Nationals Select Centerplate as New Concessionaire

There is much rejoicing among good food lovers in Washington. With such places as Jaleo, Noodles and Company and Chipotle sprouting up in the area, the Nationals have announced Centerplate as their new concessionaire for the ballpark. Centerplate has established itself with rave reviews from patrons at ballparks in San Francisco, Seattle and a handful of other cities.

Aramark had the job at RFK. Despite some good people, their overall performance was spotty and the food selections not very good.

It will be interesting to see what local and regional foods are offered. D.C. doesn’t really have a lot that I can think of. My wife will be happy if they have crab cakes and they seem a foregone conclusion. We’ve changed our eating habits in the last few years and really go for better food. The lines will be long but it will be worth it.

Speaking of the new ballpark, I stopped by the construction site this weekend. JD did too yesterday and has a photo showing the portion of the Frederick Douglass Bridge that was taken down and the improvements along South Capitol. It’s one of the many amazing "before and afters" taking place in fast-growing "Near Southeast.”

With regional foods as the topic, there's a funny aside here. One of the buildings near the ballpark that has not been torn down is near the corner of N and First. It's an old restaurant whose name slips me. But when I go on one of my look sees, I sometimes glance at it (while dodging workers and trucks).

One of its signs has breakfast foods offered including grits! My Dad loved them and my Mom made them good for our breakfast. Something tells me they won't have them at the new ballpark but I do know that Indigo Landing restaurant south of National airport has served shrimp and grits, a version my Dad would have thought too wierd!

Well enough about food. Now I'm hungry!