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    Pascual

    4.0 (100 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 1 week ago

    Pascual Photos

    PASCUAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Victoria M.

    Overall the food was very good, there were some dishes that i needed some added flavor and spice on (see why I couldn't add salsa below), but the general consensus was that the food was delicious. We also started out with cocktails and they were all delicious as well. My favorite dishes were the Fideo, sunchokes, and the Kampachi. It was a very intimate setting, with a handful of tables both inside and out. I bet in the spring it would be great to sit on the patio. The team was also incredibly knowledgeable and kind, providing history into the restaurants venture into mezcal. Now moving into what could be improved. We walked into the restaurant about five till our reservation, and were informed that the party was still at their table. We were basically just waiting and standing, and it was pretty awkward. We were advised that we could go ahead and order drinks, as we had been standing there for almost 20 minutes at this time (15 past reservation). While it was nice to offer the option to order drinks, we were then just standing there with drinks in our hands, just waiting. Also, after waiting this long it feels like the drink should've been comped. Another issue we had was our server kept wanting to take our food. Not empty bowls or plates, but dishes that had food in them that we were working our way through. We had ordered more tortilla chips ($6 up charge) just for the server to snatch up half of our salsas in the blink of an eye before we even knew what was happening. She then continued to ask what she could take probably around 6-7 more times, and it got to the point where my friend said if there's food in it we're still working on it. It was weird. My guess is that it was nearing closing and she was trying to close up shop, but after being seated almost 30 minutes late, we weren't going to rush through our $400 meal. While the food was great, the start of the reservation was not, and looking back on the restaurant all I can think of is the server taking our food and really just ruining our experience of sitting, eating, and catching up. It's very disappointing as this had been high on my list for a while, but the experience was soured by everything but the food.

    Squash Infladita
    Eddie K.

    I can see why this restaurant is in almost every dining guide, including the Washington Post and NY Times as one of the best restaurants in DC. I was really impressed with the service and food. We dined on a Saturday evening. There is plenty of street parking close to the restaurant. The cocktail menu is pretty good and I enjoyed my two cocktails, especially their Cadillac Margarita. A must is their guacamole, this was a great way to start your meal. I love all the sauces and creama that accompany this. It Is so good. Guacamole was so creamy. We also got the Chayote Salad and Kampachi Crudo. The Kampachi Crudo had a good spice on it. The Chayote Salad was good, but tasted like an Asian dish-lol. We weren't a big fan of the Squash Infladita dish, but it was unique! For our main dish we shared the Smoked half chicken which was great! And let me tell you the Fried Rice is like crack, it is cooked in chicken fat which makes it so tasty!! Can't stop eating it! Chicken was so juicy and tender. They provide sauce and tortillas. We also got a side of their Oaxacan Ayocote Beans. I made my own taco with chicken, rice and beans. Dinner for two with four cocktails was about $320 with tip, so it can get pricey if you order drinks and such. I wish I lived closer as I would come back here frequently.

    Pork belly carnitas
    Peyton L.

    Elevated Mexican experience here at Pascual. Very unique dishes and everything was great! Service was attentive and very pleasant. We were given pillows, blankets, and heaters nearby so the patio was a nice experience. One of our favorite parts was the guacamole and salsas - really fun to pair different flavors and try new combinations. Downside is they only give you 6 tostadas for a whole lot of guac and salsa so you have to order more tostadas ... which ended up being $6 each. Hamachi and tacos al pastor are a must-try for appetizers. Pork belly carnitas were the table favorite entree. We shared two entrees between 4 of us and it was more than enough along with the appetizers. Drinks were unique and delicious. I will definitely be coming back here for a special occasion!

    Octopus
    Rachel B.

    This dinner was insanely delicious. Everything we tasted was a delight! The half chicken with green onions was definitely a highlight for me. The sauce was incredible, and the chicken was very tender. I also loved the Wagyu steak. We all agreed that the steak sauce complimented the meat and did not overwhelm the flavors. From the appetizers and sides, my favorites were the scallops and the farro esquites. I wish we could have tried the whole menu. The service was really good, and we enjoyed our cocktails and a mezcal flight. Dessert was probably the weakest part of the meal. We had the buñuelos since they were sold out of the rice pudding. The ambiance is bright, clean and stylish. We noticed the minimalist decor and the dangling pothos plants. It's a nice environment. I would 100% recommend this restaurant. One of the best meals we've had in a while!

    Yaseen A.

    I went to Pascual to celebrate my anniversary with my wife. We really enjoyed our time there. The staff is really knowledgeable and friendly. Our meal was delicious and I was very full by the end of our meal. I tried the lamb, but would really like to try the other entrees sometime. The ambiance in the restaurant is very nice also, I really like the decor and overall vibe, makes me feel like I'm in a cozy casa in Mexico

    Half chicken
    Rodger S.

    Quick summary: The food was fine & the ambience was mediocre, so neither was anywhere close to being worth the price. We started with margaritas, which were very strong & fine. We then had the guacamole, which was very good, though not as good as we get at El Presidente. The shrimp tamal & chicken entree were both fine.

    Ganache chocolate
    Cameron B.

    Bringing the nuevo Mexican style from MXDF to DC, Pascual is gunning for middle-high-end elegance w/o the pretention. Think cute ceramic dishes with bright and spiced sauces or mezcals served in them. Think table side splashes of wine to make sure you prefer the pairing and flavors. Think shared plates and napkins being swapped out and a perfectly timed dinner. Think freshness causing the kitchen to run-out of dishes towards the end of the night. All top-tier, Chefs Kiss service, no notes. Notes time. Caveat, I'm from the Bay Area California and was raised with Mexican neighbors passing plates over the backyard fence seeped in charm and authenticity; that is not Pascual. Refined flavors can sometimes become too subtle to validate the sticker-shock. Since we ordered the Guacamole, which comes with an assortment of sauces and pickles we were able to jazz up the sweet potatoes and Fideos Negros. The trout ceviche needed a pop and the scallop ceviche were small which changes the texture to something less elevated. The Lamb barbacoa, which was perfectly cooked needed some salsa to really get it over the "ok" to 'very good' line! Some winners? Don't sleep on the Chayote Salad. I couldn't even tell you what was in there. It was delicious!! Their roasted oysters with whipped beer-butter was....probably my favorite bite!! With a solid Mexican Wine list, excellent cocktails and mezcals Pascual will draw a lot of attention (for good reason) and hopefully expand their pallet to meet the more adventurous and well traveled DC aesthetic!

    Oro de Senora (an autumn desert oasis tiki party), with the guacamole and salsas.
    Ashton C.

    Pascual was the setting for a great evening with friends over delicious food. We sat outside on the covered patio, which was warm and comfortable with plenty of heaters (and blankets if you needed them.) I definitely recommend starting with the guacamole and salsas. It's perfect for a group and we thought it was great being able to taste test different combos. The cocktails were fun and festive for the fall season. Always nice to see menus that have equally enjoyable non-alcoholic options. For our group of 4 we also did two al pastor tacos, the kampachi crudo, the squash infladita, the fideos negros, lamb neck barbacoa, and pork belly carnitas. This was plenty of food, so we left full but without leftovers (it was just that good!) We could've skipped the squash dish since it wasn't very shareable and a little lacking on flavor, but everything else was absolutely delicious. The mushrooms and noodles (fideos negros) was a standout dish, an unexpected combo that really delivered. The barbacoa lamb neck was tender and bursting with rich flavor. The pork belly added a warm, fatty element to the meal. And I could have eaten the al pastor tacos all day. Perfect balance of meat, salsa, and pineapple. For dessert, the buñuelos were served with a caramel sauce and chocolate sauce, both delicious, but the portion felt a bit small. Our server was knowledgeable and really friendly. She was great about accommodating a seafood allergy. The entrees were on the more expensive side, but the meal is definitely worth it for a quality dinner out.

    Austin G.

    For my wife's birthday, we went to Pascual. (My wife loves Mexican food.) It's an intimate space with a cozy dining room with a bar and outdoor seating inside a tent in the front. We sat inside and appreciated the simple, yet inviting design. Having gone to Kenny's BBQ many times, it evoked many memories. Far from BBQ, Pascual's menu pulls from flavors found in Mexico. Their plates are meant to be shared and to feed two (we left very full), we ordered the Guacamole and Tostadas with all the fixings, Taco al Pastor, Chayote Salad, Beets, and the Fideos Negros. As a surprise, the kitchen sent over a complimentary Smoked Steelhead Trout. My wife enjoyed every dish, but the winner was the Chayote Salad with the texture of the sunflower seeds and flavors in the sauce. To drink, I ordered a cucumber lighter drink and my wife enjoyed their version of an old fashioned. I also got their white wine from Mexico and found it crisp and refreshing. Service was attentive and efficient. Also worth noting is the well-designed restrooms in the basement. Street parking nearby was easy to find on a Saturday evening around 6:30pm.

    Bluefin tuna tostada   Tacos Al pastor (middle)  Broiled oysters (far left) - really tasty
    Evan P.

    I was expecting more given the hype that Pascual was getting as a top new restaurant that had elevated Mexican food in DC. It fell short of these loft expectations. Service was basic - servers made sure water was provided, answered questions on the most popular items, but did not necessarily show familiarity with the menu. We ordered something and asked for no avocado given an allergy in our party and the dish ended up coming out with avocado. The decor and ambiance also did not stand out. Despite the connection to Mexico City and emphasis on Mexican food, there was nothing in the restaurant the suggested this inspiration - it was also pretty sterile and there was no way to really tell what kind of restaurant this was. They did have a large kitchen in the back corner where you could peak in on food being prepared. The food was good, but pricey for the portions and what you ultimately received. Both the food and cocktails were creative and brought in a range of flavors for different palates. We really enjoyed the appetizers and recommend saving room to sample the bluefin tostada, tacos al pastor, and broiled oysters. The half-chicken, while one of Pascual's better selling dishes, did not stand out. The lamb neck barbacoa was fantastic and something I would certainly order again. We sample all of the desserts and I recommend saving room for the dark chocolate ganache. That being said, when comparing against other Mexican restaurants for price, food, service, and atmosphere, other restaurants like D'lena are much better at a similar or even lower price point.

    Bobbi D.

    A bit over hyped in my opinion and quite pricey... the horchata drink is SOOOO good (the Jamaica was too limey for me), and the food and service was good. The atmosphere is super crowded (it's so small) and it is so hard to get a reservation - after so many tries, finally got one at the bar, but it's difficult to get in the seats because they are so squished together. I probably won't go back, but it was a nice experience.

    Farro Esquites
    Darren L.

    About a week late on this review but we visited Pascual last Friday and oh boy does it live up to the hype. Our experience started before getting seated as we were greeted on our walk to the restaurant with the sweet smoky aromas coming from the kitchen's fire pit. I'm a generally picky eater but all of the food we got was excellent and there was nothing we wouldn't order again. The smoked half chicken is really what took our experience to the next level though, and don't sleep on the fried Mexican red rice!

    Mezcal spicy margarita
    Tolulope R.

    Had dinner here with a friend and our reservations were outside but the weather was nice so didn't have to worry about the cold. I ordered the spicy margarita with mezcal which was amazing. For appetizers we got the octopus tostada which was ok. I am not sure if it was texture with this dish but I felt like it was missing something. The chayote salad was good but was better when we mixed with other items from the meal. Also got guacamole which was just ok. We were given tortillas and wanted something crunchy to dip the guacamole with. I also was hoping for a bit of spice but see that some ordered salsa to go with it. The standout meal was the lamb neck barbacao. This meat was tender and well flavored. The best thing we did was to add the guacamole, Chayote salad, and lamb to tortillas which elevated the meal. The meal was decent but didnt live up to the hype I was expecting.

    tartare, octopus and tacos

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    We visited The Alchemist in DC and ordered the Banana Bread Rum Old Fashioned and a Fireplace…read morethemed cocktail with chocolate and cherry notes. Both were disappointing. The drinks tasted watered down and unbalanced. The banana flavor in mine was dull and overripe rather than fresh and vibrant. The smoke and fire presentation was nice, but the actual cocktails did not justify the $25 price point. The restroom was unacceptable. There was urine on the floor, a strong foul odor, and the surface was slippery. For a speakeasy positioning itself as upscale, this was a major miss. The space is very small and service was just okay. Overall, the concept has potential, but the execution did not meet expectations. I will not be returning.

    Death & Co DC - Fool's Gold

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    Bar scene so sexy, you decided to add it permanently on your date night list! Come along as I…read morereview Death & Co DC!!!! Ambiance: from the outside you'd have no idea that a hidden treasure awaits you up a flight of stairs. The decor was very mysterious, perfectly dimmed, and sexy. They added greenery near the hostess station to create what I would describe as an exotic/jungle vibe. This area also contained a beautiful small bar and a few cozy seatings. Next, the hostess led us to a table inside where the magic of candles, cozy tables, and intimate booths immediately meets your eyes. Did I mention that we sat in most comfy green velvet chairs in our cozy booth? How sexy! Service: our waiter, Jordan, was the best! He provided great service and recommendations. However, shoutout to the rest of the staff because it was truly all hands on deck. Drinks: the bartender is indeed a mixologist! There is no question of the magic he created in a glass. Her drink- I ordered the Attractive Nuisance, an elevated spritz. The drink was perfectly balanced with flavors to include G.H. Mumm Champagne, Avua Prata Cachaca, Cocchi Americano, Saffron, Vanilla. I literally tasted all the flavors in the drink and the liquor ratio was just right. Of course I went with another round, you simply have to try it understand why I did. His drink: El Tiburón-Let's just say that he said that this is now one of his favorite cocktails because it was smooth! Small bites: the kitchen was out of mussels and their famous donuts so we decided to try the Franks en Crute, the sexy adult version of pigs in a blanket lol. Such a delicious treat, well balanced flavors giving both sweet (flaky puff pastry) and savory (well grilled wagyu beef). Definitely recommend. The music was perfect for the evening! The bar was filled with all matured folks enjoying their group meets or dates, the atmosphere welcomed all. As I stated earlier, this has now become a regular on the list and I'm excited to visit again.

    Pascual - mexican - Updated May 2026

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