I don't really know why I started this blog and I don't really know if I have a defined voice but I do know it's both flattering and humbling when someone asks to post something on the blog. It's also kind of head-scratching since this is just a hobby. Regardless, I'm more than honored to have my first guest post from some bad ass dude named Marcio Benedetti. It's his first crack and it's a different voice from mine which is probably sorely needed...
It's been a little over a month since we visited The Dabney but it won't be a meal that I will forget anytime soon if ever. It's the rare type of place that you should go to as often as you get a chance (or as often as your bank account will let you go) because you're guaranteed to have a different yet amazing experience every time. The decor, the atmosphere, the philosophy of how they cook are all reasons to go to The Dabney. However, some places fail to live up to the promise of those precursors when it comes to their food, The Dabney does not. The food and the presentation of the food not only back up the expectations from all those elements, they surpass them in every way.
So, I first came to Barrel for the Widow and I've kept coming back for everything else. Barrel's agility or is it utility (um...trying out these terms since I tend to use the same words over and over again) or maybe we're just talking about a damn good place to have a drink. I've had lazy Sundays brunches there, a marathon holiday drinking session, a good-bye to DC party (where ironically I realized there was another bar downstairs, Elixir), and it may have been a go-to place for my first date phase (um..cough, cough, Tinder). Regardless of the "event", Barrel always provided a good time. Okay, okay...so the Widow Jane helped too.
The menu was the best kind of menu. It was littered with indecision and decision at the same time as in, "I don't know what I want, but I want all of it". This brings me to my most important piece of advice, when you go, go strong, go with a group of four minimum. This gives you ample opportunity to try several selections on the menu. The restaurant will tell you that they believe in serving medium plates which I think is code for "enough to share" as opposed to small plates which is "enough to nibble on".