There's an Otterly Fantastic Place Waiting For You in Otter Space

Some may say that the frozen treat market is oversaturated, but after all these years a lion (or maybe penguin) of freezer remains: The Otter Pop. I think we all agree that the best otter pop is blue raspberry (i.e. Louie), but for some reason the ice is always a little bit softer on the red one (i.e. Poncho). Who knows why? But as the summer air descends upon D.C., here's an Appetizer Blog shout out to one of summer's greatest pleasures.

You Have Learned Well Young Grasshopper Taco

Bobby: On a recent evening we sauntered down to the latest outpost in Jose Andres' Gallery Place empire, Oyamel.

Giada: We'd heard a good deal about the much anticipated Oyamel, particularly the grasshopper tacos, and were eager to check it out.

Bobby: Oyamel is tapas style, the defining food trend of this decade. Tapas have three virtues: They are cheap, sociable, and allow one to sample a lot of different tastes. Overall, while Oyamel serves up some decent dishes, it is not an especially memorable dining experience.

Decor

Bobby: The decor of Oyamel is an example of the Caboization of things that are supposed to be Mexican style. It consists of a bright decor that is a little shabby in a fake kind of way. That being said, the restaurant is open, the tables have a reasonable amount of room, and the overall effect is fairly inviting. Oyamel doesn't break any design barriers (it's no Jonathan Adler), but it is pleasant.

Giada: Agreed, although I did notice a pretty ample amount of space around the bar, which seems like a good idea given Oyamel's downtown location.

Bobby's Decor Rating: 6.8 out of 10.

Giada's Decor Rating: 7 out of 10.

Food

Bobby: One cannot help but compare Oyamel to other Latin places in the area: Rosa Mexicano, Jaleo, and Cafe Altantico. This is perhaps unfair as Oyamel is the most downscale of the quartet. But the food isn't as good as Rosa, as inventive as Atlantico, or as fun as Jaleo.

Giada: Bobby's dead-on here. For different reasons, I've had memorable experiences at all of the above and look forward to returning. While Oyamel was fine, it was just that and nothing more.

Bobby: We had five dishes: gaucamole, grasshopper tacos, queso fundido, tamales verdes, and a sausagy dish.

Giada: "Sausagy dish"?

Bobby: Whatever. You don't remember the name, either.

Giada: Touche.

Bobby: The tamales were very good and the sausagy dish hit the spot. But the guac was a little limey, and the queso needed to be melted more.

Giada: I was the only brave soul who dared try the grasshopper taco. Which is sorta understanding because people? This looks like a grasshopper taco. That is, it's a tortilla filled with fried little bugs. Bobby looked at it, turned a little green, and declined a sample. Also, it basically tastes like a bug-filled tortilla. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, with just enough of a meaty taste to remind you that you're eating something from the Animal Kingdom.

Bobby: Overall, though, it was a pleasant meal--and while not among the best places in town, Oyamel isn't bad for a Tuesday night.

Bobby's Food Rating: 6.9 out of 10.

Giada's Food Rating: 6 out of 10.

Service

Bobby: The service at Oyamel was non-descript. The waiter was reasonably competent, if a little slow. But for the price you are paying, you can't really expect brillant service.

Giada: Yeah, definitely a little slow. It also bugged me that he seemed incapable of filling the somewhat small water glasses beyond 2/3 full.

Bobby's Service Rating: 6.8 out of 10.

Giada's Service Rating: 5 out of 10.

Overall: Oyamel is an good value and the type of place that would be good for a group of friends. Guys, probably not the place to book for your girlfriend's birthday or Valentine's Day, but overall Oyamel is a nice addition to Gallery Place's many fine dining choices.

Oyamel

401 7th Street, NW

Washington, DC

202-628-1005

Washington Post review

No, You Stop Bitching And Start a Revolution

If you've walked down 7th Street in our nation's capital, you've probably seen the guys and gals selling t-shirts imploring that we all "Stop Bitching and Start a Revolution." Now, I'm for a revolution as much as the next guy. Had I been around during the Colonial period and been soaked with slightly higher, but historically reasonable taxes, and a legislature that wasn't not completely representative of my interests, I would have joined the call to arms. So my problem is not with wide-scale social change. It is merely that these people fail to see the irony of their position. They are selling shirts that tell us to "stop bitching," but that's all they're doing-- bitching about buying t-shirts.

Perhaps they are using the proceeds from the t-shirts to start the revolution. But I don't think revolutions are that cheap. If you could start a revolution merely from the proceeds of t-shirt sales, Hanes would already be our overlord.

And actually, revolutions are mostly about bitching. Common Sense: mostly just bitching about stuff. The Declaration of Independence: bitching to King George III.

So t-shirts, you have not convinced me. Hug that out, bitch.

--Bobby