MSN Guiding Diners to Penn Quarter

I cannot believe that Oyamel made that list. It is really nothing special at all. In fact, the few times I have been there, I would have preferred to just go around the corner to Austin Grill (although the food there is only slightly better).

In any event, Central is nice—but much more of a lunch place for me. Surprising to see that Oya did not make the list, although Atlantico, Rasika, and Zaytinya certainly should all be on there.

I would recommend anyone to try Atlantico or Zaytinya — two of my favorite’s in all of DC.

I’m agree with Anon about Oyamel. Maybe the reviewer got it mixed up with Oya!

I third that regarding Oyamel, I was disappointed and don’t plan on returning.

I would add PS7 to the list.

I think you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant with a Mexican menu as interesting and fun as Oyamel, IMHO. Please, don’t compare to Austin Grill, which is a different cuisine (Mexican cuisine should not be confused with Tex-Mex, unless you like offending other cultures). Maybe those who don’t like Oyamel had different expectations?

I am surprised the blogger included Central in Penn Quarter. A bit too far of a reach in my map.

What exactly is a Gayot? That has to be the dumbest name ever.

I think Oyamel deserves to be on the list — went during Restaurant Week with 3 other people and we all loved it.

I’m not sure they were ranked that way, I think they were just listed in alphabetical order. I for one, like Oyamel. It’s the closest thing I’ve found to real tacos in DC. And the Oyamel margarita with salt air in divine.

I was also shocked to hear about OYAMEL being chosen. We have eaten there 3 times, and have yet to be impressed.
Atlantico and Zantinya definitely deserve the good rating.

I was raised near the Mexican border and Oyamel does not represent any food familiar to me.

As someone else has already pointed out, Austin Grill is Tex-Mex, not Mexican (hence the name). A better comparison for Oyamel is Rosa Mexicano–and Oyamel is much better than Rosa (except for their guacamole).

Oyamel does serve grasshopper tacos which is Oaxacan. you won’t see that on the menu at Austin or Chipotle or Rosa!

Personally, I had one of the worst meals of my life at Oyamel. And prefer Rosa Mexicano or Jaleo any day. But I do know several people who go there just for the tacos and love it.

But on the topic of Oyamel, I have always wondered what possessed Chef Andres to open up another tapas restaurant here. I mean how many little plates can one neighborhood be expected to consume?

I too don’t like Oyamel. I would go to Austin before going here or Rosa. Yeah yeah the cuisines are different but not significantly. Austin can make a pretty mean taco. Further, I had a dish at Rosa that was basically a $24 glorified quesadilla. It just wasn’t all that great. I mean for $24 all it had chicken, cheese, rice, and a two tortillas. Some foods just are meant to be fancy. Love Jaleo and Zantinya. I wonder how Oyamel seems to be the most expensive of the three because I would have thought they would maybe par with the rest or even a little cheaper. I just seemed to me a majority of the items at Oyamel were in the $9 range which is not typically the case at the other two. My fav is Zantinya. Jaleo is a close second.

Oyamel was better when it was in Crystal City, where even there it was declining before it moved to PQ. Sad but true

Oyamel is absurdly overpriced for what you get, period.

I was really dissapointed recently at Atlantico, in fact all 4 of us were. We were with West Coast friends who have had good experiences there before but it really was underwhelming. Oyamel is OK nothing stellar. Jaleo, Zaytinya, are always good. Oya is good now? I just thought it was a well dressed night club?

Mrs Columbo & I love Oyamel. I think we eat there more than any other PQ restaurant right now. I can’t understand the hating on the food quality & prices. We do only sit at the bar, so perhaps service sucks at the tables? But the food, in our opinion, is fantastic.

My last visit (probably my last for a long while), I had the pleasure of sitting next to head chef Joe Raffa at an adjoining table feting a couple of guests (unknown, but getting VIP treatment). This wouldn’t have bothered me if his kitchen wasn’t completely overwhelmed at the time and eventually serving (after a painfully long delay) cold dishes meant to be hot. At least it gave me a good story about why I find Oyamel so disappointing.

I’ve never had service issues at Oyamel. like Columbo, I always sit at the bar. I feel they are pricey for what they deliver, though.

Folks, sit at a table, not the bar, and you’ll know what most people are talking about here. You can service at any bar. Service doesn’t exist at the tables at Oyamel, period.

City Living:

I’ve gone to Oyamel several times, sat at a table as single diner and gotten great service each time.

Ler’s compromise and call the service uneven.

For my money, the food and wine at PS7 beats every place on that list (although I haven’t been to Central or Oyamel). However, the ambience at Zatinya is #1 – people from out of town love that place. And I’m willing to believe Cafe Atlantico can do better since I’ve only been once, and I think it was restaurant week.