The Levy Difference

"Levy Restaurants could not be more excited to be partnered up with The Nationals again this year to provide what we refer to as The Levy Difference." stated Executive Chef Terrance Louzon. "At Levy Restaurants, we want to give the fan the total experience. If a fan wants ballpark food, we can give them that. But we can also give them healthy choices and high end choices. That's The Levy Difference."

The ball game being played on the field is the number one attraction at Nationals Park. Food & drink availability has to come a close second. This afternoon at Nationals Park during an extensive media tour promoting the atmosphere surrounding the 2010 Season for Our Washington Nationals, the concessionaire at the South Capitol Street Ballpark--Levy Restaurants--rolled out their new menu offerings.

They were extensive.

Interested in a Chicken & Waffle sandwich? Yeah, that's right--Chicken & Waffle with cayenne pepper in a maple syrup.

How about a Florida Marlins' Sea Dog?

Cajun Chicken Wrap?

Shrimp Po Boy?

Bottomless Popcorn? All you can eat for $7.

Can you handle the two pound Victory Knot Pretzel topped with gourmet sea salt and served with three dipping sauces--chipotle honey mustard, sweet cinnamon creme and beer cheese--IN A PIZZA BOX!! Yeah, it's that big and only available in The Red Loft!!

Beer and a humongous pretzel--what more do your want?

"This idea was invented in our Innovations Kitchen up in our home office of Chicago," continued Chef Louzon. "We started producing it this year in some of our football stadiums (served by Levy) and it went over really, really well. The Victory Knot is one of the things we recommend sharing!! (laughter--but he was serious).

Whether you are interested in a large food item or small food item--fans choices for 2010 are better than ever.

Chef Louzon: "Our Healthy Cart is a very unique option. We have an alternative menu for the healthy conscious people too. Right here at the healthy cart we will have three different types of sandwiches. All very low in fat, and very high in fiber. One of the newer items this year is going to be a Cajun Chicken Wrap. We have a chopped vegetable salad. We also have gluten free snacks for those needing that diet option. We have a yogurt parfait—a very popular item with granola. The healthy conscious fans really get a kick out of this cart and it does well (in sales)."

When Nationals Park opened in 2008, then concessionaire--Centerplate--attempted a Taste Of The Majors Stand that offered ballpark foods available from those visiting Major League Teams' ballpark menus. It never took off, because Centerplate never followed through on the idea. For 2010, Levy has customized five sandwiches from The National League East.



Five different foot long hot dog/sea food variations will be available for every single home game at the Taste Of The Majors stands behind Sections 117 & 313. Here are the sandwiches:

The DC Dog—with chili, mustard and onions
The Phillies Dog—with cheese, peppers and onions
The Marlins Sea Dog—Fried Cod
The Braves Dog—Cole Slaw & Chili
The Mets Dog—Sauerkraut and Mustard

Below, please find the complete new concession options and the locations where they will be available at Nationals Park:

Triple Play Grill (Behind Sections 107 & 210)
Crab Cake Sandwich
Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich
Florida Footlong SeaDog

Flippin Pizza (Sections 115/214/311)
New York Style Pizza

Bruster's Ice Cream (Sections 117/313)
New Ice Cream Partner that provides traditional scooped ice cream

Change Up Chicken (Section 130)
Chicken & Waffle Sandwich: A fried chicken breast fillet served open-face on a crispy waffle with cayenne maple syrup
Buffalo Chicken Tenders
BBQ Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Waffle Fries

Dupont Deli (Section 227)
Grilled Cheese Sandwich on Texas Toast--a triple decker sandwich made with cheddar and muenster cheeses
Grilled Italian Sandwich
Grilled Turkey Sandwich

Stars & Stripes Club (Sections 223-235)
Gyros
Grilled Portobello and Vegetables Sandwich--peppers, onions, and zucchini on whole wheat bun
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich

Healthy Plate Cart (Section 110)
Chopped Vegetable Salad
Cajun Chicken Wrap
Returning Items include Hummus & Pita Chips, Grilled Vegetable Wrap, Turkey Wrap & Yogurt Parfait

Steak Of The Union (Section 119)
Philly Cheesesteaks

Also:

Levy Restaurants now offering Niman Ranch premium sausages, franks and meats in the PNC Diamond Club, Stars & Stripes Club and on the menu in the suites. Niman Ranch is a supplier for independent family ranchers--not through corporations.

That two pound Victory Knot--only available at The Red Loft

Bottomless Popcorn--any Nats Dog Stand

Gluten Free Red Bridge Beer and Foods available at the Healthy Plate Cart (Section 110) & other locations--to be determined.


Finally--only in The Red Porch--a Southwestern Steak Salad. And it is huge!! Enough for two--easily.
Grilled Caribbean Wings
Chicken Club Sandwich
Chicken Tender Basket
Turkey Cobb Salad
Onion Rings
Chocolate Banana Stack Cake
And Red Porch Velvet Cupcakes

Only a dozen or so new items were available during the food tasting today, The African Queen and I tried smaller portions of The Victory Knot, Parmesan Chicken Sandwich, Shrimp Po Boy, Grilled Portebello, Cajun Chicken Wrap and Red Porch Velvet Cupcakes. Really liked the Parmesan Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Portebello & Chicken Wrap. The Shrimp Po Boy had a nice tangy sauce and the shrimp was good--just too much bread surrounding it to complete the sandwich. Velvet Cupcakes--AWESOME!!

Here is a short video we shot with Levy Executive Chef Terrance Louzon explaining the offerings sampled by the media today. it was very windy--so the sound quality is not optimal from our small digital pocket camera.

Bottomline, if Levy Restaurants is truly trying to make a difference at Nationals Park, today's samplings went a long way toward improving the fan experience on South Capitol Street. No question, there are some Interesting new foods available for 2010.

Final Note: Except for the bottomless popcorn for $7--no prices were released today by Our Washington Nationals.

All Photos & Video Copyrighted--Nats320--All Rights Reserved