Photo via @Bluejacketdc
Some sweet photos posted by @Bluejacketdc coming to Navy Yard in early September. Bluejacket tweets at the kickoff of DC Beer Week:
“Greg Engert talking about the restaurant and brewery and a little bit of what’s in store for us.”
Photo via @Bluejacketdc
Ed. Note: I stopped last Sunday and if you’re a history buff – you’ll love it. It’s really easy to find – just go to Yards Park and walk away from the baseball stadium to the huge Destroyer!
From a press release:
“National Museum of the United States Navy, Cold War Gallery and Display Ship Barry will be accessible through a new gate open to the public starting Aug. 1.
For the month of August, Naval History and Heritage Command along with the support of Naval District Washington, will offer free public access via the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail to the newly opened Cold War Gallery, the National Museum of the U.S. Navy and Display Ship Barry.
The only day the museums will not be open is on Mondays, due to the furlough restrictions.
Until this point, it has been a challenge for visitors to access these national treasures due to security requirements. However, a special agreement was reached to make a family-friendly option for museum goers, located within a 15-minute walk of the Nationals Park.
“We are very excited about the possibility of introducing even more of our neighbors to the rich history of the U.S. Navy,” said Capt. Jerry Hendrix, the director of the Naval History and Heritage Command, which is responsible for the U.S. Navy’s museums.
“There is something for everyone, from young children to our senior veterans.”
Signs placed along the Riverwalk will direct visitors to the Washington Navy Yard gate located near the Cold War Gallery. All adult visitors are required to present photo identification to enter. With the exception of Mondays, the museums and display ship will be open to visitors 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekends. (more…)
From a Forest City Washington press release:
Two more retail tenants have been announced and plan to open soon in the Boilermaker Shops at The Yards according to the project’s master developer and owner, Forest City Washington. The latest leases signed are for a Spanish-based mini- sandwich chain which is new to the DC area known as 100 Montaditos, as well as a familiar name in living well, GNC, the leading global specialty retailer of health and wellness products.
100 Montaditos an internationally known fast casual restaurant that specializes in “montaditos,” or mini sandwiches and offers 100 varieties of fillings, will open this fall in the Boilermaker Shops, an adaptive reuse of a former Navy Yard industrial building which is fast becoming the retail heart of this new and developing urban waterfront neighborhood being created in DC’s Capitol Riverfront area. In a similar timeframe, GNC is planning to open its latest DC location just a few doors away.
Founded in Spain in 2000 and now with over 250 restaurants across the globe, including in selected US markets, 100 Montaditos is the latest retail/dining option to be announced for The Yards. 100 Montaditos prides itself on being a place to enjoy a delicious slice of Spanish cuisine and culture in a relaxing and friendly environment. Inspired by the atmosphere of a typical Spanish tavern, the menu offers a variety of traditional montaditos served on crunchy, freshly-baked Spanish rolls; filled with such typical Mediterranean ingredients as Serrano ham, Spanish tortilla, chorizo sausage and Manchego cheese; and seasoned with such traditional Mediterranean ingredients as olive oil, garlic, onions, lemon, tomato sauce and ali oli. As its name implies, 100 varieties of fillings are available on a choice of rolls. There are multiple 100 Montaditos locations in Florida, in the Miami area, as well as in Orlando and Key West. Other U.S. locations are New York City and Iowa.
100 Montaditos will occupy 2,522 SF in the Boilermaker Shops, located on Tingey Street SE just west of 4th Street SE. Like the other restaurants soon to open in The Boilermaker Shops, the location will also feature outdoor seating. GNC will occupy 2,043 SF in the same building.
Opening over the next few months in the Boilermaker Shops are several previously announced retailers and places to eat. The DC-based Neighborhood Restaurant Group (NRG) is expected to soon open two of their food/drink concepts there. Bluejacket will be a working micro-brewery which, in addition to an impressive selection of craft beers, will also offer a menu of pub-style food. NRG’s popular Buzz Bakery and coffee shop will open at approximately the same time in an adjacent unit.
You can see 100 Montaditos’ menu here. Looks pretty awesome.
Boilermaker Shops at 350 Tingey Street, SE
I love this mosaic in the shadow of the ballpark. It was looking especially beautiful during Sunday’s beautiful weather.
Artist is G. Byron Peck who dedicated the piece to Diamond Teague, Earth Conservation Corps volunteers and all those who devote their lives to the restoration of the Anacostia River.
It’s also located right across the way from the new Kayaking option (more…)
350 Tingey Street, SE
Thanks to a reader for sending. The Nando’s Peri Peri coming to Navy Yard in August has applied for a liquor license:
“New restaurant serving chicken and side dishes with seating for 86 patrons, Total occupancy load is 148 which will include a Summer Garden with 49 seats for patrons.”
Hours will be Sunday through Thursday 11am-11pm and Friday & Saturday 11am-12am.
The following was written by Navy Yard ANC Rep David Garber.
After over a year of hounding the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development’s office daily to get them to take the steps necessary to open a privately-run kayak rental vendor at Diamond Teague Park, I’m happy to report that the Ballpark Boathouse — run by Boston Outdoor Recreation, Inc., the same company who runs the Key Bridge Boathouse — will finally be soft opening this weekend.
Diamond Teague Park is located at the corner of 1st Street SE and Potomac Avenue SE between Yards Park and Nats Park. This is pretty big news for this side of the city, as it’s the first kayak rental operation on the Anacostia River.
Operations at the boathouse will ramp up throughout the rest of this outdoor season, and will expand with rentable storage racks next spring where residents will be able to keep their own kayaks.
For now, the hours of operation are Saturdays and Sundays from 11am – 8pm. Because this is a soft opening, they’ll be starting small and working out the kinks over the next few weekends. An official grand opening is planned for later this summer.
More info here.
350 Tingey Street, SE
From the Capital Riverfront BID:
“As the interior build-out progresses on Nando’s Peri-Peri, the famous flame-grilled chicken restaurant is expected to open in mid-August.”
You can see Nando’s menu here.
From a DC Beer Week email:
“Sunday, August 18 – The Bluejacket Sneak Preview BBQ – To cap off the week, Bluejacket will host its first-ever soiree from 3 PM to 7 PM at the soon-to-open brewery, slated to officially open in early September. The Bluejacket team invites you to join them for a good ol’ fashion Sunday backyard BBQ, an intimate gathering, hosted by Beer Director Greg Engert and Brewmaster Megan Parisi, that will feature a number of Bluejacket brews, a selection of backyard BBQ eats by Executive Chef Kyle Bailey, plus a guided tour of the three-vessel brewhouse, barrel-aging platforms and 19 different fermentation vessels, all encompassed within the multi-leveled 11,000 square-foot space. Tickets are priced at $65 per person and include all food and beverage. Tickets go on sale on Monday, July 22 at 12 noon through Eventbrite.”
101 Tingey Street, SE
Back in May we heard that Hill Country could be popping up in Navy Yard. It’s looking more likely now as they’ve applied for a liquor license:
“Seasonal Outdoor Tavern at Tingey Plaza South East Federal Center serving barbecue food and beverages with Live Entertainment.”
Though officially Hill Country still says:
“No deal has been solidified to move forward with this opportunity. If we do proceed, we do not yet know whether it will happen this year or next season.”
Hill Country also recently kicked off their Backyard Barbecue on the west lawn of the National Building Museum. Anyone check that one out yet?
Rocklands BBQ also has an outdoor bbq area near the ball park and not far from the Hill Country Home Stand’s proposed location (pictured above.)
So, if you had to choose – which bbq do you like better – Rocklands or Hill Country?
Rocklands at 1st and N Streets, SE
202 M Street, SE
This edition of Eating Around Town was written by Abbey Becker. Abbey previously wrote about Little Serow. She lives near Eastern Market.
If you hang out on Capitol Hill, you’ve probably eaten (or drank) at one of the restaurants Xavier Cervera used to own—Boxcar Tavern, Hawk ‘N’ Dove, Pacifico, etc. Before selling his empire to a Boston equity firm a couple of months ago, he started work on Park Tavern (202 M Street SE), a more upscale option for Nationals game goers and residents of the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood.
Even though he’s no longer an owner, Park Tavern still maintains the hallmarks of a Cervera restaurant—mediocrity.
Before some of you get upset, I’m sure his restaurants have their place. I’ve heard Pacifico makes a good margarita, and Molly Malone’s and Lola’s are perfectly acceptable bars on Barracks Row.
But living in a city, and with so many quality options that are easily accessible, it’s hard to make a winning case for Park Tavern, at least.
If you’re going to a Nationals game and you don’t want to face the throngs at Gordon Biersch, Justin’s Café, or The Bullpen, then Park Tavern is probably a good choice. They have what sounds like a creative cocktail menu and they offer a fair number of wine and beer selections. They’re a few blocks away from the main action by the park, so it’s likely quieter around gametime. They have a large outdoor patio where the skating rink is located in the winter that either looks out onto the play fountain or the new park, and it’s a pleasant place for a drink on a warm evening.
But if you’re looking for a great dining experience, or even a meal that’s better than something you could likely make at home, Park Tavern should not be at the top of your list.
I went with an old friend and her boyfriend, so we ordered a couple of dishes. I was feeling like a burger, and if you can make a good burger, I’m inclined to come back.
Unfortunately, their burger isn’t very good. I asked for it medium rare. I never mind if it comes out medium, but when it comes out well done, it’s a disappointment, which was the case here. It was surprisingly juicy, but it was otherwise unremarkable. I kept eating the fries, but I think it was because I was hungry. These were clearly frozen beforehand, which doesn’t ultimately doom a fry. But they were underseasoned and not real crispy.
The pastrami sandwich and blue cheese and pear pizza were received pretty much the same way—I’ll eat some of it, but I won’t order it again, and I’ll probably eat something else when I get home.
Overall, Park Tavern is a fine place for a beer and a snack before or after the game. I would absolutely go back for happy hour to sit on the patio. I’ll make my burger at home afterward, though.
A couple days ago Navy Yard ANC Rep David Garber tweeted:
“Hmmm.. just received BZA application for a new “grocery store and apartment” development at 800 NJ Ave (NJ & H SE). Whole Foods?”
Last night he sent an updated tweet though renderings haven’t been shared yet:
“Got renderings for “grocery+apts” building at NJ & H SE. Let’s just say grocery sign is green.”
In a response he admits:
“Haha — y’know.. no lease is signed but it’s fun knowing we could be really close again. Stars *starting* to align.”
So wishful thinking or you think this will really happen?
Ed. Note: A Harris Teeter is coming to Navy Yard at 4th and M St, SE.