UNION STATION is one of a kind—a magnificent 212,000SF colossus restored as a shrine to imperial Washington of the railroad era. In fact, its $160M renovation made it better than it ever was before.

Authorized by Congress in a bill signed by President Theodore Rooselvelt, the first white granite slab of the station was laid in 1905, before the Mall as we know it existed, and before the construction of most of the monuments that now adorn the city.
 

Built on the sewery remnants of Tiber Creek, it took nearly year to fill the low-lying swamp area with 4 million cubic yards of dirt and concrete. The design was bold: Constantinian arches, egg-and-dart molding and sunstreaked gilt leafing, delicate Pompeian traceries, majestic skylights and coffered ceilings covered by over 70lbs. of 22-karat gold leaf.

The concourse quickly became the world's largest hall, capable of housing the Washington Monument laid on its side.

For over 90 years, Union Station has welcomed people to the most important city in the world. Opened in 1907 and finished in 1908 at a total cost of $125M—an especially huge sum for the time—this magnificent Beaux-Arts building has played host to 17 Presidents, several Inaugural balls, and countless foreign dignitaries. However, what may be most impressive is the fact that Union Station's marble floors echo with the footsteps of over 23.4 million people each year, making it the most visited site in all of Washington, D.C.  

The base of one of the eagle-topped flag poles is wrought iron over a granite pedestal.
 

Most of the distinctive lamps you see at Union Station are the carefully restored original items.
 

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From the gold leafed barrel vault ceiling, to the ring of statues standing guard, the ornate Main Hall is the grandest area of the whole immense structure. Bordering the Main Hall just next to main entrance by the Massachusetts Avenue colonnade is America and its sprawling verandas on three levels.

Big and uber-American, Union Station's America serves big food from a big menu. Big, big, big.

-The Washington Post
 

America is a hip restaurant with taste—not stuffy, but never tacky, either. And with great service!

The menu is run by Chef Michael Foo. Originally from Malaysia, Michael received his formal training at Sequoia and has been with Ark for more than ten years.

He has been fascinated by food since childhood, and his curiosity has led him to experiment with cuisines ranging from Southwestern and Italian to his favorite, Indonesian. Michael's diverse culinary background has prepared him to oversee the eclectic menus at America and Center Caf.

Towering statue soldiers by sculpture Louis Saint-Gaudens complement the six 25-ton figures outside.
 

America is an unique mix of wood, art deco, Western, and restored neo-classical from the grand building days of the early 1900s.