In 2016, no less than Mayor Muriel Bowser showed up for the high-profile groundbreaking of a new food hall near Union Market. Nearly three years later, and without the star chef originally slated to helm the project, the much anticipated market finally has a name and timeline for completion: La Cosecha (which translates to “the harvest” in Spanish) is slated to open in June.
Fourteen businesses—a mix of restaurants, food stalls, and boutiques—that represent Latin American culture and cuisine are coming to the 20,000-square foot marketplace. It will anchor a huge new apartment complex from developer Edens.
Philadelphia chef Jose Garces was originally the creative force behind the project, but he filed for bankruptcy amid a series of lawsuits. A spokesperson confirmed that Garces is no longer affiliated with the food hall.
Edens gave diners a taste of what’s to come at La Cosecha in a press release, including the second U.S. location of ElCielo, from Colombian chef Juan Manuel Barrientos, and a permanent location for Amparo, a modern Mexican spot from Christian Irabién.
“I want to celebrate the things that are atypical to the American perception,” Irabién told DCist last year. “I want to highlight things that are familiar in Mexico, but may be less familiar here.”
Bolivia will be represented by Ali Pacha (which means “the plant universe” in Aymara), where chef Sebastián Quiroga will serve up “artistic, sustainable vegan dishes.” Baltimore-based chef Federico Tischler will serve up Venezuelan fare at White Envelope Arepa + Ceviche Bar. And Peruvian brothers Giuseppe and Mario Lanzone will bring the first brick-and-mortar location of, well, Peruvian Brothers.
Meanwhile, Grand Cata, the Shaw-based wine store that specializes in Latin American vintages, will open up a “grocery-wine bar concept,” while the boutique Nova Bossa will bring fashion accessories and home decor from brands from across the region.
Edens says that other offerings in the works include a coffee shop, mezcaleria, and a paper boutique, along with a “culinary immersion studio” that can be a hub for classes, talks, and pop-ups.
“Growing up in Colombia, I drew on my experiences of being at the plaza for market day and holidays,” says Walter Trujillo, the principal design director at Gensler, an architecture and design firm that worked on the project. “Our goal with La Cosecha was to design a rich tapestry of spaces centered around a ‘plaza,’ celebrating Latin culture and community through food and experience.”
La Cosecha will be located at 1270 4th St. NE. It is slated to open in June.
Rachel Sadon


