April 14, 2025

Chef Jose Victorio Alarcon Opening Second Peruvian-Style Restaurant In Baltimore City This Spring

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BALTIMORE, MD (April 14, 2025) – Having achieved success with Puerto 511, a sit-down restaurant specializing in Peruvian-style cuisine, restaurateur Jose Victorio Alarcon has selected Brown’s Wharf, located at 1615-1637 Thames Street in Fells Point as the site of his second location in Baltimore City. Alarcon signed a lease with Continental Realty Corporation with plans to open Empa 511, a sit-down and fast-casual restaurant this spring. CRC Senior Commercial Leasing Associate Dominque Threatt represented the landlord in this transaction.

Alarcon explains that the menu specialty of Empa 511 will be empanadas, which consist of baked or fried pastry dough filled with an assortment of meat, cheese, vegetables, or fruits. The food item is common throughout portions of Europe, South Asia, North Africa, and Latin American countries, and Empa 511 will focus on Peruvian-style varieties. His version emphasizes the use of onions, tomatoes, olives, and specialty spices, including yellow pepper and cilantro. Empa 511 will also serve Peruvian chilies made from pepper fruits including Aji Amarillo and Rocoto.

Among the beauties of empanadas is the ability of customers to casually eat the dish while sitting on an outdoor bench, which is why Empa 511 has been designed with approximately 10 indoor seats and features an outside patio area, Alarcon explained. “We can accommodate patrons who wish to linger and socialize with friends for an extended period of time, as well the businessperson or tourist looking for a quick bite to eat on the run,” he said. “Peruvian cuisine is considered by many as among the most popular and best-tasting foods in the world given its vibrant flavors and variety of dishes.”

Fells Point’s vibrancy and strong consumer foot traffic were main selling points when he selected Brown’s Wharf, Alarcon explained. “The mix of small boutiques and restaurants on a waterfront setting makes the project extremely attractive to local residents, businesspeople and tourists, and we wanted to be a part of it.”

Originally constructed in the 1800s and renovated and expanded in 1988, Brown’s Wharf consists of three brick and stone buildings and a 270-foot waterfront promenade comprising more than 100,000 square feet of space. The largest tenant at Brown’s Wharf is The Johns Hopkins University, including Jhpiego and Cognitive Research. The restaurant anchor is Mexican-themed Barcocina. Additional retail-level tenants include CFG Community Bank, Kilwins Chocolates and Ice Cream, Ten Thousand Villages, 7-Eleven, and Fells Point Surf Co.

“Jose Victorio Alarcon is a talented and innovative chef, known for his distinctive menu offerings that have captivated both Baltimore City locals and visitors,” said Kristina O’Keefe, Vice President of the Commercial Division at CRC. “Empa 511 stands out as a unique and exciting addition to the Brown’s Wharf tenant lineup. The Fells Point community has a strong appreciation for diverse culinary concepts and consistently supports them. The introduction of this restaurant further enhances our commitment to curating a mix of one-of-a-kind dining experiences and boutiques at Brown’s Wharf, setting it apart from the surrounding area.”

Headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland and founded in 1960, Continental Realty Corporation is a full-service commercial real estate and investment company focused on acquiring and operating retail and multifamily properties. The privately held firm owns and manages a diversified portfolio of retail centers consisting of over eight million square feet of commercial space and more than 10,000 apartment homes across 13 states, with a portfolio value exceeding $4 billion. For additional information, visit www.crcrealty.com.