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Barrio

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Started 11 months ago by Walker
Latest reply from cbus11

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Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Went into Barrio for dinner on Sunday and had a good time. Seems like there's been a few menu changes over the years as the place has kind of felt out it's audience, but seems to be doing well. I was surprised how busy it was for a Sunday evening. We were there right before the Reggae night starts up, and there seemed to be a good mix of dinner patrons and bar/music patrons.

I ordered the Grilled Mahi Mahi with potatoes in a garlic wine sauce was and was really pleased with it. Great flavors, and while at first the portion looked a little small for $14, I think the bowl was just large for what was in it, which caused some eye-trickery. If you're getting appetizers of some sort it was the perfect portion size.

Anyone else been in to Barrio lately?

Posted 11 months ago #
Coy
Discovery District
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Hmmm... we'll have to try out Barrio again soon, it seems.
I had a bad experience there shortly after it opened with some really overpriced and grossly soggy chicken tacos. Plus the server was a total bro that kept telling us everything was part of the Barrio experience.
It was just too over the top at the time.
Been noticing its a bit more busy, though, lately.

Posted 11 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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I will say that I was a bit surprised at first at some of the pricing right after they first opened. Seemed pretty steep for lunch, though I think they were chasing the corporate crowd at Nationwide & AEP rather than looking to be an affordable option for everyone. Plus, I'm a cheapskate when it comes to lunch and don't really like spending more than $6 or $7. ;)

There seems to be more price diversity on the menu now and I liken it somewhat to Due Amici, where you can eat cheap, especially if you go during happy hour or special days (2 for 1 Tapas Tuesday at Barrio for example), but you can also go all out for a fancy date night and spend $100+ on a meal for two if you want to.

Posted 11 months ago #
Snarf
Dystopia
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It can be fairly expensive as you say, especially if your date has a fondness of those $9-10 cocktails.

But still a nice change from the regular. I've not tried the Happy Hour, will have to check that out.

The food is always really good that's for sure.

Posted 11 months ago #
Anne
King Lincoln
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I had the panko crusted salmon dish, for only $12 I thought it was super.
I thought the stuffed beefstake tomato was awesome in presentation, but the overall taste was good but a bit watery.

I hadn't been in in awhile, I think the wall in the entryway will be a nice addition when the cold winter comes again and will keep the wind off of customers.

Posted 11 months ago #
SJT

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I went Sunday afternoon and had a lovely experience sitting in the bar area. The service was very pleasant& entertaining. I am happy to see that they added a bunch of veggie tapas to their menu. We split the avacado salad and the fried potatoes (guacamole with chips and house made french fries). Both were very tasty and fresh. They accompanied our pitcher of white sangria quite well. The sangria was VERY refeshing on that hot day and more so since it was HALF off on Sundays ($12.50). We will be back again soon!

Posted 11 months ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
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The bar looked really inviting the other day when I visited Elevator. Everyone was having a great time, and it's a great looking space. Who'd think it was once a Wendy's? The addition of open air windows is a nice feature in warmer weather.

I really enjoy high quality tapas, and would like to give them another taste several months after their opening.

Posted 11 months ago #
robotatomica

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I went the other night with a friend, I've been wanting to go for a loooong time...Burgundy Room was my favorite restaurant ever, and since it closed I had yet to explore other tapas bars/restaurants.

The thing is...I've never written a negative review in my life...and I'm a very optimistic and enthusiastic eater. I'm even the kind of person who likes to order what appears to be the least appetizing thing on a menu because I expect a good restaurant to do something special with it, and I don't remember ever being disappointed in that way.

Between the two of us, we ordered and shared 5 plates and were disappointed in every one! I couldn't even understand it, because I am so easy to please, I love ALL kinds of food, and I'm not one of those douches who has a bad experience just to have something to talk about.

3 plates in, I actually asked myself if maybe I was coming down with something and that would explain why everything was so bland...but some furtive conversation with my friend revealed that she was having the same problem. I said quietly, "Well, our last two will DEFINITELY be good, meat is meat, it's always tasty." But really...it wasn't! We were shocked!

And I have to say, it was a good time regardless...we were kinda overly amused to be having such an experience because neither of us every has! The place is BEAUTIFUL, and great company makes every experience a delight. But I'm wondering...did I actually HEAR Barrio was amazing, or just assume it? Do others have the same issue with them? All 5 meals were bland...and don't mistake me...I've never salted a thing in my life, I eat simple food all day long, but bland is not something I encounter very often. Is their reputation all looks and no potatoes haha, or did we just have a fluke experience?

Posted 9 months ago #
mbeaumont
Italian Village
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Hmm, I've always loved the food at Barrio every time I've gone. Try it again sometime, maybe it was an off night for them.

Posted 9 months ago #
DCist
UA
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I was VERY enthusiastic when Barrio opened, I even had my birthday there the same year it opened (in the bar area) and it was awesome. We couldn't stop talking about the fries!

We've been back 1-2 times in the past year and its been underwhelming at best. It tastes like they are corporate cost cutting with the food and the prices. They haven't really changed anything on their menu since opening, which means "fresh, local" is out.

I am not surprised that Walker likened it to Due Amici as they are the same owner. (They also owned Bristol/L'Etrenger)

I'm not paying for parking/suffering through traffic any time soon running down there excited to eat at Barrio any time soon, unfortunately. I hope it gets back to when it first opened with the flavors.

Posted 9 months ago #
mrsgeedeck
Castle of Lions
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Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone know what happened to L'Etrenger? I remember a thread about it a few months back, but nothing definitive. I drive by there a few times a week and most of the fixtures are still inside begging for a crowd (an an estate sale).

Posted 9 months ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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It closed. The owners/managers have been discussing a new concept for awhile, but no ETA on when that might happen that I've heard.

Posted 9 months ago #
foodandmakeup

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It's also rare that I complain about a place, but this just isn't a good restaurant. It's trendy, it's beautiful to look at, it's the kind of place I want to love. I've given it five chances and every single time it has been bellow average or bad.

The food is under seasoned, some of the ingredients seem questionable in quality and the service is inattentive.

Has anyone had their "bloody mary" special? I've never found a bloody mary that I didn't like, but this one was so bad I asked for extra tomato juice so I could perhaps fix it. When instead they brought more bloody mary mix (which tasted wretched) I just stopped drinking and asked for our bill. Our server didn't even ask if there was a problem, just brought our bill and charged us for it all - including an appetizer that hadn't yet come. I just paid and left and it'll be the last time I'll go.

With so many great restaurants in the city (Barcelona, for one, blows this place out of the water), why go to one like this?

Posted 8 months ago #
Coreroc
Egoville USA
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I wonder what ever happened to the mural that Barrio had a contest for quite some time ago. It almost feels like 2 mural painting seasons have passed since the winner was determined.

Posted 8 months ago #
Mr Man

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It's only good on half-off tapas nights, whenever that is. And DONT ask for an old-fashioned, you'll get some crap.

Posted 8 months ago #
CNBSeen

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foodandmakeup said:
It's also rare that I complain about a place, but this just isn't a good restaurant. It's trendy, it's beautiful to look at, it's the kind of place I want to love. I've given it five chances and every single time it has been bellow average or bad.

The food is under seasoned, some of the ingredients seem questionable in quality and the service is inattentive.

Has anyone had their "bloody mary" special? I've never found a bloody mary that I didn't like, but this one was so bad I asked for extra tomato juice so I could perhaps fix it. When instead they brought more bloody mary mix (which tasted wretched) I just stopped drinking and asked for our bill. Our server didn't even ask if there was a problem, just brought our bill and charged us for it all - including an appetizer that hadn't yet come. I just paid and left and it'll be the last time I'll go.

With so many great restaurants in the city (Barcelona, for one, blows this place out of the water), why go to one like this?

Apparently, the former owner/manager of Barrio has been unceremoniously fired, and they are bringing in a new staff and new menu. My past experiences here have been downright awful, but hopefully with a fresh start and new approach they can win back some customers. I really want this place to do well b/c it's an easy walk from where I work.

Posted 6 months ago #
Cobra McJingleballs

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CNBSeen said:
Apparently, the former owner/manager of Barrio has been unceremoniously fired, and they are bringing in a new staff and new menu. My past experiences here have been downright awful, but hopefully with a fresh start and new approach they can win back some customers. I really want this place to do well b/c it's an easy walk from where I work.

If that's the same owner/manager who ran Bar L'etranger into the ground in no time flat, I think perhaps it's time for a new regime

Posted 6 months ago #
cbus11

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Cobra McJingleballs said:
If that's the same owner/manager who ran Bar L'etranger into the ground in no time flat, I think perhaps it's time for a new regime

Speaking of which, if they have plans for that space on 5th? It would be really good for the 5th street corridor is something opened up in the former Bristol space. I imagine Jeff Mathes probably still has a lease with Anders.

Posted 6 months ago #