Restaurants
Cafe Atlantico 
Quick Take
Mexican, Latin American and Spanish cuisines come together in a sizzling three-level restaurant.
Reader Reviews [6]
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Reviews
Strange flavor combinations and poor execution...
My wife and I ate at Café Atlantico and were served an unpalatable meal. The menu has changed since Tom's review, and nothing was worthy of an "editor's choice" or a single star. We started with empanadas which were served with a sauce that had the consistencyof baby food and was cloyingly sweet. Next came duck confit that had a crust of brulee sugar that masked the flavor and made it taste like candy. It was also served with an herb salad that was so salty it made me wretch. The skirt steak was perfectly cooked, tender and completely tasteless. Apparently the steak is marinated and seasoned, but it was impossible to tell. This restaurant is nowhere near worth the price. Awful food, awful experience and I will NEVER go back!
Great Dining Experience
I have told everyone that has asked me about my trip to DC about this restaurant. The food was not only delicious but the whole dining experience was alot of fun! We missed out on the mini bar because we didn't know we needed reservations months in advance. We'll know next time..
Staff ruins the experience
While the food may not be too bad at this restaurant (I'm a huge fan of the guacamole made tableside), I couldn't fathom staying another minute after my last experience at Cafe Atlantico. The hostess was so rude that it absolutely ruined my appetite. It was made very clear that our patronage was neither wanted, nor appreciated. The exchange left such a bad taste in our mouths that we got up and went to another restaurant. In a city full of wonderful food establishments, I wonder how a place survives with such poor service. I have learned my lesson, and will never patronize Cafe Atlantico again. If I could give this place no stars, I would.
overpriced, poor service, underwhelming food. . .
the service, though friendly enough, was extremely slow (our waiter often disappeared for great lengths of time). our tiny overpriced cocktails came out *after* our luke warm appetizers. the skirt stake was either too tough and gristly, or undercooked completely. the portions were very small for the cost, and the flavors didn't quite seem to work. having eaten at chef jose andres' various other local restaurants, oyamel and jaleo, i'm beginning to think this guy is running a bit of a scam on dc foodies. his places seem to get by on colorful presentation alone, rather than real unique, creative or flavorful meals. just very ordinary ingredients and items mashed together and priced waaay too high! don't fall for it!
Disappointing "Pub Food" Lunch
Having dined here for dinner in 2008, I was looking forward to experiencing lunch. My husband and I were very disappointed to see what I call "Pub Food" of 2 of the 3 lunch entree options during Restaurant Week. Cuban ham & Swiss cheese grilled panini, Quesadilla or trout. My husband eats sandwiches for lunch daily in Crystal City & stated the sandwich shop he frequents was far more delicious than the greasy Medio Dia. Watching the faces of customers that received the trout proved to be entertaining. Let's just say we were happy we did not order it, presentation wise. Having dined at 4 restaurants throughout Restaurant Week, this is THE week for restaurants to shine; to entice new customers & showcase the finer side of dining. This failed.
Long wait/slow service
We had an 8:30 reservation on Friday night. We arrived exactly on time and were told that we were early and a table would be ready for us at our reservation time. Short version of story - - we were seated 45 minutes later. No food arrived for at least another 20 minutes. After this, we found the food to be just O.K. Service was slow without apology. Courses too cute - foam, that's nice, but on SO many dishes? Trite. Decontruction? Please! Shouldn't food first TASTE good? Save the artful compositions for another time and place. We were NOT AMUSED. This restaurant's reputation exceeds what was presented tonight.
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