I guess you could say that if a restaurant is named after a narcissist then you have a customer for life. Every visit to Bar Isabel for me has been something of a religious experience - the food comes out in an organized coursed procession and is handsomely plated. I have come with 'chef friends', and they have all been impressed.
Menu standouts: Bone marrow, beet salad, fried chicken (late night menu), fried squid rib eye (duh) and the basque cake. This cake with sherry cream is what dead babies get to sleep on in heaven. FOH staff are knowledgeable in every aspect of service. Cocktails are beautifully crafted and being an extremely difficult person to make a drink for, i am always pleased when I order my juice-like rum sours. I have the utmost respect for the staff who can cook for such long hours and make consistently beautiful food, and to those who serve patrons politely for a million hours a night.
Be nice to them.