Food and vibes are just magnificent. Hands down the best Peruvian restaurant in the DC area, by…read morefar. Honestly it doesn't matter what you get, everything is just so freaking succulent. The ceviche is really good, can never go wrong with ceviche, especially if you're going tapas style. The ají de gallina, lomo saltado and lamb are so freaking good, the meat is tender, the sauces are perfection, and when you mix the rice to with the sauce it's absolutely delicious. Heard about this place a while, finally tried it out a couple times now, already can't wait to go back!

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

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!

I had high hopes for El Secreto De Rosita given the unique concept of blending Palestinian and…read morePeruvian cuisine, but the experience fell well short of expectations. The food was average at best and significantly overpriced for the quality. We paid $30 each for ají de gallina and arroz con pollo--both dishes lacked depth and were nowhere near worth that price point. The ceviche ($27) was bland and underwhelming, missing the brightness and flavor you expect from a staple like this. Even the chicha morada felt like a stretch at an extra $10. The issues weren't limited to Peruvian dishes. The kafta sandwich was dry and completely lacking flavor, and a simple salad my wife ordered came with poorly seasoned dressing. Overall, the kitchen seemed to miss the mark on both sides of the fusion concept. To make matters worse, two classic Peruvian dishes--anticuchos and jalea mixta--were unavailable. The explanation given was that they had run out after Saturday night service, which is hard to justify when we visited at 1:30 PM on a Sunday. The restaurant was nearly empty at that time, which in hindsight should have been a warning sign. All in, we spent $225 for a family of four including tip, which is more than double what the experience was worth. I would rate this place 2 out of 5 stars and would not return.

Amazonia was an absolute standout. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the atmosphere,…read more we sat outside and couldn't have been happier with the beautiful aesthetics, vibrant design, and overall energy of the space. The outdoor setting created the perfect backdrop for a memorable evening. The food was exceptional. We started with the Scallops a la Parmesana -- Peruvian scallops with aji amarillo anticucheria sauce and parmesan cheese. The combination of flavors was unique, balanced, and beautifully executed. The ceviche was incredible -- fresh, bright, and exactly what I was looking for. I loved the lemon-forward flavor, which gave it the perfect freshness and acidity. The Crab Fusili was another standout. It was a creative and delicious dish, with amazing flavor and a perfect balance that made every bite memorable. For the main course, the lomo saltado truly delivered. The steak was cooked perfectly -- tender, flavorful, and full of the bold Peruvian flavors that make this dish such a classic. A special thank you to our waiter, Tagist, who made the entire experience even better. She took the time to explain each dish in detail, helped guide us through the menu, and made us feel confident that we were choosing the right dishes. She was absolutely right -- every recommendation was fantastic. Between the incredible cuisine, beautiful outdoor setting, and outstanding service, Amazonia offers the type of dining experience that makes you want to return. If you're looking for elevated Peruvian cuisine in Washington, DC, this restaurant deserves a spot on your list. Highly recommend -- a true DC dining gem!

This is definitely a unique spot! It's tucked away in an alley that I did not suspect for a fine…read morerestaurant. However, once you enter the restaurant it's a different wonderful world. This is definitely a must try. Also a must try is the Amazonia punch. It was simply a delicious cocktail. It's a bit fruity and sweet If you get the Corazon de Res, you'll like it if you had a heart dish before. If not, it'll be different.

This is was a fun experience but was not the best-tasting menu I've ever had. The dishes were…read morepretty hit or miss. There wasn't anything that stood out as a must-have; it just felt mostly experimental. The service was pleasant, and the ambiance of the place was very nice. This was a cool experience, and we at least enjoyed it being unique.

The BEST chicken!!! Normally, I don't eat white meat because it can be dry and I don't love the…read moretexture, but this one was SO juicy and delicious! The Dancing Yucca was amazing ! I couldn't stop eating it! Lucky Twelve Siu Mai was interesting, but it was okay for my opinion. Although the beef dish was a little tough to chew. Overall, the restaurant was clean and the service was great! Definitely worth trying.

Good food , service was quick. Prices acceptable. Quality amazing. Return trip for sure…read more Recommended yes

We stumbled on this place looking for a simple place to grab a meal. This has to be the best…read morechicken I have had in years. They are fast and the food is amazing. Then we found the bar in the back. Again, interesting whisky choices, you won't find those hard to find big names, but you will find a hand pick selection of some unique whisky's. The bar tender (sorry I wish I remember your name) took her time talking about so many of them and she offering me a recommendation. Great experience and chat. Don't pass this spot by!

I had a fantastic experience at Mola last night! The restaurant is small, just 2 tables you can…read morebook online and 10-12 bar seats. Their drink menu infuses Panamanian-Caribbean flare to popular drinks like margaritas, mojitos, old fashions, etc. The woman working came over to tell us about the menu and I could tell this was her restaurant because of her deep passion for the dishes and their flavors. The menu is intentionally small and as a vegetarian, I was extremely pleased with the spice vegan and cheese empanada combo I shared with a friend. We also got the cucumber salad and hojaldra bread, all fantastic. I am excited to return and wish the woman (did not catch her name) MUCH success.

I traveled two hours away to try this gem and boy was it worth it. Let me first start with, the…read moreowner cooked each meal (i sat at a table where you could visibly see her cooking/preparing the dishes) and she even stopped by to chat with me. When was the last time the owner/chef held a conversation with you while at dinner? True Panamanian dishes with a twist. I was taken back to my childhood with each bite I took, and even shed a tear as I, hadn't ate many of these dishes in a while. I was finally able to enjoy the Panamanian flavors/foods without having to leave the country. If you're interested with indulging in Panamanian cuisine, and or want a meal cooked from the heart, go visit Mola, you will not regret it. I will be visiting again

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.

Came to Boqueria during DC's Winter Restaurant Week and had a great time! It was a good deal too,…read moreand I left so full. Started off with the "Taste of Spain" which included Pan con tomate, Aged manchego, Jamón Ibérico de bellota, and Boquerones con naranja. Since I couldn't eat the latter two, the server said they could double the first two, which was so appreciated. For my first course, I chose the Escalivada (fire-roasted eggplant, red pepper, labne yogurt, fresh herbs, olive oil, served with focaccia) and Croquetas de setas (creamy mushroom croquettes with truffle aioli). The Escalivada was tasty, but more on the tangy side; the bread was more crostini-like than focaccia. The Croquetas were so good: creamy, savory, umami inside and crunchy outside. Next, I got the Zanahorias (spiced baby carrots, sweet and sour reduction, orange honey yogurt, mojo verde, Marcona almonds) and Patatas bravas (crispy potatoes, salsa brava, pimentón, garlic aioli). When I tell you those carrots had me dreaming about them later, I'm not kidding- all of the different flavor combos paired with the perfectly cooked carrots were amazing. The Patatas bravas was pretty classic- crispy potatoes with creamy aioli and tangy tomato sauce. Finally, for dessert, I had the Tarta de naranja (orange olive oil cake, citrus-honey yogurt), and my friend had the Tarta vasca de chocolate (Basque chocolate cheesecake, macerated strawberries, chantilly cream). Both were tasty, but the Tarta de naranja was so good: perfectly dense cake, refreshing citrus, and great contrast with the yogurt. For my drink, I got the Forget-Me-Not refrescante (butterfly pea flower, thyme, honey, lime, ginger beer). Very interesting drink, not sure I'd order again but it was good. Service was great, super willing to accommodate my vegetarian dietary restrictions. Ambiance is really nice, very modern and elegant. Very accessible by metro, just a short walk from the station. 10/10 would recommend!

First... man the chairs were UNCOMFY. Theres two types of stools and the padded one feels slightly…read moreslanted forward and small. But anyways Paella was delicious, the flavor profile was super fun. We got the short rib and seafood, and we all preferred seafood as the short rib was a bit heavy. The fish in it was crispy and so good, especially with the green sauce- nice herby and refreshing contrast. The figs were interesting and fun. But not that filling... I did not like the patatas... sauce was good but the potato itself had none of its own seasoning and was tough. Yes crispy but not pillowy inside. The octopus was delicious and super tender. Would come back for seafood paella and charcuterie.

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

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.