{"items":["5faa94016e8b0400176d9d89","5faa94016e8b0400176d9d8a","5faa94016e8b0400176d9d8b"],"styles":{"galleryType":"Columns","groupSize":1,"showArrows":true,"cubeImages":true,"cubeType":"max","cubeRatio":1.7777777777777777,"isVertical":true,"gallerySize":30,"collageAmount":0,"collageDensity":0,"groupTypes":"1","oneRow":false,"imageMargin":30,"galleryMargin":0,"scatter":0,"rotatingScatter":"","chooseBestGroup":true,"smartCrop":false,"hasThumbnails":false,"enableScroll":true,"isGrid":true,"isSlider":false,"isColumns":false,"isSlideshow":false,"cropOnlyFill":false,"fixedColumns":0,"enableInfiniteScroll":true,"isRTL":false,"minItemSize":50,"rotatingGroupTypes":"","rotatingCropRatios":"","columnWidths":"","gallerySliderImageRatio":1.7777777777777777,"numberOfImagesPerRow":3,"numberOfImagesPerCol":1,"groupsPerStrip":0,"borderRadius":0,"boxShadow":0,"gridStyle":0,"mobilePanorama":false,"placeGroupsLtr":false,"viewMode":"preview","thumbnailSpacings":4,"galleryThumbnailsAlignment":"bottom","isMasonry":false,"isAutoSlideshow":false,"slideshowLoop":false,"autoSlideshowInterval":4,"bottomInfoHeight":0,"titlePlacement":["SHOW_ON_THE_RIGHT","SHOW_BELOW"],"galleryTextAlign":"center","scrollSnap":false,"itemClick":"nothing","fullscreen":true,"videoPlay":"hover","scrollAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","slideAnimation":"SCROLL","scrollDirection":0,"scrollDuration":400,"overlayAnimation":"FADE_IN","arrowsPosition":0,"arrowsSize":23,"watermarkOpacity":40,"watermarkSize":40,"useWatermark":true,"watermarkDock":{"top":"auto","left":"auto","right":0,"bottom":0,"transform":"translate3d(0,0,0)"},"loadMoreAmount":"all","defaultShowInfoExpand":1,"allowLinkExpand":true,"expandInfoPosition":0,"allowFullscreenExpand":true,"fullscreenLoop":false,"galleryAlignExpand":"left","addToCartBorderWidth":1,"addToCartButtonText":"","slideshowInfoSize":200,"playButtonForAutoSlideShow":false,"allowSlideshowCounter":false,"hoveringBehaviour":"NEVER_SHOW","thumbnailSize":120,"magicLayoutSeed":1,"imageHoverAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imagePlacementAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","calculateTextBoxWidthMode":"PERCENT","textBoxHeight":60,"textBoxWidth":200,"textBoxWidthPercent":75,"textImageSpace":10,"textBoxBorderRadius":0,"textBoxBorderWidth":0,"loadMoreButtonText":"","loadMoreButtonBorderWidth":1,"loadMoreButtonBorderRadius":0,"imageInfoType":"ATTACHED_BACKGROUND","itemBorderWidth":0,"itemBorderRadius":0,"itemEnableShadow":false,"itemShadowBlur":20,"itemShadowDirection":135,"itemShadowSize":10,"imageLoadingMode":"BLUR","expandAnimation":"NO_EFFECT","imageQuality":90,"usmToggle":false,"usm_a":0,"usm_r":0,"usm_t":0,"videoSound":false,"videoSpeed":"1","videoLoop":true,"jsonStyleParams":"","gallerySizeType":"px","gallerySizePx":1000,"allowTitle":true,"allowContextMenu":true,"textsHorizontalPadding":-30,"itemBorderColor":{"themeName":"color_12","value":"rgba(216,216,216,0)"},"showVideoPlayButton":true,"galleryLayout":2,"calculateTextBoxHeightMode":"MANUAL","targetItemSize":1000,"selectedLayout":"2|bottom|1|max|true|0|true","layoutsVersion":2,"selectedLayoutV2":2,"isSlideshowFont":true,"externalInfoHeight":60,"externalInfoWidth":0.75},"container":{"width":300,"galleryWidth":330,"galleryHeight":0,"scrollBase":0,"height":null}}
Sunday Chill Day at Bar Elena
I am a big fan that H street restaurant scene is developing, especially since it is the only area in DC where you can find street parking with no issues. Typically when I go out to eat, I prefer going somewhere that entails me getting a little dressed up, but I decided to switch it up a little and do brunch at Bar Elena last weekend, which is a chill bar with an industrial feel that functions as a mini- arcade. The bar has a couple of games like a pinball machine along with a huge projector and tv, which makes it the perfect location to catch up on a game if you’re a sports fan.

Location and Parking: As mentioned before Bar Elena is located on H Street , but the exact location is 414 H St NE, Washington DC. I went to brunch on Saturday at 1pm and had no issues finding street parking, which is a massive bonus in my book.

Food: My friend is embarking on a lifestyle change, so she had the Charred Carrots salad, with a side of grilled chicken ( not pictured) for $10. The salad contained roasted squash, heirloom carrots, sage honey and herbed ricotta. Personally, I would not get a salad for brunch but alas, as she stated we’re getting older ( the dark side of our 20's) hence the necessity to eat healthier at all times lol. While I’m not necessarily a salad type of girl, I will say that it was delicious, visually appealing and the grilled chicken was very flavorful. Not surprisingly, I got the French toast, which was made with brioche, strawberry preserves, and cream cheese.

The French toast was so good and a very generous portion size for $14. Their brunch menu is pretty extensive, so it would be pretty hard not to find something you would want to try. The next time I go back I intend to try one of their shellfish option like the fried oysters ( which I wish I tried) or the steamed middleneck clams.

Overall I think Bar Elena is the perfect spot to catch up with some friends given the chill vibes, or if you're looking for a new spot on H Street. I definitely plan to check them out again sooner rather than later.
SN : My friend has been here a couple of times and recommended trying the hush puppies. Unfortunately, they're not on the brunch menu, but if you do end up going for dinner/ HH, then I would suggest ordering them.