ReadysetDC A CREATIVE URBAN ENTERPRISE

ReadysetDC Previews: Birch & Barley + ChurchKey

Ladies and gentlemen and beer enthusiasts alike; the day you have been waiting for is finally here. Today, the much anticipated duel project, Birch & Barley and ChurchKey opens on 14th Street in Logan Circle. This is the first venture in the city for The Neighborhood Restaurant Group, whose empire includes Columbia Firehouse, and Rustico.

The Neighborhood Restaurant Group acquired the building in April of 2008, perhaps unprepared for the undertaking they were about to embark upon. The old building, once home to Dakota Cowgirl, was in worse condition than anticipated and endured long renovations; much to the dismay of excited locals and beer connoisseurs.

Please note: This menu is subject to change.

More words and lots of photos after the jump:

Enter 1337 14th Street and you are presented with a choice; remain on the main floor to frequent Birch & Barley, or proceed up the stairs to the ChurchKey bar. At Birch & Barley you will find a spacious dining room, offering up large plates prepared by husband/wife culinary team, Kyle Bailey and Tiffany Macisaac. Take your pick between housemade flatbreads or dishes such as the Crispy Wild Striped Bass with baby fennel or the Honey Glazed Duck Breast with wild dates and wild rice. The garage door floor to ceiling window allows for plenty of light during the day and a perfect perch for people watching in the evenings. During the warmer months, Birch&Barley will open up to offer patio seating. Perhaps the most fascinating part of Birch & Barley (aside from the great lighting) is the enormous and mesmerizing “beer organ” These 9 foot copper pipes transport beer from the three temperature controlled beer rooms above at ChurchKey down to its partner below.

Post dinner, you can venture upstairs to the cavernous, yet cozy ChurchKey. The 75′ long bar provides ample room; providing an accommodating atmosphere with room for all, without being devoid of character. ChurchKey offers up a separate menu with light modern American fare, separated into four distinct categories; fresh, pressed, roasted and fried. I may be leaving out the most impressive aspect of this newest venture from the Restaurant Group…the selection of 555 beers. That’s right, 555; with 500 bottles, 50 on draft and five cask conditioned ales. Beer director, Greg Engert said he began working on the massive beer list in April of 2008; putting much care into creating a destination bar for beer lovers.

Decisions, decisions…All in all, Birch & Barley and ChurchKey promise to be a beer and food lover’s dream, but also a unique and pleasing delight for local residents.