Boundary Stone - A Bar Review
I've been delinquent about writing up some of our bar visits on our weekend away in DC! Returning to our home of three-odd years was a great experience, not least because we got to reunite with old friends who continue to brave the snow and sleet. On one of our nights in the area, we dropped by Boundary Stone for a quick bite to eat and a drink (okay, more than one).
Atmosphere and Service: The frontier, as interpreted by wealthy east coast denizens of a major city. I'm not saying that to be unfair, but it is kind of the vibe of this place. There is . . . a lot of wood. It's rough-hewn rather than polished and stained, kind of like a wild West settlement. On the inside, it's much the same, although with the usual craft-cocktail or contemporary speakeasy hints of Edison bulbs and exposed ventilation, along with a gorgeous, long, impeccably stocked bar.
Selection: I didn't take a picture since this place has a menu up online, and it's impressive, although somewhat middle of the road for DC. That's again not a knock on this place, just a reflection of this city's insane whiskey -- particularly bourbon -- culture. Even leaving aside Jack Rose, my favorite bar in the city, there are an endless array of whiskey bars in DC, including Bourbon (creative name, right?), Barrel, McClellan's Retreat, and The Next Whiskey Bar. And those are just the places I remember from a few years back; it seems like a dozen new ones have opened since then.
Rare Bottles: Again, the online menu says it all. There isn't anything particularly rare or unusual on the scotch side, although the Glenrothes '95 I tried here was one I've never seen anywhere before. The highlights from the bourbon side of the menu are some of the biggest names out of Kentucky, including multiple bottles of Pappy Van Winkle, George T. Stagg, and William Larue Weller. Be prepared to drop $100 here, and you could walk out with an education in, or at least a flight of, world-class whiskies.
Value: This category is the weakness of most places in DC, just as it is in every major city. Relatively speaking, Boundary Stone actually is a great value, in part because it's out in a still-developing part of the city, the NE quadrant. Pappy 20 for $60 an ounce, and Pappy 23 for $80 an ounce, are, believe it or not, reasonable prices given the rarity and demand for these liquors. For comparison, Succotash in DC, a new southern brunch joint with a crazy whiskey selection of its own, Pappy 20 is $200 and Pappy 23 is $300. Dear Lord. Those might not be ounce pours, but even being generous to the place and assuming you get two ounces, those are mind-boggling prices. The ability to order your drinks at Boundary Stone by the ounce also adds to the value, in the sense that you get to try more whiskies on any given night.
***
If you find yourself up in the NE on an odd night out in DC, drop by Boundary Stone!