[mappress]

With locations spanning the globe – from Kiev, to Sao Paolo, to Dubai and more, the illustrious Buddha Bar finally has a home in DC.  Although its location is a bit of a stretch – in the up-and-coming neighborhood down near 5th and Mass – its brand has elicited quite a response from the DC nightlife scene and already attracted some pretty significant crowds.

Cost – $$$

Food – C
The cuisine is most aptly described as “Asian-American fusion.” The fixed menu route afforded me the luxury of range and I took full advantage. The egg rolls served at the beginning of the meal were decent but par for the course and the entrée came in a bento box with rice, lamb curry, Thai-style shrimp, and cold sautéed spinach. The presentation was solid but I found the product to be somewhat lacking. The lamb curry tasted like it came out of a “Golden Curry” box mix and the shrimp was overwhelmingly salty. The spinach, served cold (possibly to make it more “Asian”), was also excessively salted.

The one redeeming component of the bento box was the mango chutney although I do have to note that the dessert – mango soup – did help end the meal on a slightly high note.

Service – B
I found the service to generally be solid.  Our server was relatively attentive and the manager did come around to ask us how our meal was, but was incredibly hasty in making his rounds.

Décor – B+
As the name described, the décor has heavy Asian influences.  The massive Buddha in the middle of the dining area gives the restaurant a feeling of a spiritual calm that is only enhanced by the soft candle-like lighting. The enormous chandeliers resemble a combination of the Victorian era meets haunted Asian pagoda and are scattered throughout the restaurant.  The bar is lit up as though by fire and is comparatively large for a restaurant in DC. The intricate jacquard fabric on the chairs, the enhanced backlights around the perimeter and the contrasting colors of gold, red, and mahogany all provide a unique setting.  But even with all this distinctive décor, one thing you instantly notice when walking into the restaurant is the space.  It is easily one of the more spacious restaurants in DC with its lofty ceilings, great dining space, and floor to ceiling windows.

Feel – C
What I liked about Buddha Bar:  the décor, spaciousness, and general ambiance for group dinners, dates, and private conversations.  It seems like a great place for a pre or post-game drink.

What I didn’t like about Buddha Bar: When making my reservation for dinner, I requested a table for 6.  Since my party was considered “large,” I was required to hold the table with my credit card on file.  The day of my dinner I was phoned for a courtesy reminder, but was also informed that if ALL my party didn’t show up 15 minutes after my scheduled reservation time, I would have to forfeit my table and I would be charged as though I didn’t show up.  I arrived on time but the next twenty minutes were a bit of a juggling act as the remainder of the group leaked in while the clock ticked away.  Ultimately, we were seated without a hassle but in a fairly empty restaurant I didn’t feel as though the stringent adherence to protocol was warranted.

Ultimately, time will tell whether Buddha Bar’s foray into the DC nightlife scene will prove to be successful.  So far, the results seem mixed.

[mappress]

Ultrabar is aptly named.  The “Ultra” in “Ultrabar” can be taken to mean a number of things.  For example, “ultra” could be used to reference the venue itself: five floors that contain a chaotic blend of sounds, aesthetics and experiences.  Or “ultra” could mean the horde of clubbers (a head count that tops 1000 heads on many nights) that fills the club and stretches down the block, a truly heterogeneous blend of ages, races and ethnicities. “Ultra” might also refer to the international mix of events that work their way through Ultrabar.

Or it could refer to the synthesis of all these different things, which results in a slightly overwhelming, Cancun-ish vibe that extends itself throughout a wide breadth of sensibilities.

It has been more than a while since I visited the establishment.  It caters to the 18-25 crowd (and I unfortunately am a few years removed from their demographic) but Ultrabar Owner Antonis Karagounis’ birthday provided us with a good reason to drop in and see how the venue has come along and Karagounis was cool enough to take a few moments to chat with us about the venue that has become a landmark in the DC nightlife scene.

Cost – $$$

Service – A-
When most people think of large club venues, they assume they’ll be manhandled at the door and receive rude service at the bar (if they ever get served).  According to Karagounis, “The front door staff is comprised of nightlife veterans who have worked in many clubs and lounges and understand the importance of customer service.”  True to form, the service at the door was professional and polite.  Inside, the wait staff was prompt and friendly in spite of the chaos that surrounded the bar.  The service – both inside and out – was far better than what we have experienced at some of the other multi-floor clubs in DC.

Décor – B
The structure that houses Ultrabar is over 100 years old and has been a night club for the past twenty years.  Each floor has a slightly different visual sense to it and the age and history of the establishment – it feels like DC – pervades the venue (except for possibly the top floor, which felt a bit more modernized than the others).

Feel – A-
There are a lot of opinions about Ultrabar but you can’t argue with the following: First, that everyone has an opinion on the place…people have been talking about Ultrabar for years now.  Second, you can’t argue that Ultrabar has been drawing an enormous crowd for several years, based on a loyal following and a relatively simple formula.

The club doesn’t try to overstep into exclusivity; instead, it focuses on creating an open, fun environment that offers enough diversity to be a true “destination” venue.  With this winning formula, Ultrabar has become the “go to” destination for the 18-25 crowd in DC.  According to Karagounis, “We want to create a comfortable and welcoming venue without the crazy door policies.  Everyone is welcome as long as they make the effort.”

Ultrabar is located at 911 F Street Northwest.  They can be reached at (202) 638-4663 or on the Web at http://www.ultrabardc.com.

What’s the Buzz:

Ultrabar (Metromix) – For a place with a name like Ultrabar, they truly do have a superhuman line-up of events. Hosting a varied array of parties per week in the club’s four bars, there is no shortage of dance mayhem.  Full article…

[mappress]

When Jamie Hess dropped us a line last week and mentioned that he had switched from Spot over to Stir Lounge and was throwing a party with special guest Sean Kingston, my initial reaction was, “Who is Sean Kingston?”  Deciding I didn’t really care that much,  my second question was “What is Stir Lounge?”  Dean quickly informed me that Stir Lounge was essentially Indebleu, rebranded for the evening.   Confident in Jamie’s track record I decided it was worthwhile to go and check it out thinking that it was about time someone created a great party in Chinatown.

Cost – $$$

Service – B+
“Hey guys, we charge crazy prices so I’m going to make you guys two crazy drinks,” said the bartender.  “You had me at ‘hey guys,’” I thought to myself as I gingerly sipped what literally amounted to a cup of vodka with a dash of soda.  Between the generous libations and omnipresent silicon behind the bar, my overall impression of the bartenders at Stir Lounge was pretty favorable.  There was one passing moment when the security staff wouldn’t let us leave the 18-and-over party we stumbled into (not on purpose I swear) on the top floor because apparently Sean Kingston was walking in the door but it was nothing out of the ordinary for security at an ultra-lounge.

Décor – B
It was so packed I didn’t have much of an opportunity to look critically at the general decor throughout the venue so I’m mostly going off what I can recollect from the few times I’ve eaten at Indebleu.  The main floor of Stir has light gray walls with a long bar one one side, an open area segmented by thin, metallic pillars and a peculiar repitilian print.  Nothing really sticks out to me about the decor but as I mentioned, it was a little too crowded to sit back and take it all in.

Feel – A-
Chinatown has been waiting for a good ultra-lounge and I think Stir has done a great job filling that void.  The venue was completely packed and there was an enormous line out the door.  The crowd did skew a bit younger but that may have been due to the appearance of Sean Kingston, who I later found out is an overweight 16-year-old R&B singer.  For the mid-to-young twenties crowd looking for a packed, wild ultra-lounge outside of K Street or Dupont, Stir Lounge is definitely worth a visit.

An old friend who used to live in DC was in town the other day for a few days and apparently had begun craving the Matchbox sliders as his plane landed on the tarmac so insisted I meet him at the venue, located in Chinatown.  Although I had ordered takeout from Matchbox in the past this was the first time I had an opportunity to experience the venue.

Cost – $$

Service – B+
It was a little chaotic when we first got there but they seemed to be doing a good job managing a pretty substantial crowd.  Our waiter was pretty affable and helped create a light atmosphere.

Food – C

The sliders are pretty good but I was surprisingly dissatisfied with the pizza.  It was great at first when it was fresh out of the stove but every minute that passed made it seem greasier and less enjoyable.  It was a shocker because I could remember being really wowed by the pizza the first time I tried it but this time, the post-food experience reminded me a bit of how I’ve felt after eating an Adams Morgan jumbo slice.

Decor – A-
Matchbox’s hardwood floors and exposed brick create a slick, modern interior that is probably one of the reasons Matchbox manages to draw such numbers.

Feel – A-
Matchbox just feels like a cool place to relax and have a pretty laid-back meal.  It was a beautiful Friday afternoon when we headed over there and we were seated in a booth upstairs by the window.  Chinatown was full of life and I could have hung out there for the entire day if it wasn’t for the unpleasant, greasy feeling I had after eating the pizza.  Pizza aside, the place is definitely still a hot spot and well worth the visit for a small gathering of friends are a quick bite to eat with your significant other on a weekday evening.

Matchbox is located at 713 H Street in NW.  They can be reached at (202) 289-4411.

It’s been a little while since we at DC City Blog reviewed a bar so it was fortunate that a work function took  me to Rocket Bar this past week.  Like most other cities, DC has some pretty clear social divisions that manifest in the different venue circuits that people in DC choose.  Rocket Bar is clearly on the same circuit as other popular bar venues in DC like Lucky Bar and the Big Hunt.

Cost – $

Service – B
The service is pretty straight-up at Rocket Bar.  I ordered a round of drinks and was served in a matter of minutes.

Food – ?

Decor – C
To be completely honest, I don’t really think there was anything that stood out about the design of Rocket Bar apart from the pictures of Rockets on the wall.

Feel – C
Rocket Bar should be on the list of stuff white people like.  As you can tell by the amount of effort I have just put into this review, Rocket Bar isn’t my favorite place in the world.  If you are in that crowd then I can see why you might want to visit the venue and I’m hoping someone comments on this review and helps me understand what the appeal to the place is.

Rocket Bar is located at 717 7th St.  They can be reached at (202) 628-7665.

Cost – $$

Service – A-
Service has always been consistently good. Servers are very knowledgeable about the menu and quite attentive, even during the busiest of times.

Food – B+
When the basket of biscuits arrives at the table, I get this feeling that this meal is going to be good. Couple that with a traditional southern cocktail like a Sazerac or a bourbon and you are off to quite a start. The portions are pretty generous and the grillades and grits is quite good but the BBQ shrimp is even better.

Decor – B+
The little details makes this restaurant a treat. The decor isn’t necessarily novel but every time I dine here, I see a little nuance of Louisiana that humors me. Who doesn’t like alligator statues and an eclectic collection of chandeliers?

Feel – B+
Overall, Acadiana is pretty well executed and I really appreciate the lively sophistication. Definitely worth a try if you are in the mood for contemporary Cajun.

What’s the Buzz:

January 22, 2008 – Acadiana (That Guy at the Bar) – I love New Orleans cuisine, as you may have noticed from my favorite restaurants list. But, it’s really hard to find decent Cajun food in the DC area. To get my fix, I head to Acadiana in Penn Quarter, near the Washington DC Convention Center. Acadiana is run by the same team that owns DC Coast, Ceiba (another one of my favorites), and TenPenh. Full Article…

January 22, 2006 – Big Easy Moments (Washington Post) – There are moments at Acadiana that whisk me south. When my Sazerac lands on the table, I’m in New Orleans. Ignited with whiskey and pernod, the amber-colored cocktail is served with a cube of sugar steeped in bitters and threaded on a stir stick. Every sip of the drink tickles my throat. Full article…

Cost – $$$

Service – C+
I wasn’t terribly impressed with the service at Brasserie Beck.  The servers were fairly knowledgeable about the menu but seemed rushed.  The place seemed like it was full up and it took a long time to get our drinks as well as our main course.

Food – B
I think Brasserie Beck has garnered some critical acclaim however I was not terribly impressed by the food.  The striped bass was pretty solid, however the pannecota was possiby the worst I’ve tasted.  I’ve tried the salads and the croques and while tasty, there is nothing that would distinguish them from something you would get at a place like Cosi.  The selection of beers is incredible.

Decor – B
I found it almost indistinguishable from any other trendy restaurant in the area.  I defy anyone to tell me why the decor of this place is any better or worse than anywhere else.

Feel – B+
There was actually a fairly divers, eclectic crowd inside of Brasserie Beck, which is why I give it a good grade.  You do get your share of Hill Yuppies but it is not unbearable.

What’s the Buzz:

September 4, 2007 – Brasserie Beck (Washingtonian) – A few years ago, a young competitor took a shot at chef Robert Wiedmaier in an online food forum, characterizing his robust cuisine as “Flemish redneck.” Full Article…

July 6, 2007 – Brasserie Beck (DC Foodies) – I love places with beer lists, because I don’t know anything about beer and there’s always something new to learn. In my four trips to Brasserie Beck, I’ve learned a few things.  Full Article…

Cost - $$$

Service – A
General Manager Michael James ran Teatro Goldoni for ten years before coming over to Proof. He is a real professional and has put together a similarly professional team. Whether at the bar or at a table, you’re going to have service that is knowledgeable and on-point.

Food – A-
Haidar Karoum was the head chef at Asia Nora for seven years before coming to Proof.  Even though the initial concept behind Proof was wine-centric, the menu certainly doesn’t play second violin to the wine selection. I’ve had grilled hanger steak with smoked bacon and crispy potatoes as well as the Five Spice Roasted Pekin Duck Breast and both times have been blown away by the quality of food and the presentation.

Decor – A-
Proof was designed by Grizform Design, who have put together an impressive resume that includes Black Salt down on MacArthur. Their aesthetic is post-modern (I studied sociology so I am allowed to use this word) at it’s best and includes (I stole this from the Proof Web site) “exposed brick walls, a custom French pewter bar, Jerusalem stone, and antique Chinese chests mingle seamlessly with wide-plank walnut floors, Bisazza tiled bathrooms, Italian leather seating and European lighting fixtures.” What I like most about the design of the place is its sense of open space.

Feel – A
The dining area is a great place for a group or for a date. The bar area, although a bit on the small side, would be a nice place to grab a glass of wine with a friend.

Proof is located down near Gallery Place at 775 G Street in Northwest. They can be reached at (202) 737-7663.

What’s the Buzz:

September 28, 2007 – Proof (DC Dining) – Proof keeps getting better and better, and Tom Sietsema’s review was well-written and paints an accurate picture of the restaurant. I don’t assign stars, but if I did (hmm, lightbulb going on…), Proof would absolutely get three. Full article…

Cost - $$

Service – B
The wait staff are usually very good at making recommendations and educating first-timers on mezze etiquette. A good waiter will bring your order out in waves to ensure food is served at the right temperature.

Food – B
The food has always been consistent and is a good value for the price. The menu is well-rounded with over 70 choices of small plates, however, the traditional desserts seem to be a little light for me. Vegetarian friendly and some very good wine by the glass (try the Malagousia).

Decor – B+
The white and blue scheme achieves its goal of a modern look with mediterranean overtones. High ceilings give the main dining area an open feel and the lighting is just right for lively parties or first dates.

Feel – A-
As one of the busiest restaurants in the city, Zaytinya attracts a diverse crowd and is a safe bet if you are looking for a happening place for dinner. Maybe not the best place for serious business but a very good starting point for a night out.

What’s the Buzz:

July 31, 2007 – Zaytinya (Bacon and Bakin’) – Friday night, I found myself walking to the Metro at about 8:15. I was on my way downtown, where I was meeting a friend, Jeremy, for dinner at Zaytinya. I’d been to Zaytinya before, but Jeremy hadn’t and had wanted to go for some time. We decided to meet at Zaytinya at 9, figuring the dinner rush would have subsided. Wroooong…Full Article…

October 15, 2006 – Zaytinya (Washington Post) – Excellence comes in many flavors. One of them is Zaytinya, the mezze specialist that manages to be beautiful, luscious and easy on the wallet (well, so long as you don’t get carried away ordering retsina cocktails).The blue-and-white palette evokes a Greek coastline; the service flows warm and efficient. Full Article…