#### Maison

4.7 ·
Wine Bar · $$

Adams Morgan

Published: June 5, 2026

There’s a running joke between chef-partner **Matt Conroy** and co-owner **Omar Popal** that Maison Bar à Vins is “just a wine bar.” The latest concept from The Popal Group, which also operates Lutèce and Pascual, is, however, clearly much more than that.

Set in a historic brownstone in D.C.’s Adams Morgan neighborhood, Maison (for short) is a carefully renovated multi-story space with five Victorian fireplaces and antique chandeliers imported from France and Italy. It is home to an eclectic wine program, classic French spirits, and a talented group of chefs turning out classic terrines, housemade pasta, and plates of bluefin tuna with smoked eel and fava beans.

“It’s kind of an under-promise, over-deliver type thing,” says Conroy. “A wine bar just means so many different things, and I think part of what makes the space is you can make it what you want.”

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Guests can stop in for, say, a glass of Chenin Blanc at the bar, but for the full experience, fill the table with crispy tête de cochon, Maine mussels in bouillabaisse, and brioche-stuffed chicken, the latter of which Conroy says is a can’t-miss dish — along with the Basque cheesecake.

The secret to that chicken? “It’s really sourcing a good bird, treating it correctly, and cooking it with care,” says Conroy. The dish is currently being served with English peas and jus gras, a rich sauce made from drippings and stock.

The Maison chicken. Photo by Deb Lindsey, courtesy of Maison

Conroy and Popal first connected through a Craigslist ad in 2019. At the time, Conroy was in New York running Oxomoco, while Popal was searching for a chef to help expand his family’s restaurant business. Omar and his siblings, Fatima and Mustafa, founded [The Popal Group](https://blog.resy.com/2025/05/lapis-afghan-restaurant-washington-d-c/) alongside their parents, Zubair and Shamim, in 2003—roughly two decades after the family fled Afghanistan following the Soviet invasion.

“What began as a Craigslist post evolved into this beautifully harmonious partnership,” Popal describes. And Maison is an extension of that partnership — a restaurant where harmony shapes everything from the décor to the food to the experience itself.

“There’s a lot of intention behind everything we do here,” says Conroy. “From the way the check gets dropped to the restrooms to the wine glasses.”

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No matter what type of experience a guest is having at Maison, they hope the level of detail and care is noticed.

“There’s a wonderful harmony when something is done with intention,” Popal adds.

Despite the high level of attention, Conroy says the vibe is not stuffy in any way. Maison is a place where guests can have fun, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere.

That style of hospitality is also a nod to Popal’s upbringing. “As Afghans, when my parents would have friends over, it would be, like, 30 people that would come over to the house for a dinner party.”

This year, Popal and Conroy will be walking the red carpet together at the James Beard Awards. Maison is [nominated for Best New Restaurant](https://blog.resy.com/2026/03/james-beard-2026-finalists/), proving once more that it’s far more than just a wine bar.

_**Maison Bar à Vins** is open from Wednesday to Sunday starting at 5 p.m._