The Balkans…you do know where they are, right? Does the name conjure something up from an old history class, conflicts of the 1990’s or a sleepy-eyed geography lesson? Bring yourself up to date and stop into Ambar, 528 8th Street, SE, (Barracks Row) to sample some of the very best of Balkan cuisine and beverage. A bargain-priced Happy Hour menu of well-made drink and food choices (all at $5 each) is a good starting point and, as always, the HH Sleuths were very willing to spend another lovely Washington late afternoon doing the hard work of exploration for you.
We checked in at 4:00 p.m., took hostess Rosa’s advice, and went right to the second floor, to a weather-protected back terrace of bright colors, twinkle lights and decoration. Bartender Sean got us set up quickly with drinks. 
The HH liquor selection available was quite good for mixed rail drinks, and several specialty cocktails were offered.
We really enjoyed the Mojito Classic, Sarajevo Old Fashion, Pomegranate Collins and Berry Daisy. The HH wine selection included a good red, white and sparkling. Available beers on the HH menu were Yuengling and Miller Lite.
We steered clear of the fire-water Rakia, but were intrigued by flavored options.
Serbia is the country of origin of Ambar’s inspiration for the array of culinary offerings. The restaurant is popular with the neighborhood and professional locals of Barracks Row neighborhood for its long-standing night-time deal of “all-you-can-eat” small plates, with various attractive bottomless drink options. Much of the best of the main menu finds its way into the HH offerings. The country’s cuisine has generally leaned toward heavy meat dishes/kabobs, with accompanying chopped 
vegetable salads, stews, breads, yogurt-based sauces, dips, etc., so translating the flavors to a more tapas/small plate format means you can get a full meal experience by ordering an array of smaller bites. Shopska salad, a variation of which is found throughout the Balkans and other countries and cultures of the Black Sea, is a cultural comfort food – you won’t find lettuce, but only freshest of chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, some feta cheese and light, vinegar/oil dressing. The salad’s crisp and clean flavor profile is the perfect foil and complement to the kabobs and other meats and sliders. The Balkan fries are fresh (and addictive), the kebabs tender and flavorful, and the drunken mussels and almond crusted chicken are different, but delicious. Oh, and bread? Do yourself a favor and tie your hands behind your back to prevent your base, carbo-loving instincts from overtaking valuable stomach real estate with the copious refills of fried sourdough bread balls and other baked bread gifts that make perfect utensils for scooping up dips and sauces.
Overall, a delightful find and good maiden voyage for anyone’s exploration of the cornucopia of eateries and bars on Barracks Row.
The nitty gritty:
Happy Hours: Monday – Friday, 4 – 7 p.m. Fills in quickly.
Bathrooms: Oooo..a little mystery! Part some heavy, Oz-like velvet curtains around the corner from the roof top terrace to very acceptable restrooms.
Transportation: Metro rail (Orange, Blue and Silver Lines), Eastern Market stop; about a 10 minutes walk, east, along 8th Street, SE. Some metered parking along 8 Street, SE. Public parking lot two blocks to the south at 8th and I Streets, SE (under I-695 overpass). Parking in neighborhood, but be cautious of limits and restrictions. Taxis and car services abundant.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, as with so many places, wheeled personal vehicle accommodation is relegated to a perfectly accessible and pleasant first floor bar area, where you and your party would be enjoying a very good HH menu, but a floor removed from other Happy Hour celebrants.
DC Happy Hour Sleuths 