The Early Word on EatBar on Barracks Row

EatBar opened on Barracks Row last month. Chef Nathan Anda is behind this latest project from Neighborhood Restaurant Group, which is a new iteration of the former location in Arlington. The decor is inspired by Anda's love of music. There's actually a 100-disc CD jukebox and a full wall decorated with a mosaic of over 7,000 cassette tapes.

The meaty menu of small plates also has plenty to offer herbivores. On the drinking side, there are 18 draft lines and 30 bottled beers, as well as lots of wines. The cocktail program highlights amaro, bitters, and vermouth. The bar already has 13 Yelp reviews with an overall rating of four and a half stars. Read on for the early word on EatBar:

The Like Your Friend's Cool Basement News: DCist describes the decor thusly, "the wall of cassettes on one wall and dark tones everywhere else, feels like your friend’s cool basement where you hung out in high school, that kid whose parents didn’t mind if you popped a beer open and cranked up The Cure." Twitter user @JimmyDeGenova writes, "Love the wall!" [DCist, Twitter]

The Long Wait News: Yelper Dr. D writes, "After waiting an hour we received lack luster service and food...The place is rather small so not many actual places to wait." Twitter user @loganowl apparently waited over 40 minutes for a dessert. [Yelp, Twitter]

The Beer Selection News: RateBeer user 3fourths writes, "Perhaps the only place in the States to drink Gänstaller on tap presently." Yelper Kiki B. says, " The beer and wine menu is large, with interesting and unusual selections." [RateBeer, Yelp]

The Must-Order Sausage Stuffed Olives News: Yelper Dixxie H. writes, "Fried olives stuffed with sausage are a MUST. Like I could eat several orders of these myself." Twitter user @fromshannon says, "WOW YUM" after trying them. [Yelp, Twitter]

The Beef Worthy of Favors News: Yelper Chris M. says the beef belly is phenomenal. Blogger Bad Sentences writes, "I was pleasantly surprised... by the inner, tender portion of the cut with just a little bit of the juicy fat." Twitter user @monkeyerotica jokes, "ate the Roasted Beef Ribs...Offered to go down on cook. They were that good. Offer still stands...[Yelper, Bad Sentences, Twitter]

The Pillowy Ricotta Doughnuts News: Blogger Bad Setences writes, "They were piping hot and pillowy, with an orange flavor to the dough. Delicious. Yelper Christine M. says, "Oh dear. Amazing." [Bad Setences, Yelp]

The Great but Loud Music News: RateBeer poster argo0 says the jukebox is "great" and Twitter user @mustbesarah calls it "pretty sweet." But Yelper Amanda M. says it all contributes to an atmosphere that's too loud. She writes, "we could hardly hear our server and had to yell to have a conversation with each other." [RateBeet, Twitter, Yelp]

The Perfect Addition to the Neighborhood News: Capitol Hillers are excited to welcome a new bar option to Barracks Row. PoPville commenter jpe calls it "a welcome addition to the neighborhood." Twitter user @bencoffelt says it's "the beer place we've needed!" Yelper Shikka B. writes, "This place is the perfect addition to the neighborhood." [PoP, Twitter, Yelp]