Fish by Jose Andres Shines Bright in National Harbor
Update: Fish will close on January 15, 2020. The location in the Bahamas is expected to remain open.
I am not much of gambler so I had yet to make a trip out to MGM in National Harbor. However, I am a huge fan of the restaurants by Jose Andres, especially Oyamel and American Eats Tavern. So when the team invited me to try the new Fish by Jose Andres in National Harbor, I couldn’t wait to check it out.
You don’t need a trip to the casino for an excuse to try Fish as this restaurant is a destination of its own. It is priced a little higher end than some of the other Jose Andres restaurants, but worth it for a special dinner occasion. Fish offers a wide selection of seafood entrees and oyster bar, as the name suggests. However, the land meat options stand out as well so there is something to impress everyone.
What is truly special about each of the Jose Andres restaurants is the service. Many restaurants provide memorable service. However, the people who work for Andres make an exceptional effort to not only make guests feel like family, but to let guests know they feel like family to each other. The environment always feels supportive and encouraging of everything going on at each of the restaurants. On this visit, the staff asked if we had dined with Andres before as if we were close friends. When we mentioned Oyamel and American Eats Tavern, we heard stories of the early opening days of Oyamel. They also mentioned that guests can find Fish’s macaroni and cheese dish on the menu at American Eats Tavern as well.
What to Expect at Fish by Jose Andres
One of my favorite appetizers was the crab and endive salad with mango, grapes, and almonds. It arrived looking like a beautiful flower which made it feel special before we dug in. And it did not disappoint. It tasted so fresh and crisp, it felt like it was pulled right from the sea.
We also tried a range of appetizers include the conch fritters, tuna cones, and shishito poppers. The shishito popper stood out with a dip featuring bacon-jack cheese espuma and pickled jalapeño. It was thick and creamy in consistency and was perfect on the peppers. We were told most of the peppers are pretty mild, but almost 1 in 20 is a little spicy!
Despite the name, Fish offers both a range of seafood and meat options and they are all done well. I am not a huge red meat eater but this rack of lamb was cooked perfectly. The rosemary honey glaze brought out the flavor of the meat and made it extra special. That said, I’m never one to turn down scallops. This dish with apples and celery puree dressed the scallops perfectly for fall.
For dessert, we tried a cherry cheesecake, deconstructed chocolate smore, and a rum infused pineapple. I particularly like that the dessert menu featured so many different kinds of sweet treats that no one can say they “aren’t really a dessert person” here.
The entrees at Fish are priced on par with other high end restaurants in the area. Guests can also enjoy “Jose’s Way” for $75 a person where the chefs put together dishes from the menu for a unique tasting experience.
Fish by Jose Andrew is located in MGM which is perfect for dinner before a night at the casino or after a day of shopping in National Harbor or Tanger Outlets. Parking is free at MGM and the Outlets, or you can take a shuttle for $5 all day between all three destinations.
Fish also welcomes you to join them for New Year’s Eve to ring in 2020!
Good For:
Nice dinner or special occasion
Cost:
Fancy pants
Parking is free
Where:
Inside MGM in National Harbor
101 MGM National Avenue
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
At a Glance
- Nice dinner or special occasion
-
$150-$200 for 2 people
Before tip -
Inside MGM National Harbor
101 MGM National Avenue
Oxon Hill, MD 20745 - Free parking
