Georgetown is filled with restaurants serving delicious cuisine from every corner of the world. My last visit led me to Bodega, a beautiful restaurant that instantly transports you to a European dining experience upon entering the room. Their wide array of Spanish tapas and endless sangria were what brought us in for dinner.
The selection of tapas includes cold options like Catalonian Tomato Bread topped with Anchovies, Jamon Serrano, or Manchego. Their warmer selections include Tortilla Espanola, Calamari Fritos con Ali-Oli, and my personnal favorite Patatas Bravas.
Their salads are a very pleasant surprise. I ordered Ensalada de Peras y Nueces, a mix of field greens with pears, walnuts, and goat cheese. It was a perfect portion and the amounts of toppings were more than generous. The light and tangy honey vinaigrette was a delicious addition as well.
Another dish we tried was the Patatas Bravas, warm and golden brown potatoes with a rich and creamy dipping sauce. They seemed to be the Spanish take on home fries, quite an improvement from the diner variety.
The calamari was also a great choice. It was crispy without being grossly greasy. The sauce was also delicious.
The third tapas we orders was not so wonderful. The Brocheta de Pollo al Ajillo con Salsa Picante de Pimiento was quite the mouthful to order and quite the opposite on our plate. Small chicken skewers were rather bland, disappointing after the other dishes were so rich and flavorful.

Other than the chicken dish, they were all generous sizes for tapas, something one rarely encounters. The atmosphere at Bodega is also amazing. The mosaic motif on the bar combines with the ornate wallpaper creating a sophisticated Spanish feeling. The service was prompt and considerate, always bringing extra plates and clearing off the finished tapas dishes.
Bodega would be the perfect date spot, extremely conducive to an intimate conversation. There are great round tables in the front windows, which allow for always entertaining Georgetown people watching.
Whether it is for a date night or more relaxed lunch, Bodega provides a great taste of Spain for any occasion.

Bodega Restaurant

3116 M Street Northwest

Washington, DC 20007-3704

(202) 333-4733

www.bodegadc.com

There’s a dose of delicious medicine hidden in the center of Foggy Bottom. Tonic Restaurant is no secret to the students and busy professionals in the area and with it’s delicious salads and burgers, perfect portions and great outdoor seating everyone should give it a shot.

Tonic is located in the heart of the George Washington University campus, making it a great meeting spot for undergrads between classes or for an affordable happy hour destination. The outdoor patio seating offers a great setting for people watching, even featuring outdoor heaters to provide optimal comfort.

As a frequent Tonic diner, I’ve had quite a few great meals there. My latest lunch with a friend offered similar satisfaction. I ordered a daily special, “Southern Fried Chicken Salad” and my friend ordered the “Grilled Vegetable Panini.” My salad had crisp lettuce, avocado, mini french fries, honey dijon dressing and crispy chicken tenders. My only complaint was the chicken could have been more flavorful, but the portion size was more than enough and the dressing had a very light but tangy taste.

The panini is one of my personal favorites and comes with Tonic’s signature tator tots, something that one should visit Tonic without trying. It is a quintessential serving of comfort food. The vegetables were fresh and sprinkled with feta cheese, a very delicious touch.

Our service was prompt, yet not too personable. The combination of a hectic lunch hour and beautiful day seemed to be weighing on the staff. An interesting touch on the inside tables is that every one has crayons and is covered in paper, providing entertainment value for the kid at heart. Tonic also features daily happy hour specials from 4-7pm every weekday. These include half price draft beer, $4 tator tots, and 50 cent wings. This is a favorite among young professionals in the area who frequently crowd the down stairs bar after work.

Another favorite selection from Tonic are there infamous burgers. Their topping combinations include everything from guacamole (which I highly recommend!) to the more traditional fried onion and pickles. They also have veggie and turkey burger options, appeasing their vegetarian diners. The “Build-a-Burger” allows you to be the chef and pick from an array of cheeses, sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, ham, bacon, fried egg, chili, guacamole, avocado, banana peppers, onion straws, & pico de gallo!

Tonic is a great choice for a quick yet delicious meal without going in to Georgetown and most plates are between $10-$15, making it very affordable as well.

Tonic Restaurant

2036 G St NW

Washington, DC 20036

202-296-0211