Washington, D.C.’s vibrant culinary scene has a new and noteworthy addition: Immigrant Food, a fast-casual restaurant that’s quickly becoming a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an authentic and flavorful taste of global cultures. Located just a block from the White House at 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, this innovative eatery, spearheaded by the Venezuelan chef Enrique Limardo of the acclaimed Seven Reasons, is redefining immigrant food in DC by celebrating the diverse tapestry of immigrant experiences through uniquely crafted fusion cuisine.
Immigrant Food, which officially opened its doors, isn’t just another restaurant; it’s a culinary and social statement. Limardo, in collaboration with foreign policy experts, has conceived a menu that daringly blends seemingly disparate culinary traditions, resulting in exciting combinations like Peruvian-Chinese, Swedish-Irish, and Ethiopian-Salvadoran flavors. This bold approach to food mirrors the complex and enriching nature of immigrant stories in Washington, D.C., and across the United States.
The heart of Immigrant Food lies in its nine signature bowls, each a testament to Chef Limardo’s culinary artistry honed at Seven Reasons. These aren’t your average bowls; they are narratives in themselves, meticulously constructed to reflect the migration patterns and cultural intersections within D.C. By researching the demographic shifts and historical culinary influences of the city, Limardo has created dishes that resonate with the stories of various immigrant communities.
Beyond its innovative menu, Immigrant Food distinguishes itself through its commitment to “gastroadvocacy.” Understanding the challenges faced by immigrants, the restaurant offers rent-free space to local non-governmental organizations. This space serves as a hub for essential services like English classes, legal clinics, and job search assistance, directly supporting the immigrant community in DC. Complementing its food and drink offerings, Immigrant Food features a dynamic digital engagement menu. This platform informs patrons about ways to actively support immigrants, encouraging them to volunteer, donate to partner nonprofits, or participate in relevant petitions.
Among the standout bowl options is the “Columbia Road” bowl, a dish that pays homage to the significant Ethiopian and Salvadoran immigrant populations in D.C. Named after the Adams Morgan street once central to both communities, this bowl is a flavorful journey. It combines spice-rubbed steak, hearty lentils, and roasted tomatoes with the vibrant additions of corn, onions, peppers, seasoned potatoes, and the unique pickled loroco flower buds. Salvadoran cheese, tortilla chips, and alguashte vinegar seasoning complete this culinary bridge between cultures.
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Another compelling example of Immigrant Food’s fusion philosophy is the “Filipino Rice And Grains” bowl. This dish draws inspiration from the Philippines and Sub-Saharan Africa, artfully blending adobo-spiced chicken with fragrant orange coconut rice. Cauliflower, toasted quinoa, and jalapeno peppers add textural and spicy complexity, while pickled banana introduces a touch of unexpected sweetness, showcasing the harmonious yet surprising flavor profiles that define Immigrant Food Dc at its finest.
Chef Limardo’s meticulous approach to menu development involved extensive research into D.C.’s immigration patterns and the origins of ingredients. He describes his process as creating a “spiderweb” of connections, mapping countries, spices, and ingredients to identify unexpected and delightful flavor pairings. This intricate process allowed him to thoughtfully substitute and combine ingredients, resulting in a menu that is both innovative and deeply rooted in cultural understanding.
This innovative spirit extends beyond the savory bowls to their beverage selection, exemplified by dairy-free “fusion mylks.” The “Pink Dragon,” a Southeast Asian-inspired creation, blends dragon fruit, cardamom, yellow raisins, blue agave, and coconut milk for a refreshing and exotic drink that perfectly complements the restaurant’s culinary ethos.
The ambiance of Immigrant Food is as thoughtfully curated as the menu. Limardo and his partners collaborated with architect Michelle Bove (known for her work on Maydan) and Sommer Moore of DesignCase to create a “funky marketplace vibe.” The restaurant’s walls are adorned with tapestries from around the world and compelling photographs by Colombian photographer Luis German Gomez. These images capture immigrants sharing meals, visually reinforcing the restaurant’s core message of unity and cultural celebration.
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Limardo’s partners in this venture are as notable as his culinary talent. Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger, an Argentine political consultant and co-owner at Seven Reasons, brings his strategic insight, while Peter Schechter, a global affairs specialist with 14 years on the board of José Andrés’s ThinkFoodGroup and former founding director of the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, serves as the “intellectual author” of the Immigrant Food concept. Schechter’s international connections were instrumental in securing partnerships with five local nonprofits that benefit from free office space within the restaurant.
Schechter articulates the overarching goal of Immigrant Food: to celebrate the profound contributions of immigrants to American culture and to advocate for their integral role in the nation’s future. While not explicitly positioned in opposition to any political figure, the restaurant’s message subtly counters narratives that marginalize immigrant communities. Schechter emphasizes the vital role immigrants have played in building and enriching America, stating, “immigrants have made America great, again, and again, and again.”
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Adding another layer to its advocacy efforts, Immigrant Food launched “The Think Table,” a digital magazine spearheaded by Téa Ivanovic, the restaurant’s director of communications and outreach. Ivanovic, with her personal background as a Belgian native with Yugoslavian parents, brings a unique perspective to this project. The Think Table utilizes videos, infographics, and expert articles to delve into complex immigration-related topics. Its inaugural issue focused on “Dreamers,” undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children, aligning with the day Immigrant Food opened and the Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the legality of the program protecting these individuals.
Immigrant Food encourages diners to engage with its message directly. A photo booth with a global map backdrop allows guests to take selfies, which can be emailed with the empowering message “We’re all immigrants.” While acknowledging the sentiment may not fully resonate with Native Americans or descendants of enslaved Africans, Schechter clarifies the intention is to recognize that “we’ve all come from somewhere,” highlighting the shared human experience of migration.
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Immigrant Food is more than just a restaurant; it’s a cultural hub in DC that celebrates diversity, promotes understanding, and offers a delicious and thought-provoking dining experience. For those seeking immigrant food dc that transcends traditional boundaries and contributes to a larger social conversation, Immigrant Food is an essential destination.
