It’s a Lovely Brunch Affair at Barbary Deli + Cocktail!

It’s a Lovely Brunch Affair at Barbary Deli + Cocktail!

From scratch, freshly made, and with one of the best drinks selections in town.

It’s 45 minutes before brunch hour and I’m already in the mood for some good food and drink. The black staircase leading to the restaurant is lit with red neon signage that reads “ADULTS ONLY”. There is an entrance from the hotel’s elevator but if you’re the garden variety switched-on millennial type like me, you’re better off taking the staircase entrance to snap some Insta-worthy photos.

Barbary is a by-product of theatrical aesthetics, brazen spirit and musical playfulness – equal parts cocktail bar, retro club and delicatessen.

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Nostalgia is the obvious driving force for diners, even when it’s not so obvious. Buried in the depths of Barsha Heights, Barbary Deli + Cocktail has become a favorite for the after-work crowd who’d be more than down for a treat of wild beverages and great food to go with it. Barbary is a by-product of theatrical aesthetics, brazen spirit and musical playfulness – equal parts cocktail bar, retro club and delicatessen. The venue is a decorous blend of clandestine naughtiness and illicit parlor feel. But Barbary on a weekend is a different story as it transforms into a place meant for good ‘ol eating and drinking along with a fantastic music selection.

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In a city so saturated with predictable restaurants promoting the market’s typical expectations, Barbary Deli + Cocktail stands out with a food and beverage selection that strays away from mass market norms.

I’m not one to shy away from a good old drink, but afternoons like these call for something special! The midday sunlight makes the place seem different, but also familiar. Cushy mid-century inspired sofas are tastefully paired with red velvet curtains and, bright, glitzy crystal chandeliers. Plant parents love that the restaurant boasts some nice plants too, though, people who frequent the place at night probably still haven’t noticed these hidden babies.

In a city so saturated with predictable restaurants promoting the market’s typical expectations, Barbary Deli + Cocktail stands out with a food and beverage selection that strays away from mass market norms. It tempts you with drinks for the entire afternoon at first, but it is their brunch experience – the Barbary experience, that keeps you coming back.

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Hours before the brunch, the kitchen is already in full swing. With a variety of premium cured meats, salads, bread and dips, and sandwiches, alongside a raw bar and grill options including beef short ribs and roast chicken — the menu is a cross between deli counter favorites and hearty food.

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Barbary’s love for brunch is evident from the moment you enter the room. They welcome you with an authentic, Barbary twist on the classic Mimosa (because brunch without one is pointless). Then you can either choose from a selection of salads and vegetarian options, or get down to business with signatures like the Cuban sandwich, chipotle steak tartare, and the ‘sizeable’ Barbary burger!

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The menu has an uncanny ability to strike a cool bargain between familiarity and reasonable playfulness, adding bits of ‘foreplay’ (starters) to make things more indulgent but not overpowering.

The deli doesn’t fall into “that trap” where the mains are interpretations of the same flavor. Each dish is distinct, flaunting its own tell-tale flavor profile: from a lighter fish to a smoky pulled pork, and a sweeter take on chicken. If you’re like me, you’d wish for some rice to go with it. But all in all, they serve great food, with or without the booze because Barbary knows well that our palates deserve this level of attention.

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The menu has an uncanny ability to strike a cool bargain between familiarity and reasonable playfulness, adding bits of ‘foreplay’ (starters) to make things more indulgent but not overpowering. Good food is the most appropriate shorthand for Barbary. Nothing on the menu will intimidate you, but at the same time, everything will make you hungry.

Whether you’re here to “build-a-barry”, have brunch with friends or just to make more memories, Barbary gives you all three.

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Brunch is strictly interpreted as a hybrid of breakfast and lunch mostly practiced by the oldies, but Barbary is beyond just that. It’s a leisurely experience accompanied by a well-earned food coma and slight buzz later on.

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There are more things to talk about in Barbary: like how it brings you back the iconic, glitzy Parisian bars of the 1930s with all the vintage aesthetic and old-world charm, or how the owner — Joey Ghazal tells such beautiful stories through his brand, reminiscing what happens at night at Barbary, speaking of tales that will forever stay within walls. Much like Vegas, what happens in Barbary indeed stays in Barbary. And with every good experience, you’ll definitely come back for more. This time, try taking the other entrance.   

Visit their Instagram page: Barbary Deli + Cocktail Club

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