Birch and BarleyAmazing beer selection andAmazing beer selection and they have tasters (4 oz) for half price. The menu changes periodically and I've never been disappointed. Their skate was the best I've ever had. Also, the truffle mac n chesse is terrific.6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat ExperienceOverall, we had a great experience here. The food was wonderful and the service was great. This place never disappoints!6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMBest meal in the USI brought two Australian friends for dinner - they had just come from a week in New York. Both said that the meal at Birch & Barley was the best meal they've had in the U.S. the food was creative and delicious, and the staff went well above and beyond the call to make the evening an unforgettable experience.6/9/2013 12:00:00 AMBest beer and food in town!The incredible list of draught beers available is what drew us to the restaurant. We were very pleasantly surprised that the food was just as good as the beer! We loved that we could order 4 oz tasters of the beer, so my husband and I both enjoyed at least 6 or 7 (and took the metro home). Our server realized that we wanted to taste many different things, and she was very attentive and returned to the table frequently with suggestions for pairings with our food or other beers we might enjoy given our favorites.We will definitely be returning to sample more of the beer and food.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMVery niceThis is an excellent bar upstairs, with a wonderful selection of local beers. The place is great. Dinner is a little bit expensive, small dishes but very tasty.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat atmosphere and great foodThere's a lot of great places to brunch at in DC. What makes Birch & Barley stand out is that they have an awesome vibe at the restaurant. The lights are dimmer. There are candles and an open kitchen. The chairs are comfy and the tables are marble slabs. The ambience is great. On top of that, the wait staff is immaculate and quick. The food - especially the fried donuts, piña colada mimosa, and egg and sausage flatbread - is divine. I highly recommend Birch & Barley for a good time!6/2/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding DC restaurant!With 50 beers on draft and 550+ types of bottled beer, plus wine and other drinks you can't go wrong if you are looking for a drink. Top it off with amazingly delicious food and we had a wonderful 10th anniversary dinner. Our server was extremely knowledgeable about the beers and the food and helped influence our excellent choices. For an upscale modern restaurant the prices were very reasonable - much better than most other places we have been to. For the quality of the food I felt like it was a steal. We will definitely be returning here in the future.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding food, atmosphereOutstanding food, atmosphere, and beer/wine selection. A trendy restaurant with as much attention given to their beer selection as their fantastic menu, which I think is a huge plus. But cuisine is a big step up from a gastropub while still being attainable enough that you don't have to save it for a special occasion.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMone of the better dining experienceFantastic overall experience from service to drinks and food. The only minus would be the cheese that came straight out of the fridge!5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThank you for accommodatingBirch and Barley was great.. We called last minute to update our reservation to 7.. we then had 8 people show.. they let us sit with out having everyone there, they were completely reasonable about it and let us get a cocktail. They were very accommodating. I would definitely come back.5/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, service especiallyGreat food, service especially bread and beer. Parking is only downside.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMFood, beer, and noiseVery well executed and interesting menu. Loved the food. Outstanding beer list: loved the 4 oz pour option. Very noisy space though. Had to shout just to be heard.5/21/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat!I went on a Sunday evening with a girlfriend. We really enjoyed the food and service a lot! Our server was Jennaway (according to the receipt) and she was wonderful. She was very knowledgable about the menu and always available when we needed something but unobtrusive. I had the chicken and waffles and my friend had the halibut. Both were terrific. Definitely plan to go back here again in the future!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat 14th Street Spot..as the 14th Street corridor continues to groan under the weight of its own trendiness, Birch & Barley remains -- consistently -- a great spot for fine food and excellent service. Food is innovative and beautifully presented. A favorite for dinner, and wonderful for burnch.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMBeen there/done thatand very happy I have, the food is always great, the staff terrific -- I love this place!!5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is a fantastic restaurantThis is a fantastic restaurant for beer lovers. It has an excellent, but slightly limited food menu. However, the bread, served prior to the meal is incredible! As was the soft shell crab dish.
The night we were there the music was overpowering. And through no fault of the restaurant, to my knowledge, they were a bunch of smokers directly outside of the restaurant where we were seated and the cigarette smoke was able to reach us inside the restaurant. This was unfortunate.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved it!Was excited to try a new brunch place recommended by a coworker. It did not disappoint! We had duck eggs, the fresh donuts, flatbread, and the spring quiche.. everything was delicious. The surprise favorite was the hash browns! I would definitely recommend this restaurant.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMBirch & Barley a mustBirch & Barley was the best decision I made during my short weekend trip to DC. After doing some research about DC's beer scene, i knew that i had to eat at Birch & Barley. They have, possibly the best beer bottle selection i have ever seen, and with 50 drafts and 5 casks there is something from the biggest beer geek to the person who doesn't drink beer. We joined them for brunch, and had pretty much the whole menu. By far the fried chicken and waffles was the stand out to me, as well as the cheddar grits. Make sure you go to this restaurant for great food, beer and service with a smile that is so welcoming and wants to make you happy.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMBirch and Barley was an amazingBirch and Barley was an amazing experience. We initially chose this restaurant due to the amazing beer list. They have 50 on tap, including a couple that they carry exclusively within the U.S. They also have countless bottles as well, but we didn't even get to that list. The entire staff was very friendly, including our waiter Garret. He was also very knowledgeable about both the beer and dining menu. My husband chose the duck and I had the halibut. Both of us were very happy with our meal. Both were cooked perfectly and were just absolutely delicious. My only teeny tiny complaint is that it is a little noisy, but well worth dealing with for all of the other good things about this restaurant.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat DC experienceHUGE beer selection! My friend and I waited upstairs at the bar (HUGE) for a few minutes while the hostess was getting our table ready. Great afterwork crowd and what seems to be locals.
I highly recommend the Butcher's board ($16), the charcuterie selection was delicious but didn't care too much for the whole grain mustard. A definite plus about this restaurant is the homemade bread board (complimentary). The biscuits were divine! So buttery and still warm when it arrived at our table. We also got pretzels and pumpernickel which were notable.
I ordered the soft shell crab from the starter menu and requested an entree size for it instead which they happily accommodated me with. Our server was wonderful, very knowledgable about the menu.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMMore than once!I would definitely return to the Birch & Barley for it's interesting menu, wonderful wine list, extraordinary beer list and great service. The environment is modern yet quite warm. It's a combination of upscale and neighborhood feel all in one. The bar upstairs is relaxed, trendy and classy. I had a super time with my date. So...go!5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved itThe food was delicious, great beers (and fun that you can get a bunch of small glasses to try different ones) and loved the decor and atmosphere. Romantic and intimate but relaxed and not too fancy. The fig and prosciutto flatbread was delicious and great for an appetizer between two people.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWent for a friend's parents'Went for a friend's parents' 40th anniversary, and they were blown away. Native Italians ordering pasta always makes me nervous, but they loved it. They called the desserts a revelation, and when Chefs Kyle Bailey and Tiff MacIsaac came over to say hello, it made their night. I've eaten many times at Birch and Barely, and they seem to find ways to make it better with each visit.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is by far my favoriteThis is by far my favorite restaurant in DC. The service here is fantastic, and the food and beer selection is better than any other place in DC. I would come here (including Churchkey, the bar upstairs, where you can get a beer at the bar very quickly, even when it's crowded) over other places any day. If you haven't tried Birch and Barley yet, then please make a reservation ASAP!4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMAMAZING BEER LIST and theyAMAZING BEER LIST and they do little 4oz pours if you want so you can make the rounds and try a bunch!4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe loved Sunday brunch atWe loved Sunday brunch at Birch and Barley. Our favorite dish was the sausage, egg, and cheese on a biscuit and the hash browns that go with it. We also recommend the cheddar grits and the donuts/ donut holes. But every dish was excellent and we will certainly return. We appreciated that the waiter knew the beer list well and was able to make recommendations for 4oz samplers that we would (and did!) enjoy. The only difficult thing about this restaurant is the low lighting which creates strange shadows, and the high noise level.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food as always andExcellent food as always and great, upbeat atmosphere. We had been several times for dinner but had not been to brunch. The the food was delicious and we will be returning!4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMBeer selection is awesome!Beer selection is awesome! I liked that you could order "tasting" sizes from the draught beer menu, so you could sample many different beers. Food was delicious, from the risotto balls and fresh breads brought out before our meals, to the parpardelle pasta with goat and the butcher's block meat selection. The server we had was friendly and very knowledgeable. We also had our 8 and 11 year-old with us and the staff was very accomodating. Would highly recommend Birch and Barely!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding ExperienceBirch and Barley was a wonderful dining experience! The food was even better than expected and it's hard to go wrong with 555 beer choices. I highly recommend this restaurant and will definitely be going back.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMI live in the neighborhoodI live in the neighborhood and have been several times for brunch and dinner. The beer list cannot be beat (hundreds of options) but more importantly, the food, service, and ambiance are excellent! The pastry chef is a James Beard Award semifinalist and the breads and desserts are AMAZING as well. I've lived in D.C. for over ten years and Birch and Barley remains one of my all-time favorites!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMBest balanced craft beer listBest balanced craft beer list that I have seen in DC, and one of the best in the country4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food keeps getting even betterBest tasting menu with beer pairings experience I've had at Birch and Barley. Our server was a nice guy, but so casual that he neglected to give explain the pairings in the detail that's made the experience so memorable on other occasions. The manager that night did come out and discuss the beers paired with our cheese course in the way that I remember from past tasting menus, which was great. And the food was fantastic - best it's ever been.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food, service, beer selection,The food, service, beer selection, and atmosphere were awesome. I'll definitely be back.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMBoozy BrunchWas very happy with brunch here, something on the menu for everyone - each item is unique and interesting accommodating the very picky to the very adventurous. I had a white asparagus omelet with fontina cheese and my boyfriend had the chicken and waffles. I look forward to returning and stress the importance of trying the donuts!4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMthe dessert cookies & confectionsthe dessert cookies & confections were the best dessert I can recall.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMGo with the tasting menuThe eclectic eatery for beer snobs. We went with the tasting menu and beer pairings. It was well worth it. The food was scrumptious and the beer synergized the flavor experience.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMYou gotta try this placeI think some people are writing negative reviews about the noise at this place based on the bar upstairs. The restaurant part downstairs is not too loud. The food was great, our waiter was knowledgable, and we had a fantastic time. I really liked that they had the option to pick a small or large portion size for many of the meals. That allowed me to try several things on the menu without breaking the bank.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThis place is all about theThis place is all about the beer menu. 50 draft beers and another 500 bottled beers. The draft beers are available in 4 oz pours which makes it easy to taste a number of diverse beers with your dinner. They take pride in serving your beer in the correct glassware and at the appropriate temperature. They trying to elevate beer to the level of wine, which is really nice to see. Food is very good but ultimately sounds better on paper than it tastes. Sadly we were too full to try anything from the dessert menu which looked really good (and I've heard great things about)4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMperfect!Had an AMAZING time for my boyfriend's birthday. The tasting menu was definitely the way to go - delicious food and wonderful beer pairings. Will definitely be back.4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat foodMy husband and I came here sunday night for dinner. We loved everything we ordered. The truffeled mac and cheese was amazing, as was the chicken wings with waffles and the duck. We sat near the open kitchen, which was nice. The atmosphere here is more trendy than romantic.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMget the chicken and waffles!Took my parents to brunch there on Sunday for Easter and we had a fantastic meal. The chicken and waffles were to die for! The brunch portions are huge and the service was great. They brought out the wrong side of eggs and then had to be reminded to bring out the right order. A minor mistake, but then the waitress gave us the side of eggs and two drinks for free. We didn't even ask to have anything taken off the bill. A nice little surprise at the end.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMComfort food and candle lightWe went on a Sunday night, which means an abbreviated menu featuring some of the brunch items. The food was really good, cocktails were fun and the service was great. The restaurant is a relatively small space with warm candlelit decor, and it was so nice to be able to have a comfortable conversation without having to yell. We are looking forward to trying it again when the full menu is available.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing service and trendyAmazing service and trendy atmosphere. The tasting menu is worth the money and so much fun! We dined on a Saturday night at around 7pm and the restaurant was full but didn't feel crowded. Before dinner we had a drink at the upstairs bar Churchkey and even though there was nowhere to sit since it was crowded, the bar was attentive and quick and we could easily stand off to the side without feeling uncomfortable. The beer list is extensive and we loved our interesting beer. We had a great experience!3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMNoise was deafening (literally)The food and ambiance were great, but the noise was deafening. We were a table of four in a booth, and we had to shout to hear each other. Our ears were ringing for hours afterwards as if we were in a concert, and my vocal cords felt raw from having to speak at such volumes. You don't have smoking in bars anymore, but hearing loss would be just as concerning for the people working there. I wouldn't go back or recommend this place as a result.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful staff, they wereWonderful staff, they were very accommodating and over the top! The waiter surprised us with sparkling wine for our anniversary and some special treats. The food was very artisanal and delicious. and The whole experience was absolutely a delight. I'll keep this experience in mind when searching for our next romantic night out!3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazing service. Very sensitiveAmazing service. Very sensitive to food allergies which was a huge plus!3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMAn amazing dining experience.An amazing dining experience. The beer list was one of the best I've ever seen and the staff was on their game. I ordered a bottle of Sculpin IPA and it was completely flat. The staff immediately brought me a wonderful beer on the house before bringing another perfect bottle of Sculpin. I can wait to return.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMI had wanted to go to BirchI had wanted to go to Birch and Barley ever since moving to DC two years ago, but had never made it. My dad came in to town and took myself and my brother out for dinner. We had a lovely time. Couldn't get a reservation till 9:30 on a Thursday, but it was worth the wait. My brother is a vegetarian and is sometimes frustrated with the veggie-friendly selection, but he loved his dish. As did we all.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMNever disappointsI am never dissapointed when I go to Brich and barley and this time was no different. This restaurant is truly a gem and no matter how many times I dine here I am always ready to return. I brough three visiting friends, all Executive Chefs, and they were all marveled at the cuisine.
Congratulations to the baker for making the James Beard semifinals, love the new french toast dessert.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were sat 45 mins late,We were sat 45 mins late, but the manager brought over hot apps just as we sat down to make up for it. We were very grateful and were able to have the best of times, because of her thoughtfulness.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AM