Johnna’s Pick of the Week: minibar (DC)

[ 2 ] March 24, 2011 | Johnna

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I bumped into this dinner. Bumped into? Yeah, I was not supposed to spend a night of the most innovative, succulent dishes with someone I did not know and spend $230 on a random Saturday evening, but it happened. In my life, I have no regrets and this night was no exception. Twenty-seven courses of delicately created dishes that would make even the pickiest eater think twice about questioning the ingredients. Instead of your typical Appetizers, Entree and Dessert titles, the restaurant replaces those with “Munchies, Flavors & Textures, Pre Dessert, Dessert and Sweet Surprises”. Each is served as they are made and guests can choose one of the wine flights to accompany their meal. I chose The Great Harvest which was a fresh blend of Riesling, Marsanne/Roussanne, Pinot Noir and Moscato accompanying each phase of my meal.

Intimate but not isolating, the Minibar takes up a small bar space on the second floor of Penn Quarters Cafe Atlantico. What looks like it was meant to be a sushi bar, is the home of one of the District’s top five restaurant ventures: fresh local ingredients, dynamic twists on old favorites and a three person team to serve six guests, the max number of patrons allowed at Minibar during the two seating times (6 pm and 8 pm). Jose Andres is a food genius for this one. Enough about my rants, I know you came to see the food, so here we go:

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*Hot and Cold Pisco Sour

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*Peking Wonton

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*Popcorn “Empanada”

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*”Bagels and Lox”

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*”Chicken and Eggs” (Love the creative process behind this one: baked chicken skins shaved of all excess fat and free of oil)

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*”Bloody Mary”

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*Mini Deli Slider

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*This is Minibar’s version of the childhood favorite: cotton candy.

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*Zucchini in Textures

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*Smoked Oyster with Apple

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*”Guacamole” (This gives a whole new meaning to guac…immaculate.)

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*Sea Urchin Ceviche with Hibiscus

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“New “New England Clam Chowder”

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*Organic Carrots with Coconut

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*Charcoal Salmon with Black Garlic

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*Minibar’s take on breakfast at night

*”Philly Cheeseteak” (Hands down my favorite dish of the night…thought I would never get this feeling outside of Philly.)

*Philly Cheesesteak continued…

*Dessert begins…

*Dessert Continued…(*Guilty Look* If you read the blog regularly, you know I’m not a sweets fan so I do not remember any of the dessert names…)

*Finishing touches with a plate of “S’mores”, Bacon and Chocolate and Mango Boxes.

Amazing is the summary of events that night minus the final bill. Minibar is for the daring and bold diner, a night that does not call for rushing and above all, good company. Bon Appetit.

Tags: restaurants, washington dc

Category: Food.Fun.Stuff., Johnna's Pick of the Week, restaurant reviews, Washington D.C.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.