Poised to set the bar for a compelling dining experience in the national capital area, MGM National Harbor will open in December with 16 dining venues.
Headlining the new luxury gaming resort will be restaurants by celebrity chefs Marcus Samuelsson, José Andrés, and Bryan and Michael Voltaggio. Each of these chefs will introduce new concepts.
Chef Andrés, who already operates nine restaurants in the D.C area, will oversee his first seafood restaurant, Fish. Ethiopian-born and Sweden-raised chef Samuelsson, acclaimed for his New York City hotspots, will be at the helm of Marcus, a restaurant offering elegant comfort food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Adding local flavor to the mix are the Voltaggio brothers, natives of Frederick, Md., who will execute culinary creativity at Voltaggio Brothers Steak House, their first restaurant together.
Two well-known chains — one local, one national — will also be part of a fast casual food market. Maryland-based Pappas Crabcakes and Shake Shack will join with eight unique venues sharing an open indoor and outdoor seating space. Those additional restaurants include:
- Amo Los Tacos
Bringing the flavors of the Southwest to the East Coast, this modern taco stand will serve up customizable tacos, quesadillas, burritos and tostadas along with salads and authentic sides.
- Bahn Mi Vietnamese Kitchen
Vietnamese sandwiches served on soft baguettes, salad bowls topped with pickled vegetables, spring rolls and pho noodle soups will be served at this traditional outpost.
- Bento
Staying true to its name, everything at this Japanese counter – including sashimi, nigiri, specialty and hand rolls – will be served in a bento box.
- District Deli
Named for the nation’s capital, this sandwich haven will be the ideal lunch spot. Sandwiches will feature carved meats roasted on site daily; fresh deli-style breads such as pumpernickel, sourdough and seeded rye; and regional cheeses. Bottled, cold-pressed organic juices made in-house also will be available for those looking to add a healthful boost to their meal.
- GWBW George Washington Beer & Wine
A sure-to-be-social gathering place, this contemporary bar will offer a wide selection of beer and wine with a focus on regional varieties and local craft beers.
- Honey’s Fried Chicken & Donuts
A Southern-style restaurant designed to satisfy both savory and sweet cravings, Honey’s will offer such favorites as BBQ wings, buttermilk fried chicken, cheddar biscuits and fried pickles. A mouthwatering selection of doughnuts in homespun varieties including huckleberry glazed, banana pudding and apple fritter also will be available.
- S’Cream
Adults and kids alike will delight in this retro, 50s-style ice cream shop, with all the ice creams made in-house by MGM National Harbor’s talented pastry team.
- Zizi’s Pizza
This New York-style hotspot will capture the essence of wholesome Italian cooking including delicious pizzas by the slice, whole pies, Sicilian-style pies, calzones, meatballs and garlic knots.
Completing the roster are Ginger, an authentic Pan Asian restaurant; TAP Sports Bar, designed with the sports lover in mind featuring a menu of regionally inspired comfort food; and Bellagio Patisserie, a European-style pastry shop.
MGM National Harbor’s newly appointed Executive Chef Jason Johnston played an integral role in the development of the National Market, TAP, Ginger, and Bellagio Patisserie. Johnston joins the MGM National Harbor team from Las Vegas where he was executive sous chef at the AAA Five Diamond Bellagio Resort & Casino.
“The portfolio of dining options at MGM National Harbor is diverse and comprehensive and very much inspired by the setting around us,” said Johnston. “From the casual options for guests on the go to compelling concepts designed by our celebrity chef partners, the resort will have something for everyone and will become a culinary destination.”
Check out Men’s Life DC’s exclusive video of chef Bryan Voltaggio describing his new restaurant at MGM National Harbor:
