Navy Yard

From a press release:

“Top Chef All-Stars Runner-Up Mike Isabella is opening a G location at Nationals Park, home of the Washington Nationals, in Southeast Washington, D.C. this season. This second edition of Isabella’s Italian-style sandwich shop will feature four of G’s top-selling items, including the Chicken Parm, as well as a rotating special, ‘Sandwich of the Homestand.’ G will be located on the Main Concourse in right field near the First Base Gate, behind Section 136.

“People in this town are passionate about their food and passionate about their baseball. G at Nationals Park is a perfect fit,” said Chef Mike Isabella. “We’ll be serving our sandwiches made with the same top quality ingredients and freshly baked bread as our 14th Street location. I’m really excited to bring my best sandwiches to baseball fans. I think the G Chicken Parm is the perfect thing to enjoy while watching a game. ”

Isabella opened the original 14th Street location, G by Mike Isabella, a sandwich shop by day and tasting menu by night, in July 2013. G features classic Italian-American sandwiches along with pressed paninis, wood roasted sandwiches and specials created by prominent D.C. chefs. The menu at the newest addition to the G family will include Isabella’s take on the Italian deli classics, the Chicken Parm and Italian Hero, as well as his meatless Roasted Cauliflower sandwich and The Drewno, The Source executive chef Scott Drewno’s house made kielbasa sandwich created especially for G. Lamb Chili and peanut brittle will round out the menu.

G at Nationals Park will open for the Nationals Exhibition Game against the Detroit Tigers on March 29, and remain open throughout the season.”

300 Tingey Street, SE

From the Washington Post:

“You are likely to empty your glass but leave food, sometimes a lot, on your plate.

For the sake of comparison, I revisited Bailey’s Birch & Barley last month after a long time away and found the onetime trendsetter to be a shadow of the upscale tavern it was when it sprang on the scene four years ago. Although the service was genial, the cooking was muddled; even dishes I used to recommend are no longer their good old selves.”

Aresenal is located in the Bluejacket brewery at 300 Tingey Street, SE in the Boilermaker building. Birch & Barley is located at 1337 14th Street, NW in Logan Circle. Have others noticed a decline in the food at Birch & Barley?

301 Water Street, SE

Last month it was Osteria Morini and on Saturday Agua 301 is opening next door in the Lumber Shed building in Yards Park. From a press release:

“A modern Mexican menu with less than traditional touches will be created by Chef Antonio Burrell when Agua 301 opens December 21 in Yards Park in the Capitol Riverfront. Taking its name from its 301 Water Street SE location the 4,000 square-foot, 106-seat waterfront restaurant is housed in the historic Lumber Shed Building in the burgeoning Navy Yard/Nats Park neighborhood.

Burrell’s menu includes Bocaditos or “little bites” that he says are perfect with drinks. Among those will be Empanadas de Venturas del Mercado made from seasonal vegetables and Beef Barbacoa Flautas with shredded braised beef and caramelized onions which he says are his Mexican version of a Philly cheese steak along with three versions of guacamole.

Entrees include a pan seared black bass with butternut squash, bacon, sweet potato hash and cumin scented orange agave butter, a roasted Mexican spiced adobo chicken and a braised short rib chichilo with creamy nixtal and winter vegetables accented with a lime crema.

Tacos will be a specialty with the pork belly al pastor to be among the highlights. This crispy friend pork belly creation will incorporate pineapple habanero salsa and al pastor aioli. Another highlight will be the carne asada con kimchi tacos with grilled marinated skirt steak, housemade kimchi, cojita and citrus.

A 44-seat patio will open when the weather warms. Owners Amanda and Stephen Briggs see this as becoming a popular spot at which to enjoy a variety of margaritas while enjoying a pre-Nats game cocktail or an afternoon sojourn with a river view.

Designed by GrizForm Design Architects the restaurant’s interior was inspired by Mexican design, landscape and historic ancient ruins. Its color palette is based on neutrals of sand, taupe and rich brown along with natural wood tones reminiscent of Mexico’s terrain. Custom-routed wall panels were inspired by the ancient city of Teotihuacan and wood trellis accents mimic the steep steps of the Mayan Pyramids.

NOTE: Agua 301 will open for dinner service on December 21; lunch service will begin on December 28. Brunch will begin on New Year’s Day and continue as a Saturday/Sunday brunch thereafter.

Hours of Operation

Lunch: Monday-Friday 11 am -3 pm
Dinner: Sunday- Thursday 3:30-10 pm, Friday – Saturday. 3:30-11 pm
Lunch/Brunch: Saturday-Sunday 10:30-3 pm
Happy Hour: 3:30-7 pm 7 days a week”

Here’s a look at the dinner menu – and a look inside:

PHOTO CREDIT: Jeff Aitken courtesy Agua 301