Bar Deco

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Inspired by the art deco period and America’s industrial roots, Bar Deco offers simple bar food and cocktails with globally-inspired flavors. Grab drinks after work with colleagues on their rooftop, or have a bite to eat before a game or concert across the street at the Verizon Center. Closest Metro is Gallery Place-Chinatown.

The restaurant itself is conveniently located behind the Verizon Center and is in the historic "Bulletin Building", which according to Wikipedia was designed by the architectural firm of Rodier & Kundzin for the United Publishing Company. The main façade of the building is constructed in limestone, and features four Art Deco bas relief panels that portray the printing trade and ties the building to the trade, that it housed for 60 years. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. There are four floors open now as part of the Bar Deco restaurant: lobby/kitchen, dining room, bar, and rooftop.

We were invited by the restaurant's team to try dinner and sat on the 2nd floor dining room. The menu options were an eclectic mix of traditional bar food and some fancier dishes with international flare.  We tried the Fire Grilled Avocado that was highly recommended by the Assistant General Manager.  This plate was a mosh pit of competing flavors with thyme, red quinoa, tabouleh, and pickled lotus root. An interesting vegetarian option, but a little too confusing in my opinion.

Also on the "fancier side", I tried the Shrimp & Crab Limoncello.  For $18, three little shrimp were stuffed with a small crab cake that was mushy and flavorless, then drizzled with a sweet limoncello sauce.  It all sounded much better than it tasted.

A highlight of the evening was the Poutine Fries -- thick, beer-battered curly fries were topped with cheese curd and duck gravy.  The plate was large and perfect for sharing, and would pair perfectly with a glass of red white or a seasonal beer.  We were both happy campers with this dish.

For a more heavier meal, a variety of burgers, sandwiches, and tacos are available.  Keith decided upon the Taekwondo Tacos filled with smoked pork belly, avocado, and gochujang sauce. Three tacos for $17 arrived (an additional taco costs $5 more) that had great flavor and were quite filling.  They paired well with one of the winter cocktails: Christmas in Oaxaca made with Fidencio Mezcal, Don Ciccio Amaro Donna Rosa, grapefruit juice, lime juice, and spiced agave.

Lastly, we sampled a dessert that our server said was his favorite - the Warm Chocolate Chip Cookie In a Pot.  Topped with vanilla ice cream, this cookie was soft and chewy, almost like a brownie.  We paired it with a Game of Thrones-inspired cocktail called The King in the North.  This drink was described as a lighter version of eggnog and tasted like leftover milk from a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Made with Monkey Shoulder Scotch, Horchata, Mike's Magic Syrup, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, and Angostura, this drink was dangerously delicious!

Overall, I'd recommend Bar Deco for the traditional bar fare and drink specials.  Take advantage of the warmer nights to enjoy the roof top bar.

Total Rating: 3.63
Food: 3.5, Price: 3, Service: 4, Ambience: 4.5, Accessibility: 5