It’s time to celebrate Dominican flavors, music, and culture. Yes, Dominican Independence Day is here (Monday, February 27) and there’s no better way to enjoy this rich heritage than with a quick trip to Upper Manhattan’s Washington Heights, and enjoy a stay at the new boutique property Radio Hotel, and it’s top restaurant Jalao NYC.

The Radio Hotel

Washington Heights was immortalized by Lin-Manuel Miranda thanks to it’s award winning Broadway musical and feature film ‘ In The Heights.’ This hilly neighborhood with stunning public parks, incredible food, and community pride, is special. Not only is this area full of natural beauty and historically important, but Washington Heights has also long been an immigrant enclave to many populations, and today, a strong Latin American and Caribbean presence remains, with it being the most populous Dominican neighborhood in the U.S.

In Washington Heights, you can enjoy the newly renovated pedestrian and bike lanes on the GW Bridge, shop local fruit stands at La Plaza de Las Americas and taste authentic Dominican cuisine (including that of Jalao NYC – a second location of the Santo Domingo culinary institution).

Jalao NYC

Jalao NYC

Jalao offers a modern twist of traditional Dominican cuisine for an elevated culinary offering exclusively available in NYC. It’s led by the internationally recognized contemporary Latin restaurant group, Richard Sandoval Hospitality, in a strategic collaboration between with Antonio Espaillat, founder of the popular Santo Domingo restaurant Jalao. The establishment is located in Washington Height’s first-ever full-service boutique hotel, the Radio Hotel and pays homage to its predecessor, Jalao Santo Domingo, which has been serving traditional Dominican food with a modern twist in La Zona Colonial since 2016.

Separated by two spaces, the restaurant decor by Julio Ortuño includes authentic Carnival masks made in the city of La Vega and a large mural of a beautiful Flamboyant tree in the bar area. All of the furniture was hand-crafted in the Dominican Republic and each tabletop has been painted with scenes from the island.

The restaurant can seat 90 (inside) and also features a large 8,000 sq ft space for outdoor seating in an interior courtyard, which will act as the center of activity for the restaurant, featuring ongoing entertainment programming. Local and regional bands will provide live music while dance instructors will get the party going with merengue and bachata dancing. The restaurant is also available for private events and bookings.

The first-ever U.S. outpost of the popular Dominican restaurant interpolates Jalao’s renowned menu with some new dishes made exclusively for the New York market with fresh, local ingredients and nuanced flavors celebrated within the Dominican community.

Highlights of the main menu include signature dishes such as Pecao’Frito (boca chica style deep fried red snapper), Chuleta Cancan (pork tomahawk), Paila Jalao (a palomilla onion-steak with crispy pork belly and longaniza-sausage) and the Mofongo Mar y Tierra (the ultimate Dominican Surf and Turf of shrimp and crispy pork belly with garlic mojo and option for lobster enhancement).

Classic Dominican offerings include tostones, sancocho, and La Bandera Dominicana.

The Radio Hotel

For staycationers looking for a fully immersive cultural experience, Radio Hotel will launch a Dominican Independence Day deal. Starting on February 27 and available for only 72 hours, Radio Hotel will offer 27% off the best available rate (a major steal with rooms going for as little as $64!)

The hotel is the central anchor of the mixed-use development, which includes a Santo Domingo-inspired restaurant, 10,000 sq. ft. of dedicated event space, 175,000 sq. ft. of office and retail space, an 8,000 sq. ft. activated courtyard, and a rooftop lounge with 360° panoramic views of downtown Manhattan, the GW Bridge and the Harlem River.

The 221-room hotel features a range of rooms and suites just steps away from the nearby “A” subway platform for convenient access to NYC sights and landmarks.

The artfully designed hotel draws on the liveliness of Washington Heights and provides a unique guest experience by world-class hospitality team Sightline Hospitality.

The Radio Hotel
2420 Amsterdam Ave
New York, NY 10033
www.theradiohotel.com