Bodega Restaurant
ByGeorgetown 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
