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Take a look at several of the new menu items budding chain Declaration plans to serve in Navy Yard when its biggest restaurant to date officially debuts on Thursday, April 5.
The homegrown pizza maker, part of the Presidential Restaurant Group (Lincoln, Teddy & the Bully Bar), started in Shaw but is presenting an updated version of itself at the pedestrian-friendly outpost (1237 First Street SE) planted near Nationals Park.
A spokeswoman for Declaration tells Eater that corporate executive chef Demetrio Zavala has changed the dough recipe at the new restaurant, opting for a mix of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour in order to create a crispier, cracker-like thin crust than the all-purpose flour-based pizzas produced in Shaw. Two new pizza offerings include the ricotta and spinach-topped Matthew Thornton, as well as the eggplant and tomato-laced John Witherspoon. The new location also features expanded appetizers, charcuterie boards, salads, pasta dishes, and entrees.
Kevin Hoffman, sous chef at Declaration’s new Navy Yard restaurant, tells Eater he is working on potential specials for when teams from his native Chicago come to town to play the Washington Nationals, floating plans to make a Vienna beef dog with all the fixins or possibly a deep-dish pie.
Scroll down to see many of the featured menu items at Declaration in Navy Yard:
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Meanwhile, those looking to kick back with a drink al fresco will be able to do so at the main bar. It has large windows that open out onto the street (weather permitting); management plans to arrange metal bar stools and high-top tables outside to attract passersby.
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Gourmet pies are popping all over Southeast. Critically acclaimed All-Purpose opened its second location in the Dock 79 complex (79 Potomac Avenue SE) on April 3. And regional chain Oath Pizza is working on opening its debut D.C. location (110 M Street SE) in the coming weeks.
Status: Scheduled to open at 11 a.m. on April 5. 1237 First Street SE; website.