Last week was Wilson Hardware Kitchen & Bar’s one-year anniversary media event and it did not disappoint. As soon as I walked through the doors, I was immediately drawn towards the well-lighted high ceiling in their 7,000 square foot establishment. Media folks were guided upstairs where I got to experience just how spacious this restaurant/bar truly is. From the huge brick painted wall mural of a mysterious female bathed in a variety of flowers to live music playing from the 2nd floor, the ambiance was set perfectly for a Friday night.
View from the 2nd floor.
Signature drink: “Screw Him.”
Of the various bar bites served, my personal favorites of the night were the wild mushrooms with truffle butter, and fresh mozzarella with fennel pollen and radish. But my absolute favorite item from the night was not food, but the “adult juice,” as I like to tell my nieces and nephews whenever they get curious about my alcoholic beverages. Wilson Hardware served one of their signature drinks that contains simple ingredients: vodka, lychee, hibiscus, lemon, and champagne, and yet it was absolutely amazing. It was clean, crisp, slightly sweet (and mind you- I don’t have a sweet tooth and am fairly sensitive to sweets) and bubbly. What makes this amazing drink even more amazing is its humorous name: Screw Him. I am tempted to go back this weekend just to get another taste of this refreshing drink.
Bar bites: Mini crab cakes, quinoa salad, and wild mushrooms with truffle butter.
Fresh mozzarella with fennel pollen and radish.
Due to the rain, I was unable to checkout their rooftop, which I was really looking forward to. That is ok, since it gives me a reason to go back ASAP.
Another reason to go back other than a Clarendon rooftop outing? Brunch! Wilson Hardware came out with a brand new brunch menu with — prepare yourselves — twenty-five cent mimosas (available only with bottomless brunch that is $35 per person). Mimosas for a quarter each?! Sign me up! If bottomless brunch isn’t up your alley, a la carte is available as well. All their brunch small plates sound deliciously promising but one item really caught my eye: Short Rib Hash. It is described in their menu as beef short rib, fried egg, and butternut squash potato hash, with pepper jam reduction. Short rib and fried egg?! Yes, please! They also offer traditional brunch items as well, including Chicken & Waffles, Eggs Benedict, Deviled Eggs & Biscuit, and Belgian Waffles. Check out their brunch menu for more details.
Wilson Hardware is located at 2915 Wilson Blvd and it is not hard to miss since it is right by the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Garfield St. I highly recommend this spot if you want to grab some drinks with friends, do a proper sit-down dinner, listen to music, grab brunch, or all of the above!
Cheers!
-EHY (Elina)
