$$$$ • American • Logan Circle
It's nice to have Birch and Barley back and the renovations look great.
The menu, though small, has some tasty items. The beet salad and shepherd's pie were well-crafted and offered great flavor. The standout was the salmon which had a perfect combination of elements, textures, and taste, all beautifully presented. The burger, however, was not as lean as one would expect at this type of restaurant, making for a greasy meal for one diner.
Call me old fashioned, but I have to say I miss the beer focus from the previous incarnation. The menu offers no suggested beer pairings for the entrees, no beer flights, no chef's menu. And the waiter wasn't very helpful in making selections from the still-impressive list. That's what made the original Birch and Barley so unique, so it's sad to see that part of it is gone.