DEL MAR: SERVING UP SPANISH FAVORITES AT DC’S SW WATERFRONT
The Cost -$88 per person
The Atmosphere – Perfect for a date night or special occasion, Del Mar is a chic, beautifully decorated space. The crowd is usually a stylish one of all ages looking for a nice night out on the waterfront.
In search of a good seafood dinner, I went to Michelin star awarded chef Fabio Trabocchi’s Del Mar. Overlooking the water in a large and modern space, Del Mar serves (mostly) traditional Spanish dishes using high-quality ingredients and bold flavors.
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The Order - Oscuro Deseo, La Sonrisa, Océano Azul to drink. Patatas Bravas, Croquetes, Gambas Al Ajillo, Moroccan Paella, Grilled Wagyu to eat with Cherry Blossom and Horchata Ice Cream for dessert
The Phenomenal - The Oscuro Deseo stood out for its superior taste and presentation. Served in a pineapple shaker with a flame torched cinnamon stick, the mezcal, and rum cocktail also had creme de banana and orgeat. On the food side, two dishes were exceptional. The Croquettes were brilliantly done with aged jamón and truffle and the Moroccan Paella was outstanding with its creamy squid ink rice and a generous portion of lobster.
The Great -La Sonrisa, a chamomile-infused vodka cocktail with peach and lavender, was well crafted and made for a nice pre-meal cocktail. The sauce under the Patatas Bravas (which there wasn’t enough of) along with the garlic aioli it came with took this dish from boring to delicious. The Shrimp al Ajillo came out sizzling and smelling of garlic and chiles and it did not disappoint. The homemade bread pieces in the dish were perfect for soaking up the sauce.
The Good - I loved the concept of the Oceano Azul but this modified Pisco Sour made with vodka and Singani wasn’t as good as the other drinks. The wagyu had a nice flavor but was overcooked and the charred eggplant it came with was only okay. I liked the Cherry Blossom over the Horchata but was sad to see it was frozen yogurt and not ice cream.
The Verdict - Del Mar is a fantastic place to celebrate a special occasion and to indulge in some of the best Spanish food around! Highly recommend.