Award winning chef Robert Wiedmaier opened Mussel Bar on Woodmont Avenue in the heart of Bethesda back in 2010. Its popularity has spawned additional locations of the restaurant at Revel resort in Atlantic City, and most recently in the Ballston area of nearby Arlington, VA. While I don’t make it up to Bethesda that often, I make sure to pay Mussel Bar a visit every time that I do.
As the name would suggest, Mussel Bar dishes out a variety of Belgian-style mussels and frites as part of its extensive dinner menu. While I’m a fan of mussels, the restaurant’s beer selection is what keeps me coming back.
Atmosphere and Service:
Mussel Bar has a variety of options for seating, including a circular bar with stools, high tops that are specially designed to enjoy mussels, oysters or pizza along with your drinks, tables, and booths. I usually opt for a booth in the bar area, where I’ve found you get the quickest service and the most comfort. It’s a little noisy in Mussel Bar, but that’s not at all surprising given its popularity with the locals. As with other Wiedmaier restaurants, the service is top notch and very knowledgeable about the beer they serve.
Selection:
Mussel bar’s rotating tap selection is limited in size, 8, but always features outstanding Belgian beers. One I should point out is Antigoon, a Belgian Pale Ale that is brewed specifically for Robert Wiedmaier by Brouwerij De Musketiers in Belgium. Antigoon, which I believe is available at all of Wiedmaier’s restaurants, pours a deep gold with a thick creamy head that has some of the best retention of any beer I’ve ever had. As you raise the beer to your nose you can definitely pick up the distinct smell of Belgian yeast and spice with fruity apple notes. Antigoon goes down extremely smooth with an initial bit of honey sweetness followed by bready and dry malt, and finishes with a crisp citrus tartness that is accentuated by the heavy carbonation. The beer leaves you with a sticky mouth feel that leaves you wanting another sip. In addition to Antigoon, Mussel Bar features over 100 Belgian-style craft beers from both Belgium and around the world…and, if you happen to go there with people who have no ta ste, Miller Lite is also available in cans.
Antigoon and the Bar Area of Mussel Bar: Photos Courtesy of Musselbar.com
Value:
Mussel Bar has great happy hour specials for both food and drink every Monday – Friday from 4:00pm – 6:30pm in the bar. The beer prices are about average for the rest of the menu, and depending on what you feel like eating, you can spend a little or a lot to get a full stomach. The value is good.
Overall: As I said earlier, there’s a reason I keep going back to Mussel Bar. It’s got everything a beer lover could ask for, as well as a full bar and a great wine selection for those who prefer something else to wash down the restaurant’s amazing food. I definitely recommend Mussel Bar and plan on hitting the new Arlington location soon.
Until next time, stay thirsty DC.
Mussel Bar
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