French Wine Bar Maison Bar à Vins Opens in Adams Morgan This Weekend | Eater DC

"Set in a decked-out Adams Morgan brownstone that once housed the 30-year-old Habana Village, this refined yet relaxed, three-story wine destination surrounds guests with original architecture, Victorian-era fireplaces, and antique imported chandeliers, plus moody touches like tiger-patterned carpets, velvet curtains, candle-lit tables, and a cozy 12-seat bar. A thousand-plus-bottle cellar skews roughly 60/40 France to the rest of the world, with a focus on organic, biodynamic wines and small, sustainable producers, and there are upwards of 30 by-the-glass options spanning red, white, rosé, orange, dessert, and plenty of bubbles. Suzy Critchlow’s cocktail list leans into wines and French spirits (think the Poire et Poivre or the sweeter Rivesaltes Ramos), while chef Matt Conroy pushes far beyond “cheese plate and wine flight” with snacks and shareables like local olives stuffed with preserved citrus, seaweed-dusted taramosalata choux buns, oysters with clarified coconut curry, pastoral terrines, creamy-savory smoked eel croquettes, and egg yolk-topped tartare with bone marrow aioli; larger plates include Provençal-style grilled tuna and a rich brioche-stuffed chicken breast with mushrooms, with a decadent chocolate tart with bourbon-infused cherries for dessert. The first-floor bar is no-reservations while an intimate back room is bookable, the second floor serves as the main dining room (with the possibility of a weekend DJ), a third-floor event and tasting space is coming, and a slim late-night menu runs to midnight on weekends and to 11 p.m. on weekdays." - Evan Caplan