From an email:
“James Beard-award winning restaurateur Stephen Starr of STARR Restaurants is soon set to resurrect a gilded era of Washington power dining with the reimagining of The Occidental, his most glamorous, decadent DC restaurant yet. The iconic venue that once drew the world’s most important politicos will open – or rather, reopen – in early 2025 at the Willard Hotel, in the very space long occupied by its namesake.
First introduced in 1906 by Henry Willard, founder of the Willard Hotel, the Occidental became a legendary restaurant in the nation’s capital, renowned for walls covered with portraits of every illustrious guest, from presidents to sports stars. The Occidental, just two blocks from the White House with views of the Washington Monument and beyond, even long bore the reputation as the place “Where Statesmen Dine.”
Starr returns to that swinging era for inspiration for this expansive, two-floor, 11,000-square-foot destination. Think: Tableside martini service, white-tablecloth hospitality with an air of ceremonial pomp, and a menu that focuses on classic mid-century American dishes.
The Occidental is located at 1475 Pennsylvania Ave. NW.”