This place was absolutely excellent. The decor is very unique - a true mix of Peruvian and Chinese elements. We sat next to the window and it was prime people-watching space. Our server was excellent - she had extensive knowledge of the menu and we felt comfortable taking recommendations from her. Everything we ordered was flavorful and fresh. The salmon tiradito was mind-blowing: the textures and flavors blended beautifully and when we finished the dish I was legitimately sad that I was too full to order another! We also grabbed the Szechuan Chili wontons, Sanguche de Pescado, and Salmon ceviche. All of them were fantastic, not a single thing to improve on. We also tried some cocktails which were excellent. We will definitely be back! read more

China Chilcano - Salmón tiradito - Peruvian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The restaurante is really nicely decorated. The staff is friendly and we're really helpful when we had questions about the menu. We went for lunch, a little before 3 and it wasn't too full, our table was ready in no time! We got the Tam Tam noodles, which were just too spicy for me. If you're not used to spice get something else. They sounded so good, but I could barely taste anything else because it was so spicy... and I do eat spicy things. We also got the Tallarín Zhen Fe, which was really good. We added some pork belly to it and it went really well with the tomato stew from the dish. The ají de gallina was everyone's favorite. Flavorful and a really good portion size. We also ordered a Dancing Yuca for the table, which was really good. For drinks, If you're there I recommend the pisco sour. It was good. Ultimately, the experience was good. The food was yummy, but I personally don't think it's anything to write home about. If I go back, I think it'll be for drinks and Piqueos (little bites). read more

absolutely amazing!!!! the decor is so cute, and we were seated at a cozy table right by the window, which was a great spot. we started off with drinks. i ordered a lychee chuhai, which was absolutely delicious - i'm a sucker for anything with lychee in it. we then ordered the yucca fries and szechuan brussels sprouts. our server was super accommodating when i told him i was a vegetarian, and he took the bonito flakes off the fries. later, when i ordered the aeropuerto, he told me it had oyster sauce and said he would have it removed. the fries were great, as were the cilantro/squash dumplings we ordered later, but the brussels sprouts were genuinely out of this world. the peanuts on them sent them over the top. my main meal, the aeropuerto, was also incredible, and i can't wait to have the rest for leftovers later (the portion size was bigger than i expected!) we ended with the chocolate cake, which was really different and delicious. the sauce it came with was nicely tart and fruity, and the ice cream was very refreshing. the crumble had almost an espresso taste and it all came together amazingly. i am really glad i checked this place out - what a great place for a nice meal with friends :) read more

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We came here for Restaurant Week and to celebrate our anniversary, and it was such a treat! The atmosphere is vibrant and welcoming, and the team went above and beyond--surprising us with champagne to celebrate. The ceviche was fresh and flavorful, the dumplings were delicious, and the highlight was definitely the leche dessert--layered with sweet and tart flavors that made the perfect ending. Such a unique spot with outstanding food and service! read more

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Restaurant week provided the perfect opportunity to sample some of José Andrés' must have flavor combinations at China Chilcano, for an incredibly generous price point. While the restaurant was crowded we were met at the door, checked in, and then offered complimentary glasses of wine while we waited. Despite the plethora of people it never seemed too loud, and when we were seated it was comfortable and easy to hold conversations. The meal itself was magnificent, giving my taste buds something new to relish in every couple of bites. I was told ahead of time that the Aji de Gallina was a must try and I in turn pass that recommendation on to whoever else comes here for the first time. A hearty stew packed with bursts of flavor and perfectly cooked and seasoned chicken I can't imagine having come here without having it. The Dancing Yucca was similarly a masterpiece with my only complaint being there wasn't more to share once we had a chance to dig into everything. Dessert was so creative and beautiful. Both dishes we tried brought forward their respective fruit influences without overshadowing the accoutrements in the slightest. Came for the experience, stayed for the taste! read more

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On the way out of the Museum of Natural History this morning, we decided to have a quick lunch. Passing China Chilcano, we noticed the Restaurant Week menu in the window and decided that would be a reasonable deal, so we stopped in and we're given a table for two by the window. But when we were ready to order, our waiter said the Restaurant Week price was not available yet. I felt cheated, but figured maybe I had missed a future date, do we went ahead and ordered. The beer list was weak, so I just had water. My wife was ok with the draft beer that she got. I chose the prix fixed brunch and found both the ceviche and the ahi de gallina to be good. Nancy had the Jalea Mixta which was OK although she hadn't focused on the fact that it was fried. The dessert was the only special dish. My wife noticed that the table at which we were sitting had seen better days...some of the varnish was flaking off and it was down to the bare wood in places. She questioned whether it met DCRA standards. read more

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Thoroughly disappointed especially after having dined twice at Jose Andre's' The Bazaar in a month, at Jose Andre's' Jaleo also within the month. Tho food definitely needs some make-over. From the tasting menu of $79 per person, the only 2 decent dishes were: the sirloin and potatoes (French fries) bowl and the banana ice cream and mousse dessert. The ceviche dishes were way too acidic, there were a couple of dishes where the food was swimming in black bean sauce and sesame and chili oil, a combination which wasn't delicious. Even the dessert of caramel spirulina with fruit compote was overly sour. read more

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Jose Andreas done it again! Every restaurant I've been to has been nothing less than exceptional. You have to do the Chefs Tasting Menu - it's some of Jose's faves and I can see why! My favorite dish of the night was the desserts. Our server Chris was so attentive and friendly. He made the experience that much better. We sat in one of the cool family style seating areas with a Lazy Susan and surrounded by bamboo. I loved this spot and will be coming back. read more

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My friends and I recently had dinner at China Chilcano and we had no problem being seated right away without a reservation on a Sunday evening. Here's the rundown of what we ate: CEVICHE We initially ordered the jaladito norteño; however, we had to send it back since we didn't care for the creamy base. We replaced it with the ceviche clasico, which had the classic acidic citrus flavor we were looking for. PIQUEOS My friend ordered the dancing yucca, which was doused in sauce and overly cooked. I skipped this dish since I remembered not liking it during a previous visit. VEGETABLES The Szechuan Brussels sprouts were delicious and filling! DIM SUM The pollo siu mai were delicous shumai dumplings with chicken, scallion, mushroom and other complimentary ingredients. RICE AND NOODLES The concolón was a scene stealer. It was mixed tableside by our server and it did not disappoint! It was also large enough to be shared with three people. DESSERT We shared the torta de chocolate, a yummy chocolate cake complimented by passion fruit-huacatay sorbet and macambo crumble. We devoured this! We each ordered a cup of coffee to pair with our dessert; however, the coffee arrived lukewarm. We asked for hotter coffee and the replacement cups of coffee were only slightly warmer. I asked for almond or oatmilk and they brought us what they had left in the restaurant, which was a measly 2 ounces. Fortunately, the black coffee tasted great, so it wasn't a huge issue. SERVICE Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and was patient while we made up our minds about what to order. LOCATION The restaurant is easy to find and is a short walk from the Gallery Place metro. Street and garage parking are available nearby. read more

So, my son recently watched a Chef's Table about Jose Andres and really wanted to try his restaurants. When we got to China Chilcano, we couldn't decide what to eat so we said whatever, let's try the Tatami tasting menu. Best decision we've made in a while. Some of the dishes were simply marvelous such as the Jaladito Norteño. I would order that again in a heartbeat. My little foodie son was a huge fan of the Pulpo al Olivo Rosita and even though he's very sensitive to spicy things, he absolutely loved the Szechuan Chili Wontons. Our only complaint was that by the time we got to the main dishes of the fourth course, we were too stuffed to eat as much as we really wanted. Shoutout to the staff... we decided to make this a quick stop before we headed out to the Smithsonian for an evening event and gave them the insane request of can we do a 5 course tasting menu in about an hour and 15 minutes, which they accommodated .We also asked for nothing prepared with alcohol, and they made a last minute change to one of the dishes to boot! Truly impressive service, especially considering how busy it was on a Saturday night. Was quite the experience for my son, who has kept remarking "Jose Andres does not disappoint" ever since we left. Thanks for a great memory! read more

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Nearly a Michelin experience without the excessive cost and tiny portions. There were five of us and we (over) ordered over 20 Food and drink items. The winning drink was their Pisco Sour, with the flavorful Pisco Punch coming second. As for the food items, the Lomo Saltado, a bellwether dish for Purevan restaurants, was particularly delicious. Other standouts were the Hamachi Sashimi. It was bursting with flavor, and I'm a yellowtail fan in any event. Also, the Dancing Yucca was very tasty, delightfully crisp on the outside, nicely seasoned, and you get a lot of it. On the other end of the spectrum were the Shishito Peppers. I think they left out an ingredient I call seasoning. The staff was charming, the dining room was clean, and the tables were spaced out nicely. For the record, while I don't like José Andrés personally, I think he's a great chef, an outstanding humanitarian, and kind of funny given the chance. All that aside, this is one of his restaurants that I'll definitely go back to. read more

China Chilcano - Peruvian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

With quite an array of Jose Andreas restaurants to choose from, I picked China Chilcano because I'm a sucker for dumplings. However, I was underwhelmed taste-wise, bumming me out (the cilantro dumplings needed some heat). Luckily, my friend pushed for us to split the Aeropuerto, redeeming my experience. Even when I said I was done, I kept spooning my plate with more of this fried rice dish. This is the kind of dish that would trump any takeout competitor. Two ambiance side notes: the space is vibrant and cool, and the music is loud. read more

Was excited to come here because I usually love fusion food but overall the experience and quality of food was a bit disappointing. We got the lucky twelve which is a combo of their steamed dumplings and siu mai dishes, but the flavor just was not there. The meat was lacking in spice and just wasn't up to my standards for other Chinese restaurants I've been to. We also got the rice noodle dish and the portion was extremely small it was laughable. I ate family style with 3 other people and genuinely we each only got maybe the tiniest bite from this plate and it was gone. Def not worth the $. The dishes I did enjoy though were the clay pot rice and the chili wontons, and that's simply because they were better than the other dishes we had in comparison, but not something I would reorder and come back for. My portion was around $30 when we split 4-5 dishes, and I was still hungry after. read more

China Chilcano - Peruvian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The food was good. Not wowing as I hoped for. But good overall. I ordered the tasting menu, which was priced at $40 and felt worth the cost! The lighting inside is a bit yellow, so photos don't come out too great (in case you're a foodie who likes to take photos of your food). Service was good. It was a Sunday night, after a major holiday. So it wasn't too busy in the restaurant. Would I return, yes! Should you go visit yourself? Yes! read more

We had the Tatami tasting menu here because it offered the highlights, and it proved to be a good decision. All of the dishes were delicious, and we especially liked the seafood ones. The least favorite was the Aeropuerto, fried rice with sweet potatoes. It was a bit salty. Service was good and the dishes came quickly, and sometimes multiple items came at the same time. The restaurant is casual and the service for the tasting menu was casual as well, which was fine. Sometimes the tasting menu experience can be very formal. The interior is decorated eclectically making it a fun atmosphere. read more

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We were on the hunt for something new and tasty, we tried this restaurant for the first time after checking out their menu. We came to the restaurant on the weekend night and were seated quickly. The restaurant wasn't too busy so the restaurant was pretty quiet inside which I didn't mind. We had the Aeropuerto with ground chicken, which was delicious and super flavorful with great textures and colors. I really enjoy a dish that is visually pleasing to the eye even before I taste it. But the Lomo Saltado was the absolute highlight! This beefy dish with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and potatoes had amazing flavor, with the added saltiness in the soy sauce. This was our favorite entrée, hands down. I have to be a fan of large pieces of onion. The flavors were on point. We had a great time and can't wait to go back, either to reorder these dishes again or to try something new. read more

China Chilcano - Aeropuerto - Peruvian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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If you are looking for a place to grab dinner, happy hour, or a date night then China Chilcano is a spot to have on your list. The service is great, the space is huge and the food is amazing. I do think that you need 5-6 dishes if you are sharing. A reservation is key, because this place can fill up fast. read more

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We both got the $40 tasting menu. Hubby was pleased that it had vegetarian options. I especially liked my pisco sour and the wontons. The potato dish and chicken were OK. The nonbanana fruit dessert was very good. Next time, I would get ceviche read more

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Delicious food. More of a tapas style dining experience. Good service and the desserts were delicious. read more

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We came here for restaurant week and it was a pleasant experience. We got the yucca fries and Brussel sprouts and they were excellent. The yucca fries had a takoyaki topping which was really nice. For the main, we got a tomato pasta. And honestly it was different from what we were expecting. It was ok, but had we known, we would have gotten something else. Otherwise, great restaurant and great deal too! read more

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Surprisingly delicious food! The concolon was amazing and my favorite dish. The stone pot fried rice was flavored perfectly. I highly recommend it for those who like Asian profiles and fried rice. Their ceviche was also fresh! Their desserts are things to not be skipped on. They have creative and fun dishes that left great impression. I love their limited time banana dessert. The service was prompt and courteous and the place overall is decorated well with asian peruvian fusion decor. Fun place to go, just a little expensive in my opinion but that's standard for DC restaurants in this area. read more

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Another great eatery by Jose Andres located pretty close to his other restaurants such as Oyamel and Zaytinya. We tried three seviche options and liked them all. The fish and duck sandwiches we tried on Chinese buns were also tasty. Because we got a 50% off deal for the bottled wines the Cab Franc from Argentina we got was truly excellent for the price. Overall a great dining experience. read more

I've been curious about this restaurant for a bit now because of the fusion and Jose Andres's places usually are always a good choice! I decided to check it out since I was in the area, but was almost deterred due to some of the reviews I'd read. The menu can be confusing to understand but the bar staff was really helpful with explaining it and recommending dishes!! I'm glad I went because I loved the food! Tam Tam: 5/5 much better than I thought it would be. There are a lot of peanuts in it which influences the taste and a bit of a kick but nothing too bad at all Kam Lu Wantán: 5/5 These were so good! The sauce too omg loved it! Pisco punch:3/5 Not the best version I've had, but it was ok read more

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After six years and countless visits, China Chilcano remains our favorite restaurant in Penn Quarter, and probably our favorite among the Jose Andres restaurant empire. There are so many reasons, but chief among them is that Peruvian food offers such a wonderful and accessible variety of flavors and textures, from ceviches to dumplings to chaufas, causas, cocktails, and great seafood, meat, or vegetarian options. I've spent time in Peru and China Chilcano is the real deal -- on par with the great restaurants of Miraflores. When you factor in that it's reasonably priced (for the area), it's five stars for me. PS Don't skip dessert here. They're all really good, and beautiful. read more

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I got the classic ceviche and lomo saltado as my main plates. The ceviche is a cold dish but the fish was literally frozen. The meat in the lomo wasn't any better. It was tough and had a lot of ligaments. The appetizers were OK. Most of the dishes are very sweet traditional. Both of the appetizers were very sweet and so was the Loma Salado, which usually has a savory taste in case you're not into sweeter dishes. Def go somewhere else. I'm Peruvian so maybe I don't like the fusion of it but it just didn't taste good and definitely wasn't quality meat imo read more

The food is very interesting and very well presented. On our 20th anniversary of meeting (married 3 years later) my wife and I popped in before a movie. It was early and service was a bit slow in a section just opening up for dinner rush. Decor is open and SA style friendly. We started with perfectly cooked and seasoned Yucca spears with Tiger's Milk, a cocktail for my wife and a cold Cristal beer for me. Both ceviche lovers, she had the catch of the day bowl and me, pulpo of course. What a dish. Uniquely Peruvian with some Asian notes. Two special kinds of corn were in the mix. Lots of chili in the broth. read more

Was excited to try one of Jose Andreas restaurants while I was here and wanted to try this one since it was an interesting Peruvian and Asian mix. I started off with a Maracuya (passion fruit) cocktail and it was really good - Perfectly sweet and tarte! The appetizers came and the Dancing Yucca was delicious! Perfectly fried on the outside, and soft and fluffy on the inside. I loved the ahi amarillo mayo with the bonito flakes with gave it so much flavor. Unfortunately, the pork sui mai was just okay. It was really small and the dough was thick. The pork didn't really stand out and was really dense. My main dish was Lomo Saltado which came with beef filet, tomato, soy sauce, aji amarillo pepper, tomato and onions. The sauce was simple but really really flavorful and the meat was cooked pretty well at medium rare. My knife cut through it pretty well and there was a good chew to the meat. The peppers and onions were crunchy and flavorful which provided some good texture to the dish. Overall pretty solid! read more

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I have to start by saying I sat in an area where the yellow lighting was just awful... It was hard to see clearly and it was messing with my head. Other than that, the food was nice. Kind of overpriced for the quantity in my opinion - definitely for the occasional outing (plus it's DC). Service was okay. Seating is a bit tight in general, but there were also a lot of people. read more

China Chilcano - Peruvian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Interesting spot! The food was generally very good - dancing yucca and lomo saltado were standouts. The hamachi ceviche was just meh, fish quality and flavors weren't quite there. Drink menu is a strange mix of Peruvian and Japanese. Most of the cocktails are made with pisco or sake, so you're limited on cocktail options if you aren't a fan of either. Overall interesting concept. The space is big, open, and on the casual side. Service was good. read more

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Absolutely loved eating here during happy hour. We tried so many fun dumplings and appetizers. The server was really kind and helped us pick out the right dumplings for our taste. The inside is decorated beautifully. We had just visited Peru recently, and I loved the Nazca line art inside as well. read more

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This is one of my favorite spots in DC and despite the great decor and food, it never seems to be as busy the other Jose Andres restaurants around town. This food is "Chifa" style -- a cuisine I was obsessed with in Peru, which is Peruvian-Chinese fusion cuisine that includes dishes like lomo saltado, arroz chaufa, and tallarín saltado. Chifa dishes are often served in large portions for sharing. I've gone on special date nights here as well as more recently with my kids. We got a spot right by the window so we could watch all the excitement pass by on 7th street. For drinks, they have a great wine menu with various wines from South America. But my go-to drink here is definitely the Pisco Sour. The frothy drink made with pisco from Peru always is spot on. For food, I've pretty much been pretty consistent on my visits getting the lomo saltado (cubbed steak, dark sauce, vegetables, and french fries mixed in a stew). I also have ordered the ají de gallina (which is a rich creamy chicken stew topped with egg and rice). I love both these dishes so would recommend either. For a lighter dish the lomo saltado might be your better choice. The "dancing yucca" fries are also a must-order -- fried crispy and stacked on plate topped with various sauces, including a white cream sauce, and bonito flakes (basically dried tuna that is sheared into thin strips). The kids devoured them. Finally, we ordered the shrimp and calamari special. This was probably my least favorite since it was all fried. But guess what? It was a hit with the kids big time. I'm not sure I would have ordered it if I knew it was fried but guess I didn't ask either? It was tasty, but I can only eat so much fried food. Overall, a wonderful dining spot and is always consistent on each visit. read more

WOW. Let's all get transported to Cusco, Peru! As a fellow traveler, this place blends all sorts of cuisine, Chinese, Peruvian, for starters. We went with a group of 10 and did family style for dishes and sat on small chairs around a table together. The vibe was fantastic! Service was attentive and caring. We tried almost the entire menu as a group and the pastas were fantastic. The dim sum was also wonderful. Some stand outs: the lamb (salto something), the aeropuerto noodle, tan tam noodle. Really great spot to hit in DC area! read more

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Beautiful presentation. Unique flavor combinations. Yum! Great place to get several items to share. Be sure to leave room for dessert! read more

China Chilcano - Aeropuerto, Szechuan Brussel Sprouts, Ji Song Chifero, chicken stew - Peruvian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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China Chicano - what a stupendous dinner. Peruvian and Asian fusion that was just wonderful. And a lively colorful atmosphere with excellent service. A must visit if you are in DC. read more

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Looking at my last review, it has been a long time since I ate at China Chilcano, but my impression is largely the same regarding service and food. This time it was for lunch and we did the dim sum Tuesday special. The prices are maybe 15/20% cheaper than their dinner menu. The prices are much cheaper but roughly half the size. It works for lunch, but it is not a screaming bargain. The only plate that got our attention was the Szechuan Chili Wontons. The sauce was quite good. Everything else was not very remarkable, but certainly edible. Service continued to be engaged and friendly. Together we had one glass of wine, one pisco sour, five dimsum plates (including two orders of the Szechuan Chili Wontons). The total price was $80 with tax and tip. To be fair, the price was good for downtown DC at lunch (even though we ate lightly). I still really admire José Andrés as a human being, but I'm just not as drawn to his restaurants the way I would like (see my past reviews). read more

Visited for restaurant week and it was awesome! You get to choose 3 courses and a dessert, enjoying it in a cool atmosphere. Great drinks as well. Particularly enjoyed the Ji Song Chifero (lettuce wraps), Tam Tam (noodles), and Texturas of Banana. Service was friendly and helpful with providing recommendations. read more

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Great food! Great people! Loved the restaurant's decorations and decor! Lovely place for date night :)

We had such a good time here! Going in I wasn't expecting much because, based on the menu, there wasn't all that much for me (lacto-ovo vegetarian). But hubby really wanted to go and I decided that, since we love Jose Andres, I really should give it a try. If you are vegetarian, don't skip on this one thinking there isn't anything for us -- give it a try! Highlights include the crispy outside/fluffy inside yucca, the squash dumplings, and the Szechuan brussel sprouts. Hubby is a carnivore and loved his shrimp and chicken but there's plenty of other reviews for that -- I'm here to tell you that if you are vegetarian you can have a unique and delish meal here. read more

China Chilcano - Dancing Yucca - Peruvian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

While I love the idea of combining Peruvian, Chinese, and Japanese flavors, the execution fell flat for me. I visited on a Tuesday so ordered a couple dishes from the dim sum menu alongside apps. We got the Siu Mai Tradicional, Szechuan Chili Wontons, Kam Lu Wantan, and the Dancing Yucca. The siu mai and fried wontons were pretty basic - not bad but nothing special, especially priced at more than $1 per dumpling. The chili wontons were my favorite but again were not anything spectacular and the wontons were the tiniest I've ever seen. I think it would have been nice to see more of a Peruvian influence on the dim sum but they were pretty much just regular dumplings - you could probably get double the portion for the same price at a Chinese restaurant and they would taste the same or better. The Dancing Yucca was the most unique, fusion-ish out of the apps we tried and it had the potential to be really good; unfortunately, I kept chewing on very tough and woody pieces in the fries, making me think that they didn't remove the core properly. For the main I tried the Salmon Donburi and was again disappointed. Salmon and avocado are both pretty bland flavors so I think the dish could have been improved immensely by tossing the salmon in some kind of sauce or marinade, or even just by seasoning the rice like sushi rice. However, everything was served completely plain (except for the two slices of pickled radish). The sauce provided to season the dish also appeared to just be plain soy sauce - even just providing a more interesting sauce could have made it taste a lot better. They probably have better entrees on the menu, so I definitely would not recommend this one. I also got the Suspiro Limena for dessert, which had a very interesting presentation. The condensed milk custard was delicious although it kind of just tasted like thickened condensed milk, and while I think the passion fruit added variety of flavor, it was INCREDIBLY sour. Because it had a light texture compared to the thick custard, it didn't really blend well even when eaten in the same bite - you're attacked first by the extreme tartness and only then does the sweetness from the custard hit. I didn't dislike it, but I don't really have a desire to eat it again. As for the service, it was a little slow. Definitely a place for lots of conversation and not for a quick weekday lunch. However, our server was very friendly! read more

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Dropped in without a reservation and we were able to get a table right away on a Friday night. Ambiance: beautiful decor, unique seating options, and large patio Food/drinks: incredible! We've been to one other Jose Andres restaurant and it was great so this bib gourmand was a gem to come across on our DC trip. The fusion cuisine is really unique and combines flavors and ingredients from Peru, China and Japan. We got the char siu platter, ceviche Nikkei and papas a la Huancaina. Everything was created with a lot of thought and care and it all tasted amazing. We also tried one of their signature cocktails and it was delicious - strong but not overpowering. Service: moved very quickly and the staff were very helpful in offering suggestions Absolutely worth the price - this is pretty much fine dining for a much more affordable price. read more

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