Barmini By José Andrés - Washington

We were in DC for the weekend, looking for a place to get drinks before our later dinner reservation. There is a reason barmini has the reputation it does, and our experience was more than we could have hoped for. The attention to detail was both expected and impressive the care and perfection that went into each crafted concoction was amazing. We described to our waiter what our flavor profiles were and he made us both personalized (and perfect) cocktails. We topped offour before dinner drinks with the brioche. *Chefs kiss* and that butter?I?d eat a whole loaf. Can?t wait for the chance to come back.

For those of you wondering if the long waitlist and tough-to-get-in reservation system renders this place worth going to or not, I?m here to tell you it is utterly and absolutely worth the wait. The experience of being at Barmini and having their cocktail flight is unparalleled. From the sophisticated palette displayed in the variety of cocktails to the servers that pay you copious amount of attention, every little detail is planes to the tee. At times you may feel you aretransported to be amidst a lab experiment but the drinks made at your table using liquid Nitrogen are delicious and a spectacle to watch. We also tried the brioche bun, it absolutely melts in your mouth. Having been to a few other JoseAndrés restaurants in the DC area and always being pleasantly surprised with my experiences, this certainly keeps the streak going. Can?t wait to try Minibar by Jose Andres too.

Cute and private looking place with only a handful of tables. Great decoration. We got the flight of drinks amazing experience. It's 5 drinks per person, and most of them are prepared table side and involve smoke, liquid nitrogen, and other cool ways of making drinks. We also ordered several appetizers. Great presentation but a little too fancy for my taste.

Barmini is the best cocktail experience you’ll find in Washington, DC, and provides a unique glimpse into the coveted Minibar. The drinks are creative, delicious, balanced and memorable. The staff is hyper attentive, welcoming and thoughtful. We celebrated a birthday and Barmini made it feel extra special. Thank you for an incredible night! First, there was plenty of room. Barmini does not cheap out on luxury and space. They could’ve easily stuffed the place with ten more people; however, they managed to create an exclusive and private experience by limiting the number of guests. Second, the drinks were amazing! We conveyed our distaste for one drink and the staff expediently offered a much better cocktail. Except the one cocktail, each drink was a story filled with nuance and unique flavors. Third, the bartenders and servers are true professionals. We absolutely loved Gina! She was charismatic, masterfully graceful, and fiercely knowledgeable. Who knew that our bartender completed culinary school! I forget the name of our main server, but he, too, was incredible. Lastly, the food was beyond this world! The grilled cheese, beef tartare, and philly waffle will remain some of the best food I’ve ever tasted. Bravo to the team!

If you're a fan of spectacularly cool cocktails or just culinary chemistry in general, this place is a Must Visit. We came in for the Winter In Japan themed drink menu and it was as amazing to watch them prepare as it was delicious to drink. Some notes: Reservations are required. Get a seat at the bar, not at one of the low tables around the edge. Order the grilled cheese sandwich. You'll thank me.