Union Station Finally Gets a Modern and Bright Bar With the Arrival of Legal Sea Foods

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.

Here’s a look at the opening menu:

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.

Rey Lopez/Legal Sea Bar

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.

Union Station has continued to elevate its lineup of eating and drinking options as of late. Recent arrivals include San Francisco’s Blue Bottle Coffee, located at the main entrance next to year-old macaron maker Ladurée, as well as Aloha Poke Co. out of Chicago. New York City’s Magnolia Bakery and pizza chain Neapolitan Express are coming soon.

• More Pizza, Coffee, and Cupcakes Are Coming to Union Station [EDC]