Coming this weekend from the restaurateurs behind Tiger Fork/Calico/Fainting Goat/Hei Hei Tiger and The Royal/Lulu’s Winegarden, is an expansive, open-air urban restaurant on the Rooftop at Union Market

rendering courtesy Hi-Lawn

From a press release:

“One of Washington, DC’s largest, most expansive rooftops for outdoor dining, drinking and safe socializing will soon make its debut, when Hi-Lawn soft opens on the Rooftop at Union Market at 1309 5th Street NE, this Friday, September 18.

Hi-Lawn is the brainchild of restaurateurs Greg Algie & Nathan Beauchamp (Blagden Hospitality Group’s Tiger Fork/Calico/Fainting Goat/Hei Hei Tiger) and Paul Carlson (The Royal/Lulu’s Winegarden). Taking bits of inspiration from around the region, from NYC’s High Line park to the loved urban backyard vibes of its sister spot Calico, the astroturf-outfitted Hi-Lawn will be a fun, laid-back and welcoming rooftop and green space, with seasonally-changing fare from culinary director/partner Nathan Beauchamp, creative draft and juice box cocktails, hosted picnics, lawn games and outdoor music, all with stunning 360-degree city views. While the games and music are on hold during the pandemic, Hi-Lawn is committed and excited to provide the rest of the experience, in a COVID-safe environment.

The expansive rooftop space was designed by EDENS, a DC-based national retail real estate company, who leads the design and development of Union Market District. The Rooftop at Union Market has previously played host to large events and unique pop-ups, from the Kastles Stadium at Union Market, to interactive art exhibits and fitness classes with 305 Fitness and Cut Seven.

“The Rooftop at Union Market is a vibrant urban space that offers our community a gathering place a bit closer to the sky. We are excited to have HI-LAWN join the Union Market community and be a catalyst to continue to bring people together (in a safe and socially distant way) surrounded by the awe-inspiring people and views of this capital city,” said EDENS CEO Jodie W. McLean.

The sprawling space (with a pre-COVID capacity of 1040) is outfitted with socially-distanced picnic tables and colorful patio umbrellas, designated picnic spaces on artificial turf, and wood decking with an artfully-designed shipping container bar dispensing draft cocktails, boozy punch pouches, spiked seltzers, craft beers by the can and bucket, and affordable, well-curated wines. Come mid-fall, an additional colorful shipping container will be added to the roof to serve as Hi-Lawn’s kitchen and culinary outpost.

Photo courtesy Hi-Lawn

Hi-Lawn is kicking things off for the late summer/early fall season, with a Picnics + Cookouts menu, savoring the last of DC’s warm weather. Curated picnic basket coolers come stocked with all the finest outdoor gathering essentials – from the classic cheese + charcuterie, crackers + baguettes, and spreads like sake-cured salmon rillette and harissa-spiced eggplant dip; to ‘hi-roller’ options like caviar + Pringles, brown butter lobster rolls, and homemade lemon curd cheesecake. They will also host weekend Steak & Lobster nights, featuring individually-portioned lobster boils and hanger steak dinners.

Chef Beauchamp, who leads the kitchens at Blagden Hospitality Group’s (BHG) other restaurant concepts, is firing up Hi-Lawn’s rooftop grills for cookout favorites like local beef and meatless burgers, Italian pork sausage topped with bell peppers and onions, and elote slathered in cotija cheese, chili and lime; plus fresh, seasonal salads like Heirloom Tomatoes with fresh mozzarella, basil, mint, balsamic and soy.

BHG beverage director Ian Fletcher and Hi-Lawn bar manager Binh Ngo have collaborated on a selection of creative draft cocktails and adult juice boxes, designed to transport guests to another place depending on the season. Drinks will rotate weekly, but currently include the painkiller-in-a-pouch “Hungover Pharmacist” with rum, pineapple, orange, lemon and coconut cream; the “Lawn Hiland Iced Tea” with vodka, gin, triple sec, lemon, english breakfast tea and allspice honey; and refreshing “I Miss Spa World”with white rum, elderflower, cucumber, mint and lime, plus seasonal zero-proof options for non-drinkers. Hi-Lawn also offers beer and spiked seltzer by the can and bucket, plus wines by the glass.

All food and drink orders and payments will be contactless, via QR code through GoTab. Full menus can be found at www.hilawndc.com.

Hi-Lawn’s food and cocktails will change with each season, but a constant will be its unparalleled city views, and exciting collaborations with market vendors and local producers.

Hi-Lawn is also family- and child-friendly. Hi-Lawn will be open Thursday 4pm to 10pm, Friday from 4pm to 11pm, Saturday from 12pm to 11pm and Sunday from 12pm to 6pm, with plans to expand hours of operation shortly.

Hi-Lawn will implement COVID precautions to the utmost degree, with safely-distanced tables, strictly-enforced mask policies, stringent cleaning procedures, contactless online ordering via GoTab and complimentary sanitizing stations all in line with and beyond DC health and safety guidelines.

Reservations for tables and picnic spots will be available shortly via Resy, and walk-ins are welcomed as space is available.

Hi-Lawn will soft open on Friday, September 18, 2020 with a limited menu, and host its official opening on Thursday, October 1, at 1309 5th Street NE in Washington, DC. Guests can access Hi-Lawn through the dedicated rooftop staircase at the front-east entrance to Union Market, adjacent to Suburbia. Hi-Lawn will be open Thursdays through Sundays.”