Restaurants seem to have a program for everything these days: cocktails, desserts, and even water. When Baba opens in Clarendon, the Balkan cafe/cocktail bar will offer a new kind of curated service: an “oatmeal program,” according to owner Ivan Iricanin.
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Why oatmeal? Iricanin also operates Ambar in the space above Baba, as well as the flagship Balkan restaurant on Capitol Hill. With Baba, he wants to create a “neighborhood hub” that serves morning through late-night, with a homey feel throughout. (The name translates to “grandmother.”) Daytime patrons will find La Colombe coffee drinks—to-go and stay—and a brunch-style menu that includes two kinds of fancy oatmeal (both $8). One is a “perfect bowl” with caramelized bananas, pineapple, almonds, peanut butter, and strawberry syrup. Another tiramisu-inspired option combines espresso-mascarpone, almond butter, prunes, and dark chocolate granola.
After 11 am, the kitchen will whip up savory grain bowls ($9) such as French green lentils, brown rice, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, organic bacon, and kimchi-yogurt. Iricanin also plans to offer oatmeal packages for takeout with various milks (dairy, nut), sweeteners, and toppings.
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Of course, there’s plenty to eat besides haute-meal. The daytime cafe menu is rounded out with open-face sandwiches, salads, and paninis (all $10 and under).
Iricanin teamed up with wife Nya Gill to create a comfy-chic design that works for day and night. Each dining place is outfitted with USB outlets so customers can sink into a leather chair and take advantage of free wi-fi. When the cocktail bar menu takes over around 4 pm, patrons can find a candlelit table. A DJ will spin starting at 10 pm, Wednesday through Saturday.
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Iricanin partnered with New York-based cocktail consultant Esteban Ordonez for Baba’s drinks; the barman made a name at NYC mixology haunts like Apothéke. Libations take cues from the Balkans—try a Serbian Sombrero with pink peppercorn tequila and rose water—and incorporate unusual ingredients such as chamomile-infused rakia and blue plum brandy. All are half-off during happy hour (Monday through Friday, 4 to 7 pm).
Shareable plates are portioned more like snacks to complement drinks. Savories lean modern European, such as cured meat boards, creamy ham croquettes, and salmon-beetroot tartare. For something more substantial, head to Ambar above, or just hold out until morning for more of that oatmeal.
Baba is slated to open in mid-February.
Baba. 2901 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (two blocks from Clarendon Metro); 703-312-7978. Daily breakfast, lunch/brunch, 7 am to 4 pm; cocktails and snacks, 4 pm to midnight.