Dupont Circle Beer News

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Via Young and Hungry, more information about the concept replacing the Brickskellar in Dupont Circle. The restaurant, which opens tomorrow (12/29) at 6pm, will be called Bier Baron. It will boast a large beer list, but owner Megan Merrifield promises that, unlike the Brickskellar, "every one of them, without question, will be available."

As part of the sale, former Brickskellar owners left Merrifield with about 350 beers (many of which, once gone, won't be restocked by the new ownership). Other changes? Bier Baron emphasizes that they've kept on many of the previous Brickskellar staff (for better or worse). But, look for new and updated menu items from one new staff member: PS7's pastry chef Zak Miller.

Brickskellar Closing...For Real This Time?

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So, I had heard several rumors this summer that Dupont Circle's well-known beer bar, The Brickskellar, was closing. And then, it didn't.

It's now December, and Prince of Petworth is reporting that Brickskellar's time may finally come to an end. DC Beer corroborates.

According to PoP, via J Street Beer Review, the Dupont Circle institution is closing December 18th. I'm curious to know what people think about this. On one hand, I used to live less than a block from here, and it was nice to have someplace chill (read-not clubby) nearby to have a quiet night with friends.

But, now that I've lived in DC longer, I don't think Brickskellar is so cool. I'd frankly much rather go to The Black Squirrel.

The Brickskellar feels like a dungeon, with its lack of natural light and brick walls. The service at Brickskellar is possibly the most atrocious in DC. The food brings bar food to a new low. And the beer list, boasting more than 1,000 bottles alone? 80% of the time, if you order something unusual, it's not in stock. Apparently they buy like 5 bottles of each cool beer and then only restock the Smuttynose. 

Yet, despite their shortcomings, it is sad to see Brickskellar go. It's just one of those places, you have to be in the mood for (i.e. not hungry or hurried). I know the ownership had been looking for a buyer for quite some time, so perhaps the daily management suffered as a result.

It does feel like Dupont Circle is losing a lot of its older establishments lately (The Brickskellar opened in 1957)--I'm thinking back to the loss of the Lambda Rising bookstore (where I was, admittedly, not a patron or even the target market...but still...neighborhood history, people!).

It also makes me wonder what will replace Brickskellar. I remember reading that a new, similar concept beer bar was coming into the space, but that the family who owns Brickskellar wouldn't license the Brickskellar name to them.

Whatever joins the 22nd and P corner, I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's not another club.

Dirty Martini Opens in Dupont

Dirty Martini is now open! RIP 1223...you were too clubby for me anyway.


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Thrillist reports that Michael Romeo's latest edition to the Dupont Circle nightlife scene is open. The location, which I've passed several times, is palatial...think 35-foot ceilings expanding over seating for 200! However the part I'm most excited for, the second-floor deck, is still a work in progress.

Dirty Martini's website is pretty much barren, and apparently your only option is to enter your e-mail address to receive updates. Unclear whether this is an exclusivity thing, or if they just haven't paid their web designer.

What little detail I can glean from Thrillist seems to indicate we're looking at upscale, modern American cuisine and a speciality drink menu consisting of 16 speciality cocktails. If I were to guess on the prices, I'd bet $8-$14 for cocktails and probably $14-27 for entrees. That's a total shot in the dark though, of course.

Looks like a decent addition to the neighborhood, probably more Russia House than Rumors. And maybe it will help thin the crowds a bit at Public Bar...seriously, that place was so great before people realized it was there...

Restaurant Review: Lupe Mexican Cantina

Continuing my survey of DC Mexican restaurants, last night I had dinner at Lupe Mexican Cantina in Dupont Circle. Next to the always busy Public Bar and the (pardon my pun) jet set Fly Lounge, Lupe offers a much more relaxed scene.

The decor is decidedly "Mexican hodge podge"...some semi-authentic rustic-looking wooden chairs, paired with benches upholstered in the prototypical "Mexican restaurant pattern" fabric, lit by more modern light fixtures. One of the defining features of the restaurant is a wall mural that I took to be a representation of "Mexican culture" (see below). The overall visual result was like someone mashed Oyamel and Cactus Cantina...some upscale elements paired with stereotypical Mexican restaurant decor.


Photo, courtesy of Lupecantina.com

The restaurant was decently busy for a Thursday evening, although we were able to sit almost immediately. The majority of the patrons were mid-twenties to early-thirties, apparently on dates. I had read disparaging reviews of Lupe's service on Urban Spoon but found both the hostess and our server to be polite without being overbearing. It wasn't memorable service--in a good way--which is ultimately what I want from a $12 a plate restaurant.

One of the first things I want to know when I go to a Mexican restaurant is--how are the margaritas? At Lupe, they're pretty darn good. Lupe's margaritas are simple...lime juice, tequila, triple sec, salt. That's it. As it should be. No cloyingly sweet sour mix. No goofy jumbo glass (just a highball, thanks). All in all, a good cocktail. And at $5 apiece during Happy Hour (M-F, 5-8pm) they're a pretty good deal too.

As an appetizer, we started with the guacamole. I was a bit surprised that the $5 option was the same size as our (very small) salsa ramekin. The size actually appropriate for two people was $8, which seemed priced a bit high to me. While guac was enjoyable, the recipe was too heavy on the onion. The tortilla chips were the perfect thickness for scooping, and not at all greasy, but didn't taste homemade either. The salsa itself had a good kick, but the consistency should have been thicker. A good start so far, but not mind blowing.

For entrees, Lupe's prices range from $8 to about $16. The full menu (minus prices) is on their website here. 

We had the chile relleno ($12) and the skirt steak ($15). The skirt steak was seasoned nicely, but a little overcooked and tough--considering we had ordered it medium rare. It came with an arugula side salad, which was nice although somewhat unexpected for a Mexican dish. The chile relleno, however, was definitely a must-order again! Stuffed with beef, pine nuts and raisins, and topped with sauce and cheese, it was spicy and surprisingly substantial. My only qualm was that it could use a more interesting side dish and better plating...two small chili's with a pat of (completely generic) Mexican rice and a ramekin of refried beans was not visually exciting. Maybe I just had arugula envy, but I thought another vegetable on the plate would have rounded the dish out nicely.

Lupe's has definitely worked out many of the kinks they experienced right after opening, but the quality of the food just frankly can't compete with pricier options like Oyamel, Rosa Mexicana and Cafe Atlantico. But, for inexpensive chain Mexican, they're well above Guapo's, Cactus Cantina and the like.

All in all, I think the location and the happy hour margaritas would bring me back to Lupe. The food was decent, but only the chile relleno was a must-order again for me. Near the Dupont metro and convenient to many other neighboring bars, I think this would be the perfect place to start your night or meet up with friends after work.


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Ping Pong Dim Sum Coming to Dupont

Photo courtesy of PoP

After some zoning delays, Ping Pong Dim Sum has announced that they are opening a location at 1 Dupont Circle. This second DC location is tentatively set to open in Spring 2011. See my review of Ping Pong Dim Sum here.

Update: The new location will seat 223 inside, with additional seating for 104 outside.