Trump International Hotel has chosen BLT Prime to operate its signature restaurant at the Old Post Office Pavilion. The move comes three months after celebrity chefs Jose Andres and Geoffrey Zakarian both backed out of projects at the hotel following Donald Trump’s controversial presidential campaign comments.
BLT Prime is a part of ESquared Hospitality group and a sister property to BLT Steak, which has operated a downtown location since 2006. BLT Prime’s original location opened in New York in 2006, and the BLT brand has locations in two other Trump properties in Miami and Waikiki. The new 9k SF restaurant will accommodate more than 225 diners and serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Andres’ exit from the restaurant project prompted a $10M breach-of-contract lawsuit by the Trump organization against the chef’s ThinkFoodGroup and an affiliate company. There is no update on that case or any proceedings against Zakarian. The hotel and restaurant are scheduled to open by fall 2016. [WaPo]
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