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Barrafina Brings Modern Mediterranean Fare to Dupont Circle

Expect grilled meats, assorted seafood, and more from the neighborhood eatery

An upstairs dining room at Barrafina can be reserved for parties of up to 45 patrons.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Area newcomer Barrafina adds an upscale destination for Mediterranean-style cuisine to the Dupont Circle dining scene.

The two-story space (1714 Connecticut Avenue NW) has been completely transformed from its former life as now-defunct tapas bar Madrid. New accents include antique mirrors, sleek seating, Banksy-inspired murals, and brick walls painted a shiny silver. Quotes scribbled on walls include “the less you care the happier you’ll be,” while another hovering over the bar encourages human interaction over Wi-Fi.

The neighborhood eatery comes, in part, from an alum behind recently shuttered French bistro Maxime. Barrafina’s menu features grilled fare found in parts of southern France, Italy, and Greece. Mains ($17-$32) include beef or chicken souvlaki; spaghetti bolognese; black ink linguine with mixed seafood; New York strip with grilled asparagus and Roquefort-herb butter; and a catch of the day selection. A three-course, house special ($22.95) includes a baguette, salad, and steak frites with bearnaise or green peppercorn sauce. Featured cocktails ($11) include an Ibiza Fizz made with sparkling wine and floating edible hibiscus.

Barrafina is currently operating on a dinner-only schedule. Weekday happy hour deals, which include select $5 wines and $8 appetizers, run from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Weekday lunch service is projected to follow in June. Management is hoping to cultivate a party scene by playing house music on weekend nights. Lively themed weekend brunches inspired by Bagatelle in New York’s Meatpacking District’s are also in the works.

Status: Certified open. 1714 Connecticut Avenue NW

Scroll down to view photos of the new restaurant and some of the featured dishes:

The downstairs dining area at Barrafina seats 75.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Starters at Barrafina include fried calamari, and falafel with spicy mayo.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Area newcomer Barrafina is making itself at home in Dupont Circle.
Tierney Plumb/Eater DC

Barrafina

1714 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

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