Hunter Jackman
(Pictured is the Steak Benedict)
The Rating
2/5 Overall
This is a rating for the cumulative dining experience. The standards for rating can be found here.
The Ambar Brunch experience received points for Price and Presentation.
5/5 Bottomless Brunch
This rating is exclusive to a bottomless brunch deals.
The Need to Know
Ambar just dropped a new brunch menu that debuted Saturday, October 17. I had the opportunity to be one of the first customers to taste it and can now share my thoughts with you all. The new food menu is featured at both the D.C. and Arlington locations for two different valuable prices. The only distinction is the drink menu—they each feature different mimosa variations. They also both have a classic bloody mary and mimosa. The Arlington price will give you more bang for your buck. Fun fact: You would have to drink 20 beverages on your own at the Arlington location for it to equal the D.C. price.
Arlington, VA - Clarendon: $39.99 flat price for unlimited plates + $0.25 per drink from a limited drink menu
Washington D.C. - Capitol Hill: $35.99 flat price for unlimited plates + $8.99 flat rate for unlimited drinks from a limited drink menu
The Overview
The Ambar brunch experience will give you everything you'd expect from a typical brunch spot in the DMV. If you're set out to get drunk with your friends while feasting, that's exactly what you are going to get here. You'll be able to eat as much as your stomach can contain while tasting a large variety of flavors—all beautifully presented. You'll enjoy everything they rush out to you and leave with a full stomach. Even if you are the pickiest of eaters or have dietary restrictions, there will be something just for you on the menu.
I think the American/Balkan fusion is a fun and tasty gimmick, but lacks the boldness I was hoping for. The brunch menu exemplifies a wide array of flavors and shows that they put effort into how their food is presented. However, I am assuming the fast pace used to prepare these dishes compromises the quality that can be achieved with more time. Knowing the chef's attention to detail evidenced by the food's presentation, I would love to try something that has been given more time to prepare. On the other side of the coin, I would love to try more dishes that are a bit more bold and experimental like their fried chicken slider with an apple wasabi coleslaw.
The Details
My "Ambar Experience" began with a 9:45 am reservation at the Clarendon location. It did take us a minute to get seated, but it was due to an early staff meeting. It seemed like they were game planning for the new menu that was being introduced and the crowd was soon to rush in. After being seated in an empty restaurant, patrons began to pour in one by one— the restaurant was packed by the time we left.
The waitstaff was extremely friendly and tried their best to take care of every need that came up from each table. Once orders were taken, it was only moments later before a busser ran the food out. The restaurant was running like a well-oiled machine, but even the most expensive oil can't fix all the kinks; there were orders missed here and there, but overall we were able to try most of the menu. The items I tried are as follows:
Food
Ambar Mezze (a charcuterie board)
Their dips are the most interesting thing to try in this spread, but they don't give enough bread to enjoy them all substantially. We asked for more bread and it never came, which was kind of a shame. The meat on the board was okay, but something you could just pick up at your local grocer. Here is a list of the dips that were all enjoyable.
Oliver - mayo dijon mustard - light and tangy (bottom right)
Garlic Beans - roasted and pickled peppers with garlic - spicy and flavorful (top right)
Ajvar - roasted pepper and eggplant - hearty and creamy (top right)
Beet Tzatziki - yogurt with roasted beets - refreshing (bottom left)
Steak Benedict
This would be my go-to for brunch. As my close friend described, "it came with its hair and make up done." The poached egg was gorgeous and all of the flavors were so distinct. If you were to get anything on this menu, it should be this. This is why it's the blog post header.
Crispy Chicken Slider
I think this was the boldest take on the menu, and I wish I saw more dishes like this. The apple wasabi coleslaw easily made this chicken sandwich unique. I know I can't get this elsewhere.
Grilled Steak
You aren't going to get anything great with this; it's a small fatty piece of beef that was inconsistent in how it was cooked. However, the marinade was full of flavor with a refreshing chimichurri sauce on top.
Veal Soup
A very hearty soup that would warm you up on a rainy day. This is comfort in a bowl and the crème fraîche adds just enough creaminess, but isn't overbearing.
Mushroom Pilav
This was honestly just mushrooms and rice. It was kind of carbs on it its own, but if you put the grilled steak over it, I am sure it would pair well.
Potato Hash
These would be a reliable side with any breakfast dish. They were seasoned nicely with their house made spices. It almost reminded me of Lawry's seasoning salt.
Mac n Cheese
If you order chicken tenders off the kids menu at 50% of the restaurants you go to, you are going to be blown away with this—it's just simply baked mac n cheese.
Cevapi 'Belkan Kebab'
This is extremely juicy and fatty and might give you the meat sweats, but you won't be disappointed. It's much closer to an American breakfast sausage than a kebab.
Smoked Sausage
This was something forgettable to me, but went well with their mustard.
Sudzuk Flatbread
Honestly, this tasted like a pepperoni pizza with no sauce. The only difference is that the pepperonis were made from beef and not pork but were oily nonetheless.
Pecan and Maple Waffle
If you have a sweet tooth, this won't disappoint. The candied pecans and maple syrup make you feel like you just woke up in a log cabin on Christmas morning.
Cinnamon Sweet Sourdough
These were tasty, but honestly just large Cinnabon Delights without a cream cheese frosting center.
Drinks
Traditional Mimosa
This is the one you're going to chug as you see your waiter coming around with the pitcher.
Peach Bellini
This is similar to the Traditional Mimosa, but it mixes it up just enough to taste distinct.
Mixed Berry Mimosa
It was my go-to during the course of the brunch because it was light and did not taste like orange juice.
Brunch Aperitivo
This was the most flavorful; it was just a bit bitter and the closest you're going to get to a whiskey glass style cocktail.
Red Wine Punch
If you can handle your sugar this is the drink for you. I could barely handle one of these, but if you want a liquified jolly rancher, then this is what you're looking for. Just be prepared for your tongue to be dyed red.
Bloody Mary
This honestly just tasted like tomato juice and vodka. The horseradish flavor and Worcestershire sauce were not present enough for me, but I was genuinely impressed with the strength of vodka in these. I ideally would not like to taste the vodka, but I at least knew they weren't skimping out on me.
Thank you for reading along. I would love to hear your feedback on my review, your review of Ambar, or any suggestions you may have! :)
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