DC Food | Spanish Cuisine Until Midnight 🕛

The restaurant is named Xiquet, specializing in Spanish dishes from the Valencia region. The menu is quite impressive, and I had the best Spanish red shrimp I've ever tasted in the U.S. I never expected red shrimp could be prepared so deliciously—it was definitely a highlight! 😍 However, I felt the red shrimp appeared a bit too frequently on the menu. A little more variety would have made it even better. Also, some of the main course plates were served cold, which deducted a few points. 🧐 The dining experience itself was truly interesting. The restaurant is divided into three areas: a reception lounge, the main dining room, and a small mezzanine level. Upon entering, you're welcomed into a cozy reception area where the staff offers drinks while you settle in. Afterward, you're guided upstairs to the main dining room. The chef even prepares a welcome drink and bite—and I must say, the welcome drink was absolutely delightful 😂—it won over this wine lover’s heart! 🍷 After the savory courses, the staff leads you to a small lounge on the mezzanine level between the first and second floors. There, desserts are served, and you can continue ordering drinks. Overall, the service was very attentive, and the atmosphere felt quite private. With limited seating, the restaurant remained quiet, making it perfect for conversation. The dining duration was quite long—around three and a half hours. ⏳ The menu is priced at $265 per person, with a mandatory 22% service charge, which I find a bit unreasonable 🙃. Initially, I didn’t understand why gratuity was compulsory, but after experiencing the service, I admit it was quite good. Still, the mandatory aspect doesn’t sit entirely well with me. I probably won’t be returning too soon. Have you been to Xiquet? What’s your take on mandatory service charges? Share your thoughts below! 👇 Xiquet 2404 Wisconsin Ave NW B, Washington, DC 20007 #WashingtonDCFood #WashingtonDC #WashingtonDCTravel #Xiquet #DMVDining #SpanishFood #FineDiningDC #DCFoodie #FoodReview #ValencianCuisine #DCRestaurants