See What People Are Saying About Urbana

At Urbana, we think our restaurant is worth talking about. We're pleased others think so too...

(From The Express) - Best of D.C. Nightlife. October 2011. Urbana is recognized as having DC's Best Happy Hour in the Express' annual "Best of" awards: "You're going to fight for a place at this swanky, dimly lit bar, but the deals are worth it. Crowds show up for the $5 wines (house red, white or sparkling) and the $4 Yuenglings and Peronis. They stay for the $2 oysters and the half-price pizzas." http://www.expressnightout.com/2011/10/best-of-2011-nightlife/%23happyhour

(From Zagat Buzz) - DC's 12 Best Wine Bars. October 2011. Urbana is listed as one of Zagat's top wine bars in DC: "DC insiders descend to this below-street-level 'find' in Dupont Circle's Hotel Palomar for an inventive cocktail...but often end up staying for an 'imaginative' meal in its 'intimate' and 'relaxing' dining room; the modestly priced chow ranges from wood-fired pizzas and a raw bar to...French-Italian entrees." http://www.zagat.com/buzz/dcs-12-best-wine-bars

(From the National Culinary Review). - Go Nuts. September 2011. Chef John Critchley's famous beer nuts are featured in the National Culinary Review: "John Critchley, Executive chef at Urbana Restaurant & Wine Bar, Washington, D.C., says he got hooked on seasonednuts in Bangkok, where he ate crystallized spicy nuts. He now serves his version of beer nuts because, 'guests want small...creative bites to go along with their drinks.'" http://www.ncrdigital.com/ncr/201109?pg=33%23pg33

(From Eater). - Urbana's John Critchley Heads To The LambJam Masters September 2011. Eater DC interviews Urbana Chef John Critchley about his participation in the New York City Lamb Jam Master's competition: "John Critchley took the title at DC's first Lamb Jam competition hosted by the American Lamb Board. He won with a slow-cooked leg of lamb made with preserved lemons that he hopes to make his lucky charm this weekend when he faces off against the winners from three other cities at the Lamb Jam Masters." http://dc.eater.com/archives/2011/09/21/urbanas-john-critchley-heads-to-the-lamb-jam-masters.php

(From The Washington Post) – Meet John Critchley, Urbana's new executive chef. December 2010. The Washington Post welcomes executive chef, John Critchley to Urbana. The Post outlines Critchley’s plan for the restaurant: "Though Critchley will maintain Urbana’s focus on the cuisines of northwestern Italy and southeastern France, he will be drawing on his experience at Area 31 with simple, Mediterranean seafood dishes…the chef is quick to point out that he doesn’t plan to focus directly on seafood. 'It's going to be a little richer…it's almost a Provencal style of cooking.' [Critchley says]…in addition to the general menu, the chef plans to revisit the bar menu…" http://voices.washingtonpost.com/goingoutgurus/2010/12/meet_john_critchley_urbanas_ne.html#more

(From Washington Business Journal) – People on the Move. December 2010. The Washington Business Journal profiles Urbana's new chef, John Critchley, highlighting, "Critchley has served as a chef at Ford's Colony Dining Room in Williamsburg, Va., Trellis Restaurant and Uni Sashimi Bar. In 2005, Critchley and chef Ken Oringer opened Toro, a Boston tapas bar, and later began work with Island Creek Oysters Co. Critchley joined [Kimpton] in May 2008 and continued his culinary training in San Francisco before taking his post at Area 31 in October 2008." http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/potm/2010-12-10/

(From Brunch in Washington D.C.) - Brunch at Urbana. November 2010: A great review of Urbana's brunch from Brunch in Washington, D.C. suggests, "With pay-one-price bottomless Bellini bar, Urbana's brunch menu becomes a pretty good value...the sleek, modern atmosphere skews toward the look of a hip Tuscan wine cellar...with solid, if not over-the-top food, and a cool setting, it's a good choice for a Dupont Circle brunch, especially when you're looking for a convivial group outing." http://www.brunchinwashingtondc.com/

(From Delta Sky Magazine) - Washington D.C. - Delta Sky Picks. September 2010: Delta Sky Magazine picks Urbana in their article on where to dine in the nation's capital. Delta Sky claims, "Wine is the star accompanied by delicious Mediterranean cuisine...Sourcing from local producers when possible, Urbana has an extensive list of organic and sustainable wines."

(From Washingtonian Magazine) - Delicious Deals at Happy Hour. November 2009: Washingtonian suggests Urbana's happy hour as one of the best deals in town. "This subterranean restaurant/lounge in Dupont Circle's Hotel Palomar offers raw-bar specials - $1 oysters, $5 wine, $4 Peronis." http://www.washingtonian.com/articles/restaurants/14409.html

(From Washington Post Magazine) - Best Bets: Oyster Happy Hour. October 2009: The Washington Post Magazine selects Urbana to its list of "Best Bets" for Oyster Happy Hours in D.C, saying "Twenty and 30-somethings flock to Urbana's happy hour for thin pizzas, cheese selections and discounted glasses of wine, but since August the subterranean lounge has offered oysters on its munch list." http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/best-bets/oyster-happy-hour,82526.html