Barmini

Reviews & Tips

• 0

  I went to Barmini on Saturday night for drinks. Thanks to Yelp, I didn't have a hard time finding the secret doorbell. I was kindly greeted at the door by a hostess with an Ipad. She kindly escorted us to our seats. After being seated, our waiter severed us complimentary small drinks. I forget what the drink was called but it was amazing. The drink menu at Barmini is insane. It took me 20 minutes to look over the entire menu. There are so many unique drink combinations. I had a hard time choosing a drink because I wanted to try all of them. If you don't want to pick a drink off the menu, bartenders are more than happy to freestyle a drink for you. I tried some drinks off the menu as well as drinks the bartender made from scratch. Every drink I had was prepared well and very flavorful. One of my favorite drinks was the Veruca Salt. After sitting on the sofa for a while, we moved over to the bar area. It's amazing to see how well trained the bartenders are at crafting up cocktails. The bartenders are awesome. I decided to order some food after downing some drinks. I chose the Thai seasoned chicharrones and lobster roll. The Thai seasoned chicharrones was a great snack (very tasty). The dipping sauce complimented my chicharrones very well. The lobster roll was out of this world. Seriously, delicious is an understatement. If you want to have a party in your mouth, definitely try the lobster roll. The lobster was fresh and very flavorful. Customer service was excellent. Barmini staff constantly made sure I was doing alright. The manager was talking to all of the customers in Barmini. He was very down to earth and professional. Barmini is small and very exclusive. I appreciated the exclusive feel. Barmini has unique and modern décor (The cactus sofa and bathrooms are cool) .The ambience is great. Barmini is a great date night spot or it's perfect for enjoying drinks with an awesome ambience. I really enjoyed myself at Barmini by José Andres. If I lived in DC, Barmini would definitely be a regular spot for me. Do yourself a favor and checkout Barmini by José Andres. Thanks me later!

  Review Source:

  Posted on 07.16.13 Dominic B.

  • Report
• 0

  Augh -- really people?  Hubby and I did early drinks here before going off to dinner.  As a recent transplant from SF  I guess I'm just used to the really awesome cocktail bars there... But no, I've had waaaay better cocktail experiences at many other Washington DC bars and restaurant than at Barmini.  
  
  Where do I start?  First off, the atmosphere of the establishment is a too precious and pretentious.  If you're going to do the modern atmosphere with the speakeasy feel of having to give codes at the door, etc., then there is a way to do it right and a way to do it wrong.  Barmini does it the wrong way.  I love modern decor that pushes the envelope of taste, but this decor was modern for modern's sake.  The furniture was generally uncomfortable and did not allow you to have a relaxing time here -- as if they don't want you to stay and have a few extra drinks.  I also felt the service and reception was snotty, as in look you up and down to see if you're in Prada type of way.
  
  As for the cocktails, I did like getting the welcome drink upon arrival.  That free drink was the highlight of the night, to be honest.  Hubby and I ordered 4 drinks total and a bunch of nibbleys.  All in all, it ended up very near 200 dollars, which I think is generally outrageous.  I would gladly fork this money up though if I felt that the drinks were so special and yummy; but it was not.  
  
  I forget the four drinks that we had, as they were generally uninspiring.  We did get the Veruka Salt, which the wait staff told me, "If we do have a signature drink, this would be it..."  The couple next to us, said that they loved it.  To me, it tasted like nuoc cham sauce with liquor.  Don't get me wrong, I really like nuoc cham -- on my vietnamese vermicelli bun.  I don't think they translated this taste profile into a cocktail well.  
  
  As for the nibbleys, we had the cheese sandwich, the oysters, the roe, and something else I don't remember.  The roe nibbley wishes it were French Laundry's smoked salmon cornet app that you get at the beginning of the meal.  Instead it was the fishier, less tasty cousin.  Also, we ordered the roe, no one bothered to tell us it was one tiny small cone (for the two of us).  
  
  I also didn't like that when we asked for recommendations from our waiter on the very extensive cocktail menu, we were told... "well, we have so many, it depends on what you like."  and then left it at that.  I get that you have an extensive menu, and I get that people have a lot of different cocktail tastes.  But then, YOU as a cocktail restaurant concept, must ask "what do you like?" and then try to match it up.  You know, like how sommeliers do it with wine at restaurants.  
  
  So, nope, would not return.  Dear Jose Andres, I'd like my 185 dollars back.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 07.13.13 OL Mom S.

  • Report
• 0

  I drank Barmini cocktails throughout my dinner at Minibar because the first one was so good that I wanted to keep tasting more (and so never switched to wine).  My favorite was Some Like it Hot, with spicy tequila--I love drinks with a spicy tequila base and this is the best one I've found in DC.  When we moved over to the bar itself, the service was great but some of the seating arrangements were awkward/not very comfortable.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 07.08.13 Zina B.

  • Report
• 0

  The BF and I went here with two of our friends to begin the night with a few drinks.  The menu is quite big, but at least they break it down by spirit choice.  If there was a negative about this place and I say IF...then it is mostly "how do I make a choice" since there are so many.  
  
  Lucky for everyone who has trouble making a choice that you have friendly and incredibly knowledgeable staff to help you out.  For us - it was Carly!  I was feeling "other spirits" to start out with so I got a fernet drink.  Mine was called the Black Shack.  A coffee-infused fernet with bourbon and lime juice.  What an awesome start!  The fernet with just that hint of coffee really woke up the taste buds.  The second drink i had was a take on a margarita - but it was called the "Black Margarita".  Basically it was a margarita floating with fernet.  An exceptional drink, made with blanco tequilla, lime and agave - with the twist!  The last drink I had escapes my mind for some reason, but I know it was equally delicious.  
  
  A definite must do!

  Review Source:

  Posted on 07.06.13 Carol W.

  • Report
• 0

  How does one describe the quirky awesomeness that is Barmini with any amount of justice? I'm not too sure, but I will try my darnedest.
  
  To start, the (semi)required ringing of the doorbell out front to signal your hostess. As I stood outside I wondered if it was actually producing an audible ring on the interior. No, lucky for the guests sipping and nibbling on the inside, all the bell does is flash a light above the entrance. It's kind of sexy in a way. Definitely gets you glancing toward to door to see who the new guests are.
  
  The decor of Barmini is quite reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. Specifically, there is one chair that's back looks like an abstract collage of neon rainbow pictures, which are webbed on top of each other at least five feet high. I want that chair! Nothing could be better than sitting in that chair every day...I'm sure of this. :)
  
  If the design of Barmini isn't crazy enough, wait until you open the menu. There are 106 different cocktails to choose from. Yes, one hundred and six. I wonder if Jose Andres took into consideration the individuals, like myself, who have a hard time picking from a menu of 6 let alone 16 and unthinkably 106. Thank goodness for the bandwagon other Yelpers had formed for the Veruca Salt. I jumped on after about 10 minutes of dumbfounded staring. Luckily it was great. Thanks fellow Yelpers!
  
  My guest insisted on ordering, I believe, every bar nibble on the menu; some in doubles. This was much appreciated by me because they all sounded incredible in writing. None disappointed in person either. My personal favorites were the foieffle and the bagel and lox. The foieffle was amazingly light, and the drizzle of peanut butter and honey were playful and very complimentary to the savory foie gras mousse. The bagel and lox was an interesting version on a classic bagel with cream cheese and lox. A crispy bagel tasting cone was filled with cream cheese mousse and topped with salmon roe. It was kind of strange, in an awesome way, home much that thing tasted just like a bagel and lox. Yum.
  
  Barmini is an experience to remember. It may only come once or twice in a foodie's lifetime, because reservations are extremely difficult to land, but it is worth it. Do yourself a favor and set a date to check this quirky little place out.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 07.02.13 Carly C.

  • Report
• 0

  Carol W and I were invited out to join a couple of friends for drinks at barmini on a Friday night.  Barmini had definitely been on our radar as a place we had to try.  It did not disappoint, but not necessarily for reasons you may think.  
  
  We arrived about 15 minutes early for our 6:30 reservation, wet from the driving rain we walked through to get there from the Metro station.  Apparently, I should've checked the Yelp reviews prior to going as we mistakenly walked in through the entrance to minibar (on E St.) and not the entrance to barmini (on 9th St.).  No worries, the friendly and welcoming hostess took our umbrellas and led us to the "cactus" couch, which frankly has to be one of the least comfortable, most impractical seats in DC!  The AC was blowing cold air directly onto us, which added to our discomfort especially with our wet clothes making us feel even colder.  However, no sooner were we seated, we received a liquid amuse bouche which took our minds off of any personal discomfort and started us toward liquid nirvana.
  
  Barmini's drink menu is extensive...perhaps too extensive...with so many choices, it was difficult to choose.  However, Carly was exceedingly knowledgeable about the drink menu, patiently answering our questions, and helping us to match a drink to fit our personal tastes.  My drinks...
  
  The Highlander, a stellar concoction made with Buffalo Trace bourbon, mezcal, rosemary syrup, and crème de cacao.  It was complex, well balanced, and delicious, but perhaps I should've ordered this one last as the crème de cacao gave it subtle chocolate notes that made it a dessert I could definitely embrace.  
  
  The Cucurrucucu', a tequila and mezcal based cocktail with lemon, cinnamon syrup, and grapefruit bitters was also very well balanced as the smoky mezcal didn't overpower the tequila or the spicy cinnamon notes.  I'd drink this over any margarita every day of the week!
  
  Rye Here, a beer based cocktail made with rye, lemon juice, maple syrup, Kasteel Cherry Beer, and barrel-aged bitters was perhaps my favorite drink of the night.  It was refreshing, tart, and not overly sweet.  
  
  We also shared orders of several of the bar bites.  We started off with the Thai Chicharonnes, your standard, housemade pork rinds dusted with a decidedly non-standard kaffir lime and tamarind seasoning and served with a whipped yogurt dip.  They were crisp, nicely seasoned and quite an enjoyable start.  We also had the Banh Mi Burger, a short rib and bone marrow slider topped with pickled vegetables.  It was moist, juicy, and possessed nice flavor, but it was still just a slider.  
  
  Barmini is a fun, whimsical, complex, challenging, yet ultimately a rewarding experience.  Barmini is also not a cheap night out.  It's not unlike dining at minibar.  Our drinks were outstanding from concept to execution.  The drink program stands in good company with the area's top cocktail spots.  The food was what you'd expect from José Andrés and a place like barmini.  However, in the end, it was a good night made great by the outstanding service we received from Carly who provided personable, attentive service and really helped us navigate through the overlong drink menu.  4.5 stars.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 06.29.13 Gregg M.

  • Report
• 0

  My husband and I were wandering around the area and stumbled upon a random door and small "Barmini" sign. Not sure what it was, we stood outside talking and trying to peer in. The host (? is there such a thing as a bar host?) saw us and greeted us and invited us in to view the new Minibar (seen through the window in Barmini). We told him we'd eaten at the old Minibar years ago and the host took the time to talk about the move and what not. We decided to stay for a drink and were pleasantly surprised to receive a yummy amuse bouche (maybe rum, lime, and something else?).  The bartender was super friendly and told us if the menu was overwhelming (it was) to just tell her what we like and she'd make something.  
  Overall, we were both impressed with the friendliness of the entire staff. While they drinks were upscale and pricey, the attitude that usually goes along with that (we've experienced this at The Passenger) was non-existent.  Definitely recommend for fun cocktails, friendly bar staff, and a unique atmosphere.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 06.16.13 Kirsten M.

  • Report
• 0

  Overall, a nice place. Well made drinks, attentive, friendly staff who ironically, were inviting, considering 1) how difficult it is to get a seating, and 2) how difficult it can be to physically get into the building.
  
  For a bar (should I even call it that?) the space was provocative, very brightly lit, and not terribly comfortable. Lounge seating can be nice, but maybe I'm old: Sitting on a very low sofa, with my drinks on a slightly elevated coffee table felt weird.
  
  But the drinks were why we were there. Tasty, creative, and well made. A substantial list as well. Prices were high, but that's what you'd expect from a place like this, so I wasn't surprised. The snacks we had were also the perfect size, and equally well made.
  
  I was left, however, with a nagging feeling of wanting a bit more. Perhaps it was the hype, that made me think I was going to a DC-version of Aviary, but there wasn't any magic or fancy molecular drink-making here. Perhaps that's not fair, but for some reason, that was the impression i had of barmini.
  
  Dark and Stormy was fine, but still doesn't come close to the one I had at Violet Hour in Chicago. Also still what i consider the best place for drinks in the country.
  
  This was a fun thing to do, and I'm sure barmini will be PACKED for months if not years to come. Will I come back? Maybe, if someone else is paying, and if it's at a decent hour.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 06.10.13 Shamik T.

  • Report
• 0

  Like most bars, I think it's best to split this review out into a few separate parts:
  
  1. Atmosphere
  
  Walking in, the style of Barmini is hip, disorienting, and undoubtedly cool. There is a reason Barack took Michelle to the restaurant next door after he won the election; Jose Andre's locales have swag.  Highlights include a spiral shelf holding plants and a cactus couch that costs close to $30k. Don't get too drunk; a spilled drink might wipe out your next paycheck.
  
  2. Food
  
  Since I was near the vaunted center of Jose Andres' universe, I figured I should order some food. I read on some blog that the thai chicharronnes shouldn't be missed, so that's what I tried. They are basically light, crispy pork rinds with seasoning and a yogurt sauce. They were pretty good.
  
  3. Drinks
  
  The drinks didn't impress me as much as I had hoped. My first drink I ordered was the Veruka Salt, a cocktail I had read about on Yelp which seemed to be receiving the most buzz. The drink was mostly composed of a peanut-infused rum and pineapple grog. I really didn't know what to expect but after a few sips it was very clear that I did not like it. I am open to almost any style of liquor but the peanut/pineapple combo was pretty close to repulsive. Had I not drank half of it before realizing how much I disliked it, I probably would have sent it back.
  
  My second drink was a Manhattan variant called the Brooklyn. This fared better than my previous drink but didn't blow me away. I'm sure there are better drinks on the menu but the two I had left me a little disappointed.
  
  Overall:
  
  I walked into Barmini thinking that it was going to for sure be a 5-star experience. I left feeling like it was closer to 3.5. One thing to note is that the service was wonderful. The hosts were discreet and friendly, the bartender was chatty, but not too chatty, and every interaction with the staff was pleasant. That's important to me when going to a bar. Probably important enough to move this review up to 4 stars.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 06.10.13 Dustin G.

  • Report
• 0

  Walking home from a dinner at Oyamel I spotted Barmini on a window and remembered that this place had opened.  I exclaimed excitedly to my man that I was excited to try it out.  He says, let's check it out!  So we go inside and it turns out to be a little hall with his and hers bathrooms.  Confused we venture further and discover that we had entered through the backdoor.  A little embarrassed we decided to take a quick gander at the place.  It's a modern eclectic decor, all white and bright with colorful accents and funky furniture.  Then the hostess walks up to and greets us.  We told her our story and apologized for coming in the wrong way, she was great about it and invited us to sit down and enjoy a drink if we were so inclined.  Of course we were!
  They gave us a small welcome drink that was tasty and refreshing.  We browsed the drink menu and there were so many options!  It was well organized by spirit and the descriptions were lovely.  Prices were what you'd expect in DC, ranging from $10-18.  We went with tequila drinks, as we had been imbibing on the Oyamel margaritas for dinner.  I went with the El Segundo and he went with the Paloma.  Both were executed perfectly.  A great balance with a smooth alcohol taste and fresh fruit.  Very lovely.  We decided to have dessert and split the ice cream sandwich.  That was ok.  The chocolate cookie/cake was good, but the ice cream was a little too hard.  Otherwise, we loved the bar and hope to visit again!

  Review Source:

  Posted on 05.21.13 Jimena M.

  • Report
• 0

  Definitely a very fun bar to go to with a group of friends or on a date.  I went here recently with some buddies and had a blast.  While I'm yet to go to Minibar, I felt this was a very good introduction to Jose Andres' wizardry.  Lots of cocktails to choose from, and delicious bar snacks.  Loved every snack I had -- the oysters with some amazing foam on top.  The famed grilled cheese.  The chicharones.  And the lobster roll (I think, or maybe it was sea urchin - I don't quite remember).  Everything delicious.  My main gripe is that with a cocktail place like this, I'd rather be able to request a cocktail of my choice.  Not really a huge deal, but sometimes I like asking for a type of spirit and preparation like at some of the other high end cocktail bars I'm accustomed to.  With that said, the drinks that I ordered were still tasty.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 05.18.13 Victor S.

  • Report
• 0

  We checked out Barmini before going to the movies the bar was busy at that time but we tried our luck reserving a table for after the show at 9:30 PM the host was very friendly she took down our information and realized we were on their database already having visited Minibar last year. Arriving back at the entrance we were standing right at bathrooms area, the bathrooms were wacky with multiple toilet roll fixtures on the wall - yes not one but like 25-30 didnt count it. One thing for sure it was a great solution from having staff checked on the toilet every few hours for toilet paper availability. The moment we stepped in I saw Derek Brown from my left corner I waved at him but he probably didnt remember us from Columbia Room. Funny he was checking out the bar perhaps he consulted? We were seated away from the bar so we missed most of the actions, the bar had a modern Spanish decor. There was door on our right which opened to the new Minibar we just realized. My first drink was a gin with lavender it was interesting light floral drink. I asked them what their focused was - like molecular drink or what? In fact they claimed to be "classic" that contrasted with the restaurant vibe I thought. I read about Amer Picon in one of the cocktails that caught my interest - we asked the manager who seemed merely walking around asking how everything was rather than serving much of other purposes at that moment, where we could purchase one for my L'Apero hours. I had it in France but never ever saw it here in the US. He tried to avoid answering our question by saying he would check but he took off faster than I could say Thank you. This would not be the case at other bars which tended to have a more open attitude about their products. So I had an old fashion with Amer Picon it was damn strong drink with a marinated real cherry which gave it a great cherry flavor at the finish. We also tried their foie gras waffle it was stuffed with a foie gras mousse which oozed out when bitten into a mess. It was ok but a bit greasy. The lobster roll was small but the meat was fresh. I have my top favorites of bars in DC this one wouldn't top them. Overall the drinks didnt "wow" me. The price for those 6 items were over $100, quite costly for un-extraordinary food and beverage.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 05.10.13 Nicole L.

  • Report
• 0

  I guess I am the only person in the world who did not get the memo about ringing the secret doorbell. I rampaged into BarMini like a bull in a china shop!
  
  Even with my big faux pas I was still greeted with a big welcoming smile and was seated promptly at the bar with a glass of water and their amuse buche of the day: a shot glass filled with a coconut water and rum concoction.
  
  My date for the night, the lovely Tara L, was running a bit late so I had a few minutes to soak in the atmosphere. I loved everything from the gold plated cocktail shakers, cactus couch, and wall of plaster hands holding citrus fruits. Sleek and modern, I definitely felt a little bit cooler for being here.
  
  The drink list was extensive. I had no idea where to start! But after perusing it for a good few minutes I knew that the Veruca Salt had to be mine. One, because I am a big "Charlie & the Chocolate Factory Fan" and two, because the ingredients of peanut infused vodka and homemade pineapple grog were so intriguing there was no possible way I could say no to this concoction.
  
  While the bartender was making my drink, she mentioned that it was one of her favorites because she loves vinegar. I smiled politely and nodded thinking I misheard her wrong. Why would anybody want a vinegary drink? But one sip and I knew exactly what she meant. The drink itself is very acidic, but it is also sweet, nutty, smooth and crunchy at the same time. The only way I can describe it is: Thailand in a cup.
  
  Tara and I split a few bar snacks including the highly-regarded foiffel (mini waffle with foie gras, peanut butter and honey), grilled cheese, and pan de cristal con jamon iberico de bellota. As a lover of all things porky, the jamon iberico was heavenly and I trust Jose Andres to procure only the best jamon for his guests. I am proud to say that the oinker that I dined on that night lived on an acorn-rich diet his entire life. The grilled cheese was also a winner...you can never go wrong with melted cheese and truffles on toasted carbs.
  
  I am still not sure how I feel about the foiffel which is definitely one of their most creative dishes here. It was light, it was fluffy, it was sweet...it was savory...it was nutty..it basically it blew my mind! No Yelp review can explain it so I just recommend that you try it for yourself.
  
  Service was attentive and I had several people stop by the table to give me their favorite recommendations on the menu. Also shout out to Ran C who made time to stop by and say hello to me!
  
  I have already put down my reservations to come back again. See you in eight months Bar Mini!*
  
  Exaggeration: It only took about a month for me to make a reservation and I was able to do it easily through their website!
  
  Kimberly V Tip: Drink a lot of cocktails because you don't want to miss out on a trip to their bathroom on your way out!

  Review Source:

  Posted on 05.09.13 Kimberly V.

  • Report
• 0

  Amen is what I have to say about Barmini!  Finally, a high end cocktail lounge that I can easily make reservations for, that has outstanding food, service and cocktails that are so good that I keep looking for an excuse to go back.  Yes please I say, I can't wait to go again!

  Review Source:

  Posted on 05.07.13 Holly F.

  • Report
• 0

  For those who don't know, Jose Andreas has recently opened his new bar in the Penn Quarters area.  Honestly, I haven't been a big fan of Jose Andreas so far.  I've been to several of his mid-lower tier restaurants such as Zaytinya and Jaleo and I've gotten a general impression that it's more style than substance.  In all fairness, I haven't been to his flagship restaurant, Minibar, so I've held back from making my final conclusion.
  
  Considering my previous exp, I thought that visiting a more upscale establishment would give me a better idea as to how Jose Andreas operates on the higher end.  My questions:
  
  1.  Is there anything I can sample at Barmini that would be a good indicator of what Minibar would be like? (So that I don't blow $500 on a meal for 2 and get disappointed)
  
  2.  Are the drinks better than my beloved Columbia Room in DC?
  
  Answer to 1:  I'm hesitant to spend $500 on minibar
  
  Answer to 2:  Quality of the drinks are about the same but Columbia room wins on creativity
  
  Review:
  
  1.  Atmosphere- absolutely gorgeous.  Modern Scandinavian Decor that beats Oya, Sei in DC.  Arguably, I think this place has the best modern interior design in the entire DC area.  Unlike many places that try to hide cheaper infrastructure through things like dim lighting, red curtains, and black walls, this place goes all out.  They've really put a lot of money into the setup and I think it's fantastic.
  
  2.  Drinks- you have a list of ~100 of drinks to choose from that are categorized into spirits, rum, gin, beer, sherry, and vodka based cocktails.  The quality of the drinks are magnificent and I think it rivals the best I've tasted.  However, although it is exhaustive, the list is a bit deceptive.  Most are common drinks that you find at a typical restaurant. (E.g., they have margharitas and pisco sour).  Don't get me wrong.  The quality is fantastic, but when you come here, you're not coming for a margharita.  That being said, I focused on ordering drinks with recipes that were invented inside Minibar.  I ordered:
  
  VERUKA SALT- it contains peanut rum, pineapple grog, sugar, salted peanut crumbs.  This is a really interesting drink where the sweetness of the pineapple is blended in with a buttery texture and taste from grinded peanuts.  This was the highlight.  Highly recommended.
  
  PALERMO- nutmeg-infused fernet, bourbon, carpano, egg white, saffron syrup. While the name may strike resemblance, this is not the same Palermo that you find elsewhere.  The foamy texture from the egg white combined with the hint of saffron and nutmeg and a bit of a spicy flavoring worked wonders into this drink.  
  
  3.  Food.  
  
  Anything that you'll order will be bite sized.  I've sampled the:
  
  FOIEFFEL- arguably the best bar snack on the list (and agreed upon by our patrons next to us).  The Foie gras was blended with peanut butter to produce a creamy sauce inside the waffle.  It had the right balance of rich and buttery texture with a right amount of sweetness.  I highly recommend this dish.
  
  BAHN MI BURGER- is a burger with buns that resemble buns used on a real bahn mi.  (nothing special to talk about here)
  
  LOBSTER ROLLS- don't think of the lobster rolls you get in NY or seafood restaurants.  This is an egg roll with Jose Andreas's "foamed" cream sauce on top.  Pass.
  
  UNI PANINI- Panini with vegetables with Uni.  I knew I would not enjoy this and that they'd use low grade uni.  I can't possibly expect anything good when they charge $7 for this.  Pass.
  
  Summary:
  
  For those who are cocktail aficianados (I'm not an expert), I think the biggest question that will be asked is whether or not this place is better than Columbia Room and my answer to that is...it depends.
  
  I think this place will blow away any female companion or date.  It is absolutely beautiful.  At the same time, it's not style over substance.  The quality of the drinks hit the mark.  However, if you want to sample a drinks that lie outside of your standard drink list, Barmini falls short of Columbia Room in selection.  I can see a significant number of people who will choose Barmini because of presentation.  However, while I don't think that hard core mix drink aficianados will dislike these drinks, I could see how Barmini will fall a bit short of their expectations.
  
  As for the food, the samplings still have me questioning whether Minibar is worth the price.  I have the feeling that it'll steer towards the side of disappointment and will hold back until my trusted yelp reviewers throw in their 2 cents.
  
  On a final note. These are some final suggestions:
  
  1. Reserve for the bar area.  I made the assumption that it's like Columbia room bar seating.  You can get seated in the back.
  
  2. Visit the toilet (I put a picture).  There are 20 toilet rolls on the wall.  It's bizarre and will give you a good laugh on the way out.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 05.04.13 Jason C.

  • Report
• 0

  I was invited to come here despite being pregnant.  I figured I'd be enjoying the company versus the food and drink since this place is known for their drinks.  I was very happily surprised.  I arrived last out of the three, and already had a lemon-honey cold drink waiting for me.  After thoroughly enjoying that, I asked for the waiter to get me something else, so I could try other non-alcoholic drinks.  I told them to surprise me.  It pays to be experimental at this place. I received two additional drinks that were just incredible.  I don't know how they do it.  This place really knows how to mix drinks and provide fantastic service.  On top of all that, I loved the atmosphere and creativity of the place.  I highly recommend!

  Review Source:

  Posted on 04.27.13 Navdeep M.

  • Report
• 0

  Creative, inventive, chic, cool....I could go on and on about Barmini.  My husband took me there for our 19th anniversary and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening.  We spent almost three hours there enjoying a variety of specialty drinks accompanied by snacks you can order form the menu.  I had three very different mixed drinks with Mescal and loved all three.  The bartenders there know how to mix all sorts of drinks regardless of if they are on the menu or not.  The Lobster Roll, CHicharrones, and grilled cheese are absolutely delicious.
  
  Go there...but make reservations way out in advance

  Review Source:

  Posted on 04.06.13 Cristina G.

  • Report
• 0

  Go before the reviews come out and it gets packed. Barmini is an amazing experience. Gorgeous interior. Inventive, delicious drinks served in vintage glassware by friendly bartenders. We tried the Veruka Salt (house distilled peanut rum, vinegar, peanut crumble), Ramos Gin Fizz (one of the most labor intensive drinks on the menu, silky foam mixed with bright flavors of the drink), Cotton Candy Old Fashioned (an old fashioned poured over a ball of fresh cotton candy made at the bar), the Black Shack (coffee-infused Fernet, bourbon, berries, mint - served in a julep cup and tastes like a thin mint), the Highlander (mezcal, scotch, an creme de cacao), and two that the bartender crafted for us after we chatted. We tried four food items: truffle grilled cheese, 'bagels & lox', uni panini, and banh mi burger. Everything was spot on, presented beautifully, creative, and delicious. Our total bill came to just under $200 (7 drinks, 4 food items, tax, tip). Save up and get a reservation on the books a few weeks out.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 03.31.13 Heather H.

  • Report
• 0

  Jose Andres has yet to disappoint. I've been to several of Senor Andres's restaurants (The Bazaar, Jaleo, Zaytinya) and every single one highlights outstanding hospitality and often times, creative food/drink with quality that's out of this world. Barmini does the same as his latest and, I think, one of his greatest additions.  
  
  We snagged a slot during the weekday, rang their doorbell 5 times (as per their instructions) 5-10 minutes before our reservation time and were met with a welcoming flourish. They immediately took our coats and escorted us to our seats within this beautiful and surprisingly spacious bar. With a nearly all white interior, Barmini is also highlighted by modern decorations, like a wall of just hands holding fruit-like adornments, a couch that look like a giant cactus, various knicknacks (actual cooking equipment I think) and a window to the kitchen of MiniBar. Also, check out the bathroom while you're here. You will never run out of toilet paper.
  
  While we marveled at the intriguing decorations, the waiter brought over a set of complimentary welcoming cocktails. The size of a sweet little shot glass, these seasonal drinks were a great taste of what was to come. I'd also like to point out that although every client here got the same welcoming cocktail, the bartender made each one individually. Extra effort, extra points.
  
  The waiter then provided some pointers on choosing from their menu of 100+ cocktails. The menu itself has a nice combination of classics (in black) and novel (in grey) cocktails and is bound to have something for everyone. Our two rounds of cocktails included the Papas Doble, the Smokey Gonzales, The Ramos Gin Fizz (creamy like a soda with just a hint of sweetness from the gin), and a Whiskey Sour (clementines give this one a fresh finish). Every drink highlighted the flavors whatever base cocktail was in it without the bite of hard liquor.
  
  Although the list of cocktails is massive, don't forget to give some thought to a little snack or two. I highly recommend the "foieffel" which is simultaneously the crispiest and tenderest waffle you'll ever have drizzled with a creamy peanut butter and just the right touch of foie gras. I also enjoyed the thai chicharronnes (albeit less than the foieffel) which are essentially sweet and sour pork rinds that come with a fluffy yogurt and balsamic vinegar reduction for dipping.
  
  4 drinks, and two snacks to share came out to around $90, which could be considered steep but cocktails ranging $14-$20 is standard at upscale cocktail bars and the Plus the welcoming serviceis worth every penny. Staff checked on us 5+ times throughout our visit, made sure our water glasses were never empty, and patiently answered all of our questions. Barmini was thoroughly impressive and deserves all of the hype.

  Review Source:

  Posted on 03.24.13 Wendy L.

  • Report