For the first time in over 19 years, Grupo Lezama, one of Spain’s leading restaurant groups, is proud to announce the launch of its second venture in the United States. Taberna del Alabardero, a legendary fine dining restaurant renowned for its elegant old world décor, dignified high standard of service and traditional Spanish cuisine in Washington, DC, is slated to open a second location in the bustling Belltown area of Seattle, Washington in late November 2008. 

Grupo Lezama’s first endeavor abroad was Taberna del Alabardero in Washington, DC on March 27, 1989. Taberna quickly garnered high praise and a legion of accolades, including being named the “best Spanish restaurant outside of Spain” by the Spanish government, and has consistently been named one of Washingtonian magazine’s “Top 100 Restaurants.”  Never losing its stride in the 19 years it’s been open, The Washington Post Food Critic Tom Sietsema recently praised Taberna saying that the dining room is “one of the city’s most romantic,” and “the flavors whisk me to Barcelona and Madrid.”

The first Taberna del Alabardero was opened in Spain almost 35 years ago in 1974, when Father Luis de Lezama began an adventure, charting a new course for himself in Madrid.  He quietly rented a 16th century townhouse near the Royal Palace in Spain’s capital city and, with no prior training in the restaurant business, began serving meals.

Taberna del Alabardero or “Tavern of the Palace Guards,” named for its location on the Plaza De Oriente, outside of the Palace gates of the capital city, quickly became a fashionable and critically acclaimed locale. Lezama followed his Madrid success with Taberna del Alabardero restaurants in Marbella and Sevilla, Spain, and Washington, DC, garnering tremendous praise and recognition, and now – Seattle, Washington. 

Taberna del Alabardero’s goal is to educate people on the rich diversity of traditional Spanish cuisine and the unmatchable wines the country has to offer. The new Taberna del Alabardero will be located at 1st Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98121. To contact the restaurant, please call 206 448 8884. If you have any  questions, I can be reached at paco.pena@alabardero.com.

Sincerely,

Paco Pena