Higher end Mexican food, a nice vibe, great for a date night. We had a reservation on a Friday night, and it was busy so I do recommend a reservation if you come during peak hours. We started with a round of cocktails. Theirs are solid twists on classics. The masa antigua is an old fashioned variation with a tortilla syrup which gives it a very unique smoothness. It smells like orange zest and coats your mouth with a velvety coating. Highly recommended. The food satisfied as well. We started with the shrimp appetizer. We didn't realize that it would be large head on prawns, which we normally don't enjoy, but we dove in, and they had delicious grilled flavor. The grilled bavette steak is very tasty, too. The portions are on the smaller side, but we were filled up nicely. They offer tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, and plenty of other Mexican favorites, too. We came pretty late, but they do offer happy hour (or, La Hora Poderosa, aka power hour) until 7 M-F and until 6 weekends. Nice. Food and drink specials are offered, too, which is the key to a solid happy hour in my book. The margarita is $8 off! Got to come back for that... read more

We had a great meal here . Small lovely little restaurant with a nice bar and great drinks to start your meal off great. We started off at the bar and had two great margaritas one standard and one passion fruit margarita both were so so good booze forward. We started with the fried cheese appetizer which was unexpectedly good. The guacamole was unique and filled with dill but very good. We opted for a fish special dish that was cooked perfectly and arrived to the table colorful and beautiful. The carne asada was prepared perfectly with tender steak that was flavored perfectly and served with whipped mashed potatoes and asparagus. We also ordered the carrots as a table side and glad we did. Heirloom carrots roasted perfectly. Everything was not only hot , and delicious but as all food you first eat with your eyes was beautiful and colorful. This meal was more pricy that average meals we eat out but we have been trying to come here and passed by a few times so this trip we reserved for dinner. Try it you won't be disappointed. read more

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Food and service were good. I think I like the idea that service is included in the bill, 20%. It's called a gratuity on the receipt. I would rather it be simply called a service fee. I like the way they describe at the bottom of the receipt that 20% is added to the bill and given to non-management staff. Since 20% is exactly what I had planned to tip, it worked out great. chile relleno was quite tasty. Chips and salsa were excellent. And I'd say ceviche was a 7 out of 10. Dining room was clean and comfortable. Seated as soon as I walked in. read more

What a hidden gem near DuPont circle. Very glad we decided to spend one of our limited nights here in DC at this chic Mexican spot. Huge shoutout to our bartender Vernon who took the time to explain their unique menu and make us feel welcomed. Their AF marg and spicy marg were exactly what I wanted them to be, especially at only $9 when at the bar during happy hour (til 6pm). My one minor criticism is thought I thought their chips were too crispy. For food, the sopesitos with the pork chorizo was the perfect sharing plate. It came with 6 or so tiny masa cakes, house made crema, salsa, pico verde and creamy black beans. Pork chorizo was well seasoned and the perfect topping for the sopes. I loved how it was DIY too! We also decided to share the carrots on the side, and wow, they were so soft, melted in your mouth, sitting in a puddle of mole sauce. Unreal flavors. read more

Amparo Fondita - Zanahoria al Horno - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I wanted to like this place. Going to mexico city gave me high expectations and unfortunately this place let me down. The interior decor is really cute. The food, however, was incredibly expensive but not well executed. Our ceviche was really sour, and the chilaquiles came out soggy. The fish tacos were soggy as well and lacked the flavor kick. read more

Amparo Fondita - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The tasting menu at Amparo Fondita was a treat! Everything was delicious, the service was amazing and attentive, and the drinks were so smooth and creative. The tasting menu is a 6-course selection of menu and off-menu items. The amount of food was reasonable for the price; my favorites of the night were a super refreshing and fresh orange salad, and the decadent tres leches cake. You can feel the love and care that's put in all the dishes, and that made me appreciate the flavor and food even more. read more

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Excellent service, tasty and unique food, and an environment that my wife said she'd prefer to live in! We did the tasting course which was unique and fantastic. Our host Guadalupe talked us through the courses and was super helpful. Can't recommend the tasting menu enough, but be warned it's a lot of food relative to other menus! Pace yourself :) Cocktails can't miss, and the ambiance can't be beat either. Straight bangers on the sound system and the place was super cozy. Will be back! read more

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This place was hands down a top three meal for me last year, and looks like they'll keep that title this year I tried everything on their restaurant week menu so I can tell you you can't go wrong with any of it, but my highlights were the ceviche verde, pork belly tacos, and the coffee and orange zest flan For extra yumminess, the huapango mango cocktail is your fruity go-to read more

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Good food, but slow service and high prices mean it's not worth a second visit. I visited on Saturday night at 6 PM with a reservation for two. We were greeted and seated quickly enough, and we got water, but then it took 15 minutes for someone to stop by again. By that time, we were ready to order both drinks and food. Service was similarly slow and inattentive during the rest of the meal. The dining room was busy, but not full, and staff walked by our table plenty of times, but didn't bother to check on us. There was a 20% auto-gratuity, but they didn't earn it. We had the Salsa Trio ($15), Trucha Tikin Xic for one ($30), Tacos de Barbacoa ($29), and Chile Relleno ($29). The chips and salsa were good, particularly the salsa matcha, but I wouldn't get it again when I can get almost as good chips and salsa for free at Oyamel. This isn't unique to Amparo Fondita, but we need to have a conversation about the tiny wooden bowls used for salsa. It might be traditional, but it's not convenient. Let's innovate. I want salsa bowls big enough I can dip my chip. The Trucha Tikin Xic -- trout roasted in banana leaf, which came with a few veggies and tortillas to make tacos -- was very good. It's on the main menu as a serving for 2+ ($65), but the specials menu had it for one ($30). The price was fine. The only problem is it still had some small fish bones you had to pick out. Unpleasant, and not conducive to making tacos. The Tacos de Barbacoa -- which used lamb, onions, and guacamole -- were delicious, but too much at almost $10 per taco. The Chile Relleno was fine but why so expensive? It was just a (very large) pepper, cheese, and sauce. You are looking at an extra $9+ if you want an interesting topping. No thanks. We had red wine and an Aviacion cocktail to drink; they were fine. Decor was light and modern. Nice enough. read more

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We enjoyed catching up with friends here, who suggested this spot, right off Dupont. Though, I will say, the noise inside was really tough to have a conversation. I'm still convinced that my hearing took a hit down that night! It was so loud! The highlight of our dinner was the wine. I loved seeing so many options from Valle de Guadalupe including Bodega de Santo Tomas' wine and Monte Xanic. We did enjoy the atmosphere and catching up with friends. Though, the hard push out at the end left very little to be desired. The excuse? There was a large group at the front, so they immediately started pushing us out as we all ordered dessert. Was it a great experience? Meh? It was okay. For the prices, I would have expected more. I think the food needs some work. My friends called out the tacos, but the menu completely changed and there was only 1 taco available. Overall, I think this place is struggling to find it's place. I'd be willing to give it another try, but it definitely needs some improvement. read more

Amparo Fondita really exceeded my expectations. The server was attentive and knowledgeable and sat us at the best table in the house by the window. We each had blood orange margaritas, which were perfectly balanced and so drinkable. We split the lechugas salad, and it honestly was one of the best salads I've ever had. The gem lettuce was fresh, the pickled jalapeños added a great kick, and the herb dressing was to die for. I had the trout for my main course, and really enjoyed the flavorful sauce it was coated in. The blue corn tortillas were thick and perfect for making my own little fish tacos. We ended with the papaya dessert, which was unlike anything I'd ever had. The papaya is cooked in a way that gives it this almost gummy texture and it's perfect paired with the coconut cream. I saw some reviews complain about the noise level, but honestly, maybe it was just because of our table, but it was not too loud for us. I will acknowledge that this is a pricey dinner, and I certainly see it as a special occasion restaurant, but I can't wait to come back! read more

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Wanted to check out Amparo Fondita because we saw some unusual menu items! Our waitress Deisy was so attentive and knowledgeable and I had great dinner recommendations. She suggested we tried the prawns and we could've ordered 2 sets of them! They were grilled to perfection! The salsa trio with guacamole was SO fresh and the chips were so crispy, we had to stop eating them to make room for the other appetizers. The citrus salad was one of my favorites, it was a refreshing salad and will go back just for the salad honestly. So delicious! We ordered the ants and cricket which was why we wanted to visit in the first place because how cool is that! The desert we chose was the carrot cake and we ate the whole thing! The decor is really nice and they have a big mirror leading up to the bathroom to take pics. And the decor shows off Mexican culture throughout. The parking is street side and there's a parking garage about a block away. Here's what we tried : Drinks: Huapango Mango Gourmet Insects: chicatana ants grasshopper Appetizers: chips and salsa trio with guacamole grilled prawn citrus salad oyster Entree: carne asada tacos Dessert: carrot cake read more

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I had a great experience at Amparo Fondita. It is pricey, but definitely worth it. The vibe and atmosphere are so cute, warm lighting, great music, and a nice layout for a date night without feeling crowded or loud. The food was amazing and authentic. The guacamole and the Machucos were a standout. And the tacos de asada were some of the best I've had in DC: tender meat and the house-made tortillas really made a difference. I even bought some tortillas to go. Service was solid throughout, attentive without hovering. read more

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Starting off with the plantain empanadas really set the tone for the rest of the meal because wow!!! Mind you, I'm not even the biggest fan on plantains (which sounds crazy because I'm Nigerian) but they were so good we almost got another order. We also got the camarones a la plancha (grilled head-on prawns) to start and they were huge, cooked perfectly, and had great flavor. Also was tempted to get another order of this. The quesadillas were okay to me but they reminded me I prefer protein based quesadillas. The barbacoa was rich and flavorful. I didn't try the mushrooms but my friend seemed to like them. We got rice and squash as sides as well and they were good. For desert we got the tres leches and carrot cake. If I knew they were that huge, would have probably said we should get one and share but you do get your moneys worth with them. My friend tried both and preferred the tres leches. Beautiful restaurant with great flavorful food. It's lots of refinded dishes, which is nice to see their spin. Service was good too and they were busy for a Wednesday night. It's an intimate spot, so definitely somewhere you'd want to make a reservation for. I'll be back because I want to try the red snapper! read more

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Amparo Fondita is a very welcome addition to the DC dining scene. I can't remember the last time I felt that there was so much love and care put into the food that was cooked. The whole experience left me with a sense of warmth and happiness. The restaurant itself is tucked away in a what looks like a typical DC row home. A place you could easily walk by if you were not looking for it. If you are lucky enough to dine at Amparo Fondita then you will be greeted by one of the most beautiful restaurants in DC. It's sleek, modern and very welcoming. Full disclosure.... I went for Lunch, which was somewhat new at the time. Lunch is a stripped down version of their dinner menu but ohhh boyyy it did not disappoint!!! I would drive to Amparo Fondita from Japan (if that was possible) just to have their chips and dip. Do not skip these.... They are amazing. The barbacoa is also next level delicious, this place does not disappoint. Last but certainly not least the cocktail program is fantastic. True artisans in the mezcal cocktail world. Please go and enjoy. A true hidden gem in DC read more

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Amparo has been on my list to try for a long while, and boy did it exceed expectations. Walking right in the door we were greeted by the cutest vibe with lovely lighting calling attention to the modern and authentic feng shui. The happy hour menu is incredible, you can get a taste of so much for such a reasonable amount. And it's worth it to step outside your comfort zone. Elephant in the room, the sopesitos con bichos are covered in what I think were crickets. The menu did clearly highlight the dish contained the "insect of the day" but I naively thought it would be less than it was. If you find yourself ordering this dish, try to get a bite with everything in it. The combined crunch with the complex flavors of the masa cakes really is incredible. We tried a sampling of the tacos which were all fantastic but the highlight for me was the ceviche. Generous helping of delicious guacamole on a tasty tostado, each bite was refreshing and delicious. read more

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This is a beautiful modern Mexican award -winning restaurant in DC. This is a very nice restaurant with a great atmosphere, perfect for date night, and after work vibed. We enjoyed dishes like the ceviche, guacamole, soso platter, and short ribs, all of which were flavorful and well-prepared. However, the service left much to be desired. It took over an hour for our entrées to arrive with no updates from our server, which was disappointing. When we asked for drink recommendations, the response felt bland and unhelpful, and we also would have appreciated more explanation about the unique insect dishes offered on the menu. Overall, the food and setting are strong, but the service experience fell short of expectations. read more

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I came here last night with a friend for their happy hour and I strongly reccomend it! I got the AF marg which was honestly one of the best margs I think I ever had. We got the ceviche tostada and the fish tacos which were both fantastic. The tostada had plenty of fish in a vibrant green sauce and the tacos were excellent. I'd 100% come back for another HH! read more

Five stars for the food. Four for the experience. Running a restaurant is hard work, especially since the pandemic. Because of that, take everything I say with a grain of salt. After dining here with my wife for Valentine's Day, we have a few notes and I write them as suggestions. Overall, Amparo Fondita was a great experience. Starting with the food, everything we got was really good and our dishes came out fast despite being busy. To start, we enjoyed the chips and three salsas. The chips are very good as are all three of the salsas. The pork belly tacos were superb! We also loved the ceviche, plantains, and the salad. For dessert, I got their sipping chocolate. After the ceramic cup cooled down, I enjoyed it! The cocktails were well done and the menu has something for everyone. I got their mango drink and then a Valentine's Day special. The decorations inside are simple, yet elegant. It reminded us of restaurants in Guadalajara, Mexico. The only suggestion is to figure out a better system at the bar. We sat at the bar for 30 minutes before our table was ready and it took that long for our drinks to come out after having two different wrong drinks sent to us. The experience was just as slow at our table when ordering cocktails. We all have off days so it could very much be that. Overall, if you love Mexican food, book a table here. We'll be back for sure! read more

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The food, service, and ambiance of Amparo is absolutely amazing! I loved that this little restaurant was tucked away on a not so busy street, but when you enter you feel like you're in Tulum. The drinks are delicious, and the staff was attentive, informative, and very kind. They gave great recommendations. Now the food - it really blew me away. I haven't had this delicious Mexican food in a very long time - the asada tacos were moist and flavorful, and the staff made it easy to add an extra taco to the platter since we were splitting entrees. The summer esquires with bone marrow were authentic, light, and delicious. Now the star of the show was the sopesitos. I would come here over and over again for this dish alone! We didn't add a protein, but the toppings and masa cakes were all absolutely amazing on their own. I will be back! read more

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solid food, friendly service, plates drop pretty quickly. highlights were their house chips, guac, the ceviche, and the queso frito. the large pork dish had some good flavor, the quesadillas were ok but not a lot going on there. tres leches and cocktail were solid read more

As usual everything was outstanding! Fish tacos delicious, potato tacos delicious, love the toppings-not overdone but not plain. Mango cucumber salad, loved it, spicy savory sweet, very different and fun to try. Coconut mango mocktail-winner winner!! Get it while you can. And the guacamole is excellent. Other important notes- excellent service, street parking can be a pain, and it's loud inside. read more

Amparo Fondita - Mango cucumber salad - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Amparo Fondita is an absolute gem! From the moment I walked in, the vibe was warm and inviting--well-lit, cozy, and not too loud, making it perfect for a relaxing evening out. The food was incredible. I ordered the tacos de pescado, tacos de tinga de pollo, and the sopesitos con chapulines (yes, grasshoppers!)--each dish was bursting with flavor, but the sopesitos really stood out with their bold and distinct taste. Delicious! Shoutout to Vernon behind the bar--he was on point all night. I didn't catch the name of the female bartender, but she clearly knew her stuff and offered great insight into the cuisine. The drinks they crafted were excellent, well-balanced, and complemented the food beautifully. read more

Amparo Fondita - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Cute place, ambience is warm and homely, Guadalupe, our server, was able to make appropriate recommendations. Visitor loved their fish tacos, child and adults alike loved their cheese quesadillas, Chilaquiles Rojos are delicious and sophisticated and so is the carrot habanero salsa. Orange flavored Carajillo is exactly what a brunch drink should be on a cold winter afternoon. Would love to see more vegetarian items on the menu. Everyone in the group wants to be back to try the dinner menu. read more

I attended Amparo Fondita for my cousin's birthday dinner. We intended on getting the tasting menu. The chef told us with our table's food restrictions (1 vegan, 1 pescaterian, 1 no red meat) they could not provide a tasting menu experience for us. Their tasting menus are offered family style and it would be challenging to accommodate all the dietary restrictions in one meal. We ended up ordering food a la carte. I am vegan and enjoyed the spicy margarita and the vegan tacos. I thought the price point for both my drink and tacos was extremely fair for DC. This business was just awarded a Michelin star and I cannot believe I could afford a dinner at a Michelin level restaurant. The spicy margarita was memorable and fantastic. It was clearly made with fresh ingredients and had the right level of spice. I would certainly return here for a cocktail. The tacos were just ok and nothing I would go out of my way for again. Aesthetically they were not pretty. I thought the taco tortilla was very high quality and held up well with the generous portion of taco filling. The flavors in the taco were not innovative or memorable. It all tasted good, however, I expected to amazed with the reputation this business has and the tacos tasted very familiar and ordinary to me. Overall the service was great, the aesthetic was trendy, I left full and satisfied, I did not break the bank for my meal and I was happy with this dining experience. I do want to return for their vegan tasting menu. I have heard rave reviews about that, and I hope after that meal I will have a better understanding of what this business is capable of. read more

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Service was slow to start but was great after our server finished up with some other tables. It's a lovely intimate space - just definitely pricey. We got the following - Aguachile (4.5/5) shrimp and citrus was lovely and fresh but also definitely spicy - Sopesitos (5/5) my husbands fave dish, it's a lot of food and also fun to make your own, beans were great and could be entree if ass a protein - Halibut (3/5) good but not a stand out, missing something - Carne Asada Tacos (4/5) filled to the brim with meat just not as good as the other stuff! read more

We had dinner at Amparo Fondita yesterday when we were in DC for the day and had a really good meal. We shared: Aguachile de Mandarina (Gulf of Mexico shrimp crudo with mandarin-chile de arbol leche de tigre and apple-radish salsa); Lechugitas Asadas (grilled little gem lettuce, lime-anchovy dressing, cotija cheeese, boquerones, corn tostada, and red bean escabeche); Pescadillas (three blue masa empanadas with fish chorizo, mirepoix, salsa aguacate, and smoked chile mayo); Mucbi Pato (Mayan ancestral banana leaf baked tamal with Muscovy duck carnitas, k'ool rojo, salsa yucateca, and red onion escabeche); and Papaya Nixtamal for dessert (calcified caradol papaya, Mexican vanilla, coconut cream, fennel pollen, and wildflower honey). All the food was really good - but the aguachile and papaya dessert were the standouts to me! The aguachile was bright and fresh and pretty spicy (a really great starter). And the dessert was wonderful - a dish I've only had once - in Yucatan close to the Day of the Dead. We also had a few drinks: a spicy mescal margarita, an Oro Tropical (passionfruit liqueur, mezcal, and lime), a Mexican rose wine, and an agua fresca (peach). That spicy margarita is spicy, and the passionfruit cocktail was wonderful! The restaurant isn't huge - cozy and comfortable. It was pretty but understated. And the service was great as well. I wish we had been hungry enough to enjoy their tasting menu for dinner, but we had had too large of a brunch sadly. Overall, a very enjoyable dinner. Great food. Great drinks. Convenient location (Dupont Circle). Warm service. A meal I'd be happy to repeat. read more

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We have an amazing experience at Amparo. It is only a matter of time before they get their star in my opinion. We only ordered four things between two of us, but were full at the end. Everything is meant to share and very fresh. Definitely get the sospesitos with a protein. The Carne Asada tacos were one of the best that I've ever had. The ceviche traditional was very fresh. The margaritas were to die for. Skip the tres leches and order the flan! Such a great ending to a memorable meal. Definitely make reservations and parking is tough since it is at dupont circle. I would totally go back to try some of the main dishes too. We were just so full to order anything else.. highly recommended! read more

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@amparofondita is contemporary mexican soo obviously we started with the chips, guac & all the salsas for my main I enjoyed the Tacos de Pescado Estilo Baja with the market catch of the day (grilled not fried which I reallly enjoyed), guacamole, guajillo mayo, pico verde, purple cabbage and saved room for their beautifully decorated tres leches cake... overall, a little pricey but a great upscale contemporary mexican spot with fresh, seasonal ingredients to try! read more

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Wow and wow. Amazing meal, and I can only assume very authentic to Oaxaca. My mezcal cocktail, aviation, was smokey and delicious. The guacamole and chips were reveletory. Leading with salt and lime and covered in fresh herbs, including dill, with the black corn chips, it was amazing. The carne asada tacos were perfect. The tender steak was in a bed of fresh and wonderful flavors on black corn tortillas. The tres leches cake, fresh and delicious. An amazing meal. And the staff (at the bar) could not have been nicer. read more

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I stopped by for happy hour with friends, and everything was reasonably priced and delicious! The interior is warm and cozy with a modern feel. Our food was great--I especially enjoyed the fish taco and the ceviche. Portions were generous, and drinks and food for three people came to less than $100! read more

Amparo Fondita - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We sat at the bar on a Tuesday because it seemed you need a reservation for a table during happy hour. Being from Texas it seems to be a crime to charge for chips and salsa but they were unique. Their hh prices were decent. Other prices were high for a Mexican food place but they stated they support local small farms and use organic ingredients. Paying extra to support local farms is worth it. Good vibes with their choice of music. read more

Amparo Fondita - Carajillo so good - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Outrageous prices. They actually charge $10.00 for the pico del gallo sauce with guacamole. The pricing is just plain abusive, and nothing special about the food. $169 for 2 people. read more

Another happy hour stop, portions and flavors are really great. Tacos de Tinga and pescado were excellent and the ceviche is super refreshing. I would probably skip the chips and salsa next time, but mostly because everything else was just that good. Drinks were pretty good too, but I wouldn't want to pay the regular price. The decor inside was very cool and modern too read more

Amparo Fondita - 2Fifty Collab - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Really good food and service. Loved the minimalist decor, simple and elegant. Cocktails were amazing. There were a lot of people here but never felt crowded. Looking forward to going back read more

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Visited Amparo Fondita for dinner the other night and it did not disappoint! The ambiance of the restaurant is perfect for a get together with friends or even a date night! We had a reservation and were promptly seated! The margaritas were just right and the trio of salsas that we started with were some of the best I have ever had! The big winner was the pork belly tacos! There is nothing I hate more than overcooked pork belly but Amparo got it right! The pork was tender juicy and full of flavor! 10/10 recommend! I wish I had taken photos but we were starving and there was no time to wait :-) read more

Really awesome Mexican place! The sopecitos is a must, so good! Got the sopecitos (which was a new menu item), carne asada tacos, and tres leches. All tasted very good and the decor was super cute. Sat in the window side nook which was nice but a little hot bc the ac didn't come to this side of the restaurant as much. The rest of the restaurant was fine and bathroom was clean and modern. Service was top notch. They even asked the chef about an ingredient I had a question on! I'll definitely be back to try other menu items and the flan! I'll sit towards the inside of the restaurant next time though. read more

Amparo Fondita - Tres Leches - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

What a great addition DuPont Circle. Mexican high end with a low key vibe, high class service, low and stylish seating and high rate service....perfect. D.C. has struggled to do Grandma's Mexican but has found niche with elevated takes on classics. The cochonita Pibil is a great example with the chef using stone fruits to add sugar and a complex spice blend that gives flavor punches of chilies and florals with a burn that's beautifully simple but present. Another example of elevating classics, chorizo, a sausage staple in Mexican food is turned down in flavor to focus on the quality of the meat and paired with muscles, potatoes and shallots to give a French influenced surf and turf. Quality shines and flavors combined to be both hearty and light. Well done! Quality does come at a cost, so be prepared; but the cheerful serves staff and prompt but relaxed pace, you can bring a date here, or stroll in sweating and in flip flops. All are welcome and everyone should enjoy! read more

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Had a lovely dinner here with a friend. Walked in on a Friday night without a reservation and was luckily able to get a table. Definitely do not recommend doing that and instead making a reservation in advanced because it was packed. The inside of the restaurant is ambient, cute, and comforting. I'd describe Amparo as being upscale Mexican food. Expensive but thoughtfully created and delicious dishes. Guacamole Totopos - Pricey but a good portion of fresh guacamole, and I enjoyed the mint leaves in it. Interesting choice in leaving the mint leaves whole and not dicing them but I appreciated this as it allowed for dipping the totopos in the guacamole, slightly infused with mint, without having to eat the mint leaves. I don't like when restaurants misuse mint and the strong flavor of it overpowers a dish. The totopos were nice and warm. (4/5) Tamal de Pollo - A solid and good chicken tamale but not amazing. For 12 dollars, I would have liked either two tamales or something more interesting inside. (4/5) Amparo's Marg - Good but not amazing. A margarita done well. (4/5) Tacos de Carne Asada - Simple but delicious. Fresh-made and earthy tortilla; fresh guacamole, diced onions, and cilantro. Perfectly charred skirt steak, and mild and herby salsa macha. A perfect take on a classic taco. (5/5) Emparedado de Jaiba Suave (Black Soft Shell Crab Sandwich) - Stunning soft shell crab sandwich with a lot of crab meat. The guajillo mayo, pickled onions, and habanero sauce all complemented the sandwich well by providing a creamy, acidic, and spicy component to a perfectly fried crab. So good. (5/5) read more

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KenScale: 8.0/10 Visit: September 2024 My wife Jun and I have traveled to twenty countries at this point since we became couples, yet Mexico has evaded us thus far. We are strongly considering rectifying that glaring omission by visiting Mexico City sometime next year and exploring the country's rich culinary tradition. In the meantime, though, I am confident that we will have plenty of options for delicious Mexico food in the DC metro area. One of the more exciting restaurant openings in the city in the past year or so was Amparo Fondita, led by chef Christian Irabién, a native of Chihuahua, Mexico. The restaurant initially started as a pop-up inside La Cosecha at Union Market, and later re-emerged with a new space in Dupont Circle. Our experience at Amparo Fondita on a recent visit was quite satisfying with chef Christian's soulful take on modern Mexican cuisine. As Jun always says, you can more often than not predict how good a Mexican restaurant is based on the quality of guacamole. Just based on the way Jun eagerly scooped up the guacamole (along with three salsas) with fresh nixtamal tortilla chips, I knew that Amparo Fondita had something special going on. The grilled head-on white prawns with blistered shishitos were very solid as appetizers, and I was very impressed with the smoky flavor of the assortment of mushrooms ("hongos") that would win over any vegetarian diner. We were somewhat split on our opinion of the carne asada tacos; I very much enjoyed how well the grilled skirt steak came together with guacamole and pico verde to pack complex flavor, while Jun thought the steak's texture was slightly tougher than she would've liked. The best dish of the night was the pan-seared halibut filet, and I would encourage anyone who visits the restaurant to try this dish if it's on the menu. What really stood out was the spicy kick of red mole that was so addictively delicious and worked beautifully with the halibut in a way that was hard to forget and led me to think we should order more seafood dishes at Mexican restaurants (yes, we are somewhat biased toward meats for Mexican cuisine). For dessert, we split tres leches vanilla sponge cake with seasonal fruit that was not overly sweet to our liking. Getting a reservation at Amparo Fondita is not as challenging as other more popular restaurants in the city, but I would still recommend booking in advance given the relatively modest size of the dining room. While we haven't been to Mexico City yet, the sleek minimalist décor of the space made me think it wouldn't have been out of place in an upscale neighborhood of the city. There are creative cocktail offerings as well as a short wine list from Mexico and elsewhere that would suitably complement the food. Amparo Fondita is another welcome addition to DC's thriving Mexican food scene, and I am very excited to come back again in the future with Jun to try other dishes on the menu. read more

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