MGM National Harbor: Complete list of restaurants and dining options

The Capital Region’s newest resort destination, MGM National Harbor, has announced an impressive list of dining options that include celebrity chef restaurants, a European-style pastry shop, sports bar and casual food marketplace. MGM National Harbor, located on the Potomac River, is scheduled to open December 8, 2016.

MGM National Harbor’s Executive Chef Jason Johnston played an important role in the development of several of the dining concepts. Johnston comes to MGM National Harbor from Las Vegas where he was executive sous chef at the AAA Five-Diamond Bellagio Resort & Casino.

From the press release …

“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.”

Dining at MGM National Harbor

Ginger

Ginger is a Pan Asian concept that offers authentic cuisine from regions throughout the continent, including Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese and Korean. This concept was developed by a team of expert chefs from MGM Resorts’ properties in Las Vegas. It shares its name with the common ingredient found in many Asian dishes, ginger. Traditional dishes include dim sum, congee, curry, fried noodles and kim chee.

TAP Sports Bar

This high-energy restaurant and sports bar is designed to imitate the popular Las Vegas hotspot. Guests can enjoy the latest sporting events surrounded by memorabilia from local sports teams that include the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Washington Redskins, Washington Nationals and Baltimore Ravens. The menu features American sports bar favorites updated with a local touch such as lobster beignets, Maryland crab soup, BBQ and Maryland crab cakes. TAP will also offer an extensive selection of local and seasonal craft beers.

Bellagio Patisserie

Bellagio Patisserie pays homage to the iconic European-inspired pastry shop at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. This sweet setting features pastries, gelato, coffee and retail items. The focal point of the shop is a 26-foot-high chocolate fountain with nearly two tons of melted chocolate, which is a replica of the display in Las Vegas.

Fish by Jose Andres

Celebrity Chef Jose Andres brings his first seafood dining concept, Fish, to the MGM National. The menu features fresh seafood and local ingredients. Cocktail, sushi and tempura bars give guests a variety of dining options and experiences.

Chef Andres has been named “Outstanding Chef” by the James Beard Foundation, one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People,” “Chef of the Year” by Bon Appetit and “Hot Restaurateur” by Conde Nast Traveler. He operates dining destination in Washington, D.C., Miami, Las Vegas, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and Mexico City.

Voltaggio Brothers Steak House at MGM National

Brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio come together for the first time to open the contemporary Voltagio Brothers Steak House at MGM National. The menu highlights the specialties of the region while drawing upon their home state of Maryland.

Bryan and Michael appeared on Bravo’s “Top Chef” (season six), which Michael went on to win. Bryan later appeared on “Top Chef Masters.” They have also both been featured on the Cooking Channel and Food Network programs. Bryan Voltaggio’s restaurants include VOLT, Range, Aggio, Lunchbox and Family Meal. Michael Voltaggio operates ink. and the sandwich concept of ink.sack in Los Angeles.

Marcus

Chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Chef Marcus Samuelsson brings Marcus to the MGM National Harbor. The menu features the coastal flavors and local ingredients of the region. Elegant comfort food, an open kitchen and a large grill give comfort food a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Chef Samuelsson operates the Red Rooster Harlem and the Streetbird Rotisserie in Harlem, Marcus’ at the Hamilton Princes in Bermuda, Norda in Sweden and Marc Burger in Chicago as well as several others around the world.Samuelsson was the youngest recipient of a three-star review by The New York Times. He has won a James Beard Foundation award for “Best Chef: New York City,” and he won Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” Season 2.

National Market

The first of its kind in the MGM Resorts culinary collection, National Market is inspired by the current trend in fast casual dining. It features ten unique venues, an open floor plan and indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks the Potomac River.

Dining venues at National Market include:

• Amo Los Tacos – This modern taco stand brings the flavors of the Southwest to the East Coast with customizable tacos, quesadillas, burritos, tostadas, salads and authentic sides. Freshly made flour or corn tortillas are topped with traditional toppings such as house-made guacamole and salsas and filled with al pastor, carne aside or fresh fish.

• Banh Mi Vietnamese Kitchen – Items include Vietnamese sandwiches served on soft baguettes, salad bowls topped with pickled vegetables, spring rolls and pho noodle soups. Expect flavors like Thai basil, toasted peanuts, chiles and green papaya.
• Bento – True to its name, everything at this Japanese counter will be served in a bento box. Salmon, tuna, Hamachi octopus, halibut and other fish varieties are expertly prepared by a team of skilled sushi chefs.
• Danny Meyer’s Shake Shack – Fun and lively, Shake Shack is a modern day “roadside” burger stand famous for its 100% all-natural Angus beef burgers and flat-top Vienna beef dogs (no added hormones or antibiotics), 100% all-natural cage-free chicken (no antibiotics), spun-fresh frozen custard, crinkle cut fries and more.

• District Deli – Named for the nation’s capital, this sandwich shop makes an ideal lunch spot. Sandwiches will feature carved meats roasted on site, regional cheeses and fresh deli-style breads such as pumpernickel, sourdough and seeded rye.
• GWBW George Washington Beer & Wine – This contemporary bar will offer a wide selection of beer and wine with a focus on regional varieties and local craft beers. Flights and large pours will be available.
• Honey’s Fried Chicken & Donuts – This Southern-style restaurant is designed to satisfy the sweet and savory side of the palate. Selections include BBQ wings, buttermilk fried chicken, cheddar biscuits and fried pickles. A large selection of doughnuts include flavors like huckleberry glazed, banana pudding and apple fritter.
• Pappas Crabcakes – Pappas Crabcakes has been featured on Food Network and listed as one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things” in O magazine. Famed for consistently serving fresh and delicious seafood dishes, the family-owned operation has been in business for more than 40 years. Pappas combines the finest lump crab meat available with a secret blend of ingredients. Pappas has received “Best Crab Cake” recognition from Baltimore City Paper, Maryland Life Magazine and Baltimore Magazine. In addition to crab cakes, Pappas offers homemade soups, sandwiches and sides.
• S’Cream – There’s always room for ice cream. This retro ‘50s-style ice cream shop will delight kids and adults. The vibe may be nostalgic, but the flavors – salted caramel with truffle and farmer’s market strawberry – are clearly from today. All flavors are made in-house by MGM National Harbor’s talented pastry team.

• Zizi’s Pizza – Last, but certainly not least, is everybody’s casual favorite, pizza. This New York-style pizza shop captures the essence of Italian cooking with a homemade flair. The menu features Executive Chef Johnston’s grandmother’s recipes, including pizza by the slice, whole pies, Sicilian-style pies, calzones, meatballs and garlic knots.

The MGM National Harbor opens December 8, 2016. Stay connected and up-to-date on all of the news and happenings at mgmnationalharbor.com, or follow on Twitter or Facebook.