Pepita Cantina - Not Just Margaritas

Pepita Cantina

4000 Wilson Blvd.

Arlington, VA 22203

703-312-0200

www.PepitabyMIC.com

I'm a fan of small restaurants. I find that that when you aim small, you miss small, which means that you're more likely to place your shots in the ten-ring. Pepita exemplifies that philosophy. It's a small place, with a small menu, but it's a bulls-eye.

Start out with the guacamole. Smooth, yet chunky. Home-made thick chips that don't break when you scoop the guac, and plenty of flavor.

Tacos are the main lunch fare here. I tried three including the smoked carnitas, the cabra diabla, and the taco de lengua. The cabra and lengua were my favorites. The tongue (lengua) was super-tender and flavorful, while the cabra, which is goat, had a sophisticated heated finish. No quick burn here, just a smooth, enjoyable heat. The smoked carnitas was good as well, but the other two provided the unique flavors I've come to know, expect, and love from Mike Isabella Concepts.

Here's a shot of the chunky Tuna Ceviche.

The quesadilla was a thing of beauty as well. Great flavors with a lingering heat.

Behind me was the bar, though I was here for lunch so there was no boozing. You can tell Taha Ismail is at work here with his well-laid out tinctures and bitters. He's one of the best in the business and it always shows through. Be sure to grab one of the specialty cocktails if you stop in.

Overall impressions: It's a great place to grab lunch, but I'm sure it's an even better place to go with friends and get your tequila going. WaPo said come for the drinks. I say go for the food. It's good, and it's a good value. You won't be sorry.

If you go, tell them you read about it on Pleasures of the Table!

Thanks for reading.

Go south of the border...or at least South of East Capitol St.

You'll find a lot of restaurants down by the Marine Barracks. Some are bound to be better than others of course, but they are, for the most part, unique. This is a bonus in a town filled with corporate sandwich joints.

My chosen restaurant on this particular day in SE DC was Banana Cafe. It's a mish mash of Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban fare. The building is nice, colorful, and comfortable. There's a great patio outside (too hot to sit there the day I was out) and a piano bar upstairs. The restaurant is decorated with the artwork of the owner, Jorge Zamorano. Interesting Cuban/Southwest/Catholic motif and colorful walls abound.

Jorge's Neon Cow Skull

Interesting stuff...but on to the food.

Carnitas Cubanas

I ordered Carnitas Cubanas, which is marinated pork roasted with oranges and onions. It was tender and flavorfull. This was obiously shoulder, whereas you normally see this done with pork loin. It's got more of a greasy texture than the loin, but it was good. The yucca was still firm, and the black beans and rice on the side were better than the average.

Service here is above the average as well. We were never left waiting for long when we made eye contact with anyone even though most of the tables were full.

The cocktails I saw going out looked good, though I couldn't imbibe at the time. Maybe I will next time.

Bottom line? Thumbs up. I'd go again. If you go, tell Grant the manager you read about it on Pleasures of the Table!