El Presidente, a brand-new restaurant in the Union Market area in Washington DC, embraces maximalism. Helmed by James Beard Award winner Stephen Starr, this sprawling 6,000-square-foot eatery in the Union Market District draws inspiration from a Mexico City social club.  There are three distinct dining rooms each with it’s own design flair, while the 60-seat patio promises lively vibes all year round. Artist Annelisa Leinbach has lent her talents to a breathtaking 33-foot mountainscape mural that envelops scarlet velvet seating, resembling a grand cinemascope screen. The real heart of the space is the bar, with its vibrant red-and-pistachio color scheme with a diorama crafted by Silver Hill Arts, offering views of tropical landscapes that feel simultaneously underwater and overhead.

Photography Credit: Julie Soefer

Designed as part of the creative team at AvroKO