photo by Rey Lopez.
From a press release:
“Bar Angie, a chic day-to-night bistro from the Balos Restaurant Group, opens Friday
The restaurant group behind Dupont Circle’s lively, packed Greek restaurant Balos is bringing its next neighborhood staple to West End this Spring, when it opens Bar Angie, a chic, day-to-night bistro inspired by classic New York bistros and infused with European flair. Refined but cozy, and featuring live music several nights a week, Bar Angie is certain to become a destination for those looking for a transportive night out.
photo by Rey Lopez.
Bar Angie (2300 N St. NW) is the brainchild of Stefanos Vouvoudakis, Tom Tsiplakos, and Joe Ragonese, the principals of Balos Estiatorio Restaurant Group and native New Yorkers who dreamed of bringing their favorite hometown dishes and the feeling of a New York neighborhood bistro to DC.
The result is an eclectic menu of hearty, classic bistro dishes crafted with New York flair. Think: A hearty Wagyu French Dip, topped with mozzarella and a creamy horseradish cream with tableside au jus, served on a perfectly crunchy baguette; the Bolognese Blanc, with freshly made rigatoni in a luscious white wine sauce, topped with wagyu beef ragu and parmigiano reggiano imported from Italy; or the innovative Caesar Salad with Fried Cream Cheese Croutons, which takes a classic Caesar and modernizes it with the flavors of that New York staple – the everything bagel. The star here, however, is the over-the-top Angie Chop Martini, a thinly pounded, breaded pork chop redolent of butter, lemon and red wine vinegar, topped with hot peppers and parmigiano reggiano.
photo by Rey Lopez.
The fare is crave-worthy, made to pair with boisterous conversation and perfectly chilled martinis. At its core, Bar Angie is a martini bar, with a cocktail list spotlighting perfectly made martinis including the house signature, the Angie’s Dirty Duo, an ice-cold dirty martini with a choice of vodka or gin and blue cheese olives, served with an extra generous pour of martini on the side and additional garnishes so guests can keep the fun going. Another highlight here: An exclusive collection of espresso martinis, curated by For Five Coffee Roasters, another New York staple operated by Balos Estiatorio Restaurant Group.
Dishes and hand-crafted cocktails here easily transition from day to night, ideal for the bustling West End neighborhood, where World Bank staffers mingle with doctors and staff from the robust medical community and the vast student population of George Washington University.
Bar Angie was inspired by exactly those sophisticated Washingtonians, who will no doubt find themselves regulars at this soon-to-be neighborhood staple. So, who is “Angie”?
“Angie is all of us,” says Vouvoudakis. “She’s enjoying a leisurely brunch with exquisitely prepared food and beverages on the patio or she’s catching up with friends over a dirty martini at the bar. She’s worldly, chic and fun, just like our guests.”
In keeping with Bar Angie’s upscale ambitions, it will feature a rarity in Washington: live music, several nights a week, and particularly jazz, transporting guests to the bustling jazz clubs of youthful, modern-day Paris, where renditions of pop, rap, and classic hits often pour out of cafes.
If the music sets the vibes, designers at Origin have set the scene, turning Bar Angie into a richly appointed, classic brasserie – both special and innately comfortable. Origin adorned the 4,500-square-foot space with hand-pulled Roman plaster, mosaic floors imported from the Mediterranean, subway tile, curated art and rich lighting, imbuing the space with a warm ambiance. A solid zinc bar that will develop a patina over time further gives Bar Angie the feeling of a Parisian cafe. In the warmer months, guests can enjoy the outdoor terrace, graced with flora to evoke a summertime garden.
Bar Angie will be open daily for lunch and dinner with brunch on Saturday & Sundays.”