One of the most highly-anticipated summer restaurant openings is almost here. Restaurateur Mike Isabella announced that Pepita, his new Mexican cantina, will serve its first round of tacos and margaritas in Ballston on July 30.
The eatery is meant to be far more casual than neighboring Isabella venture Kapnos Taverna, with a large emphasis on cocktails from barman Taha Ismail—the list of margaritas, frozen slushies, and shareable punches runs 35 deep—and a comparably concise food menu of tacos, torta sandwiches, and family-style platters such as smoked short ribs. All dishes will be available for carry-out during restaurant hours, which stretch to 2 am Thursday through Saturday. Those looking to dine-in will find a large 44-seat patio, and an all-day happy hour featuring special drinks and dishes for different times of day.
Stay tuned for a preview in advance of the opening.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
