Bar Review - Tabaq on U Street

Tabaq Bistro
1336 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009-4445

http://www.tabaqdc.com

Last night, for a friend's birthday, I joined a group of people I don't know for cocktails at Tabaq Bistro on U Street. I'm only reviewing the bar / lounge upstairs on the roof. I can't speak to the food, as the kitchen closed within minutes of our arrival. It's all for the best, in the end, as I have been making chicken recipes all weekend and couldn't stomach the idea of more food.

The Americans with Disabilities Act must not cover chic urban rooftops, as it takes no fewer than four flights of stairs to finally reach the upstairs bar. Visually, it's worth the trek. White banners decorate the glass ceiling and views, although somewhat obstructed, of the Capitol Dome and Washington Monument remind you where you're drinking. A respectable drink menu outlines beers (five of which they were out of by 11:00 pm, including all draught beers) from roughly $6.50-$8.50 and martinis for $13.00. I started with a Heineken, and it took a while for our very kind, but overworked server it get it to me. It was cold. Good enough.

I decided to switch from beer to Scotch and enjoyed a neat Johnnie Walker Black Label with a splash of cold water. Again, the server may have flown to Aberdeen to get it. It was perfectly satisfactory when it did finally arrive. Many in our group concluded that service directly from the bar was more efficient, correctly so, and chose to deal directly with the pleasant and competent bartender. The birthday boy had more than a few drinks, and I tried one that looked interesting. It was a melon martini. Basic green liqueur in a chilled cocktail glass with a lonely cherry providing some color contrast. It was terribly sweet and better suited to a sorority party than a bar with printed menus.

Pick the right drinks, however, and the right company, and Tabaq is a real winner. I had a great time despite the imperfect service. The venue is especially attractive and its location on U Street makes it convenient to Dupont and Adams Morgan, if the service becomes too insufferable. I haven't devised a star rating system yet for my reviews so I'll just close by saying Tabaq deserves a try. Just stay away from the "martinis."