El Taller del Xiquet — Restaurant in Washington

We accidentally stumbled on this restaurant in our visit to DC. This restaurant exceeded my expectations on so many levels. Everything we ordered was beautiful and the way the talented chef, Danny Llado, brought the flavors together was masterful. Octopus was made to perfection and the accompanying sauce was amazing. Seafood Salcipo appetizer with razor clam was out of this world. The light citrus light creamy sauce made you want to lick everything on the plate. Duck paella was the best take in paella we’ve ever had. The noodle seafood paella had great flavors but was a bit salty for us. Now hands down, the Iberico pork steak with crispy pork belly entree was our favorite!!! I don’t think we’ve ever had Iberico this amazing before. Dessert was creative- chocolate mousse was very good! We did the A Là Cart room but will be back for tasting menu which looked amazing and after trying this chef’s creations, I know it will not disappoint. Can’t wait to go back! I’m a fan of this chef now. And…btw the staff was truly exceptional!!! Never left our table with any crumbs and our drinks were always filled. Everyone was so friendly and genuinely cared you had a good experience. A truly deserving Michelin rating for food and service. Expensive but was worth...

If you're looking for an intimate spot with exceptional food, this is the place. The restaurant has a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home, perfect for a relaxed yet memorable meal.

Now, let's talk about the food. Every dish was bursting with flavor, and the ingredients felt incredibly fresh. We started with the gravlax, which was perfectly cured and had just the right balance of tang and richness atop a buttery brioche bread. Next up was the octopus, which was cooked to absolute perfection—tender, smoky, and with a beautiful char, accompanied by some perfectly cooked potatoes and squid ink puree. The seafood fideua was a standout: loaded with an abundance of perfectly cooked Spanish-style seafood, the pasta had the perfect texture and the dish was full of depth and warmth. Unsurprising, considering the chef's background and awards, but it was still something special! Finally, the chocolate dessert was the cherry on top—decadent and indulgent, as a chocolate fiend, it was the ideal sweet ending to a fantastic meal.

Unlike its sister restaurant upstairs, the menu is a la carte, allowing you to enjoy a Michelin-starred-quality meal for a fraction of the price (and time.) I’ll definitely be back for...

We visited El Taller del Xiquet expecting an exceptional experience from a Michelin-starred restaurant. From the start, we clearly informed the staff about a severe nut allergy, yet a dish was served that either contained or was cross-contaminated with nuts. This resulted in a serious allergic reaction that ended with a visit to the emergency room late into the night.

What’s most troubling is that, despite this critical oversight and its medical consequences, the restaurant still charged us for the dish that triggered the reaction, with no acknowledgment or gesture of accountability so far.

This was a deeply disappointing experience that could have ended in tragedy. A restaurant with Michelin recognition should uphold the highest standards of safety and awareness, especially when it comes to serious medical conditions like...