Cork Wine Bar

Highly recommended by most guides. We swung by to have a taste... Great first impression, amazing service, robust wine list, right balance of casual atmosphere and real gourmet food... Sometimes simple is best... Got a mixed plate of cheese and some appetizers. All tastefully served.. Nice!!

I was walking by Cork one night and decided to stop in, and I must say I'm kinda digging it.  I've always wanted to try it out.  I sat at the bar with a friend and had two glasses of wine.  The atmosphere was very chill, which I liked a lot.  It seems really small, but as I was walking though to the bathroom, it looked like it may have some other seating in the back.  I can't comment too much on the food.  I only got fries and my friend got calamari.  The fries were seasoned as was the ketchup.  I think the ketchup had some sort of curry in it.  The calamari was good.

I would definitely come back and try more of the food, and wine.

Cork is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in DC, and I'm finally getting around to writing them a review.  I can always take friends here who are local or visiting and they will ask to come back.  Lovely rustic casual intimate interior perfect for jeans with friends or dressing up on a date.  I love the avocado bruschetta, and always recommend starting with it while you sort out your wine choice.  Someday I will find pistachio oil, but for now I'm happy that Cork keeps this one constant on the menu.  I'm hesitant about mackerel, not being a fan of its stronger sometimes "fishy" flavor, but I've never had it better than at Cork.  With lemon and capers and just the right prep it is transformed into a tender sweet delicate and delightful dish.  The carrot salad is a beautiful tasty dish, and their homemade tortellinis are light and airy.  Kale and mushrooms rank high too.
Whatever you do, save room for dessert.  I am not a dessert person, but I make an exception on every occasion for Cork's goat cheesecake.  It's beyond light, creamy and perfectly barely sweet.  Don't skip the wine pairing with this one, it's divine.
They really deserve 4.5 stars, but for some reason Yelp won't let me add the half.  When I first started going I had a few meals where they brought everything at once and our table would look like an overcrowded buffet (they serve dishes as they are ready, and didn't sequence them). Each time I've eaten there I've requested they spread our dishes out so we can enjoy the fresh flavors of each one or a few at a time, and all of my visits this summer the dishes were well spaced and sequenced.  Dishes come out quickly, so you can also create your own timing and sequence by ordering as you go.  
While it's nice to have so many new delicious spots in the neighborhood, Cork will still be at the top of my list.