Barrio opened three months ago under the Trace Lofts Condos on Capitol Hill’s growing area on 12th Avenue. Open up their heavy dungeon doors and a surprising bright and lively bar awaits you inside.
This does not seem to me like the classic American Mexican restaurant. Billing themselves as a Mexican restaurant with Northwest style and influence, the place felt more Spanish to me than Mexican but what do I know. For a discussion by Barrio of what makes Mexican food “Mexican” go here.
The bar was full of an eclectic mix of stylish people, including a heavy portion of gays on this particular early Thursday evening and the bartender swears the bar is packed just about every weekday night due to their generous (and I would say “somewhat stylish”) Happy Hour. Most importantly the bartender went out of his way to be friendly and patient even though it was busy.
Happy Hour runs Sunday – Thursday from 5pm – 6:30pm and 10pm – 12am. On Friday and Saturday Happy Hour runs 12am – 2am with food until 1am.
During Happy Hour their Brazilian Caipirinha ($5) was excellent, made with cachca (rum-like suger cane liquor), lime and sugar, it tasted similar to the Mojito but without the mint and fortunately not as sweet as you might expect. The Tecate drafts at $2 are unbeatable. Tecate is best when it is on draft and few bars are even able to deliver Budweiser at that price. If you prefer something non-alcoholic try their fresh lemon-mint water – Aqua-Fresca ($4). While the traditionally sized 4 inch tacos for $2 barely seemed like a couple of mouthfuls for me, the quality was pretty good and about half off their regular price. Two of my favorites during Happy Hour were the Spiced Duck Confit taco with dried cherry-ancho salsita or their Housemade Chorizo and Organic Eggs taco queso fresco (fresh cheese) and cilantro leaves.
In the dining room their “entradas” hover at $15 or less with their Grilled Ribeye Steak topping out the menu at $17. The Seattle PI has your detailed review here.
The weather in Seattle will be getting warmer and Barrio seems like it would make a perfect stop for Happy Hour after work. But this is all just the beginning for me. So many items on the menu to try, so little time.
More info about Barrio is avialable on their website.
it’s cachaca, but the last c is really a cedilla, that funny c with a tail…
and, cachaca IS delicious!
and, it WILL fuck you up…