Willie’s Bar coming to Embassy Suites Chevy Chase this Fall After $10.5 Million Renovation

4300 Military Road, NW at Wisconsin Ave. Renderings courtesy Embassy Suites

Following the opening of Bryan Voltaggio’s Lunchbox comes more new for the Chevy Chase Pavilion – from a press release:

“The renowned hotel at Chevy Chase Pavilion has begun its substantial renovation build-out. The Embassy Suites at the Chevy Chase Pavilion, managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, is embarking on a colossal $10.5 million property transformation that includes a structural conversion throughout the 170,000-square-foot, 198 two-room suite property offering an entirely new guest stay experience. Hotel officials announced today that construction has begun for the full renovation that is slated for delivery on October 20, 2014. Plans call for a newly designed open entrance, sweeping lobby, expanded restaurant and lounge, new bar concept, upgraded suites, renewed health club and enlarged public areas.

Designed by HVS Design and Jonathan Nehmer & Associates of Rockville, Maryland, the new Embassy Suites at the Chevy Chase Pavilion will take on an elegant and contemporary design aesthetic of large field graphite tile with glass and silver accents that will resemble an independent boutique hotel property catering to weekday business travelers and weekend family sojourners.

The Embassy Suites’ dining and bar areas are also undergoing a substantial transformation and will launch an original drinking and dining concept that has been expanded beyond hotel guests and open to the public. Named after the hotel’s admired sous chef Wilfredo Benavides, who passed away last year after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease, Willie’s Bar is a brand new 2,000-square-foot, 22-seat bar featuring more than 100 top-shelf spirits, wines and local draft and bottled beers and a newly crafted small-plates menu. An additional 50 seats, also featuring Willie’s signature cocktails and menu selections, will be situated in the lounge area directly off the bar. In special remembrance and honor of Chef Willie, one percent of all bar proceeds from Willie’s Bar will go to the ALS Association – an American nonprofit organization that raises money for research and patient services related to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

The new Willie’s Bar and restaurant space will take on a clean, modern look with earth-tone hues and natural materials of wood panels and stone countertops. Featured menu items include: organic caprese salad, fresh beet salad, cheesy kale & artichoke dip, savory fish tacos, chicken tzatziki skewers, spicy rosemary shrimp skewers, jerk chicken with bourbon sauce and Greek, vegetable and BBQ chicken flat bread pizzas.

The existing Atrio Café and Atrio Lounge will be greatly reconfigured with the addition of acrylic-topped awnings and an expanded soft-seating area increasing the total dining capacity and offering a more functional space for banquet and catering services. Additional lounge seating, overlooking the Pavilion atrium, will provide guests with a relaxing place to work, meet friends or simply unwind after a long day of sightseeing or meetings.

“Our new American small plates menu offers local, farm fresh ingredients that incorporates Latin and Mediterranean flavors,” says Margaret Fenaoui, executive chef at Embassy Suites Chevy Chase who created the menu. “We’re delighted to deliver tasteful fare that caters to many diverse palettes.”

Upon the hotel’s entry, guests will be greeted with a newly designed entrance and an immensely open lobby area that doubles its current size. The modernized lobby area will feature five new seating areas with light low-profile furnishings and a video lounge, an enclosed gas fireplace serving as a periphery between two conversation areas, large windows with scenic views of the Friendship Heights neighborhood, a conveyor motor lobby escalating to the second level and the District Boardroom – a liquid meeting space that anchors the main lobby area with a full storefront glass wall that hosts a conference table and 55” television monitor tailored for impromptu business meetings. A water wall located directly behind the reception desk, a core element of the Embassy Suites brand, and a new wood, steel and glass stairway will become a defining feature of the hotel lobby.

The Embassy Suites Chevy Chase redevelopment will also include an overhaul on all the guest suites, which range in size from 600-800 square feet. The new design is focused on creating an upscale “at-home” residential feel through the use of calm lighting, natural texture and a color scheme incorporating the use of earth tones. The hotel will newly introduce dark chocolate wood exterior doors, solid pecan hardwood flooring and modern furnishings with subtle Washington-themed décor punctuated throughout the living spaces. In partnership with the Embassy Suites Brand, two new stylish premium floors will be created featuring suites with 55” LG HD televisions, complimentary high-speed Internet service, iHome docks, JBL Flip speakers, Keurig coffee makers and access to the floor’s exclusive refreshment center.

“Our large-scale renovation will deliver a sophisticated urban atmosphere offering visitors a luxurious retreat with a delicious food and beverage option and convenient access to unmatched shopping, entertainment and dining,” added Jeff Brainard, area general manager.

The Embassy Suites, along with the Chevy Chase Pavilion, originally opened in 1990 and has been consistently maintained with the last significant room renovation occurring in 2009 and the meeting space in 2012.”