🚀 go-pugleaf

In Article <pulsifer.1127813475A@news.nrl.navy.mil>,
pulsifer@ppd.nrl.navy.mil (Peter Pulsifer) wrote:
>I'm sure this has been discussed before...
>but anybody have some tapas places to recommend?

OK, we went out exploring tonight, so I can start the answers to my own query.

1) Jaleo - 480 7th Street, NW.  Good selection of both hot and cold tapas;
average price a bit over $5 each.  "Typical" trendy DC restaurant - glass
and tile interior, noisy, crowded, almost reminded me of Outback Steak House,
especially with the vibrating pagers for the waiting list (I've never stayed
long enough to have one go off).  Like Outback, you can sit at the bar,
if you can find room.  We didn't eat there - they said 30 min, but it looked
like longer, and there was no place to wait.  Might go back, though.

2) Taberna del Alabardero - 1776 I Street, NW (actually on 18th just off PA).
Looks fancy from outside, and sign says "proper dress required".  We were
pretty casual.  But sidewalk tables are for tapas, and there
is a nice tapas bar (5 bar seats, 3 booths) which is more casual.  The
manager suggested a booth.  Tapas selection was good (10-12?), again about
$5+ each, similar to Jaleo but not as adventurous (beef empanadas, not cod).
A spacious, comfortable, reasonably quiet interior.  Service was great -
made us feel at home.  Food was very good.  Of course, when you add things
up, tapas can be just as expensive as anything else - Sangria ($12/16 for
"half"/whole pitcher), 4 tapas, coffee, & dessert came to over $50 for 2.
But you needn't get so much, or drink as much as we did (next time, we'll
take it easier!).  I recommend the Taberna as a high-quality, good atmosphere,
comfortable place.

-Peter Pulsifer