The Common Offers Uncommonly Good Dining Near College Park

Marriott Inn and Conference Center Unveils New Restaurant and Pub

There is nothing common about The Common, the dynamic new academia-inspired gastropub that is the centerpiece of the reinvented Marriott Hotels Greatroom at the Marriott Inn and Conference Center, University of Maryland University College.

Great minds gather under the College Park hotel’s famed cupola for a dining experience that turns the notion of a traditional English public house on its ear and pays homage to local and seasonal produce with contemporary American cuisine. On June 5, 2013, more than 500 people celebrated the grand opening of The Common restaurant and pub and got a first look at an expansive hotel renovation that includes public spaces, event facilities and guest rooms.

“The Common offers the university and College Park communities an attractive place to meet, exchange ideas, do business and relax over signature cocktails and shareable plates,” says Mike McCarthy, general manager, Marriott Inn and Conference Center.

The new College Park restaurant and pub boasts sophisticated style and delicious substance, thanks to a design by architectural firm HKS of Dallas and a menu by a seasoned culinary expert, Executive Chef Diego Fernandez. Charming nailhead-trim details and striped and checked fabrics in navy and cream mix with modern drum-shaped lights, counter-height banquettes, steel-topped communal tables and leather-clad club chairs. The 120-seat restaurant and pub is an open, airy space filled with light from an inviting courtyard. Guests can dine under the stars, work on their laptops with complimentary WiFi throughout the Marriott Hotels Greatroom or watch a game with friends. Complimentary lunchtime shuttle service to university offices and free parking make dining at The Common even more attractive.

Guests can order hearty entrees, salads, sandwiches and snacks, split shareable plates or grab a Starbucks latte or pastry to go. Fernandez conceived a menu that embraces the spirit of a traditional English public house with satisfying offerings such as fish and chips, ploughman’s platter, grilled cheese sliders with tomato fondue and house-made meatloaf. Indulgent comfort food includes warm apple and walnut cobbler, brownie trifle and butterscotch pudding.

Handcrafted cocktails are a product of creative mixology and a nod to Maryland roots. Refreshing options include the Catoctin Creek sour made with locally distilled rye, the cherry blossom and Terrapin tea. A selection of domestic and imported wines and regional craft beers complete the pub menu.

The Common had its beginnings in August 2012, when the Marriott Inn and Conference Center launched a multi-faceted renovation that also features:

·       A reinvented Marriott Hotels Greatroom and business center featuring free WiFi

·       Changes to meeting and event venues, including a redecorated Chesapeake Ballroom, the new Potomac Ballroom boasting 6,700 sq. ft. with 2,000 sq. ft. of private pre-function space, 18 redecorated meeting rooms in private wings and a 300-seat conference dining room

·       111 renovated guest rooms with 25 new Executive Studios offering free WiFi

·       A modern fitness center featuring Matrix® cardio machines that offer cinema-quality virtual workouts in stunning landscapes from around the world

The Common at the Marriott Inn and Conference Center is located at 3501 University Boulevard East in Hyattsville, Md., on the University College campus, adjacent to the University of Maryland and convenient to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s White Oak campus and metro Washington, D.C. For more information about this restaurant near College Park, visit www.TheCommonCollegePark.com or call 301-985-7300. Get social with The Common on Facebook, Foursquare and Twitter @TheCommonCP.