Justin Ross, Capitol Riverfront resident and restauranteur, opened Justin's Cafe in 2010. As one of the first new restaurants to serve the neighborhood after Nationals Park opened in 2008, Justin's Cafe quickly became a favorite place for residents and fans to cheer on the Nats. 

Inspired by the success of his first restaurant, Justin recently opened The Big Stick at 20 M Street, SE in the Capitol Riverfront. We caught up with Justin as he was preparing for the Nationals' Opening Day on April 6, 2015.

Q. Why did you choose to open your restaurants in the Capitol Riverfront?
 

A. I believe in the neighborhood. We have a Major League Baseball stadium, a soccer stadium coming soon, a Metro station, water access, and we are close to so much. As much change as the neighborhood has gone through, there is still so much more to come, and that's what I really am excited about as both as resident and business owner.

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There has recently been a buzz of excitement surrounding the Washington Nationals' bid to Major League Baseball to select Washington, DC as the site for the 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

The 2018 All-Star Game announcement is expected to be made at Nationals' Opening Day game on April 6th, and along with DC, the Capitol Riverfront is ready for this renowned event! As the Capitol Riverfront approaches the 50 percent built-out milestone, excitement surrounds the redevelopment of much of the former "Fairground" parcel along Half Street near Nats Park, which includes plans for two new residential buildings and a major retail component.

Bonchon Chicken is expected to open its first DC location by Opening Day, April 6th, at 1015 Half Street, SE in the Capitol Riverfront! Capitol Riverfront residents and employees, and Nationals fans, can anticipate the Korean fried-chicken chain's spicy and soy-garlic fried chicken, as well as Korean specialties like pork buns and bulgogi.

The kitchen of the 140-seat restaurant will stay open late on game days, until 11:00 pm Monday through Thursday and later on weekends. Bonchon will serve 16 beers on tap, including local brews from DC Brau, Port City Brewing Company and Devils Backbone Brewing Company.  The restaurant is expected to have outdoor seating as well. Welcome to the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood Bonchon!

The Capitol Riverfront BID and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) invite you to attend the National Cherry Blossom Festival Lantern Making Family Day on Saturday, April 4th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Canal Park, located at 200 M Street, SE.

There will be two sessions of lantern making for children and adults, at 10:00 am and at 12:00 pm. As an official event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the lantern making day will feature a variety of Japanese cultural activities, as well as a moon bounce for all children to enjoy.

This event is free and open to the public. Check out many of the nearby dining options in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood before or after attending Lantern Making Day!

Pregame celebrations on Opening Day, April 6th, will kick off at 11:00 am with Bluejacket Brewery's Opening Day Fest in Lot O at 4th and Tingey Streets, SE. This event will last until 4:00 pm and feature live music and games; craft beer; and chef specialties from Bluejacket, GBD and Red Apron Butcher. 

From 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, 106.7 the Fan will present the Baseball Block Party in Canal Park at 2nd and M Street, SE, featuring the station's live pregame show, live music, food trucks, and craft beverages. 

Capitol Riverfront restaurants will also provide food and beverage specials on Opening Day and throughout the 2015 baseball season.

SEE OPENING DAY SPECIALS

Toll Brothers Apartment Living cordially invites you to experience a new level of luxury in the Capitol Riverfront at Parc Riverside! Join Toll Brothers on Thursday, April 2nd from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm to celebrate the opening of Parc Riverside, located at 1011 First Street, SE.

Enjoy a night of live music, great local dining and drinks from your favorite Capitol Riverfront restaurants, and a special guest appearance from the Nationals Racing Presidents.

To RSVP, email rsvp@parcrsvp.com or call 703-465-0500.

SEE MORE PARC RIVERSIDE INFORMATION

On Saturday, April 11th, Drink the District will host the 2nd annual Cherry Blossom Beer & Wine Festival at 1300 1st Street, SE in the Capitol Riverfront.

With tickets this year starting at just $35, attendees can enjoy unlimited beer and wine, a live dueling pianos show, backyard games, and access to food trucks at this tasting-centric event.

The event will feature two sessions, an afternoon session from 1:30 to 4:30 pm and an evening one from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. With 50+ wines and 30+ beers, attendees can explore a flavorful variety of tastings and indulge in full pours of beverage favorites.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

Starting Monday, March 30th the Union Station-Navy Yard Circulator route will have a new bus stop at Union Station. Passengers traveling from Union Station to the Capitol Riverfront will now board the Union Station-Navy Yard bus on the east side of Columbus Circle. The Circulator stop on the west side of Columbus Circle at Massachusetts Ave and 1st Street NE will no longer serve the Union Station-Navy Yard route.

On Monday, March 30th, the DC Circulator's Union Station-Navy Yard route will also return to extended summer hours. Starting Monday, the Union Station-Navy Yard route will operate weekdays from 6:00 am - 9:00 pm and on Saturdays from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. The Union Station-Navy Yard route also operates on an extended schedule for Nationals home games.

For every Washington Nationals night game (beginning at 4:05pm or later), the Union Station-Navy Yard route will operate until midnight. For Sunday home games, Circulator will operate this route from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm. 

SEE MORE CIRCULATOR INFORMATION