Legal Sea Bar

"Union Station, which hasn’t had a new upscale dining option in years, welcomed the addition of Legal Sea Bar over the weekend. Legal Sea Foods’ new 2,000-square-foot airy restaurant, positioned on the mezzanine level of the transit hub (50 Massachusetts Avenue NE), is anchored by a central 31-seat bar. Another 32 can pack into the space via high-top tables. The colorful sit-down entrant offers a shortened version of Legal Sea Foods’ menu, with chowders, coconut shrimp, salads, sandwiches, seared salmon, poke bowls, and crab cakes in the mix. Lunch and dinner menu items run $7.95 to $17.50 for appetizers and $8.50 to $31.95 for entrées. Grizform Design Architects handled the nautical-inspired design, integrating European oak, leather furniture, and stainless steel throughout. A wall of layered zinc tiles that resemble fish scales breaks up the space. For booze, there’s six beers on draft and 10 bottles, as well as a dozen wines by the glass ($9.50 to $12.75) and bottle ($31 to $52). Seasonal cocktails ($10 to $12) include the Sea Bar Sangria with Spanish red wine, raspberry, and citrus rums and the Gin-Gin Mule with St. George gin, mint, lime, and ginger beer. Legal Sea Bar’s hours are Monday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m." - Tierney Plumb

"Legal Sea Foods is one of the only major sit-down newbies coming soon." - Tierney Plumb