Season Promises Culinary Drought

According to the front page of the Washington Post today, the Nationals neighborhood - I prefer the Navy Yard moniker, but there are plenty others - will be devoid of places to drink and eat this coming year. Indeed, other than Five Guys, Subway, and the soon-to-be-opened Corner Copia Deli at 2nd St. and K Southeast, there isn't anything else closer than Barracks Row or Penn. Ave. Of course, that's only a few minutes walk away, but it's not very convenient for a fan arriving at the Navy Yard Metro.

So, in an effort to rejuvenate the drink offerings, Velocity condos is now reportedly going to have a first floor sports pub. Still, this will likely have to wait til next year. Even if the permits were in the works, I haven't heard of any neighborhood ANC discussions, which are a necessary prerequisite for such an establishment. A beer tent may open on Half St. Southeast as well, but the best food may be in the stadium itself.

All things considered, what with an abysmal team and cheapskate history (witness last year's refusal to pay rent), Lerner ownership seems to be intent on turning around the food and drink available at the ballpark. Levy Restaurants has taken over concessions at the park, and while I won't be making a special trip to "dine out" at the park's Red Porch restaurant, I will be looking forward to the presumably better eats that will be on offer during games. Available beers will be improved upon as well. Of course, "fine" food and drink was promised the first year, yet the few fans that showed up to games were commonly greeted with long lines and high prices for something as simple as a hot dog. For now, the best place - in my mind - to eat and drink before a game remains my house... But with tickets to several upcoming games, I look forward to having my mind changed for me.