Earlier this month marked the grand opening of Bar-Code, a laid-back, yet trendy restaurant located at L and 17th, right off of the Farragut North Metro stop. This is owner Antonis Karagounis's 4th restaurant in the D.C. metro area. Other establishments of his include Lima, Glow, and Ultrabar.
Bar-Code first came off as a lounge/bar. The lights are low, and the decor is very modern. However, the vibe is thrown off by the huge flat-screen TV's lining the bar. Is it a sports bar or an upscale restaurant? Maybe a little bit of both?
The food has an Italian influence with dishes like calamari, pasta pomodoro, and tiramisu. Then, there are oddballs thrown into the mix like "avocado dip with a 'Tuscan flair'"(guacamole), and the Bar-Code Burger. Everything that Diana and I sampled was quite good, but beware vegetarians: there aren't many options (other than pizza) sans meat.
Would I go back? Probably. I enjoyed the food, the atmosphere was sophisticated, but not over-the-top, and the service was great. It's a little pricey, but for the location, pricey menus are to be expected.
So, if you're out near Farragut North, be sure to give Bar-Code a try...it's open until 2 or 3 a.m. for those of us who like a late night meal or a snack after a night out!
(202) 955-9001
Downtown 1101 17th St NW
Washington, DC 20036
