A new bar and a renovated restaurant will open today at the Embassy Suites Chevy Chase as part of the Chevy Chase Pavilion hotel’s $10.5 million update.
Willie’s Bar occupies 2,000 square feet on an upper floor of the Pavilion. The full bar features seating for 13 and a 22-seat lounge as well as views of shoppers in the Pavilion.
The bar is named after the hotel’s former sous chef, Wilfredo Benavides, who died last year from Lou Gehrig’s disease. In his memory, the bar is donating one percent of its proceeds to the ALS Association, according to Embassy Suites.
Also opening today is the renovated Atrio Café. The 8,800-square-foot restaurant features a new small-plates menu with Latin and Mediterranean flavors. Dishes include beet salad, kale and artichoke dip, fish tacos, crispy calamari and Greek and BBQ chicken flat bread pizzas.
“We plan to become the Friendship Heights’ neighborhood go-to hot spot for hotel guests, professionals in the area and D.C. locals alike looking for delicious eats in a sophisticated, fun atmosphere,” Margaret Fenaoui, executive chef at Embassy Suites Chevy Chase, said in a press release.
The new bar and updated restaurant are part of the hotel’s overall renovation, which includes updates to common areas and 198 rooms. The rooms are scheduled to be completed around Oct. 20, according to the hotel.
Atrio Café and Willie’s will be open from 4 to 11 p.m. daily.
Beet salad, fish tacos and flatbread pizzas, which will be served at Atrio and Wille's Bar. Photos provided.