Chefs Speak Out: Moving up Like Wildfire
Since 1971, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc., has created high-quality, successful restaurants. The company operates more than 80 establishments throughout the country. Wildfire (voted most-popular Chicago restaurant 2008 through 2010 by Zagat) has seven locations. The McLean, Va., venue is also bustling and can serve 1,000 customers per day. Having spent most of his career with the Lettuce Entertain You family, this kind of intense “kitchen heat” doesn’t intimidate Executive Chef Eddie Ishaq. He says, “Let’s go!”
By Lynn Schwartz
Wildfire is handsome and pays tribute to the open flame. The long, elevated fireplace above the open kitchen is dramatic. Wood-fired ovens and spit roasters add not only ambiance, but also flavor to meats, seafood, poultry and hand-stretched pizza. The dark wood and large black-and-white photographs depicting dapper diners recall the spirit of a 1940s supper club. And the contemporary Tysons Galleria mall location requires the restaurant to appeal to a variety of palates—employees in surrounding office buildings, mall shoppers and those residing in the neighborhood. A reasonably priced menu is designed for repeat dining.