Nothing beats seafood—and if you're in the mood to enjoy them in Washington, we've found a lineup of places that will excite your appetite. Here are the newest places to check out the next time you're in the mood for some.
Legal Sea Bar
50 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Capitol Hill
First up, Legal Sea Bar is a new sit-down option located on the mezzanine level of the Union Station transportation hub.
It comes from the folks behind Legal Seafood in Chinatown. There space offers a rectangular bar, where travelers can get food and drinks while awaiting a train, and a handful of tables.
The menu starts off with appetizers, like clam chowder, fried clams and crab cakes. Sandwiches include a lobster roll and a blackened salmon reuben. You'll also find baked haddock, fish and chips, and a poke bowl with tuna, kimchi, charred broccoli and radishes.
Legal Sea Bar has just one four-star Yelp rating so far.
Yelper Thomas N., who reviewed Legal Sea Bar on August 10, wrote, "The clam chowder came out in less than five minutes, which was amazing. It was nice and creamy but not too thick, so when I added my crackers it became a good consistency. The Legal Fry Basket was huge. It could probably feed two people."
Legal Sea Bar is open from 11 a.m.–9 p.m. on Monday-Saturday and noon–6 p.m. on Sunday.
La Vie
88 District Square SW, South West
La Vie is a cocktail bar and Mediterranean restaurant in the Wharf development.
The interior features many chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows and a large terrace with waterfront views. The menu boasts a seafood cold bar with oysters, shrimp cocktail and ceviche, and starters like seared scallops and baked oyster. Seafood mains include linguini with baby clam, mussels, jumbo shrimp, and a whole pan-roasted branzino with artichokes, heirloom tomatoes, shallots, clams and beurre blanc.
Cocktails are categorized from the "light and refreshing," like an Aperol spritz, to the "strong, don't drown," like a mix of Don Julio Reposado, coconut water and Corazon bitters.
With a four-star rating out of 57 reviews on Yelp, La Vie has been getting positive attention.
Yelper Evelyn G., who reviewed La Vie on August 7, wrote, "It has such beautiful decor; one of the prettiest looking restaurants in DC for sure. This is a cool place to socialize/celebrate special occasions. An observation was that people (most specifically women) dress up."
Abby V. noted, "The food was really great, especially considering the prices. While there aren't many options under $25, the food could have easily been much more expensive. I'm so glad I came before they inevitably raise them out of my budget. Get something with shrimp or crab — it was so fresh."
La Vie is open from 5 p.m.–10 p.m. on Sunday-Thursday, and 5 p.m.–2:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Pepperoni Chic
5111 Georgia Ave. NW, Catholic University-Brookland
Pepperoni Chic is a pop-up restaurant specializing in a West Virginian delicacy — the pepperoni roll, which consists of pepperoni sticks wrapped in buns and topped with cheese, peppers and/or tomato sauce.
The pop-up is also taking on seafood, including crab and shrimp rolls served on housemade Italian rolls, and numerous pasta dishes. Consider the fusilli pasta with backfin crab, tomato sauce and garlic, or seashell pasta with shrimp, bay scallops, crab, wild mushrooms, capers, Italian parsley, oil and garlic.
Yelp users are excited about Pepperoni Chic, which currently holds five stars out of 14 reviews on the site.
Yelper Darah P., who was one of the first users to visit Pepperoni Chic on June 26, wrote, "Cute new place on Georgia Avenue NW with pepperoni rolls and some pastas, salads and desserts from Calabria, Italy. The owner is quite nice and amiable, and will give you recommendations or make the dishes as you wish."
Yelper Irma E. wrote, "Seafood pastas were really good and fresh. Had shrimp and pasta, husband had crab and pasta, and both were way filling and perfect for a no-cook night. Tried cold seafood dish as appetizer — scallops and calamari. Delish."
Pepperoni Chic is open from 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. on Tuesday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m. on Sunday. (It's closed on Monday.)
