The Early Word on Barley Mac in Rosslyn

The team behind A-Town Bar & Grill opened Barley Mac last month. The whiskey-centric bar and restaurant boasts a list with over 100 bottles. Most of them are bourbon, but there are also some rarer finds like Yamazaki. Mitch Johnson is handling the cocktails.

Chef Jeremy Magnanelli, formerly of Lincoln, designed the menu with food director Mike Cordero.  It's American bar food with an Italian twist with dishes like octopus with chiles and balsamic and pork chop with a bourbon glaze. The restaurant has 22 Yelp reviews with an impressive overall rating of five stars. Read on for the early word on Barley Mac:

The "Rustic Modern" Decor News: Washington Post writes, "Barley Mac has that 'rustic modern' look that's all too familiar to anyone who goes out to bars these days: unfinished concrete floors, brushed nickel bar tops, and Evan Williams bourbon barrels repurposed into high-top tables.' Yelper Matthew F. calls it "modern" and "sleek." [WaPo, Yelp]

The Really Good Staff News: Washington Post commenter BurgundyNGold calls the staff "really good." Yelper Jason N. says the service is "outstanding," and Yelper Christy O. says it's "very attentive." [WaPo, Yelp]

The Huge Whiskey Menu List: Facebook user Chesley Wiseman writes, "they carry an astonishingly large list of whiskeys and bourbons," and Instagrammer @stacelynns says, "huge whiskey menu." But Washington Post adds, "There are around 100 whiskeys...with more than 50 bourbons and the rest split between ryes, Scotch, and Irish, Japanese and Canadian blends. The collection isn't quite on par with Jack Rose, Bourbon or Barrel, because state control of liquor distribution can make it tough for Virginia bars to acquire rare and limited-release whiskeys." [FB, Instagram, WaPo]

The Amazing Cocktails News: Facebook user David Setia highly recommends the brown derby, and Yelper Chrissy O. calls the Old Fashioned is "amazing." Instagrammer @mishdel27 says the moment of grace is "served to perfection with all fresh ingredients."  [FB, Yelp, Instagram]

The Wow Worthy Coccoli News: Facebook user Chesley Wiseman writes, "I ordered the Coccoli and...was wowed by the careful thought that was put in to this dish. Small puffs of sweet doughy goodness, drizzled in truffle honey, and accompanied by prosciutto and cheese." Yelper Mary Kate M. says, "I can't fully understand the concept of the two together other than it is sweet meets savory. Nonetheless really good." [FB, Yelp]

The Heavenly Pizza News: Washington Post commenter BurgundyNGold writes, "In my opinion, their pizza was actually better than Piola one block over -- especially the dough and crust." Yelper Meghan M. says, "Prosciutto Pear Pizza with white cream sauce. mozzarella. white cheddar. baby arugula. Could be a personal entree, but was really great to share. 6 slices of heavennnn." [WaPo, Yelp]

The Melt in Your Mouth Short Rib News: Instagrammer @kar_lyn10 writes, "Melt in your mouth short rib with bourbon glaze over polenta. I was sad when it was gone." Yelper Jacqueline B. says the dish is "very delicious." [Instagram, Yelp]

The Chocolate Chip Ice Cream Sandwich Sundae News: This sundae with waffle battered cookies, vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, caramelized walnuts, and strawberries is emerging as a favorite. Yelper Susan R. writes, "it was gone within 2 secs, it was PHENOMENAL!!!" Yelper Kelly M. says it's "amazing," and Facebook user David Setia also highly recommends it. [Yelp, Facebook]