WHAT TO DO
In Navy Yard, you don’t have to ask if it’s game day. Streams of visitors
in red and white make their way down the sidewalks to Nationals Park,
home of the Washington Nationals baseball team, while the aroma of
the uniquely D.C. hot dog — the “chili half-smoke,” made with smoky,
spicy sausage and slathered in homemade chili sauce — pours from
Ben’s Chili Bowl inside the park.
But Navy Yard is more than just baseball. With a variety of attractions
clustered within just a few blocks, this neighborhood is easily walkable,
well-suited to leisurely strolls and browsing local shops and museums.
Bright and airy Steadfast Supply has a curated selection of handcrafted
goodies — everything from quirky cards to flavorful cocktail syrups to
bowties for dogs. Willow sells women’s clothing and accessories, many
featuring whimsical prints and bold colors.
It’s the U.S. Navy that gives Navy Yard its name, and the National
Museum of the U.S. Navy is a must for understanding the area’s
history. It showcases historic naval artifacts and artwork, with
exhibits dedicated to anti-slave-trade ship patrols, covert submarine
operations, the Cold War, and other U.S. naval history.
After exploring the neighborhood, unwind at The Yards Park, which
stretches along the riverfront with an array of green spaces, water
features, and scenic views. Its Canal Basin wading pool and cascading
Waterwall are great for splashing around in warm weather, and the
grassy, tiered Terrace Lawn Steps welcomes folks to read, picnic, or
savor a frozen treat from the onsite Ice Cream Jubilee.
WHERE TO EAT
An eclectic variety of restaurants are scattered throughout the
neighborhood, many of which boast lovely river views. Osteria Morini
is a neighborhood landmark serving Italian fare, from the decadent
burrata and polpettine meatballs with prosciutto and mortadella to
pasta dishes such as cappelletti — a truffled ricotta ravioli with melted
butter and prosciutto.
New to the area is Hatoba, a ramen shop set in a historic industrial
building, with strings of Japanese lanterns glowing from warehouse
windows. Its decor blends Japanese aesthetic with the Navy
Yard’s nautical-industrial style, while five signature Hokkaido-style
ramen dishes, like the red miso and clam soup, deliver a deep and
memorable flavor. Throughout the restaurant, decorative touches
pay homage to beloved Japanese institutions, including Tokyo’s
Kappabashi kitchen supply street and Hokkaido’s baseball team, the
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.
The menu at Chloe draws from the chef’s Lebanese roots and his
global travels, delivering beautifully plated dishes that highlight
seasonal, mid-Atlantic ingredients. The menu of shared plates features
comforting, traditional favorites thoughtfully elevated: Morningstar
scallops are served with butternut squash, sage brown butter,
kohlrabi, parsnip, and Honeycrisp apple. The spiced veal hummus
comes with Beiruti hot sauce, pickled radish, buttered almonds and
“snow-shoe” naan.
FLYWASHINGTON.COM 54 SPRING 2020
Seafood lovers won’t want to miss the raw bar at The Salt Line,
stocked with fresh Virginia and Maryland oysters. The crispy skin
Chesapeake rockfish plays up Southern flavors with collard greens,
smoked ham hock, and salsify, and the lobster rolls get an emphatic
thumbs up. In warm weather, enjoy a sweeping view of the boardwalk
and river from its expansive patio.
WHERE TO DRINK
District Winery doesn’t need an on-site vineyard to craft its wide variety
of fine wines. This urban winery sources its grapes from across the
country, and the result is a stunning variety of unique, small-batch red,
white, orange, and rosé wines are available for flights in the tasting
room and on-site restaurant. Especially memorable is the 2018 Pinot
Gris – Ramato, which has notes of orange peel, dried strawberry, and
sandalwood. This “orange wine” has a copper-pink color that comes
from the maceration of the grape skins during the winemaking process.
For punchy drinks and a lively atmosphere, Él Bebe serves bold
cocktails and an extensive menu of tacos among walls lined with vivid
oil paintings by Miami graffiti artist Miguel Paredes. A cheeky neon
sign reads, “Tequila, yes. You, maybe.” You’ll understand after a sip of
the prickly pear and hibiscus frozen margaritas, and the Refrescante
(refreshing) margarita lives up to its name with cucumber, mint, agave,
lime, and the restaurant’s signature “Bebe spicy rim.”
Craft beer lovers will be enamored with Bluejacket, a 5,600-square-
foot brewery spanning three levels of the historic Boilermaker Building,
where boilers for Navy ships were once manufactured. Bluejacket has
a rotating selection of 20 house-brewed beers and five house-brewed
cask ales, most of which are only available on-site. The range of styles
includes a variety of unique flavor profiles, like Lost Weekend, a fruit-
forward IPA with notes of tangerine, citrus, peach, and lychee; Keener
Sounds, billed as “a refreshing slice of key lime pie in a glass;” and The
Palace at 4 AM, a sweet coffee stout made with vanilla and “a massive
amount” of locally roasted coffee beans.
WHERE TO STAY
Navy Yard’s newest hotel is the Thompson Washington, D.C. Opened
in January 2020, the hotel has sleek, minimalist style with subtle
touches that echo the neighborhood’s history, mingling industrial
design with nautical themes. Guest rooms come with elegant marble
accents, curated minibars, and rainfall showers, and many overlook
the Nationals Park or the Anacostia river. Much like its Navy Yard
neighbors, the Thompson mixes refinement, style, and approachability,
attracting a fun-loving crowd.