America Eats Tavern

A partnership of ThinkFoodGroup and The Foundation for the National Archives

At AMERICA EATS TAVERN, open July 4th 2011 - July 4th 2012, José Andrés applied his innovative style to an American restaurant; his first new restaurant concept in Washington since opening in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Named after the Works Progress Administration (WPA) writers project of the 1930s, America Eats offered a new take on American classics and celebrated native ingredients and some long forgotten dishes, from burgoo to oysters Rockefeller. With recipes and stories collected through extensive research, and with help from the National Archives and a culinary advisory council of chefs and scholars, the menu showcased the fascinating history of our nation one plate at a time, whether it was the origins of New England clam chowder or the introduction of grapefruit to America. 

America Eats was a “benefit” destination in support of the National Archives Experience exhibition program. Profits gained from the restaurant during the run of the What’s Cooking, Uncle Sam? exhibit were donated to The Foundation for the National Archives. The restaurant concluded its one year culinary experience on July 4th 2012.

Café Atlántico, D.C.’s beloved Nuevo Latino restaurant ended its run at 405 8th Street NW, on June 12, 2011. Originally created by ThinkFoodGroup partner Roberto Alvarez, Café Atlántico has had three different locations over the past 25 years and now José and ThinkFoodGroup look forward to finding the next home for Café Atlántico.