andrés Group is partnering with Thor Equities, a real estate development firm that manages several hotels across North America, to bring this vision to life. This move into the hotel sector comes amid changes in the company's leadership, as Andrés recently stepped down from his role as CEO, passing the position to Sam Bakhshandehpour while retaining his involvement as executive chairman.

The hotel will emphasize its culinary offerings, with various dining and drinking venues operated by Andrés' group. Among these will be the Bazaar Club, a rooftop club offering panoramic views of Washington, D.C., as well as a new flagship restaurant led by the chef. The hotel will also feature event spaces, a wellness center, and high-end retail stores.

Meanwhile, in Coral Gables, Florida, Thomas Angelo and Gioia Hospitality Group have opened Daniel's, a new steakhouse that launched on October 8. The restaurant, designed to offer a contemporary dining experience, sources local Florida products, including Wagyu beef from northern ranches. Led by culinary director Daniel Ganem, the menu also features fresh seafood and regional dishes like ceviche and fish from Florida's coast. Daniel's wine list, which currently boasts around 300 labels from France, California, and other prominent wine regions, is expected to grow to 400 selections. The restaurant's modern, inviting design includes green, walnut, and copper accents, as well as artwork from local artists. Daniel's has also begun hosting wine-pairing dinners, with an upcoming collaboration with Darioush Winery from Napa Valley scheduled for November.