National Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: dLeña by Chef Richard Sandoval
Friday September 19, 2025
National Hispanic Heritage Month is Wednesday, September 15 – Wednesday, October 15 and to celebrate, we are highlighting some of the restaurants where you can enjoy Hispanic culture around Mount Vernon Triangle starting with dLeña! Located at 476 K Street NW, Chef Richard Sandoval presents a modern approach on classic Mexican fare. As featured in the 2022 & 2023 edition of the MICHELIN Guide, the concept celebrates “leña,” or firewood, and the nuanced flavors smoke can impart on both its wood-fired food, and smoky mezcal and tequila-centric menus. Stop in for lunch, brunch or dinner, and be sure to visit the Roja Lounge to explore their extensive list of premium tequilas and mezcals nightly and enjoy live music Wednesday-Sunday nights.
And just in time for National Hispanic Heritage Month, Chef Sandoval proudly announced the 2026 class of Old Ways, New Hands, his business accelerator program designed to elevate and empower the next generation of Latin food and beverage entrepreneurs.
“Culinary identity is a cultural movement, not a trend,” said Chef Sandoval in a recent press release. “Old Ways, New Hands is about honoring our roots while accelerating entrepreneurs toward ownership and impact. This class represents the talent and vision that will define the next chapter of Latin food and drink globally.”
In 2026, the class will travel to join Chef Sandoval for an immersive workshop and symposium of business learning. The multi-day program, hosted by Sandoval and a team of industry experts, will cover everything from brand storytelling, licensing, and costing to digital marketing and financial strategy. Through hands-on coaching and mentorship, these entrepreneurs will gain the tools, networks, and knowledge to accelerate their businesses and achieve their long-term goals.