In Adams Morgan, there's L'Enfant Café & Bar (2000 18th St NW) and its expensive Belgian beers on one side of 18th and there's Locolat Café (1781 Florida Avenue NW) and its expensive Belgian chocolates on the other side. Here it's clear, I suppose, why a chicken would cross the road. It's also clear that now and again, you'll want a break from Belgium. If that day comes, there's no need to leave the intersection (or settle for a giant slice of pizza). Instead, try El Tamarindo (1785 Florida Ave. NW), a Salvadoran/Mexican joint with funky, original art (for sale), a long list of margaritas, refreshingly fresh salsa and tortilla chips and tasty, though generally uninspired, specialties such as "Carne a la Parrilla" ($12), grilled tenderloin topped with ranchera sauce and served with rice and refried beans. Compared to other Latin food joints I've sampled around Washington, I'd say it's far superior to La Frontera Cantina (1633 17th St. NW) in Dupont, but less authentic than Taqueria Distrito Federal (3463 14th St. NW) in Columbia Heights and El Paraiso (1916 14th St. NW) by U Street.I was less impressed by a recent dinner at Medaterra (2614 Connecticut Ave. NW) in Woodley Park, where I met up with a few cousins the other day for a Happy Hour appetizer feast. We sampled sausage and eggplant, hummus and falafel. Not very memorable.
