Fresh off of last season’s playoff berth, the Washington Nationals are undoubtedly the D.C. area’s hottest sports team. In addition to budding young stars like pitcher Stephen Strasburg and outfielder Bryce Harper, visitors to Nationals Park will find a slew of haute new eateries both in and around the diamond to cheer about. Of course, this comes as no surprise to Washington’s strong epicurean community, which has already had ample time to sample stadium eats such as Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack, Box Frites and Blue Smoke and local favorite Ben’s Chili Bowl. Here’s what you can expect to open in and around the park this season:
Fluffy Thoughts Cakes
Lara Stuckey of Fluffy Thoughts Cakes in McLean, Virginia, is opening up a kiosk inside the Nats’ ballpark in late April or early May. The stand will offer cupcakes, mini cupcakes, sugar cookies, brownies, Rice Krispies treats and chocolate chip cookies for fans. We suggest her signature flufetty cupcake, a yellow cupcake with confetti on the inside, or a sinfully delicious red velvet brownie.
The fast-growing Navy Yard area development is bringing some of the city’s most eagerly anticipated restaurants to the ballpark area in the coming months, but none more headline-worthy than chef Michael White’s famed Osteria Morini. White’s menu will be relatively similar to that of his two New York/New Jersey concepts, with rustic Italian pastas and meats at the forefront for a pre- or post-game treat. It’s expected to debut in the early summer.
This hotly anticipated brewery and restaurant in the Yards’ Boilermaker Building is planning a late-May or early-June launch. The 7,000-square-foot former boiler factory has soaring glass ceilings that will serve as a nice backdrop to the 15 made-in-house beers and five cask ales planned. Brew aficionados are particularly excited about the attention paid to production methods, which will allow beverage director Greg Engert and head brewer Megan Parisi to make Belgian-style beers and lambics, as well as IPAs and other seasonal blends. Of course, the food will be top-notch as well. After all, Bluejacket owner Neighborhood Restaurant Group also oversees popular local eateries like Rustico, Tallula and Evening Star Cafe.
Buzz Bakery
The perfect place to grab coffee or brunch before an early game, Neighborhood Restaurant Group plans to open the third location of the beloved Buzz Bakery sometime this spring in the Boilermaker Building, too. In addition to cookies and breakfast items such as muffins and scones, signature cupcakes, artisanal coffees and teas round out this family-friendly spot.
Agua 301
The owners of popular Barrack’s Row restaurant Zest Bistro are spicing it up once again with the summer opening of Agua 301, a modern Mexican restaurant that will occupy the southwest corner of The Lumber Shed at Yards Park. Offering spectacular views of the waterfront riverfront and newly renovated park, the restaurant and tequila bar will be a prime place to enjoy a bite and a frosty margarita pre- or post-gamebefore the first pitch or after the last out.
Photos courtesy of Buzz Bakery
