One of Old Town Alexandria’s most beloved dining institutions is entering an exciting new era. On Friday, April 10, The Majestic is reopening under the ownership and creative direction of Chef Santiago Lopez, who has purchased the restaurant from Alexandria Restaurant Partners and is unveiling a reimagined concept designed to honor its legacy while introducing a fresh, chef-driven vision.
For Lopez, the moment represents both a professional milestone and a deeply personal achievement. A classically French-trained chef and hospitality veteran, Santiago has spent years growing within Alexandria Restaurant Partners (ARP), where he developed his skills, leadership style, and culinary voice across multiple respected concepts.
The restaurant has a long history in Alexandria and has attracted notable celebrities including Michelle Obama and the Obama daughters who brought their grandmother Marian Shields Robinson to the restaurant for her birthday while President Obama was in office. Another big-name guest was actor Robert Pattinson…