A new whimsical diner is opening at National Landing
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Poke clouds. Photograph courtesy of Jennifer Chase
Surreal, a whimsical American restaurant from the owners of Seven Reasons and Imperfecto, opens soon in a park at National Landing.
Why it matters: The modernist venture from Michelin-starred chef Enrique Limardo is part of the reinvention of the neighborhood, planted on Amazon's HQ2 campus as a destination for foodies near and farther afield.
The inspiration: An all-day diner — but the kind that offers "swirl pancakes" with house-infused syrup, loaded "footlong boomdogs" and chocolate lava-cake "service." So not like any diner you've seen.
- "The idea is to think outside the box," Limardo tells Axios. "Tweak the all-day American diner experience with better aesthetics, service, and plating."
To that point: Limardo's serving poke with a rice paper cloud. And there are (fake) clouds above the dining room for "a dreamlike nature ambiance," courtesy of creative director Valentina Story.
Zoom in: The restaurant is the widest-ranging yet for the Venezuelan chef and his business partner Ezequiel Vázquez-Ger. An all-day menu spans nearly 50 items — egg dishes, sandwiches, salads, pizzas, pastas, playful desserts, and a "more elevated" dinner offering, according to Limardo.
- There's also a grab-and-go area with pastas, sauces, and ready-to-eat items.
Meanwhile, a full bar pours draft Aperol spritzes, muddled-to-order mojitos, fancy wines, and Miller Genuine Draft. A 100-seat patio will open in the spring.
Between the lines: This is the same group that brought you the $65 "fancy McRib."
What's next: The team recently closed their 14th Street flagship Seven Reasons and is building a new home for the svelte Latin concept at City Center (in DBGB's old space).
- The new Surprise by Seven Reasons will be "way nicer," Vázquez-Ger tells Axios. They're adding a vibey DJ booth and a new tasting menu concept.
- "We want to honor that word, everything will be a surprise," says Limardo. "Maybe you'll have a password to access the knife and fork. Maybe there's a dish you won't be able to see."