La Sandía Brings Contemporary Mexican Fare to Tysons Corner Center

Tysons Corner Center’s newest restaurant, La Sandía—a joint venture from opera singer Plácido Domingo and restaurateur Richard Sandoval, of D.C.’s Latin-and-Asian-fusion spot Zengo—opened on May 4, specializing in authentic Mexican cuisine with a contemporary twist. It’s the first La Sandía on the East Coast, with the original in Denver and another planned to open this summer at Colorado’s Park Meadows retail center.

Just as the 4,600-square-foot restaurant takes a fresh look at classic Mexican dishes, the colorful design reinterprets Mexican folk art through a modern lens. Designers at the international architectural firm Gensler reinterpreted the traditional punched-tin Mexican lantern, outfitting the vestibule entrance and the bar area with custom-fit punched-tin panels depicting motifs of birds, dragonflies, and stars. A pressed-copper ceiling also runs the length of the site.The 225-seat main dining room, with a red, orange, and blue color scheme, features custom-made dark wood furniture from Mexico and curtained glass dividers that separate the space. The restaurant also includes a private dining room, which is fully enclosed by glass panels overlooking the main area and can hold 75 for receptions or 50 for seated events.

Although set in the shopping center, La Sandía has an "outdoor" patio—it's outside of the restaurant, at least, overlooking the mall. Some 60 guests can fit in the patio and bar area, which serves Latin-oriented drinks, including 100 kinds of tequila, and everything from pork carnitas and chicken mole to a variety of tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas.