Girl’s Night
Last night I went out with a couple of lady friends for a girls night at Oyamel. I’ve been to this restaurant once before with friends and the food was absolutely amazing. Again last night the food was outstanding. We started off the night with the guacamole, which is made tableside. If you go, you must get this as it is the best I have ever tasted. After my first experience I tried for a whole weekend to replicate their combination of flavors because I was CRAVING guacamole.
The menu is similar in style to that of their sister restaurant Jaleo; small tapas dishes of Mexican food. There is also the ceviche bar, which if you like seafood is a must. I ordered the scallop ceviche my last visit, and last night my friend ordered the red snapper. Both were perfectly seasoned and prepared; keeping the seafood tender and succulent. We continued our food journey with several of the small plates all of which were fresh and tasty. I have yet to find an item on this menu which I do not enjoy.
The only frustrating part of this meal was the uneven service. We were seated in the back room, and service at first was speedy. They did stagger the items we ordered, but after the first wave of salads arrived things slowed down to almost a stop. I will admit that it was crowded, but still it was a little frustrating to have to ask about our hot dishes. They also forgot to bring my friend her tacos she ordered. However, if they had I’m not sure where we would have put them as we were very, very full. Thankfully those items did not show up on the bill. The servers were very polite throughout the whole meal, which prevented the waiting from turning angry.
Noise levels in the back room (I have yet to sit in the front so couldn’t say as to that section of the restaurant) can be rather loud. This is especially true if the large table for groups is filled, as was the case upon our arrival. However the decibels do not rise to the point of completely drowning out conversation, which is rather nice as I do not like having to scream my conversation to my friends.
We also split a pitcher of their classic margarita, and oh my freaking goodness they make a good margarita. I am quite sensitive when it comes to tequila, ever since a very bad incident in college. (That would be another post for another time.) However, Oyamel’s is smooth and flavorful, so much so that the tequila did not bother me at all.
If you are not in a hurry and are craving really good Mexican food then I highly recommend Oyamel.
After dinner we wandered towards the metro and as happens in DC frequently got stopped by a motorcade. But this was not any motorcade this was the procession of Police Officers here in the Nation’s Capital for National Police Week. I reveled in my localness when I informed a group of people standing behind us wondering who the official was that got that many police officers as an escort. The answer: the Police. A tradition started by President Kennedy when he declared May 15th Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the rest of the week National Police Week. So do not be startled if you see a lot of men and women in police dress uniforms wandering around the city this week.
After the motorcade passed we continued on our way, and the excitement of the night was not quite over. I managed to sprain my ankle on the sidewalk. I am talented, because I managed to do this in flats. Ballerina flats. I am such an f’ing klutz. It’s sore, but I’ve had worse. Though, it’s still rather embarrassing. Ugh.
