Why go: For the nifty wine dispenser that puts mini-pours from more than two dozen boutique and better-known producers in your glass via a restaurant-supplied debit card. The fun is in mixing and matching tastes with savory Mediterranean small plates.
What to get: Flavorful mussels with shallots; piquillos rellenos, Spanish red peppers stuffed with goat cheese in yellow-pepper coulis; fried calamari with smoked-paprika aïoli; a marvelous toss of clams and spicy bits of chorizo; lump-crab-filled spinach crepe with velvety saffron-vanilla sauce; garlicky sautéed shrimp.
Best for: Lunch with the gang from the office or a tête-à-tête with a friend. Also right for a night out—in the evening, the tiny but stylish space has the feel of a house party.
Insider tip: Desserts are forgettable. Watch the amount on your debit card or you’ll quickly find yourself exceeding the Cheap Eats budget.
See all Cheap Eats 2008 restaurants
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
