MGM National Harbor Opening: A Look at Dining Options

The $1.4 billion MGM National Harbor is set to open in about six weeks with celebrity chef restaurants, big-name concerts and opening festivities and possibly a lot of traffic choking the roadways. New bus service connecting Alexandria with National Harbor started Sunday, including from the King Street metro stop. The resort is accepting room reservations for stays beginning Dec. 10.

Here's a look at the restaurants you can expect to see at MGM National Harbor:

Ginger, an authentic Pan Asian restaurant. Warm organic wood interiors will create an inviting space along with traditional dishes, such as dim sum, congee, curry, fried noodles and kim chee, that will bring memorable dining experiences for those seeking a genuine taste of the Orient.

TAP Sports Bar, designed with the sports lover in mind featuring a menu of regionally inspired comfort food. Designed to emulate the popular Las Vegas hotspot, guests will enjoy the latest sporting events while surrounded by memorabilia from beloved local sports teams including the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins and Washington Nationals. The menu will feature American sports bar favorites with a local touch such as lobster beignets, Maryland crab soup, burnt ends BBQ pork baguette and Maryland crab cakes. TAP will offer an extensive selection of bottles and draughts including local and seasonal craft brews and the restaurant will feature an outdoor patio for al fresco dining.

Bellagio Patisserie, a European-style pastry shop. Paying homage to the iconic European-inspired pastry shop at Bellagio in Las Vegas, this wonderland of sweets will feature pastries, Danishes, gelato, coffee drinks and retail items to take home. The focal point of the space will be a 12-foot-high chocolate fountain circulating nearly two tons of melted chocolate – a replica of famed display at its Las Vegas namesake.

National Market, a casual food market experience showcasing 10 unique concepts will join the resort’s dining collection:

• 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. Al pastor, carne asada and fresh fish are some of the meats that will be used to fill freshly made flour or corn tortillas, which will be topped with traditional fixings such as house-made guacamole and salsas.
• 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. Guests can expect flavors such as Thai basil, toasted peanuts, chiles and green papaya to add some spice to their visit.
• 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. Fresh selections of fish such as salmon, tuna, hamachi octopus and halibut will be expertly prepared by a team of skilled sushi chefs.
• 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. Varied portions will be available including flights and large pours.
• 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. While the vibe will be nostalgic, the flavors such as salted caramel with truffle and farmer’s market strawberry are far from dated. All ice creams will be made in-house by MGM National Harbor’s talented pastry team.
• Zizi’s Pizza This New York-style pizza hotspot will capture the essence of wholesome Italian cooking with a homemade flair. Reminiscent of the cuisine that inspired Executive Chef Johnston to become a chef, the menu will showcase his grandmother’s recipes including delicious pizzas by the slice, whole pies, Sicilian-style pies, calzones, meatballs and garlic knots.
• Shake Shack Modern day “roadside” burger stand known for its 100% all-natural Angus beef burgers and flat-top Vienna beef dogs (no added hormones and no antibiotics ever), 100% all-natural cage-free chicken (no antibiotics ever), spun-fresh frozen custard, crinkle cut fries, craft beer and wine (available at select locations) and more.
• Pappas Crabcakes Featured on Food Network and listed as one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things” in O magazine. Founder Mark Pappas created the concept in 1972 when he purchased a restaurant with the vision of offering quality food at fair prices, along with a promise to provide outstanding customer service to all.

Celebrity Chef Restaurants

• José Andrés: Michelin starred Spanish American chef Andrés will oversee his first seafood restaurant, Fish, a concept focused on locally sourced ingredients, international cooking techniques and diverse flavor combinations.
• Ethiopian-born and Sweden-raised chef Marcus 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 brothers Bryan and Michael Voltaggio, natives of Frederick, Md., who will execute culinary creativity at Voltaggio Brothers Steak House, their first restaurant together. The menu will highlight regional specialties and the design will integrate a host of nostalgic details with the goal of being both sophisticated and familiar.

PHOTO: Rendering courtesy of MGM National Harbor