(For clarification: the rating for this restaurant is a 3.5)
The Mussel Bar in Bethesda is one of life's simple pleasures. The concept is not complicated. The food is simple, local and seasonal. Though there are other items on the menu, it's called the Mussel Bar for a reason. The drink is also simple. There are seven beers on draft, almost 70 bottled beers, and a selection of wines to choose from. Naturally, most of the beers are Belgian. Pair a Tripel with your mussels or try the Brabo Pils Pilsner, an exclusive, as your starter drink. For the most part, food will be light, yet filling.
A bar greets customers at the entrance of the 175 seat restaurant (125 indoor, 50 outdoor). Bottles of beers are lined neatly behind rows of glass doors. Large flat screen televisions hang from the ceiling. The first attraction is the mussels, but the place might be a good spot to watch a game or two.
The endive salad is done well. Some of the best flavors can stem from the most simple ingredients meshing together. Walnuts are sweet and caramelized. Stilton is flavorful but not overpowering. It’s good, certainly, but salads won’t be the reason guests return.
All mussel dishes here at $16 and are served with frites, mayonnaise, and bread. They’re brought to the table carefully, covered with glass lids that are happily lifted to unveil a billow of steam and what lies underneath.
The Wild Shroom mussel dish is one to celebrate. The trick here is to gather chunks of mushroom, pancetta, and as much cream sauce as you can with each mussel. There won’t be too much meat in each dish. That’s not the centerpiece. But eating everything together makes the experience go from okay to lovely.
For part II of the review, click here.
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