I came here with my girlfriend to watch the Mexico World Cup game. The place is a small but…read morewelcoming space. The customer service was really great. The hostess and waiter were very friendly and attentive. Our glass of water was never empty. We ordered some chips and Guac while we waited for our bean and cheese pupusas and taco salad. The chips and guac were good. Nothing amazing. The taco salad was fresh with amazing veggies. The grilled steak was good. However it was missing beans. It was ok, but not my favorite. The pupusas however were 5 stars. There were so good. I highly recommend them to anyone. Their curtido was also so delicious. We loved them so much we went back another day to order some more. The next time we are in the DC area we plan to stop here again.

The food was just OK and the service was TERRIBLE. We were mostly ignored. The wait was extremely…read moreslow, entirely too long for the small amount of food we ordered in a basically empty restaurant. The restaurant really needs some cleaning and general maintenance/upkeep. I had high hopes but I was so disappointed by this restaurant

Food 10/10 Atmosphere 8/10…read moreService 9/10 A bit crowded on a Saturday 2pm restaurant week and the tables are a bit too close, but had an amazing time here with the BEST ceviche in town.

It was fine. The drinks were fine, but I'm not a super big drinker so don't take those too harshly…read more The pork tostados were good, especially if you like a vinegar-based pulled pork. A little messy but a good bite. The burrata was as good as a cheese ball can be. Slightly dry and I wish there was a cracker or another element, but still good. The saltado and pork belly were a let down, BUT the pork does melt in your mouth so the cook was obviously great. Flan had too much of a bitter caramel for me but the profiteroles were the best bite overall Service was also great! Quick and efficient, even during restaurant week. They were also super nice

I initially had a slight problem with my reservation at dLena, but the manager took over and…read morepolitely resolved the issue. I was impressed with the prompt interaction and service.

We sat at the bar and it was the best decision. We were so well taken care of! Dlena is one of…read morethose places that makes dinner feel special. It's a great place to go with friends, date night or solo. It's very intimate, dark and cozy. We came for the steak which was amazing but the star of the show for me was the branzino. I loved the sauces on the fish -the red side was my favorite. I was also super shocked at how good the carrots were! They were sweet and savory perfection. The crab guacamole was also delicious. Everything was so good! Can't wait for my next visit.

This place was incredible!! Every dish was delicious and the staff was very attentive! The arroz…read morecon mariscos, saltado dish, ceviche and aguadito de pollo were definitely the standouts. The restaurant is such a fun vibe too.

We came by for a quick drink but eventually realized they actually have music on Saturday nights so…read morewe stayed! They had a DJ tonight. Google hours are incorrect - they do not close at 11pm! Really great pisco drinks - I've tried a few variations which have been great but really need to actually try the original pisco sour. I'll be back for sure to try their food!

Had a great time and dinner! Chicatana is unassuming and unpretentious, staffed with attentive…read moreservers who do an amazing job (water was always filled and empty plates removed quite efficiently). The decor is simple, no table clothes or frills but it does live up to 'fine cuisine' with excellent food and presentation (another subtle touch is if you leave the table, you return to a nicely folded napkin). We got nearly everything on the menu including all the desserts and Mexican hot chocolate (yum, lightly spicy and piping hot!) . As others have said their guacamole is excellent...do check the charges though bc they added salsa and chips to the tab which we did not order (they removed). Also, the first order of guac came with big bowl of chips, but none with the second order of guac- not a problem though because you do not go hungry. Portions are quite generous. We even tried the ants which was a fun novelty

This was the valentine's day 2026 stop. I had no idea it was in the area it was, but alas, we made…read morethe trek from lowly ballston anyway. After parking in the Giant parking garage (decent price), we walked the few blocks to the restaurant. We spotted it with the poster sign hanging up on the outer walls. Inside you head up the stairs and you're greeted by the host stand. We checked in and got our table, right at the window (hellya). There was a rose and a candle on the table (vday vibes) and we also received a vday specials menu. We landed on queso fundido to start and a cocktail each: prickly pear marg for her, a viva mexico for me. After fundido'ing it up, we ordered our entrees. We're simple folks it was a 2 carne asada tacos, 1 al pastor taco, 1 pescado taco, and 1 chicken quesadilla. Unfortunately we weren't bold enough to try the insectos. Food was great, drinks were great, service was great. You can pay your tab via Toast for no additional fee which was convenient. There are two, single use bathrooms in there too. Overall, solid spot.

I was in Washington, D.C., a few days before a work event and spent the day exploring the city…read more After miles of walking, I stopped into Cuba Libre, and it turned out to be the perfect place to recharge. I ordered the El Cuban sandwich, and it was outstanding. It came with black bean soup, a salad and tropical chips. I'm not usually a fan of beans, but the black bean soup completely changed my mind--it was rich, flavorful and one of the highlights of the meal. The drinks were also excellent, the service was friendly and attentive, and the whole experience was exactly what I needed after a long day on my feet. If you're looking for great Cuban food in D.C., Cuba Libre is absolutely worth a visit.

I have mixed feelings about Cuba Libre. The menu is diverse and offers many different types of…read moredishes. The interior is really cool too. It's meant to look like an outdoor alleyway in Cuba. The service wasn't the best, it took a very long time to get our orders in even though the place wasn't very crowded. We ordered the appetizer dish that was a sampler of a bunch of Cuban staples which was great. I ordered the salmon that came with coconut rice. The salmon was delicious and a decent portion of fish for what you pay for. The second I took a bite of the rice I genuinely thought someone just served me vomit. I immediately spit it out and smelled the rice and it was sour. They made the rice with coconut milk that had to have expired at LEAST a week ago. I let the server know and I don't ever expect anything for free or something complimentary nor did I ask but that was baffling to me and a huge health concern. Maybe I sound entitled but I'd expect a discounted meal or something. I'm not sure how you don't smell that when you're cooking with it. It was absolutely rancid. He did ask if I wanted a replacement and I declined. Everyone else I was with enjoyed their meals and had a much better experience luckily so hopefully this was a one off thing.

Great neighborhood shop. Stumbled here because of inkind. Although I was shocked by the price that…read moreI paid for my plate, I was pleasantly surprised by how good tasting everything was. The plantains were the standout side for me. Also the employees were helpful with telling me what I should order. I would definitely come back!

Saw this on a YouTube vlog. Plentiful food & good prices. Not the most dazzling place inside, but…read moreit gets the job done. Was disappointed that they didn't have oxtails when we went. But overall it was a good experience.

Lauriol Plaza is just how I remembered it to be...the food was tasty…read more Was definitely excited about the valet parking lot which is literally connected to the restaurant. When it comes to hanging out in DC, the parking situation will make you reconsider your plans hahahaha! For me anyway... One of my girlfriends suggested this place & made reservations but I don't think you really need them here. We arrived on time and was greeted by the hostess and opted to sit outside since the upstairs was closed. The lime and mango combination swirl was delicious...we ordered a pitcher and it was plenty for us 3 gals. The seafood quesadillas was seasoned very well. Full of flavor...I enjoyed these with a garden salad minus the feta cheese and corn. My salad was fresh and the house dressing was perfectly distributed throughout my salad. My girl friends enjoyed their meals as well. One ordered the same as me minus the salad and added rice and beans and the other ordered the salmon with the stuffed crab...can't remember what it was called on the menu but it also was served with broccoli and she added a side of Spanish rice and beans. The maduros were also delicious! Sitting outside was cool but the birds flying all around was kind of annoying lol next time we'll just sit inside lol. I don't think you can go wrong coming here...tasty well seasoned Tex Mex cuisine... Our server needed to be reminded of a few things...maybe it was just an off day for him... Anyhoo- you can't go wrong if you decide to come here. GNO, date night, birthday celebration...I'm sure it'll be a great time. Happy Yelping!

I remember a few months ago, my makeup artist recommended I check out Lauriol Plaza and that they…read morehave really good food. When she first said the name, I actually thought it was a some short of shopping plaza and never would have associated it as a Mexican restaurant. I'm not sure it's history, but seems like a staple in the neighborhood as every time I drive by since that conversation with her, I notice how packed and busy it is. I recommended to my friends who were in town that we check it out and we were able to get seated outside relatively quickly for a Saturday evening. Our table started with their drinks. Half of us got the pina colada and the other half had the margarita swirl. I'd say the pina coloda was pretty good; not too strong and the ones who ordered the margarita seemed to enjoy it. We all had eaten before arriving, so we didn't order too much. They also served complimentary tortilla chips with salsa so that was pretty good and gave us something to nibble on. I ended up getting the shrimp tacos and their tortilla soup. The shrimp tacos were good, but the tortilla soup was the highlight for me. It was very flavorful, and full of vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, and corn. It also had shredded chicken and cheese in it, and was so delicious. I would definitely order it again. Our server was also very friendly and regularly checked in on us. The reason for one star off is just due to the cleanliness of the cups and plates on our table. I noticed food residue still on it, and although I personally didn't use the cup or plate, I didn't care to see it on the table.

Awesome food and great service. I had the trout which was cooked to perfection. I had the…read moreold-fashioned drink. It wasn't a typical old-fashioned with bourbon. I think it might have had Scotch and another alcohol in it, but it was delicious. The service was great and it was a very nice ambience.

I'm sure food and ambiance is awesome here. But staff competence is poor based on a simple request…read morethat went badly awry. Again I must preface by saying I didn't dine here or experience the place. I was invited to a dinner here that I couldn't attend, and as a birthday surprise I wanted to send that table a bottle of champagne. I intended to order a Dom Perignon (for which they charge ~$400 per bottle). But the staff was on amateur hour -- instead of taking my order, they altered the reservation, then alerted the birthday person who made the reservation (ruining any potential for a nice surprise gift), and said they would have to cancel the original reservation because the number of people changed. Birthday person had to call them and me to smooth it all over. Then, another person called me to get my email address to send me a PDF to fill out (which I had to then send them on WhatsApp) for my order - a comically silly added bureaucratic/administrative load. Just take the credit card over the phone on the first call/request, like 99% of businesses around the world. This place takes 3-4 steps just to order something... This person had absolutely zero idea that I made the request as a surprise, so it suggests there is pretty poor coordination and communication amongst staff. I'm sure people come here regularly and have great meals and great times. But at their prices, wine/champagne mark-ups, and promise of an 'elevated' experience -- staff need to get their act together.

El Cielo made quite the impression for DC Restaurant Week. First, they served full portion in both…read morefood and wine pairings; and quality across the board from what one might expect from a Michelin starred place. The service was equally appreciated. Everyone was well versed in the menu, ingredients, and preparation. Lastly, the cool interior was open, inviting, and classy. This is by far the best offering from a restaurant I have had recently in restaurant weeks. I would feel just as welcome any other time and will definitely come back. Great for any occasion, El Cielo was impressive.

We came to El Cielo to celebrate my wife's birthday and chose the Journey tasting menu. It was a…read morememorable evening, though not without some reservations. El Cielo is located in the vibrant Union Market neighborhood, surrounded by restaurants, coffee shops and clothing stores. The restaurant itself is elegant without being opulent, with comfortable chairs spaced generously apart. A large garage door next to the entrance looks like it opens to the outside in warmer weather -- a nice touch we didn't get to experience. El Cielo holds the distinction of being the first Colombian restaurant in the world to earn a Michelin star. That alone makes it worth a visit for anyone who follows the culinary world. Our server Carla was excellent. She took her time explaining each dish carefully and patiently answered every question. The meal is a journey in every sense -- nine courses, each a small surprise. We began with cocktails. The Don't Give Papaya was fruit forward and satisfyingly alcohol forward. The passion fruit toddy that opened the tasting menu was not too sweet, with fresh fruit juice added to the spirit already in the glass. The truffle buñuelo was the first revelation -- a warm liquid center encased in a delicate corn vessel, eaten in one bite. The texture alone was remarkable. The caviarmañola followed, a delicate crispy croquette, beautifully presented with caviar and sauces. The Tree of Life, a pull-apart bread baked around mild melted cheese, was warm, satisfying and genuinely fun to eat. The tuna was exceptionally fresh and fatty, its sauce a perfect complement. The hiramasa, a kingfish new to me, was served with quinoa that added texture and visual beauty. The Hanami dessert closed the meal with just the right touch of sweetness. The birthday experience -- an edible white chocolate candle with a surprise filling -- was a delightful gesture. And the rose petal hand cream that ended the meal was an elegant final touch. Two caveats worth mentioning. The ambience leans pretentious -- El Cielo takes itself too seriously. And at $600 for two with service included, the price is steep even for a Michelin one-star. I've had equally memorable meals elsewhere for considerably less.