Walrus Oyster & Ale House Welcomes Ariel Valdez as New GM

The Walrus Oyster & Ale House in Columbia is pleased to welcome Ariel Valdez as the restaurant’s new general manager. Valdez previously served as the general manager for The Walrus’s sister restaurant, Chicken + Whiskey in Washington D.C.

Valdez has worked in hospitality for most of his life, spending his formative years learning the ins and outs of the restaurant industry by working in his family’s restaurant in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University, he continued to pursue a career in foodservice and worked in restaurants in Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. In his new role at The Walrus Columbia, Valdez will oversee and manage all restaurant operations, with an emphasis on guest experience.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Walrus has placed an increased focus on safety to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for both guests and staff. The restaurant continues to modify and expand its menu to meet the changing needs of its customers, offering extensive options for Curbside Pick-up and delivery, as well as creative food packages and a make-it-yourself kit that allows customers to recreate The Walrus’s famous lobster roll at home. The Walrus continues to operate at a limited capacity for in-person dining for lunch, happy hour, dinner, and brunch, following protocol from the state of Maryland and Howard County.

The Walrus Oyster & Ale House is owned and operated by Star Restaurant Group, a Washington, D.C. based restaurant company led by industry veterans Desmond Reilly, Kristopher Carr, and Stu Damon. Inspired by the Chesapeake Bay and the oyster industry that flourished in the area during the late 1800s, The Walrus Oyster & Ale House pays homage to Eastern Shore cooking and freshly shucked oysters from Prince Edward Island to Virginia. Learn more at www.walrusoysterandale.com.