ANALYSIS/OPINION:
The brand-new MGM National Harbor is drawing in crowds to its casino and theater, but this destination astride the Potomac hasn’t spared any expense when it comes to cuisines from all over the world on offer to guests, with several swanky restaurants for visitors to sit and enjoy a fine meal in between their new-year revelry.
At Ginger, located on the promenade level of MGM, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Korean and Japanese cuisine are melded into amazing culinary enterprises by executive chef Andy Lau and his team. For starters, I greatly enjoy the gyoza-style dumplings, with the outer texture of the dumplings perfect to the tooth.
For the entree I dig into an absolutely ravishing drunken seafood noodles dish that is flavorful bliss. I was warned it had a bite to it, but the spice quotient is perfection, with a burn that is precisely in that sweet zone between hot and “water now!” I also enjoy the green curry with chicken as a secondary entree, and there’s even enough to take home for later.
The staff is unflinchingly friendly and polite. Chef Lau also comes out with a smile to say hello and offers up a scrambled egg and shrimp dish, which is great for either breakfast or lunch.
For dessert I go in for the green tea Mochi ice cream ball, a delicacy I have only ever seen on the West Coast, but I am beyond thrilled to enjoy it this day.
Ginger’s décor of bamboo and an “outdoor” patio that goes out from the restaurant’s interior and juts out into the casino’s main promenade, gives one a casual European-style dining experience.
A finer lunch you may not have anywhere nearby.
For reservations call 301/971.6030 or visit MGMNationalHarbor.com.
• Eric Althoff can be reached at twt@washingtontimes.com.
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