The Barrel Room

The place has a good feel to it, has an elaborate veg menu (rare in the city) and tasted really good, loved being at this joint....

The Shut-Up-and-Give-it-to-Me-Quick Version:

Orgasmic.
The drinks, the food, the atmosphere... I am happy to say this has sort of become my go-to place in the Financial District.

The I-Like-to-be-Wrapped-Up-in-All-the-Details Version:
This newly opened restaurant (an expanded version of the now-closed Barrel Room in the Tenderloin) has everything you would want in the Financial District: somewhere you can meet a coworker, happy hour, still cozy enough to take a date, open later than most, serves alcohol. Well, you're welcome because The Barrel Room is all of this presented in a long, narrow restaurant with a handful of barstools and a good number of tables. I have noticed that it gets busy any day of the week. Thanks to their happy hour they are packed until about 6/ 6:30. It's still busy after that, but there aren't a ton of people all trying to get a table. I have noticed that sometimes it takes a little longer to get something, but I chalk it up to new restaurant pains and, since I am never on a time constraint, it doesn't bother me. Another point is sometimes I wish they would open the door to let a little air in because it can get stuffy with everyone and a kitchen.

Come for the unique wine tasting experience, stay for the delicious and well prepared food! What a novel concept! A restaurant with a rotating wine list and menu, featuring the wines and accompanying cuisine of a different region of the world four times a year. We heard The Barrel Room was known for its wine list and had won awards for their rarified wine selection and educational experience uncommon beyond the confines of wine country so we had to give it a try. This was their ‘Basque’ menu so the featured wines were from the South of France - interesting. We were given a blind flight of 3 white wines with the concept that we would decide which we liked best, then scan the QR code presented to us to learn the origin of each of the wines - an interactive and fun experience. The servers were super knowledgeable and proceeded to educate us on each of the wines we’d been served. The food was equally amazing. The standout for me was probably the mouthwatering Petite Filet Bordelaise - a perfectly cooked prime filet mignon, Hen of the Woods mushroom, and creamy & super savory mashed potatoes in a yummy French style gravy. Another highlight was the unexpectedly unique Cauliflower Gratin, which was oh so delicious and used multicolored spiral shaped cauliflower drowned in a cheese sauce of Gruyère and manchego, with slivered almonds and herbs - definitely an appetite ruiner. Always curious to try croquettes so we ordered their Comte and Mushroom Croquettes, which came drizzled in a garlic tarragon aioli with herbs for a starter, pairing well with the flight. To keep it authentically French we opted for the mussels, the Moules Frites, which were served in a bright yellow saffron cream sauce with herbs and a huge side of French fries with aioli. And finally, the Garlic Prawn Provençal Angel hair pasta with green olives was a totally solid pasta with a rich and tangy tomato sauce and perfectly cooked buttery prawns. We definitely plan to return to take advantage of the rotating wine list and new menu drop each quarter (or as often as we can.) Overall, an elevated dining experience especially tailored to the wino or just those looking to culture themselves in the ways of wine, without having to skimp on dinner!

Went here for a business dinner. The food was excellent. I had a beef short ribs dish, which was served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The wine selection was small and exclusively all Italian wines. Not knowing what to order I chose a 2016 red, can’t remember the name but it was excellent.

Lovely venue, perfect mood lighting in the Financial District, food was on point and the staff was incredibly kind. Peak for me was the fernet cocktail they paired with their dessert, but my understanding is the menu is frequently rotating so you're likely to find a new discovery on a good cadence.

Group of four of us had a nice time. The menu was featuring southern Italy. We tried a bunch of wines and one of the cocktails, all of the small plates, and some of the desserts. Two of us showed up early, but we were taken to our table. Our server was very accommodating and patient. He also helped out with making wine recommendations. Some nice touches were listing the wines from the flights on little paper doilies circling the stem. Would definitely go back for some of the entrees. One of the ladies wasn't fond of the sparkling flight and one of our desserts were incorrect(but was still yummy). All of the small plates were tasty, but I would say personal preference would dictate what I'd recommend.

Barrel Room is one of my favorite places to take friends, whether for happy hour or a business meal. The rotating menu is always delicious, and don’t even get me started on the wine list. Top marks.