Summer has brought more than high temps to the District — it has also brought some fun changes to two of the city’s favorite hangouts. Park View‘s Hook Hall has transformed its backyard to The Oasis, and Capitol Hill’s Valor Brewpub in partnership with The Ugly Mug have turned their shared patio into Crab Shack .
Hook Hall’s 7,000 square-foot backyard has been seasonally renovated into The Oasis, a tropical paradise respite in the middle of the city. Bright yellow tables, appropriately social distanced, are set on the Astro-turfed lawn with seven cabanas flanking the yard. Each cabana provides a living room experience filled with furniture and greenery.
Each tropical themed cabana includes sectional lounges, table, swing, a bean bag with ceiling fans to keep the humidity at bay. Cabanas , seating six guests according to Phase 2 guidelines, may be reserved for $100 for 2.5 hours with the larger Captain’s Quarters cabana available for $125 for 2.5 hours. Cabana rentals include table service, a welcome bottle of champagne, contactless ordering from a cocktail and food men, and USB power ports.
The Oasisis’ menu was created by Chef Ryan Gordon and features island-themed crab cakes, tacos, and salads with an expanded Hook Hall menu serving pizza and sandwiches. An extensive offering of frozen cocktails and summer-themed drinks round out The Oasis’ offerings.
The veteran-inspired Valor Brewpub and its upstairs sister restaurant and bar The Ugly Mug have joined forces and designated their shared outdoor patio space the Capitol Hill Crab Shack (indoor seating is also available), open every weekend (Friday to Sunday, noon to 11 p,m.) throughout the duration of Maryland’s blue crab season.
Valor Brewpub’s Executive Chef Trevor Mahoney is responsible for the menu at Crab Shack that includes steamed mussels, coconut fried shrimp, and Maryland crab dip among its starters and snow crab claws, Maryland crab cake sandwich, and steamed and seasoned Maryland blue crabs by the dozen for entrees.
There is also the option of a Maryland crab boil for two with a Maryland steamed crab, a snow crab cluster, clams, mussels, shrimp, red bliss potatoes and corn on the cob all steamed together with Valor Brewpub’s house brewed Kölshch, Old Bay seasoning and butter.
The Crab Shack also includes a special cocktail menu created by The Ugly Mugs’s lead bartender Nolan Pineault. He who puts a personal twist on classis such as an Orange Crush make with Heroes vodka, orange juice, and ginger ale, and a Rick [Rickey} Berry made with Banherz mezcal, berry simple syrup, citrus, and club soda.
Reservations for the Crab Shack are encouraged and available online via RESY.
