March Madness Bar Challenge

The brackets are set up for the first Annual 2009 DC March Madness Challenge. Six qualifiers will battle it out to determine which is the best college basketball venue in the city. The preliminary rankings were determined by the NiteNetwork Drinking Establishment Committee (NNDEC). Committee members include Me, Myself, and I.

After heated debate, Buffalo Billiards earns a first round bye after picking up the number one seed. Their solid performance during the pro football season coupled with key screenings of marquee boxing matches enabled them to win the highly touted Northwest Conference and receive an automatic bid. They will face the winner of Rhino Bar and Penn Quarter Sports Tavern, ranked 4 and 5, respectively. Both venues scored at-large bids, falling short in the Northwest Conference tourney. Solid college football representation combined with a binge-drinking inducing atmosphere gave them high RPI ratings and their difficult strength of schedule(SOS) merited that they go dancing. Will one of them be this year's Cinderella Story?

In the bottom part of the bracket, Crystal City Sports Pub snagged the number two seed on mere hearsay. I have never been there, but I am told it is a premier venue for a sports fanatic. Will they live up to the hype? They will take on the winner of Nellie's Sports Bar and Bugsy's Sports Bar, ranked 3 and 6, respectively. Bugsy's earned an automatic bid by winning the lowly Alexandria Conference, and Nellie's is currently the only team in the "Alternative Lifestyle" Conference. They will do battle this weekend to take on the supposed perrenial powerhouse, Crystal City Sports Pub.

In order to bring some sort of objectivity to this competition, I will be adhering to a strict limit of fifteen drinks per evening so as to give each establishment their rightful review. Venues will be judged on four important criteria; atmosphere, service, patronage, and intangibles. Furthermore, they will be judged solely by me and my vast expertise in March Madness Hosting Technique. For my complete review schedule reference my earlier blog. Tipoff starts at Bugsy's on Thursday at 7pm.

O'Connell's - Alexandria's Authentic Irish Pub

Everybody loves an Irish Pub, especially when it is authentic, and this is exactly what O’Connell’s offers --authenticity. The wait staff and bartenders are predominantly Irish, and the décor is charmingly antiquated. Their vintage bars are over two hundred years old and there is endless antique paraphernalia adorning the walls, such as a turn-of-the century cigarette dispenser usptairs. Even the cupboard that stores the liquor bottles was recovered from an old Irish pharmacy. These relics must have cost a small fortune, but they augment the old fashioned Irish atmosphere. Three wood burning fireplaces complement the dark mahogany and exposed brick prevalent throughout.

O’Connell’s is located on King Street two blocks from Old Town’s waterfront. The colonial brick exterior belies its dimensions. From the outside O’Connell’s appears to be quite cozy, but upon entering, you’ll find a labyrinth of bars, dining rooms, and corridors. It almost feels as though you are navigating through an ancient castle. There are four bars, situated throughout restaurant, interspersed among the dining rooms. The main dining rooms are located upstairs and connected by an open corridor that overlooks the bar below. On fair-weathered days you can eat outside on the sidewalk, or enjoy a few cocktails on the patio overlooking King Street.

I have not eaten at O’Connell’s but their dining area is always bustling. The menu looks a bit expensive for Irish Pub fare, but again, this is personally unsubstantiated. For a drinking venue, O’Connell’s is excellent. There is always a lively crowd, and with four bars it is never overly cramped and always convenient for throwing back a few Guinness pints while watching your favorite football team on the tele.

BRABO Tasting Room -- Bravo for BRABO

From the man who brought you Brasserie Beck and Marcel’s, Robert Wiedmaier now presents BRABO in Old Town Alexandria, and he delivers once again. Specifically BRABO Tasting Room, adjacent to main dining room, is a perfect place for congregating with friends.

As you enter the tasting room you cannot help but notice that everything is brand new. A pristine stainless steel and brick oven greets you upon entering. The walls are painted pure white, contrasted by the black nautical decorations—simple yet sleek. There is nothing superfluous about BRABO. It’s brick flooring combined with the unadorned décor create the perfect balance of contemporary and rustic. I felt as though I was being entertained in a magnificent Tribeca loft as the ambiance and service are that personal.

Situated in the middle of the tasting room is an elongated table at which patrons stand, eat, imbibe and socialize with friends. Private booths offer a bit more seclusion and look out onto King Street. But don’t visit the tasting room if you are seeking quiet conversation. The atmosphere here is electric, and at times a bit noisy. But this only accentuates the tasting room’s purpose--a casual and lively dining experience with friends. Those looking for a more romantic evening can visit the main dining floor next door.

The service is impeccable; formal and considerate but also friendly and engaging. Our meal was brought out in a timely fashion and we actually enjoyed our dialogue with the waiter. It is a rare experience to be served not only a delicious meal, but meaningful discourse. For an appetizer we split the signature mussels, steamed in a classic white wine garlic, shallots, and parsley sauce. It was a meal in itself, and the perfect social food for those who are just as interested in conversing as eating. For my entrée I had the Five Onion soup and the Oven Roasted Chicken sandwich. Both were amazing, and so filling that I opted out of desert. To drink I had a Westmalle Trapist Tripel, a thick-headed Belgian beer. I must have enjoyed it, as I ordered three.

I look forward to dining at BRABO, in their main dining room. But for a social get-together with friends, the atmosphere, the service, and the food at BRABO Tasting Room are all A+. It is a must visit.

Town Hall -- Glover Park Convenience

So I found where everyone in Georgetown goes to pre-game for the Gin & Tonic late night dance scene, Town Hall. It too is located on Wisconsin Avenue, just a few blocks south. I am starting to realize what both of these establishments have in common, convenience.

Like Gin & Tonic, Town Hall doesn’t offer anything outlandish in terms of ambiance or theme; it is your general run-of-the-mill tavern. However, it is just far enough from Georgetown to avoid the weekend commotion, yet still accessible to young professionals who work in the city, many of whom live in Glover Park. On the weekends, it fills up to capacity, shortly after 10pm, and stays that way until close—providing for a lively atmosphere.

Town Hall is clean and organized, two important qualities that cater to its young professional patronage. Unlike Gin & Tonic, there is no dancing and drinks are easier to acquire, as it is far less crowded. If there was one episode last Saturday that illustrates the distinction between these two venues, it would be the group who ordered five Irish Coffee’s at the bar. This would never fly at Gin & Tonic. Not only would the bartenders be ill-equipped to handle such an order, but the chances of not spilling them are slim to none.

I have never eaten at Town Hall, but their menu is standard American cuisine. Dinner entrees like Dijon chicken, shrimp, and scallops go beyond your typical bar fare. This is a differentiating characteristic of Town Hall as it is more swanky than your typical pub. If you dine before 7pm during the week you will receive 15% off of your meal. And on Tuesdays they have half price wine night. But why settle for half price wine, when you can visit Bistro Lepic down the street for a free wine tasting?

As an outsider looking in, I have failed (until now) to grasp the appeal of the Glover Park social scene. But, like Gin & Tonic, Town Hall has something intangible for its visitors, convenience. They cater to the sizeable demographic that live in the area and who are actively searching for a central locale to meet up with friends. This is why they have a consistent following of regulars who visit time and again.

Firefly -- Caught in a Bottle

Walk southwest from Dupont Circle along New Hampshire Avenue, and you will find a small restaurant on your right called Firefly. The décor is comparable to that of a high school theatre set. As you enter, an overly large tree trunk greets you, serving as a centerpiece for the dining floor. It is large and unwieldy. Seemingly, its sole purpose is to accommodate the lanterns that hang from its branches, from which Firefly derives its name.

The forest theme is consistent, as the back wall is adorned with large imitation stones—clearly fake. The bar is polished wood, and less of an eyesore, but inconveniently placed near the encroaching tree. The entire room feels cramped, and dark. The lighting is a plaque-like yellow, complemented by the kitchen window, which is also tinted. There is a distinct lack of crispness. They are trying to create a refreshing sensation of a Summer evening, but they fall short. The theme is overly contrived and a bit suffocating. I felt more like I was in an amateur rehearsal of A Midsummer Night’s Dream than an upscale restaurant.

The food is decent but way overpriced. The hamburger I ordered was fine, but 17 dollars is a bit much. My friends tried the seared sea scallops and the roasted organic chicken (both dishes cost more than 25$) and while there were no complaints, I didn’t sense any substantial enthusiasm. Their beer menu is rather limited as well--although I did try a Troegs Dreamweaver Wheat and thoroughly enjoyed this Pennsylvanian ale.

All in all, Firefly just doesn't live up to the upscale experience that it markets itself as. The ambiance is confined but not intimate, and sometimes claustrophobic. And the food, while good, is not worth the price tag. I have to acknowledge, despite my grievances, that there is frequently a wait to be seated; perhaps evidencing that there is a multitude that will take exception with my critique.