Barmini, Cocktail Bar Attached to Minibar with Beautiful, Modern Decor, Great Cocktails, and Excellent Bar Snacks

[Rieux]

Looks like a new cocktail bar coming from Jose Andres. Intrigued, but not if it is in the price range of minibar.

https://vimeo.com/58931696

[kwhitney]

what a waste of time that was

[monsterriffs]

Based on what I've read thus far, seems a little too Portlandia for me.

[Kev29]

Start saving up for $18 gintonics!

[Rieux]

Here is more info. I am getting really tired of Andres' schtick (not to mention questions I have about the efficacy of his cook stove programs in Haiti, for which he gets much praise for few results).

http://touch.washingtoncitypaper.com/wcp/#!/entry/jos-andrs-to-open-cocktail-lab-called-barmini,511106eed7fc7b5670188f69

[monsterriffs]

"Rye Here" with passion fruit salt, cayenne spice rub, lemon juice, maple syrup Kasteel cherry beer, and barrel-aged bitters.

1) That actually sounds gross

2) Where's the rye whisky?

[Kev29]

1) That actually sounds gross

2) Where's the rye whisky?

Here's a more comprehensive list, that drink does indeed include whiskey...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/going-out-guide/wp/2013/02/05/inside-barmini-jose-andress-cocktail-lab-next-to-minibar/

Rye Here – rye, lemon juice, maple syrup, kasteel cherry beer, barrel-aged bitters

Have to say, I like how comprehensive the menu is and it includes a lot of the classics I love. Old Pal? Yes, please.

[cheezepowder]

They said you can make a reservation by phone or email. I emailed them early this morning and have not heard back.

[weinoo]

Ahhh well, it was bound to happen.

[monsterriffs]

whiskey...

LOL, I'm letting a Scottish bias seep in.

[Choirgirl21]

How 'bout you get a still very lovely couch for about $2000 instead of the price of a car and knock those cocktail prices down to a "reasonable" $10-14 in keeping with other local spots where there's an emphasis on mixology. Seriously, $20 for a cocktail?! Just because it's at Minibar? No thanks.

[Gadarene]

How 'bout you get a still very lovely couch for about $2000 instead of the price of a car and knock those cocktail prices down to a "reasonable" $10-14 in keeping with other local spots where there's an emphasis on mixology. Seriously, $20 for a cocktail?! Just because it's at Minibar? No thanks.

Couldn't agree more.

[dcandohio]

Couldn't agree more.

Me, too. if Chef Andres wants to brag about exorbitant cost of the bar's furnishings, that's his right. It's kind of a turn-off for me given the price point of the drinks, to the point that I wouldn't care to go. But I know some people will want to go BECAUSE of things like that sofa, so I am sure the place will be a raging success.

[Gadarene]

Me, too. if Chef Andres wants to brag about exorbitant cost of the bar's furnishings, that's his right. It's kind of a turn-off for me given the price point of the drinks, to the point that I wouldn't care to go. But I know some people will want to go BECAUSE of things like that sofa, so I am sure the place will be a raging success.

Well, I spend faaaaaaar more money on cocktails than I probably should, and I highly doubt I'll ever set foot in Barmini, so I'm doing my part to vote with my pocketbook. Which is too bad, because D.C. could use more good cocktail places. Just not cocktail places with this level of pretension and pricepoint.

[lovehockey]

Looking at the picture of the bar at the Washington Post link my first thought was that it looks like the living/kitchen area of one of those window-filled apartments that you see on Selling New York on HGTV. My second thought was how many beverages I could make on my own at home for the cost of a cocktail there.

[sandynva]

I can't believe i'm writing this, because the ridiculous prices of cocktails here (esp in the last few years) has long been a pet peeve of mine.

But i'm a bit surprised by the consistent criticism of the prices. the menu says the cocktails will range from $14-20. I'll give you that $20 seems rather high. but the last time i went to the round robin, i think drinks were $15, and at the gibson, and proof i'm pretty sure i've had some $14-$15 drinks. and isn't the columbia room $70 for 3 drinks with a small plate of food? that's probably about $20 a drink. So, i'm not saying that the drink prices are entirely justified, but with the exception of the $20 drinks, they don't seem to be that much higher than the drinks at a lot of places in town, and presumably at least some of the drinks will use some of andres' molecular gastronomy wizardry, and thus deservedly cost more than a more standard drink.

[Gadarene]

I can't believe i'm writing this, because the ridiculous prices of cocktails here (esp in the last few years) has long been a pet peeve of mine.

But i'm a bit surprised by the consistent criticism of the prices. the menu says the cocktails will range from $14-20. I'll give you that $20 seems rather high. but the last time i went to the round robin, i think drinks were $15, and at the gibson, and proof i'm pretty sure i've had some $14-$15 drinks. and isn't the columbia room $70 for 3 drinks with a small plate of food? that's probably about $20 a drink. So, i'm not saying that the drink prices are entirely justified, but with the exception of the $20 drinks, they don't seem to be that much higher than the drinks at a lot of places in town, and presumably at least some of the drinks will use some of andres' molecular gastronomy wizardry, and thus deservedly cost more than a more standard drink.

I think the prices are too high at the Gibson as well, and I've never been to the Columbia Room precisely because I can't help but compare its price to the late, lamented "seven cocktails and seven food pairings for $77" thing that Gina used to do at PS 7.

Though D.C. can always use more thoughtful cocktail spots, there are plenty of places serving good to great cocktails largely in the $10 to $13 range, including Passenger and Hogo. And talking about molecular gastronomy, my recollection is that even Booker and Dax in NYC (Dave Chang and Dave Arnold's place) prices its cocktails at $14 pretty much across the board, and those are molecular-intensive in an extremely high-overhead neighborhood. (To say nothing of all of the amazing cocktail places in other cities -- hi, Portland; hi, Sable in Chicago -- where the price point for their cocktails is more like $9 to $12; I recognize that's comparing apples to sidecars.)

Bottom line: if the cheapest cocktail on your menu is $14 and you're bragging about a couch that cost more than a car, I'm going to hazard a guess that you're not pricing your drinks commensurate with what they're "worth" to me, and I won't be patronizing that establishment because I will, personally, feel ripped off. Everyone else's mileage might certainly vary, and I have no doubt that Barmini will be packed to the gills.

[Gadarene]

Oh, and as an incidental aside: you'd be amazed at how many cocktails (of the -tini, -jito, and -rita variety!) are $15 at the Lucky Strike in Gallery Place. The answer is more than four. It's pretty unconscionable.

[DonRocks]

I can't believe i'm writing this, because the ridiculous prices of cocktails here (esp in the last few years) has long been a pet peeve of mine.

But i'm a bit surprised by the consistent criticism of the prices. the menu says the cocktails will range from $14-20. I'll give you that $20 seems rather high. but the last time i went to the round robin, i think drinks were $15, and at the gibson, and proof i'm pretty sure i've had some $14-$15 drinks. and isn't the columbia room $70 for 3 drinks with a small plate of food? that's probably about $20 a drink. So, i'm not saying that the drink prices are entirely justified, but with the exception of the $20 drinks, they don't seem to be that much higher than the drinks at a lot of places in town, and presumably at least some of the drinks will use some of andres' molecular gastronomy wizardry, and thus deservedly cost more than a more standard drink.

I didn't know about Barmini when I wrote this post six weeks ago. I have felt this resentment smoldering for quite awhile now, and I think it took something "like this" to flush it out (the public outrage will fade quickly, and this bar will be frequented mostly by tourists). If the market would support $25 cocktails, that's how much they'd cost. Quite frankly, the only reason I spend $12 on a cocktail these days is to avoid spending $11 on a crappy glass of Albariño or $8 on a mass-produced beer. Name your method of execution.

[darkstar965]

I'd never go a place like this. Then again, the gin-based "Halle Berry" I ordered at R24 this week (which I think might have been $12?) was both very good and the first cocktail I've gotten anywhere in quite some time. More wine than spirits for me but, even that I tend to have wine in more often than out.

I think a Cooper Mini (er, Mini Cooper) or ipad minis, while also fully priced, are better deals than anything in a glass from a spot called Barmini.

[Gadarene]

Let me add Graffiato and Dino to the list of places with extremely good cocktails for extremely reasonable prices (nothing on Dino's menu is more than $11, and Graffiato's sixteen listed cocktails are almost exclusively $11).

In fact, I think I'll head over to Dino after work today to partake of their wonderful happy hour, where all cocktails are $3 off at the bar and there are delicious and complimentary pickled things to boot!

[cheezepowder]

But i'm a bit surprised by the consistent criticism of the prices....

sandynva said just what I was thinking. I didn't think the prices were that far beyond alot of other places, though I also agree that cocktails are overpriced in many places.

I can understand what everyone has said about why they don't want to go to Barmini. I'm up for trying new places once, and it sounds like Barmini may have some unique cocktails. As I mentioned above, I tried emailing them for a reservation. Apparently they aren't taking requests until 2/15. If I do end up going, who knows, maybe I'll like it, maybe I won't. (And I guess I should report back.)

[Choirgirl21]

Too tempting to not post this here, especially since $20 cocktails are referenced

[cheezepowder]

Ok, I know some posters have already decided they won't be going to barmini, but here's my report from my visit this week.

Reservations are made online only. You ring the doorbell, and someone lets you in. You enter a foyer (where you can check your coat and where the restrooms are located) and then go through a door to the main space.

Soon after being seated, I received a delicious mini "amuse" type cocktail of whiskey, ginger, spices, and water. The staff said there are 106 cocktails on the menu. I ordered:

• Rapid blinker - rye, grapefruit, elderflower, raspberry
• Veruka salt - peanut rum, drambuie 15, pineapple grog, simple syrup, salt
• Jersey lightning - peach brandy, applejack, egg, lime, sugar, seltzer

If I recall correctly, my cocktails were $14 or $15 each. Yes, pricey, and they weren't large cocktails. The alcohol and flavors were well balanced and tasty, and I thought they were all great. I'd order each one again.

The menu also has 10 savory snacks and 4 dessert type snacks. I had:

• Grilled cheese sandwich - buttery toasted bread with 3 cheeses and truffle plus a dollop of honey mustard on the side
• Banh mi miniburger - juicy short rib burger, bone marrow (which I didn't notice), vegetables. It came in a cute mini cardboard burger box

I was impressed, and I'm planning to go again to try other cocktails. I know, some of you aren't going.

[Gadarene]

Went to Dead Rabbit in NYC this week. Absolutely amazing. They don't take reservations; they have a list of 75 incredibly cool classic cocktails (see here: http://www.deadrabbitnyc.com/menus/drinks/parlor/mixed-drinks/) that goes waaaaaaaaaay beyond the standards but still has its feet firmly planted in history (with all cocktails tied to a particular provenance, being it Jerry Thomas in 1862 or William Boothby in 1891), utilizing really interesting ingredients like sherbets.

Everything I had there was delicious and pleasingly proportioned, and they were each all $14.

All $14! They were easily worth it.

I'm still not going to Barmini.

[ad.mich]

A Rogue 24/Hogo/Passenger bar crawl will get you incredible drinks, the chance to experience vastly different crowds/vibes, large cocktails (albeit around $12) that will get you where you want to be, and good-to-great food if the mood strikes you.

And no bullshit to experience any of them.

I was just in Philly this last weekend and experienced the ridiculousness of Hop Sing Laundromat. The drinks were really good and it was fine for one visit, but more than anything it made me really really happy that DC has moved along enough that 'a place pouring damn good drinks' is enough of an angle for a bar to open and thrive now. I'm sure you can have a really great time at barmini if you're game to play the reservation roulette and pick the right things off their Cheesecake Factory sized menu. I'll happily go if someone else takes the time to pull the strings. In the meantime I'll take advantage of how far the other options have come.

[qwertyy]

25 posts on this thread

24 negative

1 positive, from the only poster who's actually been there

[mtureck]

25 posts on this thread

24 negative

1 positive, from the only poster who's actually been there

I think there's a big difference between "negative" and "dismissive".

I'd like to think that restauranteurs read these occasionally to get a feel for what people like/don't like, and if I was one of those restauranteurs, I'd be interested in knowing that so many people wouldn't even consider going to a place like this due to the prices.

[DaRiv18]

I didn't know about Barmini when I wrote this post six weeks ago. I have felt this resentment smoldering for quite awhile now,

Just to document past prices, I ran across your Oct 2007 post at the Hudson where they served $14 cocktails.

Oh, and as an incidental aside: you'd be amazed at how many cocktails (of the -tini, -jito, and -rita variety!) are $15 at the Lucky Strike in Gallery Place. The answer is more than four. It's pretty unconscionable.

To me, $15-$20 cocktails are only offensive when you link it to a clear lack of value. This qualifies. Lamenting the price alone, without digging much deeper into the glass, is kinda lame IMO. Although pricey furniture in this case is a turnoff, for me.

[RWBooneJr]

I'm not really sure that I understand the antagonism toward barmini here. The price of a cocktail in this town (and most other towns, for that matter) is entirely divorced from any reasonable relation to the cost of its ingredients. A beer costs about the price of six; a glass of wine costs about as much as the price of a bottle retail; and cocktails are usually an even worse deal. At most decent restaurants, a "craft" cocktail now costs $12-$14. That usually means (slightly) fancier ingredients, but not much more work. And most of those places are planning for you to buy a full dinner, too (which they make money on). It would seem that, considering all that, barmini's prices aren't that unreasonable. Am I missing something here? And how many cocktails are y'all planning to drink? Let's say you have three. Is the extra $9-$15 not worth a fun, unique (or at least different) experience?

I plan to go. I think it'll be fun to try. If not, so what? They're freakin' cocktails. The extra cost is, like, the price of a movie ticket.

[DonRocks]

I'm not really sure that I understand the antagonism toward barmini here. The price of a cocktail in this town (and most other towns, for that matter) is entirely divorced from any reasonable relation to the cost of its ingredients. A beer costs about the price of seven; a glass of wine costs about as much as the price of a bottle retail; and cocktails are usually an even worse deal. At most decent restaurants, a "craft" cocktail now costs $12-$14. That usually means (slightly) fancier ingredients, but not much more work. And most of those places are planning for you to buy a full dinner, too (which they make money on). It would seem that, considering all that, barmini's prices aren't that unreasonable. Am I missing something here? And how many cocktails are y'all planning to drink? Let's say you have three. Is the extra $9-$15 not worth a fun, unique (or at least different) experience?

I plan to go. I think it'll be fun to try. If not, so what? They're freakin' cocktails. The extra cost is, like, the price of a movie ticket.

It's all a matter of priorities - it just means that you might not have a problem paying an "unthinkable" $250 to go see Kenny G, André Rieu, or John Tesh.

There's nothing wrong with this, and great art truly has no price. I'm not sure I'm making any sense, but to illustrate, if you watch this from the beginning, the 1:47 mark just might bring tears to your eyes.

God. The change in texture at 4:26 just ... I'm sorry to be so vulnerable, and maybe it's the couple glasses of wine I had earlier, but it almost makes me, I don't know, it almost makes me want to cum, and I just wanted to share that. Not in any sort of sexual way, but just, i don't know, spiritually. Oh God, the rubato.

Music is such a personal thing, but to me, this conjured up the beautiful fawns in this moving painting by the great Thomas Kinkaide. I don't know - I'm trying not to get overly emotional here, but sometimes it's difficult for me.

Cheers, love, and blessings to all,

Rocks

[porcupine]

I love Don's drunken late night posts.

[RWBooneJr]

It's all a matter of priorities - it just means that you might not have a problem paying an "unthinkable" $250 to go see Kenny G, André Rieu, or John Tesh.

There's nothing wrong with this, and great art truly has no price. I'm not sure I'm making any sense, but to illustrate, if you watch this from the beginning, the 1:47 mark just might bring tears to your eyes.

God. The change in texture at 4:26 just ... I'm sorry to be so vulnerable, and maybe it's the couple glasses of wine I had earlier, but it almost makes me, I don't know, it almost makes me want to cum, and I just wanted to share that. Not in any sort of sexual way, but just, i don't know, spiritually. Oh God, the rubato.

Music is such a personal thing, but to me, this conjured up the beautiful fawns in this moving painting by the great Thomas Kinkaide. I don't know - I'm trying not to get overly emotional here, but sometimes it's difficult for me.

Cheers, love, and blessings to all,

Rocks

The problems with this analogy are that a cocktail at barmini doesn't cost $250 and, more importantly, those cocktails are being judged here solely by their price. Only one person has posted anything here about barmini that is based on personal experience, and that post was positive. So the complaints can't be that barmini's cocktails aren't worth $15-$20, it's that they can't be worth that much. My response is: why not? Is there nothing that can be done to a cocktail that would justify charging 30% ($3-$5) more than average? And how should the experience/setting factor into any assessment of the price?

Barmini doesn't sound any more expensive than Columbia Room, which I thought was fun. Why not give barmini a shot? Aside, maybe, from people prejudging the place because Jose Andres owns it, what am I missing here?

[Kev29]

It's all a matter of priorities - it just means that you might not have a problem paying an "unthinkable" $250 to go see Kenny G, André Rieu, or John Tesh.

I might shell out $250 for some Roundball Rock

[jiveturk21]

Aside, maybe, from people prejudging the place because Jose Andres owns it, what am I missing here?

I agree. I have had very good and very bad experiences at Jose Andres' restaurants in my life. In addition to that, I almost feel that he has become a caricature of himself (not in the most flattering way). But, with that being said, I think that it is generally unfair to criticize a place before going to it, especially when people are criticizing it for having high prices when their prices, for the most part, are in line with their competition. Yes, if you get the most expensive drink at Barmini it will cost you $20 and maybe the least expensive cocktail at Blah Blah Blah is $12, but when you average it all out, you are likely going to pay $14 to $16 for a cocktail at a more upscale place in DC whether it is Barmini or somewhere else.

[Mark Dedrick]

Agree almost completely with RWBooneJr on this. I will try Barmini, although not until early April as that's as soon as I was able to get a reservation (and even then through a friend). But given my experience at Bar Centro in Miami, I expect very good cocktails and a fun time. We'll see how it goes. I'm keeping an open mind.

[Gadarene]

It's about relative value. To me, there are many great cocktail places that have drinks for less -- oftentimes much less -- than the price point set by barmini, so their approach to pricing rankles me.

Also, see my posts about Booker and Dax and Dead Rabbit. Both in extremely high-overhead locations, both doing CRAZY and amazing and innovative things in pursuit of cocktail deliciousness, and yet their drinks are only $14, no more. Maybe it's because they don't have a consarn couch that costs as much as a car.

(I find the reservations-only model for a cocktail place personally annoying as well, as a guy who loves to be able to drop in somewhere after work or on a whim to have a great drink.)

I agree. I have had very good and very bad experiences at Jose Andres' restaurants in my life. In addition to that, I almost feel that he has become a caricature of himself (not in the most flattering way). But, with that being said, I think that it is generally unfair to criticize a place before going to it, especially when people are criticizing it for having high prices when their prices, for the most part, are in line with their competition. Yes, if you get the most expensive drink at Barmini it will cost you $20 and maybe the least expensive cocktail at Blah Blah Blah is $12, but when you average it all out, you are likely going to pay $14 to $16 for a cocktail at a more upscale place in DC whether it is Barmini or somewhere else.

This last sentence simply isn't true. Take Hogo, for instance. There is no way the cocktails in most DC cocktail places average $14 to $16. No way.

Room 11 is another example. Society Fair. Passenger. Graffiato. I could keep going once I took a look at menus; probably Proof and Estadio and etc.

Dino, Ripple.

Hanks, Buffalo and Bergen.

[Kev29]

Aside, maybe, from people prejudging the place because Jose Andres owns it, what am I missing here?

The couch. People really don't like them bragging about that couch.

[sandynva]

The problems with this analogy are that a cocktail at barmini doesn't cost $250 and, more importantly, those cocktails are being judged here solely by their price. Only one person has posted anything here about barmini that is based on personal experience, and that post was positive. So the complaints can't be that barmini's cocktails aren't worth $15-$20, it's that they can't be worth that much. My response is: why not? Is there nothing that can be done to a cocktail that would justify charging 30% ($3-$5) more than average? And how should the experience/setting factor into any assessment of the price?

Barmini doesn't sound any more expensive than Columbia Room, which I thought was fun. Why not give barmini a shot? Aside, maybe, from people prejudging the place because Jose Andres owns it, what am I missing here?

well said. and the other problem with the analogy is comparing it to John Tesh and Kenny G. It's my understanding that Mr. Tesh and Mr. G (sorry if i'm offending any fans here) generally poorly regarded, and that liking them is seen as a sign of poor taste. Comparing the drinks at Barmini to them, especially if you haven't had the drinks, is quite dismissive. Same for the cheesecake factory reference.

The drinks cheezepowder had were $14-16, which is maybe, at most, a dollar or two above what i've paid at other places lately. And i don't think the contrast to hogo and passenger is fair in that 1) they're not located in a prime spot at penn quarter 2) they're at a whole other level of service and ambiance. am assuming that at barmini i won't have to a) wait forever/hover for a bar spot or table 2) said table and its chairs will be nicer than formica and 3) service will be more attentive. not that i'm taking away from hogo or passenger--i quite like the former and used to go to the latter all the time--but the atmosphere is different. it's like complaining that the palak chat at rasika is so much pricier than the palak chat at indaroma. True, but they are different experiences.

i haven't been to barmini, and the drinks may be entirely not worth it. but i'm willing to give it a chance and don't really get all the negative posts.

Also, a random thought--it seems that people are more tolerant of a big discrepancy between food costs and cost of restaurant food than they are of discrepancies between the costs of cocktail ingredients and drinks. for example, many of the vegetable dishes around town are really a poor value if you think about it. i love the shishitos at estadio and get them all the time. but i can, and do, buy the same peppers at hmart for $0.75 and replicate the dish in about 2 minutes (it's shockingly easy!). yet, i don't mind paying for them at estadio, and i haven't heard anyone else here grumble about the prices of vegetable dishes there either. why then is it different with cocktails? is it that we're just used to a smaller profit margin on drinks?

[Rieux]

Also, a random thought--it seems that people are more tolerant of a big discrepancy between food costs and cost of restaurant food than they are of discrepancies between the costs of cocktail ingredients and drinks. for example, many of the vegetable dishes around town are really a poor value if you think about it. i love the shishitos at estadio and get them all the time. but i can, and do, buy the same peppers at hmart for $0.75 and replicate the dish in about 2 minutes (it's shockingly easy!). yet, i don't mind paying for them at estadio, and i haven't heard anyone else here grumble about the prices of vegetable dishes there either. why then is it different with cocktails? is it that we're just used to a smaller profit margin on drinks?

This is a good point, and one that makes me reconsider my aversion to the prices... Interesting train of thought!

[Gadarene]

The drinks cheezepowder had were $14-16, which is maybe, at most, a dollar or two above what i've paid at other places lately. And i don't think the contrast to hogo and passenger is fair in that 1) they're not located in a prime spot at penn quarter 2) they're at a whole other level of service and ambiance. am assuming that at barmini i won't have to a) wait forever/hover for a bar spot or table 2) said table and its chairs will be nicer than formica and 3) service will be more attentive. not that i'm taking away from hogo or passenger--i quite like the former and used to go to the latter all the time--but the atmosphere is different. it's like complaining that the palak chat at rasika is so much pricier than the palak chat at indaroma. True, but they are different experiences.

So Hogo and Passenger aren't true Scotsmen. Got it. Same with all the other ones I mentioned, I'm sure. The bottom line as well is that the more business a place that charges $14 to $20 for cocktails gets, the more likely it is that charging $14 to $20 for cocktails will become the norm, no matter the quality of the cocktails (or the cost of the couch!). Which, personally, I think would be a shame, because it isn't the norm now.

(And thanks, Rocks, for merging my quadruple post earlier into a coherent whole. That's what I get for posting by phone while walking to work.)

[darkstar965]

25 posts on this thread

24 negative

1 positive, from the only poster who's actually been there

I think there's a big difference between "negative" and "dismissive".

I'd like to think that restauranteurs read these occasionally to get a feel for what people like/don't like, and if I was one of those restauranteurs, I'd be interested in knowing that so many people wouldn't even consider going to a place like this due to the prices.

I'd like to put in a kind word for the uncounted "dismissives" of which I'll declare myself a member when it comes to Barmini. I stand by my "wouldn't go there" statement but feel a bit wronged by being labeled one of the 24 "negatives" who hadn't even been there. After all, in my alleged "negative" post which I think was actually "dismissive," I used a smiley emoticon and explained I don't really know much about cocktails because they're not really my thing. Is kind of funny though, how after cheezepowder (who deserves definite credit for taking a lonely stand, sticking by it and then supporting it!!!!) reported on her visit, the barmini supporter floodgates opened in many of the posts that followed. Neither here nor there but interesting from a social science kind of perspective.

I agree. I have had very good and very bad experiences at Jose Andres' restaurants in my life. In addition to that, I almost feel that he has become a caricature of himself (not in the most flattering way). But, with that being said, I think that it is generally unfair to criticize a place before going to it, especially when people are criticizing it for having high prices when their prices, for the most part, are in line with their competition...

mtureck and jiveturk make excellent points above imho. I also feel it very unfair to knock a place's food, drink, service, venue, etc without having been there. I generally try to visit a place at least twice if I'm going to criticize it (hopefully always constructively). But jiveturk's post reminded me I also think it okay for us to share why we might not visit a place if, in fact, we wouldn't. That's not quite the same as criticizing something with which one has had no experience and it might--if substantive and constructive--be useful to a proprietor.

[DaRiv18]

But jiveturk's post reminded me I also think it okay for us to share why we might not visit a place if, in fact, we wouldn't. That's not quite the same as criticizing something with which one has had no experience and it might--if substantive and constructive--be useful to a proprietor.

Ok, but I think we can all agree that in this case, the proprietor, who is booked thru the next several months and will probably continue to be booked, will not find griping about his prices useful feedback. And what reasons are there to not visit a place that you haven't experienced before? Prices, ethnic signature of the cuisine, trite menus, and/or Roberto Donna? I guess I can't see any "substantive and constructive" way to criticize a place at which I've never eaten.

Of course, darkstar965, ye of 5 stomachs and unlimited resources and curiosity, I can't imagine that you would avoid any given restaurant for any given reason! Kudos for standing up for others.

[darkstar965]

Ok, but I think we can all agree that in this case, the proprietor, who is booked thru the next several months and will probably continue to be booked, will not find griping about his prices useful feedback. And what reasons are there to not visit a place that you haven't experienced before? Prices, ethnic signature of the cuisine, trite menus, and/or Roberto Donna? I guess I can't see any "substantive and constructive" way to criticize a place at which I've never eaten.

...

Lots of reasons I'd imagine we all avoid certain places, no? Location, reputation, type of food, experience with the same chef elsewhere, parking, schedule, personal preference (i.e., I'm personally not much of a cocktail hound, as I'd explained), etc, etc. I think prices are valid too. How many avoid certain restaurants because they know they can't have dinner for less than $100/person or whatever? Of course, many do. My point was the same as what I think mtureck posted. Avoiding (dismissing) a place is done by all of us all the time for whatever reasons. Criticizing a place's food, service or whatever shouldn't be done (if someone wants to be fair about it) without some firsthand experience imho.

...Of course, darkstar965, ye of 5 stomachs and unlimited resources and curiosity, I can't imagine that you would avoid any given restaurant for any given reason! Kudos for standing up for others.

Other than reminding that I'm avoiding Barmini (and of course avoid lots of other places as we all do), not sure how to reply to the above other than saying you make some assumptions that seem a bit over the top. Kudos for standing up for myself, eh?

[DaRiv18]

Ok, but I guess I don't know how a proprietor is supposed to respond to all of those factors you mention? Change from an ethiopian menu to Italian? Move to the other side of the city? I guess it makes sense for a restauranteur who hasn't opened and is just fishing for concepts.

Other than reminding that I'm avoiding this one (and of course avoid lots of others as we all do), not sure how to reply to the above other than saying you make some assumptions that seem a bit over the top. Kudos for standing up for myself, eh?

I'm a little taken aback by this, you must be one of the top posters on the board in both volume and quality. The posts speak for themselves. Sure, I was exaggerating in a somewhat playful way, but I guess I don't know how to reply to this either.

[darkstar965]

Ok, but I guess I don't know how a proprietor is supposed to respond to all of those factors you mention? Change from an ethiopian menu to Italian? Move to the other side of the city? I guess it makes sense for a restauranteur who hasn't opened and is just fishing for concepts.

I'm a little taken aback by this, you must be one of the top posters on the board in both volume and quality. The posts speak for themselves. Sure, I was exaggerating in a somewhat playful way, but I guess I don't know how to reply to this either.

Ah, I gotcha, dariv. No worries at all.

On how a proprietor should respond, that's of course up to them but I was speaking generally (not barmini specifically) with those other factors. In my own case wrt to barmini, I'll avoid the place because a) I'm not a big cocktail guy and if others who know cocktails much better than I do say it's too expensive, that's good enough for me so that next time I have a meeting or confab with someone jonesing for a cocktail, I might pick a more moderately priced spot. Barmini probably won't care about my or anyone's feedback here but, if they did, they might introduce some lower priced options along with the premium ones. They could also market themselves to cocktail neophtyes if they thought it worthwhile (I'm probably not alone there).

On you being taken aback, kind of funny actually. I was taken aback at what you'd written which is why I responded with "over the top." The only part that triggered that reaction was your "unlimited resources" and the charge that I'd never avoid any place for any reason. Neither is true of course and sounded a bit like a slams in a way I realize now you didn't intend. Good example of where online sucks relative to what used to be more common--talking to people face to face when you can also consider tone, facial expression, etc. My apologies for replying as I did. Hopefully this explains it. Appreciate the kind words and look forward to meeting you offline at some point. Based on your posts, I'm guessing you're a pretty cool dude--no joke there.

[Mark Dedrick]

Here's a nice piece from GQ on barmini - http://m.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2013/03/the-latest-cocktail-mecca-jos-andrs-barmini.html

[Gadarene]

Here's a nice piece from GQ on barmini - http://m.gq.com/blogs/the-feed/2013/03/the-latest-cocktail-mecca-jos-andrs-barmini.html

Only a passing mention of the couch, but it does refer to the bar's "$9000 investment in vintage glassware."

[lotus125]

I tried Barmini with a few friends, several of whom are real cocktail experts. We enjoyed it. Yes, the drinks are on the pricey side. And yes, DC has MANY other good cocktail options (not just bars but also at many restaurants). But it is enjoyable. And I'm really impressed by the depth of their menu -- over 100 drinks, and the bartenders seem quite adept at experimenting off menu. I should add that many of the bar snacks are excellent. A great grilled cheese. A great uni sandwich (though it'd be better with less aioli). Definitely worth trying.

[DrXmus]

Interesting piece in the Post today by Fritz Hahn about the new title-holder for most expensive cocktail in the city. And it isn't at barmini.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/going-out-guide/wp/2013/04/03/the-most-expensive-manhattan-in-washington/

I love Derek Brown's line about $14 being a reasonable price point for a cocktail in DC, including tax and tip, and that anything over that had better be a damn good drink (paraphrased by me). I'd certainly be willing to drink the barrel aged Manhattan Rye Bar made, but there's no way I'll pay $22 for it. Having said that, enough people DID pay that the barrel was drained in a few days, so good for Rye Bar.

[Mark Dedrick]

A few thoughts on my visit last night to barmini:

• The price issue is a bit overblown. I believe that every drink ordered by anyone in our party last night (group of four) was $14 or $15. This is certainly expensive, but also very much in line with Fiola, Bourbon Steak, the Willard's Round Robin Bar, and many other "high end" spots.
• They are in the process of transitioning from "reservations required" to a "reservations recommended" policy. I believe this is because they've found that going on reservations alone they're not keeping the place as consistently filled as they'd like. Last night, for example, the place was full (you must have a seat to be there, so the place was certainly not crowded or overwhelmingly full) when we arrived at 7 pm, but by the time we left a little after 9 pm it was at most half full. Our host indicated that, similarly, later in the evening on weekends it was also very possible to secure a seat for a post-dinner drink.
• You're supposed to ring the buzzer five times for them to let you in. I have no idea why.
• The menu, at 100 drinks in total, encompassing about half classic cocktails and about half inventions or riffs that they are working on, is way too big. Our bartender admitted as much, and said that he wished they would cut it down substantially, but this is what the owners wanted. Mitigating this somewhat, however, is the fact that the bartenders wait on you, whether or not you're sitting at the bar (seemed to be limited to groups of two or three). And they really know their stuff, helping you to navigate through the many choices, or to take you off menu if you so desire. While this was certainly helpful, I know that at least one of our party of four was so overwhelmed by the sheer size of the menu that it took away from the overall experience.
• barmini makes really great drinks. Among the best in the entire city. They use great ingredients, including great ice. every drink that came to our table was perfectly balanced, and the bartenders are really fantastic.
• The bar snacks available are good, although I don't believe you can put together a full meal out of them (or at least we weren't able, YMMV). The grilled cheese sandwich, which was bread stuffed with blue cheese, Cowgirl Creamery's Mt. Tam and truffles was ridiculously good. The "bagels and cream cheese," which is the tiny ice cream cone filled with cream cheese and salmon roe that anybody who's been to minibar would recognize is good, but probably not worth the price tag. The pork rinds are pretty fantastic.

Anyhow, I'd definitely stop back in for a drink.

[mtureck]

A few thoughts on my visit last night to barmini:

• You're supposed to ring the buzzer five times for them to let you in. I have no idea why.

Please, oh please, tell me you're kidding.

Sadly, I don't think you are.

[Mark Dedrick]

I wish. This, actually, was the only off thing about the evening from my perspective. Unlike some faux speakeasy places they do have a sign (understated though it may be). But the door is locked, and our instructions were to ring five times. To be fair, we didn't test things out by only ringing the buzzer one, two or three times (or six!).

[cheezepowder]

I've been to barmini twice, and I missed the instructions about ringing five times. The first time (soon after they opened), I rang once and someone answered immediately. The second time (a couple of weeks ago), I rang maybe 3 times? Someone still answered the door. The doorbell translates into a flashing light in the main room so a possible explanation for the request to ring five times is that it could take a few times for a staff person to see the flashing light.

[DonRocks]

The doorbell translates into a flashing light in the main room so a possible explanation for the request to ring five times is that it could take a few times for a staff person to see the flashing light.

Either that, or it's a variation on the Milgram experiment.

[Mark Dedrick]

I've been to barmini twice, and I missed the instructions about ringing five times. The first time (soon after they opened), I rang once and someone answered immediately. The second time (a couple of weeks ago), I rang maybe 3 times? Someone still answered the door. The doorbell translates into a flashing light in the main room so a possible explanation for the request to ring five times is that it could take a few times for a staff person to see the flashing light.

This makes sense to me. There was a couple there ahead of us waiting when we arrived, they had just rang once and nobody had come to the door. We rang the required (suggested?) five times and somebody answered immediately.

For what it's worth, the host recommended that in the future if we don't want to plan so far in advance we either check the website (City Eats) the day of for last minute cancellations, or just stop in and see if something might be available.

[MsDiPesto]

Please, oh please, tell me you're kidding.

Sadly, I don't think you are.

Be glad it's not someone leaning against the wall reading a paper who says out loud, never taking his eyes off the page: "The hummingbirds have arrived", to which you're supposed to reply "The glaciers are melting" before being granted admittance.

[RWBooneJr]

Walked in tonight, three months after being kicked out of a near-empty bar (somewhat comically) when we walked in during their "reservation only" period. We were seated right away on the infamous "cactus couch" (which reputedly cost as much as a car). We received two small dark and stormy-like "amuse" cocktails (free) when we sat down. We ordered a Caipirinha (a refined version, but tasted identical to the original) and a Brooklyn cocktail, which were $24 total with tax and tip. It's not cheap, but not out of line with every other decent place in DC these days, and the free amuse made it a respectable deal. The room is gorgeous if you like modern design, and the service was friendly. This is a great place to wander into if you like cocktails (the list is huge), but they're not doing anything Earth-shattering.

[DonRocks]

Walked in tonight, three months after being kicked out of a near-empty bar (somewhat comically) when we walked in during their "reservation only" period. We were seated right away on the infamous "cactus couch" (which reputedly cost as much as a car). We received two small dark and stormy-like "amuse" cocktails (free) when we sat down. We ordered a Caipirinha (a refined version, but tasted identical to the original) and a Brooklyn cocktail, which were $24 total with tax and tip. It's not cheap, but not out of line with every other decent place in DC these days, and the free amuse made it a respectable deal. The room is gorgeous if you like modern design, and the service was friendly. This is a great place to wander into if you like cocktails (the list is huge), but they're not doing anything Earth-shattering.

I was at BarMini on Sunday evening, and was immensely impressed. Jeffrey John Barrientos (of CityZen) is a charismatic AGM, and the talented, unheralded, and completely, unjustifiably shafted Johnny Spero is doing the petits fours. We had that same cocktail, about ten others, and a bunch of food that ranged from excellent to outstanding - I haven't been to the new MiniBar yet, but BarMini is *by far*, and I mean, *no* *comparison*, my favorite ThinkFoodGroup establishment (not including the obvious next-door neighbor which, yes, I need to try again (well, so much for that round-trip ticket to Paris)). The drinks are *not* that expensive - certainly not what the unfair, initial reputation was made out to be - the interior is beautiful, and the food is not getting the press it deserves.

This is going to jolt people to the point of involuntary defecation, but the cocktails are BarMini are a much better value than the wildly overpriced page of luxury liquors (some of which are not all that luxurious) at the ... are you ready for this? ... at the Merrifield Matchbox.

Yes, I just said that, and if you don't believe me, then go and see for yourselves, and do use the restroom before leaving home.

About the buzzer: it's a tongue-in-cheek joke. The sign says (I don't remember the exact words) to push it enthusiastically and many times, as if you're excited to be coming in. I like it!

Forget all the early posts in this thread, including my own which were admittedly dismissive, and focus on the posts by people who have been - the title has been changed (for now) to reflect the unanimous opinion (for now) of our members who have tried BarMini. I don't see how it would be possible not to have fun here unless you were in a really crummy mood. Yes, it's expensive, but it's not *that* expensive, and I think it's money well-spent on a quality product. The "amuse-aperitif" (I guess that's what you'd call it) really sets the tone for a great evening, and is a thoughtful touch surely designed to get people primed and in a good mood - and it works.

Sooner or later, BarMini will get a bad review, maybe because it's gone downhill, or maybe because someone feels it's just too much money or too much pretense. At that point, I'll change things to reflect our members' opinions as a whole. If you've thought about trying it, I suggest going now and not waiting.

[RWBooneJr]

I was kicked out of Barmini shortly after it opened, and I can personally attest that it was the pretentious nightmare that everyone feared an/or preemptively mocked. It was a different place tonight, and fun -- in an understated sort of way. But I read the cocktail list rather deeply, and they aren't doing ANYTHING new. It's more that there are . . . so . . . many . . . of . . . them. And it's a great room.

I want to go back, both for the excellent cocktails and for the food. which I didn't try.

[Mark Dedrick]

I believe that I went once right when they were starting to transition from "Reservations Only" to "Reservations Possible." The feeling I got from talking with the manager as he was describing how they were just starting to take walk-ins was twofold. One, that they wanted to be able to control the number of people coming in when they first started to make sure they were putting out the quality of product that they wanted; and two, that they didn't believe that they would be able to keep the room as consistently full as they would like with only reservations.

[Lori Gardner]

I was there recently for a birthday celebration and thought it was great fun. I agree that the drinks weren't any pricier than anywhere else in town (which my two kids- who know this far better than I- confirmed. I thoroughly enjoyed the banh mi burger and the grilled cheese. Extra bonus was getting a chance to chat with Johnny Spero, who was cooking in MiniBar but passed through. I would happily go back for cocktails and to sample more of the snacks.

[cheezepowder]

Attached is a picture of the food section of the menu that I took earlier this week (I think I was there the same night as RWBooneJr! And, like him I think, I went to NoPa that night too!). The sweets section of the menu is different from when they first opened.

The banh mi burger used to be served in a cute fast food type cardboard box, but at some point they switched so it now comes wrapped with a paper band instead.

[DonRocks]

[Note: Menus are *ALWAYS* welcome here as .pdf files - especially for new restaurants!]

Paper band on mine (they're wonderful).

[cheezepowder]

I was at BarMini on Sunday evening, and was immensely impressed. Jeffrey John Barrientos (of CityZen) is a charismatic AGM, and the talented, unheralded, and completely, unjustifiably shafted Johnny Spero is doing the petits fours...

Jeffrey Barrientos has left Barmini/Minibar to go to the upcoming Eno Wine Bar at the Four Seasons in Georgetown (EaterDC article).

[cheezepowder]

I went to barmini this week.  They have some new drinks on their cocktail menu including a pumpkin flip and a pumpkin manhattan.

I had the caipirinha which was frozen into a soft sorbet consistency using liquid nitrogen.  I also had the pumpkin flip (pumpkin bourbon, allspice, dram, maple syrup, Galliano, and egg).  Both were great.  I also had the mini banh mi burger again.  It was as delicious as before, and this time it was served in the little cardboard burger box.

[DaveO]

5 and a half years later.  Admittedly I haven't been to barMini, as all in all I'm not a cocktail hound, though I have downed my fair share.

I did recently speak with a grad of the Arlington Bar school who has worked there and MiniBar in the not too distant past:  (now working elsewhere).

Interestingly he said the places are consistently busy.  Mini Bar is completely full virtually every evening with 3 full seatings.  BarMini is virtually always busy.  He further described it in sort of working conditions/bar language.  Reviewing the comments above; there were not many commentators who seemed to set foot in BarMini, but those that did universally enjoyed and spoke well of it. 

Evidently a healthy number of people are going there...they just aren't writing about it here.   The bartender with whom I spoke was always and consistently busy.

(Oh...and he enjoyed it)