Date Night: El Centro D.F.
We make it no secret that we’ve not only been on the hunt for DC’s best guacamole, but also for great Mexican food. I can say with confidence that when it comes to DC’s best guacamole, El Centro D.F. is always in the conversation.
Our first trip to the 14th Street location came a couple months back after spending the evening at an event in the area. On that initial trip, we limited ourselves to a bowl of guacamole, though we promised ourselves we’d be back soon. This past week we made it back for a real dining experience with all that El Centro D.F. had to offer.
In a conversation with friends recently, one of whom grew up in California and claims to have expert experience on authentic Mexican cuisine, the complaint we have heard time and time again is that other than the Southwest, few cities can offer Mexican cuisine that parallels the real deal. Many Mexican restaurants are all the same – wide open seating, bright colors, traditional decor, and combo platters that all amount to the same meal. But stepping outside the traditional is one of Richard Sandoval’s restaurants – El Centro D.F. From the cozy brick interior to the lower level “underground” bar and dance scene, El Centro has made a name for itself that is anything but the typical Mexican dive. With not only great deals throughout the week to an amazing dance scene every weekend, it defies our expectations and pushes the boundaries of Mexican restaurants.
Scott and I arrived at El Centro, never expecting to experience the menu from top to bottom. In a conversation with the General Manager, Josh, we discovered that El Centro is home to over 300 different Tequilas, all that are offered in flight fashion. Only recently have I been made aware of the intricacies of wine tastings and pairings, and now tequila! Scott and I shared a flight of 3, which came with lime/orange and a tomato juice for cleansing the palette between tastings. Surprisingly – and I was shocked – I could tell the difference, and tequila on its own has such unique flavors and attitudes. Far more than I expected after delighting in Margaritas all these years.
Speaking of the Margaritas….yes, let’s speak on that. Rather than order the traditional classic, I opted (at the word of our illustrious server Priscilla) for the Spicy Mango Margarita, which I found more than palatable despite my fear that the spice would be overwhelming. Scott tried the regular Spicy, as well as the Maldita. Both he found not only tasty, but a refreshing departure from the traditional classics offered by most restaurants.
I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz – “Tequila, Margaritas and Guac, Oh MY!” – but the pièce de résistance in my book has everything to do with the success of the guacamole. I went in having my favorite guacamole in all of DC determined, but I was so intrigued at the unique bowls El Centro offers – tuna tartare, spicy crab, and the one we chose – bacon guacamole. Bacon and avocado have taken the country by storm, and combining the two is not only obvious, but pure genius. It was delightful, and now the ideas I have in my head for tweaking my own recipe abound.
Don’t think we stopped at the guac, our fearless Priscilla also recommended the fan favorite appetizer, Queso Fundido. It came as a steaming hot platter of melted cheese and tortillas, as well as a mixture of side sauces with which to garnish. Allowing a dish to compete with my beloved guac was a feat in and of itself, and well worth the competition.
After a gigantic build up, the entrees definitely did not disappoint. We were lucky enough to sample a few additional dishes, though Scott ordered the Jalisco Shrimp & Crab Enchiladas, and I was happy as can be with the Chipotle BBQ tacos. We sampled a few fan favorites (as recommended to us on Twitter) in the Al Pastor and the Pork Carnita tacos – both of which we loved. All of the dishes we tried were excellent, but honestly, the sides were almost as impressive. We are used to Mexican chains which always plate with a traditional black beans/rice/entree trio, but El Centro offers a fresh twist and pairs with a cilantro pesto rice and fried plantains – downright exceptional. You can tell a place of worth when the sides are as meticulously prepared as the entrees.
Dessert came as a surprise, as the Chef prepared a platter with a sample of each dessert for us to try. At this point Scott and I were so full we could barely breathe, but someone managed to find spare room in which to indulge ourselves. My personal favorite was the Chocolate Cigar, which rested atop ice cream which cut the sweetness. The churros were also amazing, and Scott and I became connoisseurs of Mexican desserts that night.
The restaurant boasts not only a main dining area with an open kitchen, but the underground comes alive on the weekends and the rooftop can be enjoyed all summer long. We are hoping to get back soon and spend some time with friends on the roof for happy hour.
We agree that authentic Mexican cuisine is hard to come by, and by nature, is most likely found closer to the region from whence it came. But when you live in a city as diverse and talented as this one, you can rest assured that authentic or not, the cuisine is top notch. El Centro has our vote as being one of the top Mexican restaurants in the city – and the tequila isn’t bad either :)
Cheers!
-Al
