Art Bar

We went to this restaurant based on the good Unilocal reviews, and were looking forward to the fried chicken that so many people raved about. When we sat down our waiter said that they have a brand new menu. No fried chicken. My husband had a glass of the house red wine (the least expensive on the wine list at $ 15/​glass). We ordered the calamari with rock shrimp for the starter ($ 17) and the smoked pork chop for main ($ 32). The deep fried starter was very tasty, and the portion was huge. The pork chop was good, accompanied by greens and potatoes. Service was good.

Fantastic food the dirty rice with spicy sausage was fantastic. The Snapper was cooked to perfection with a fantastic corn sauce that made it wonderful. Dark chocolate brownies were to die for

This place has simply the best staff! I do the happy hours and these guys care. They at least make you want to come back. A Cheers type place. Try it!
Oh and the great bartender, you will know her when Ya see her. She is a professional! Her name is Tru.

We thought Art Bar was nothing special. I did like the crab beignets. But we were really disappointed that they would not change the tv from an NBA playoff that did not involve a DC team to the final game of the NHL playoff in which the Caps were playing — even though no one appeared to be watching the basketball game.
We left and went across the street to the Hyatt bar where the tables have their own tvs and they had the caps game on.

This review is specifically for the outdoor bar/​seating area of the Art Bar located in the Liaison Capitol Hill Hotel.
The bar was already full — this is easy to do — one medium-​sized conference in the hotel, and the bar is overwhelmed.
We venture outside to find about 7 dinner tables for outside dining and we were reminded NOT to sit at them, as they are for reservations only.
Whatever.
So there is a sitting area with outside patio living room furniture. Two guests already sitting there, and not enough room for the 6 of us, so we wander over to the oversized square bar contraption. There were already a few butts on stools, so we squeeze down at one end. The bar is positioned at the edge of the space, and the service station is at one end. This eliminated seating possibilities on two side of this huge table… not good use of the space.
It’s obvious that the patio is getting busy, but the server is not going to let that break his stride. I order a glass of wine, and two apps from the HH menu. I now realize that the server has to get drinks by going into the bar or hoping someone will bring them out (I think he depended on the latter). After serving most of us the first round, Slackadaisical Dude realizes he forgot a beer… saunters back to get it.
Few of us are attempting to sit in these saddle-​shaped bar stools, which take about 5 minutes to figure out a comfortable position. (really? what is wrong with a round stool so the mounting options aren’t so limited)
One of our party members encounters glass chips during a swig of his beer. He showed Slack Dude the one piece he found, and stated that there were more in the mug. What does Dude do? Starts LOOKING for them! After a while of searching (uh, you’re the only server on the patio!), he finally asks if guest would like another beer. «yes please!» (but without broken mason jar chips, please)
After standing with an empty glass of wine for about 10 minutes while trying to get Dude’s attention, I decide it’s time to cut my losses and go somewhere else. The rest of my party insisted I stay and have another glass. Ugh, …so now I have to wave Dude down and beg for a refill. After another 15 minutes of waiting, I depart and on my way out, tell Slack Dude to cancel my second glass. «Oh, you never got it? I’m sorry» Yeah so am I.
To be fair, I don’t completely blame this server. He might not be the best choice for a busy happy hour patio, and if the restaurant really wanted to increase bar sales, they would put on another server… and move that huge table away from the bushes so that ALL sides could be used to accomodate more guests.

I was sitting down at the lobby in The Liaison Hotel, using the wireless internet, with no intentions of eating and decided to pick up the bar menu and boy was I glad I did. It is right before the Art & Soul Restaurant (created by Art Smith, who was Oprahs personal chef and know for good home southern cooking) and i have to say this place was great, the menu looked so good I ordered a full meal about 2 hours before my dinner reservation at another place in DC.
I got the pulled pork sliders, which were killer especially with the hit of pickle on top and the tangy bbq sauce and the bun (idk what it was) but it was moist and super flavorful… plus it sopped up all the extra/​run-​off sauce. I also got the sweet potatoes fries which had a hint of chili pepper flakes, or something else spicy on them, and the extra spice added a really great kick to an already amazing fry.
If you are staying at the hotel or just walking but I would definitely suggest stopping in for the fries, sliders, or anything else on the menu. Plus they are open until midnight, and I hope that the dinner place tonight has so-​so food so I can come back down here and order the fried chicken and fried pickles!