Restaurant review: Minibar by José Andrés

We dined at Minibar the other night, which is most accurately described as “better food through chemistry.” Seriously, dining at Minibar is a gastronomical experience (rather than simply dining) and a seriously impressive (and delicious) look at molecular gastronomy in cooking.

We started off with a series of appetizers, which included:

Yogurt carnation (not pictured)

Pineapple shortbread

pineapple shortbread

pineapple shortbread

Green Almonds

green almonds

green almonds

Parmesan Cupcakes

parmesan cupcakes

parmesan cupcakes

Pizza Jose’s Way

pizza Jose's way

pizza Jose’s way

This plethora of appetizers was then followed by Liquid Olive

liquid olive

liquid olive

And then a Rubber Ducky with foie gras ice cream inside (which earned not only the favorite vote from some of the diners but universally the best serving dish):

rubber ducky

rubber ducky

We then were served a palate cleanser called a Yuzujito (sherry, yuzu, cucumber, and phosphate).

yuzujito

yuzujito

Next came a burger (a way too simple name for the deliciousness it contained):

"burger"

“burger”

Then Asparagus con Mayonesa

asparagus con mayonesa

asparagus con mayonesa

Followed by Fusilli al Pesto (the fusilli is clear and then filled)

fusilli al pesto

fusilli al pesto

And then Smoked Oysters in Escabeche

smoked oysters in escabeche

smoked oysters in escabeche

smoked oysters, cont.

smoked oysters, cont.

In case that wasn’t enough food, it was followed by Fabes con Almejas

fabes con almejas

fabes con almejas

A Lobster in Sequence (the first one was Lobster Knuckle on Chicken Skin, which got a few votes for favorite dish)

lobster on chicken skin

lobster on chicken skin

Completed by Lobster Tail, Peanut Butter, and Honey

lobster tail

lobster tail

Next up was Ham and Peas (the “roll” is a molecular version of Spanish Iberico ham)

ham & peas

ham & peas

Then Squab and Oysters

squab & oysters

squab & oysters

And the final entrée of Thai Rabbit.

thai rabbit

thai rabbit

But, wait, we’re not finished—there’s still dessert:

Bonne Bouche Cheese Puff (I’m told it was delicious)

cheese puff

cheese puff

Strawberries and Cream

strawberries & cream

strawberries & cream

This is not Carrot Cake (but it sure tasted like one!)

"carrot cake"

“carrot cake”

Piña Colada Tablet

pina colada tablet

pina colada tablet

Caterpillar (but not real ones!)

caterpillar

caterpillar

Doughnuts (a universal favorite and filled with ice cream!)

doughnuts

doughnuts

Éclair

eclair

eclair

And the T Rex is serving White Chocolate Asparagus, Liquid Bourbon Peanut, and a Cherry Bomb

Tony the T rex

Tony the T rex

The dinner also came with paired wines, which included:

2014 Dr. Herman Ürziger Würtzgarten Riesling from Kabinett Mosel, Germany

2013 Nigl Grüner Veltliner from Freiheit, Austria

2012 Didier Dagueneau Silex, Pouilly Fumé

2013 Shafer Chardonnay Red Shoulder Ranch from Napa Valley

2011 Dunn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, also from Napa Valley

2001 Domaine de la Grange des Pères Vin de Pays de L’Hérault from Languedoc, France

2013 Lucy Rosé from the Santa Lucia Highlands, U.S.

20101 Kracher Auslese Muskat Ottonel from Burgenland, Austria

1985 Dow’s Port, Portugal

We finally (after about 3 hours) rolled out of the restaurant, wondering if the food coma was permanent. Minibar isn’t somewhere I could eat every day (I’d weigh 200+ pounds if I did), but it is an incredibly fabulous dining experience. I highly recommend it!

Minibar by José Andrés is located at 855 E St, NW, Washington, DC (www.minibarbyjoseandres.com).

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