Oyamel

4.0
2.5
0.0
3
Critic rating
|
Mexican
|
$$$$
Location
Chinatown
202-628-1005
What's Nearby
1 Upcoming event »
James M. Thresher/For The Post
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Editorial Review

(Good)

2010 Fall Dining Guide

By Tom Sietsema
Sunday, October 17, 2010

Serious Mexican food is underrepresented in this world capital, which is one reason I so value Oyamel. Leave it to star chef Jose Andres to help fill a need and his acolyte, Joe Raffa, to see to it that the country is honored with food and drink that taste true to their roots. (Just as in Oaxaca, a diner can find fried grasshoppers on the menu; the kitchen serves them in more than 600 tacos a month.) Presented in a bowl made from lava rock, lush guacamole is made as hot as you ask. Shredded chicken inside a soothing packet of mashed corn, draped with a tingling tomatillo sauce, is a tamal of distinction. The prettiest ceviche in town might well be blanched scallops resting on chili-dusted key lime halves displayed on shiny black stones. Meanwhile, tres leches, that most soothing of cakes, resonates with rum and comes with a colorful garnish of minced pineapple; and the fresh fruit waters (go for mango, or cherry in season) remind us that tequila isn't Mexico's lone liquid attraction. Engaging servers are a plus, though the spirited storefront space could use sprucing up. At least Oyamel has its priorities straight.

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Known for...

A week's worth of taco happy hours »
Best margaritas »
Washington's 30 essential vegetarian eats »
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This Mexican restaurant matches bright decor with vibrant flavors.
Hours: Sun-Mon 11:30 am-10 pm, Tue-Thu 11:30 am-11:30 pm, Fri-Sat 11:30 am-midnight
Neighborhood: Chinatown
Cuisine: Mexican
Nearest Metro: Gallery Place-Chinatown (Red, Green and Yellow lines), Archives-Navy Memorial (Green and Yellow lines), Federal Triangle (Blue and Orange lines)
Atmosphere: Good For Birthdays, For Groups, Kid friendly, Late Night
Noise level: 74 (Must speak with raised voice)
Price range: $$ ($15-$24)
Critic rating:
(Good)
Reader reviews (2):
Tags: 2010 fall dining guide, 2009 fall dining guide, hot chocolate, late night, brunch, tacos, small plates
Known for: A week's worth of taco happy hours, Best margaritas, Washington's 30 essential vegetarian eats
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Upcoming Events at Oyamel

Monday-Friday
Hora Feliz
Oyamel's happy hour features discounted margaritas, beer and tacos.

Rate and Review Oyamel

Average reader rating
Showing 2 of 2 reader reviews
 
Great Oaxacan cuisine and more!
Posted by taxing | Apr 26, 2013 | Mark as Inappropriate

Great for pre or after theatre dinner with great food and friendly service. The emphasis though is on the food-- just spectacular.

 
Do not go if you have children!! NO STARS
Posted by dvmjane | Oct 29, 2012 | Mark as Inappropriate

The service was awful. The wait never informed us one selection for our children was unavailable until our food was placed on the table. We still waited another 30 min still no second option for the kids. They ordered nothing complicated-churros and cheese quesadillas. WE were told they had no flour and sugar to make the churros- are you kidding me. Who at a restaurant could run out of that. They never got their food!Neither one. Then the manager refused to speak with us!! She didn't have the courage it seemed. Kept making the poor waitress give us the bad news. Then after the bill paid brought the plate of cheese quesadilla. I had already taken my kids out to find food-while we left my husband to pay. I have never been treated so poorly

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Oyamel
401 Seventh St. NW, Washington, DC 20004 | 202-628-1005 | Web site »
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