- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
El Chalan Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Latin American Latin American [Edit]
1924 I St NW(between N 19th St & N 20th St)
Washington, DC 20006
(202) 293-2765
- Nearest Transit:
-
Farragut West Metro Station (Blue, Orange)
Farragut North Metro Station (Red)
Foggy Bottom Metro Station (Blue, Orange)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
136 reviews for El Chalan Restaurant
Review Highlights
-
"We also highly recommend the Lomo Saltado." In 47 reviews -
"I had the Arroz con Mariscos (Peruvian Paella." In 12 reviews -
"This was my first introduction to Peruvian food." In 23 reviews
Loading...
136 reviews in English
-
Review from Natasha L.
Washington, DC
5/25/2012 1 photo
Came during the dinner rush service on a Saturday night. The restaurant was busy, however, being a party of two, we were seated right away.
The restaurant is tucked away in the basement sort of next to and below a liquor/wine shop. It's not huge, but they use the space wisely. It's got plain decor, simple, with Peruvian art adorning it.
I love Peruvian food and El Chalan did not disappoint. The food is absolutely delicious and the service is friendly, fast and top-notch in my opinion. I got a traditional dish of Lomo Saltado. The beef was seasoned perfectly albeit salty, but I expect that of any Latin dish really. It was still quite good and plentiful. I also really enjoyed the bread they put out on the table before our meals were brought out. It was sort of sweet and reminds me of the pan I get when I visit my family in Panama. That is so delicious with butter!
Anyway, I think we probably spent less than an hour in there. It was really fast service and we didn't stay for dessert because we had a movie to catch but I briefly considered staying longer because of the aroma of the freshly brewed Peruvian coffee they were making. I mean, it smelled fantastic. I wanted to go into the kitchen and hijack some beans to take home! Love love Peruvian dark roast. We brew that at home actually, but it would have been nice to have time for a cup here. Maybe next time.
In all, this restaurant was solid. You get a lot of food, the price is very reasonable and you will enjoy every bite. You will also really enjoy the jovial atmosphere and the service is what you'd expect if you were to go to Peru yourself. It was top-notch like you were dining in a 5-star restaurant. They treat you well. Definitely going back to eat more! -
Review from Katie B.
Washington, DC
5/24/2012
Meh. I was so disappointed by this place. I live only a couple blocks away and have been itching to try El Chalan for months. I finally gave it a shot the other night with my boyfriend, and well, I will not be returning. Here is a quick run down of my experience:
1) It took over 10 minutes before our waiter even acknowledged we were there. It then took another solid 10 minutes before anyone brought us water (it felt like an hour because we were both very thirsty). I work as a waitress part time and our general rule of thumb is to greet within 30 seconds and have first rounds on the table in 2 minutes. This was very obviously not the case here.
2) After someone FINALLY returned to take our order, we were completely ignored. The food took a curiously long time to come out--so long that someone probably should have stopped by to check on us.
3) The food was mediocre at best. My boyfriend got some sort of fish & sauce and I got the paella. The paella had a good amount of seafood, but it was virtually flavorless and very very weak for a dish that they claim as a signature.
4) It was very loud and while I appreciate some good Mariachi, it was kind of obnoxious to have a mariachi band playing in such a small space.
We were treated like we barely existed and the food did not make up for the poor service. -
Review from Jim U.
My first visit here was several years ago just prior to an extensive month-long expedition to South America which included a trek to Machu Picchu. It set the tone well. Very well, in fact! Pretty much everything I ate in Cuzco was consistent with the food I had at El Chalan both then and now.
Yes, now. Flash forward a few years. I became nostalgic about this place and wanted to have another dinner here. I descended the steps from the street and had my little escape all over again. It's a smallish place, and all of the action takes place in the back room. It's very nicely appointed though, and it establishes the mood. The service is jocular and laid-back. You feel at once, invited. It won't be long before you're drinking a pisco sour or a Cusquena, fully embracing the experience.
The menu has typical Peruvian fare including a mix of ceviches, representative dishes like lomo saltado, a fairly nice selection of seafood dishes, and even marinated beef hearts for those who insist on authenticity! This go around, I kept it pretty simple and had the Arroz a la Chiclayana ($12.15). It's basically their take on Arroz con Pollo, offering up generously sized dark and white meat selections in a mound of cilantro flavored rice. The rice is just delicious having taken in a lot of flavor during the braising process. I enjoyed the dark meat too, but thought that the white meat was a touch dry on the inside (it was just too large). The dish different suffer though; the bold and engaging taste more than made up for that. My girlfriend's lomo saltado ($12.95) was fairly good as well. I couldn't resist trying some. My only clear regret is not staying for the freshly brewed coffee. It smelled absolutely amazing, but we were short on time.
Overall, it is easy to feel at home here; the food is good and representative of Peru or at least Cuzco; and the prices are ridiculously low. Definitely recommend. -
Review from Melissa C.
Arlington, VA
5/25/2012
I've only been here once and from what I remember it was all right. The service was good and so was the food. I guess we went right before the dinner rush because towards the end of our meal, crowds of older suits started coming in. So, I can see how this small space fills up quickly. It's hidden in plane sight and usually behind a row of trashcans, which is a little off-putting.
-
Review from Super F.
Washington, DC
5/13/2012
I'm a huge fan.
El Chalan is in an area that has to compete with a lot of huge, well-known restaurants. It's easy to walk right by it (it's below street level) but once inside, it's kind of a cute little gem.
The bread basket is a little underwhelming (I don't particularly love very soft sliced bread), but it comes with a wonderfully spicy sauce. However, the service is fantastic, I'm a sucker for their live music, and I love the food (I've had the ceviche, some of the pollo and steak dishes)--the only thing I've ever not completely loved was their Peruvian chicken salad because it's just not as good as their other offerings.
But that's a small gripe. All in all, when I come here, I know I'm going to get a delicious meal in a friendly environment without having to wait three hours for a table. So, rock on, El Chalan. -
Review from Jason M.
Washington, DC
4/3/2012 7 Check-ins Here
I owe this restaurant a stellar review. My first visit was on a Friday around 7pm. At first I had doubts about this half basement joint as I was walking in. My doubts were quickly put to rest by friendly staff, delicious Pisco Sour (strong too), and the spicy peanut-habanero bread spread (good to put on entry later too). There was a guest musician that night playing guitar. Ambiance was cozy and lively. Seven visits later, El Chalan remains my top go-to spot for myself or to bring friends and family to. It is really a gem of Foggy Bottom. My all time favorites:
Appetizer:
- Sauteed shrimp in garlic and butter, all God the butter was so good that I licked the plate every time
- Mariated beef heart. a little chewy, but tastey!
Entry:
- Lomo Saltato Especial: stir fried filet cubes with onion and potatoes. VERY nicely seasoned. Beef was done just right, very juicy.
- Cabrito Norteno - Goat stew -
Review from Brooke N.
Honolulu, HI
5/18/2012
Quaint Peruvian Restaurant...a little noisy but i guess it's part of the ambiance. A musician that went table to table singing to and with the customers. This was my first time for Peruvian food. I had the paella, a generous serving with clam, muscles, shrimp, and calamari. I'd try this place again.
-
Review from Mai K.
3/16/2012
For the ambiance, hidden-nook quality of El Chalan, I would have liked to have enjoyed the overall experience more. It is a charming restaurant on I street, and a modest alternative to the large, shiny establishments 2 blocks away. Diners can enjoy a leisurely dinner, not only for their pleasure but also because the polite wait staff tends to not rush. And, there is a softer feel to the dining area, compared to the angles of its glitzy neighbors.
Food: The menu has a fair representation of seafood, which may be surprising to people more familiar with Peruvian chicken and red meat preparations. Also, green peas were included in all of the meals we ordered --- my friend picked out the green peas like a 6 yr old, of course. In the chicken salad, the chicken moist and seasoned with cilantro and garlic, though also doused with a heavy hand of vinegar. Similarly, my friend's beef dish (was it the Lomo Saltado?) was nice, where the meat was cooked fully through; for my taste, it verged on overdone without quite getting there. It also had a fair-vinegary flavor, which really complimented the potatoes, though may be a bit strange with the beef for some. My paella was huge, with plenty of seafood, though the mussels were a bit rubbery while the rice was well-seasoned.
El Chalan has the potential to be a hidden gem with reasonable prices, and a romantic quiet spot amidst its fancy-schmancy neighbors. Yet, presently, the quality of the cooking can be improved. -
Review from Kelly C.
2/20/2012 1 Check-in Here
Cozy, beautiful Peruvian restaurant.
To try:
1. Lomo Saltado -- best satueed beef strip dish with rice
2. Paella -- huge plate and plenty of seafood, esp squid
3. Mimosa -- strong, and comes in a nicely crafted clay pitcher
4. Ceviche appetizer
Make a reservation! We came on a Saturday night--amazing. The food was beyond delicious and the portions were more than sufficient given the prices. There happened to be a guitarist (might be every Saturday?) who sang in Spanish and English, both popular oldies and classical songs. He's got a great repertoire and serenaded to individuals and tables. It certainly completed the atmosphere--great music, nice company, delicious food. I know a couple had complained about service, but just make sure to flag them down and you're all good. Plus, they're very attentive about refilling waters and will accomodate you if you ask for additional bread, which is delicious.
Best dinner ever. -
Review from Jenn H.
Updated - 2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
2.5 stars.
My first time at El Chalan was nearly 3 years ago--and I have this wonderful memory of this place. Everything we had was so delicious, and despite the slow (but polite) service, we had planned to go back for dinner (except it was closed by the time we went back!)
It was with this memory that we went back to El Chalan. I sat down, excited to get my milk-based beef soup (sounds weird, I know, but I absolutely loved it the first time we went) and the lomo saltado...
the soup had noodles that were clearly overcooked--mushy and totally unappetizing. The broth didn't taste like much, and the beef was tough and rubbery and flavorless.
The lomo saltado was so, so, incredibly (inedibly!!!) salty--I finished the whole portion of rice and a few glasses of water while barely making a dent in what was supposed to be the star of the dish.
I walked out, so disappointed, feeling so disillusioned--and so embarassed for dragging my friends there, and telling them how much I'd loved it the first time!1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
3/29/2009
My boyfriend and I spent our 5th anniversary in DC. We found this place, it had pretty good reviews… Read more »
-
-
Review from Shalini H.
Richmond, VA
4/1/2012
Food was good!!! Definitely would go back.
-
Review from Melissa W.
Philadelphia, PA
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pretty basic, decent Peruvian food. This place is probably a 3.5, but I'll round up to 4 because of the good value for DC. At ~$17 per entree, portions are quite generous. The lomo saltado especial was pretty good, I'd just prefer it if they added more veggies (like peppers) rather than just onions and fries. The ceviche was tasty, and the arroz con mariscos was also good, though not out of this world.
I would go back if I found myself in the general vicinity and craving Peruvian. -
Review from Ni C.
11/3/2011
Just went today for lunch and easily heard 8 orders for lomo saltado--there's a reason for this. it's just plain good.
Every time I go to El Chalan, I think that I'll order something different, and the 2 times I have(althought the chicken in peanut sauce is pretty yummy...) I just want the lomo saltado. It had tender bits of grilled beef intermingled with fried potatoes, onions, tomatoes and green peas along with buttered rice. Comfort food 101.
This is a great location to people watch--lots of IMF and WB staff go and gossip here...so its a bit of an extended water cooler :)
give it a try, but if you have a large party--make a reservation, this isn't a large place, but they will try and accomodate with adequate notice. Also, the lunch rush makes this a hot spot from 12:30-1:30, so if you want seating, come before or after to avoid a 20 min wait. -
Review from Karim Q.
12/18/2011
Reviews overwhelmingly recommended the lomo saltado, so of course I went with it. It was tasty, albeit pretty damn salty as well. We heeded the advice to avoid the lunch hour by coming earlier, and it's a good thing we did so, because it did get crowded. I don't think it's quite four stars worthy though, because for what you pay, there should be a lot more.
...But then I remember I'm not in NYC. There is much more competition amongst Peruvian restaurants there, and so they try harder. I'd come back to El Chalan but only if I had a real hankering for Peruvian and nowhere else could be found. -
Review from Amanda N.
Williamsburg, VA
12/5/2011
I really like this place. Four stars from me just because I've only had one dish here and I'm not familiar with the rest of their menu (though in eyeing my neighbors' meals, everything else looked and smelled quite stellar!).
My order: Cau Cau a la Limena (stewed tripe with potato, peas and spices + rice) & Lomo Saltado (strips of beef sautéed with fried potato, onion, and tomato + rice)
Food:
SO GOOD! It was the best comfort food. My tripe was so well stewed and tender. Wonderful flavors, too; slightly sweet and savory in a yellowish gravy. The peas and potatoes were great compliments. It was a very hearty, tasty dish. My buddy's Lomo Saltado was also delicious, he claims. There were a few people ordering that dish, so it might be one of the more popular ones.
Service:
Their prices are reasonable, and their servers are friendly and attentive. Lovely!
Tip: Tripe's a really good source of protein and low in fat, but if you're watching your cholesterol levels STAY AWAY. It has like half of your daily intake's worth. Yum. :) -
Review from Violet K.
3/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
We really enjoyed the food and the service there, especially the homemade dessert (Peruvian cookies). We had the fillet mignon and it was cooked perfectly. The other dish we had is the peruvian Chicken (roasted, can't remember the name of the dish), and it was good too.
-
Review from Patricia T.
Washington, DC
Updated - 11/1/2011
Yeah, OK, so I am giving them five stars now.
I love them. I truly love them now.
Here's why...
So I am one of those odd people who like to sometimes venture out for lunch or dinner alone and want that experience. You know?
Just to sit at a place and read and eat good food and watch people.
America is not friendly to my type (and I am an American) so I normally keep it under my hat until I get to travel again.
But, last week, I was stressed at work and involved in a complicated novel and just wanted to have a good lunch and a glass of wine (horrors!) and be alone to watch people and eat good food.
So I chose this place because I figure the Spanish understand this as well as the Italians do.
(Yes, I am hopelessly Latin, I know)
And I was right!
I was seated immediately and when I explained that I was going to be the only one dining...no problem. Not a blink.
So I sat in a little comfy nook, had a glass of Pinot, ordered their AWESOME ceviche mixto (it is still the best in the area) and then the beef hearts.
Then that strange potato-tuna thing. And it was better this time.
But the fact that I could linger here and slowly eat my food, enjoy my glass of wine, read my book, and have a bunch of waiters and the host fussing over me carefully elevated this place to its five star rating.
Sometimes a restaurant provides both good food and comfort. This one does that.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
5/17/2011
I had lunch here the other day with a coworker who is in love with the place and I have to admit, it… Read more »
-
-
Review from Julia B.
10/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place saved the night! After a very disappointed experience at another restaurant, we wandered over here due to the good reviews.
It was adorable! Much bigger than it looked initially. We were seated promptly and had great service. The bread was fantastic! As was the slightly spicy sauce served with it. We ate lots and lots of that stuff.
The food was pretty good. We started off with the ceviche and it was pretty tasty! I'd not had it before, so I don't have much to compare it to, but the seafood tasted fresh (or maybe it was because of all that lemon the put on it, hmmm) and, although there was tons of cilantro - aka the devil's plant imo - all over it, I still enjoyed it.
We had the lomo saltado and it was yummy! Nothing spectacular, but pretty tasty.
There was an older gentleman singing and playing a classical guitar. He played some well-known Spanish songs and some American songs and it was quite cute.
I don't know if I'll be back, but this place was great for a quick stop-in and a totally pleasant surprise. -
Review from Lexi D.
Washington, DC
8/25/2011
This was such a wonderful little place! I will admit that I'd walked by it at least a dozen times and never noticed it, but am quite glad that it was suggested to me today!
Our office intern is leaving to go back to school tomorrow, so we all went for lunch. Great choice, by her. At her recomendation (she is Peruvian), I had the Lomo Soltado and really loved it. It wasn't what I was expecting, though I will also say that I don't know exactly what I was expecting anyway! Tender beef, rice, crispy potatos, tomatos and onions, which I left behind, as I don't like onions.
Also! They were SO speedy! There were six of us, and the restaurant was quite full, and our food came out less than tan minutes after we ordered. They also brought us a basket of some sort of sweet bread with a sauce. Be warned, thje sauce is SPICY, but good!
I'll definitely be back. -
Review from Luis G.
1/29/2012
El Chalan was the first place I tasted Peruvian food. I have no regrets whatsoever. I came with my Peruvian-American friend, who gave it thumbs up. I love the spicy peanut based ají sauce with the fresh soft bread. The papa a la huancaina is a great way to start your meal. I've ordered the lomo saltado, which is kind of like a stir-fry with potato wedges and rice. I've ordered and really enjoyed the ají de gallina, which is a chicken dish smothered in spicy peanut based sauce and served with white rice. This dish slightly reminded me of a curry dish. El Chalan is tucked away, in an area not known for it's good Latin American cuisine and can hold it's own against many of the inauthentic Peruvian (chicken) joints across the area.
-
Review from Robert A.
Camp Hill, PA
2/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
This was the first time I tried Peruvian food, so I'm no judge of authenticity, but everything was very tasty. The Aji de Gallina (chicken in a peanut, garlic, onion sauce) was terrific. I also found out after I ordered that there is a vegetarian dish that was not listed on the menu--it looks very good too,
-
Review from Amy R.
Fairfax, VA
4/10/2012
I absolutely love this place. The Pisco Sours are excellent. Stand-out menu items include Camarones a la Limena (save the bread to sop up the sauce), Arroz con Mariscos, Lomo Saltado, and Arroz la Chiclayana. The pricing is incredibly reasonable considering the neighborhood, and the service is good.
-
Review from Schuyler W.
Suitland, MD
10/5/2011
Just OK. I had the Lomo Saltado- basically tasted like Beni Hanna steak and rice but a lot cheaper.
The bread however was delicious: soft yet subtly sweet. We filled up on that mostly. -
Review from Jenny H.
9/10/2011
This place had great ambience and was a cute little basement restaurant, clean and well kept.
The bread was SUPER delicious in the beginning, extra fluffy soft with a hint of sweetness, reminded me of Hawaiian bread, I ate 2 baskets alone while waiting for my food.
I ordered their Peruvian chicken, thinking it would come out like a rotisserie chicken with a crispy skin and moist meat on the inside, but it was just pieces of chicken cooked in rice, smashed all together with peas and some veggies. It was a massive plate of rice and chicken mixed together, not separate dishes. It was just OK.
We also got the flan which tasted like flan I've had everywhere else, good and dense with a nice caramel sauce, but nothing fabulous. -
Review from Fred S.
Birmingham, AL
2/25/2012
Very good food at a great price! My wife got the Pescado Frita Estila Chalan. (tilapia with mushrooms, shrimp, et al.) more than generous portions.
I ordered the Lomo Sataldo Especiale. The special with filet mignon instead of stripped steak. A very good choice. The Ensalata
Mixta salad was a good start and the pisco sour is still buzzing in my head.
At 7:30 the live entertainment was muted but as we had a good seat
I could hear most of the selections and appreciated what
I could hear. In late honor of Valentines Day the guitarist serenaded my wife a we left with full stomachs and a slight buzz into the 32 degree / 30 mph wind.
Overall a good dinner. -
Review from La Gata M.
Calistoga, CA
10/16/2011
Our Friday evening gathering was highly anticipated since our host, my sister, has had great experiences here. Top of the list are the pisco sours, and they are most wonderful here. Everything else was mediocre and the service was horrible. So the recommendation is this, if you don't want to wade through my critique: go for the drinks and leave for good food and service elsewhere.
Since we were not particularly hungry that night, I ordered the Causa a la Criollo, which is billed as tuna salad between mashed potatoes. There was no substantial quantity of tuna in the dish, and what there was seemed canned, and the mashed potatoes were akin to a low quality deli potato salad. Another member of our party had the Ceviche Mixto, which was piled high with seafood but which she didn't finish. Don't believe that she found it too fresh. The third dish ordered at our table was the Pescado A Lo Macho. Our guest ate all of her dish with no remarks. We had the Arroz con Leche for dessert and it was runny, overly sweet, and lacking in, the most important ingredient, rice.
We wanted a second round of Pisco Sours and could not for at least 20 minutes attract the attention of our waiter or any other server for that matter. Then as the busser was removing dishes from a near by table, as he carried the way too tall stack, a knife came tumbling out and slide down the back of my chair soiling my brand new silk sweater. The host came by after I leaped up in reaction. Asked what had happened, took the knife and left. No apology no offer to pay for the cleaning of the sweater, nada as they say in Peru.
Total bill came to $100+. Too much for too little. As I said, go for the pisco sours, which were quite wonderful and then find yourself a class A restaurant, as there are plenty in this part of town. -
Review from Kristin W.
Philadelphia, PA
8/28/2011
We started with a round of strong Pisco Sours, which tasted like a margarita with a touch of eggnog. We also ordered the Ceviche De Pescado, which had fresh, citrusy fish, a nice piece of sweet potato, and the biggest corn kernels of my life.
My Lomo Saltado Especial entree had tender filet mignon cubes with roasted potatoes, tomatoes, and onions mixed in with a dark sauce. It was a good and filling dish, but doesn't replace Peruvian Chicken as my favorite main dish. -
Review from Ashley M.
Raleigh, NC
9/14/2011
What an utterly charming restaurant! Tiny and below street level, it reminds me of NYC's many hidden gems. Like many of them, it was old school, with tuxedoed waiters and inedible parsley-and-lemon garnishes. Red flag? We shall see.
The decor is eclectic; old pictures of (presumably) Peru mixed in with medieval religious art. It is intimate in a way that would be both pleasant for a couple seeking romance, or for a group of friends to have great conversation over several pitchers of sangria. There was even a Latino guitarist playing and singing Beatles songs in Flamenco style. You don't get any more eclectic than that.
I was there with a girlfriend on a Saturday night in February. It was so nice to come in off the snowy streets to the warmth of Peru. We had a pitcher of sangria (served with LOTS of fresh fruit in a handmade clay pitcher), and we both started off with the Ensalada Mixta (a regular garden salad, but with a delicious house dressing).
My friend had the Lomo Saltado, which she loved, but it looked a little boring for my taste. For my entree, I had the Arroz con Mariscos - Peruvian paella. It was perfectly seasoned, and the saffron rice was excellent. However, here is where one star comes off the review - the shrimp were not properly cleaned. This is a HUGE no-no in my book. I would immediately write off any other restaurant for such a faux pas, but El Chalan got so much else right. With the quality of the rest of our meal and the attentive service, I tend to think this was an oversight rather than a corner-cutting. I hope. Just to be safe, next time I will go with turf instead of surf.
In spite of this, give El Chalan a try, if only for the atmosphere and delicious sangria! -
Review from Peter K.
Jackson Heights, NY
6/13/2011 5 photos
El Chalan was okay.
It's a beacon of real food located close to GW University's campus - surrounded by fast food and campus eateries. The pisco sours here are among the best I've ever had. The head was foamy and the juices freshly pressed right at the bar.
The service was excellent - reminding me very much so of a family own and operated establishment. The food... was not as extraordinary. While the cow hearts were very good the Lomo Saltado was a bit of a disappointment. Greasy and small in portion - the flavors reminded me more of Chinese takeout beef chow fun than Peruvian. The Arroz A La Chiclayana was much better in flavor and quantity for the price. -
Review from Aisha S.
3/29/2011
My friend and I were cast from Founding Farmers due to a two hour wait time, so we looked for places nearby and found El Chalan. Feeling nostalgic from our memories of study abroad in Peru, we decided to try it. I had the aji de gallina, she had the lomo saltado, we shared a pitcher of chica morada, and it was all so good. For me, it was only the second time I'd had Peruvian food (other than Peruvian chicken) since leaving Peru. While I was there, I was especially obsessed with the rice and I'm glad that El Chalan's rice was able to fill that void so well.
I was surprised when the check came because it's not easy to find prices that low for dinner like this in DC. This is definitely a great place for some budget-friendly but quality comfort food. -
Review from Jennifer N.
Washington, DC
4/11/2011
(3.5 stars)
This is a charming little place in a neighborhood that just doesn't have much in the way of reasonably priced eats. Don't be put off by the seemingly empty dining room when you walk in - there's a back room that's far more populated (for some reason, they don't seat anyone in the front room - an odd strategy since one would think you would want your restaurant to look crowded).
The back room is sort of oddly charming - the walls are lined with religious paintings (you'll feel like you're in the Byzantine gallery at the Met) - and the service is oddly charming too. No one is trying to rush you here. In fact, the waiter will make you feel like he wants you to stay all evening.
We shared the paella (pretty standard paella, heavy on scallops and calamari, light on shrimp) and the Peruvian chicken with rice (a green rice - almost tasted like cilantro mixed with rice, which was mixed with diced peppers and onions). Nothing really comes with any side dishes (the Peruvian chicken was served with a very small salad which came drenched with Ranch dressing) so you might consider appetizers if you want some variety. While the food was absolutely fine, it was also absolutely standard.
The one caveat is that I don't consider El Chalan cheap eats despite what folks on Yelp say - it's not expensive, but you'd be hard pressed to get dinner for two for under $30 (our bill came to $34 before tip, and we didn't order drinks). -
Review from Zeina H.
Olney, MD
4/18/2011
Yummmm!! First time at El Chalan and I'm definitely going back soon. The portions were very generous for its price. most of their entrees range btw 12-20 depending on what kind of meat you order. The atmosphere is so cozy, especially with its location kind of underground. The staff was very attentive and friendly.
Its perfect for a date night in Foggy bottom! -
Review from Rahul P.
Jersey City, NJ
11/1/2011
I haven't gotten a chance to have Peruvian food since actually being in Peru last year. This is a cute little bistro near the National Mall. Prices are reasonable and the portions are generous. Loved the spicy sauce served with the bread so much I'm going to get some for myself. We did the Aji De Gallina and Lomo Saltado - both delicious and came out so unbelievably fast!
-
Review from Maria Jose P.
Silver Spring, MD
4/30/2011
As a Peruvian I been here a couple of times, specially at lunchtime with my co-workers. Overall is okay.
This time I went with my fiancee for Saturday at lunch..
Our server was acting like he was doing us a favor.
For appetizers we ordered Fish Ceviche, wich is supposed to be made fresh but it was overcooked, it was tastesless, even the sweet potato was mushy.
We order Tuna Causa, which is mashed potatoes with tuna fish inside, and it tasted like it just came out of the refrigerator.
I ordered Aji de Gallina Arequipeno, it was ok, and Lomo Saltado was tender but potatoes were wet.
The service was poor, no one asked us if everything was ok or nothing like that.
If you want to try real peruvian food, you should drive a little north of Gaithersburg MD to the Ceviche House, they even serve real peruvian corn, and toasted peruvian corn. -
Review from F L.
Washington D.C., DC
5/7/2011
I had lunch with a coworker during what appeared to be a light Friday. I arrived a few minutes before my companion and was seated immediately even though my party was not yet complete. I loved this, my waiter even allowed me to pick the table I liked best, and made me feel welcome. I checked out the place and menu without being stuck waiting outside. Everyone was friendly and greeted me as they prepared my table, brought me a menu, and filled my glass with water. Shortly after I was seated, my friend arrived and the place got packed and loud.
Our waiter was fantastic. Courteous and responsive without being intrusive. He politely answered my questions and quickly returned with a bread basket and a tasty and spicy spread.
My companion ordered the Aji de Gallina and loved it. Since I am vegetarian, there were not many choices for me on the menu. I had the Papas a la Huancaína, which were great. I do love Chupe de Camarones, so I made an exception. It was a delicious choice.
I have stayed away from El Chalan for years because I had received bad reviews on the service from a reliable source. I have to disagree. I felt I was treated wonderfully from the beginning to the end. I felt I was taken care of and when the service was provided, we were left to enjoy our meal without rushing us through it.
I look forward to returning and trying the Ensalada de Palta y Palmito. -
Review from Melissa B.
Arlington, VA
12/17/2010
As a native born Peruvian, I LOVE and know Peruvian food. It runs in my bloodstream - I am food blooded, I guess.
We started our meal with pisco sour. Yum yum. Just the right amount of tart flavors and cinnamon.
We had the causa de atun (causa el chalan, i believe they called it). It was not as sturdy as the ones they sell back home but the flavor was good and the potatoes were creamy.
I ordered the arroz de mariscos. The seafood was generous, the rice was well cooked, and the seasonings were robust but not too overwhelming. I finished it all. I have not shame in saying that!
My husband ordered the lomo saltado. It reminded me of my grandma's lomo with the smokey flavor of the charbroiled meat. Yes, some pieces were tough but, again, the entire meal was consumed.
I enjoyed the service - the server was from Argentina and was super friendly and attentive. Our water glasses were never empty and empty plates never lingered on our table for too long.
We plan to come back. And eat more. -
Review from John R.
Washington, DC
3/13/2011
Let's get the bad out of the way first. The lighting in the place was awkwardly bright, and they would benefit greatly from a dimmer switch. My friends may be hot, but I don't want to look at them as much as El Chalan forces me to.
That's it. This place as pretty fantastic.
I spent an hour Friday night perusing yelp trying to find restaurants that did not require a metro line transfer for my friends and I (they're in Virginia, I'm in Adams Morgan), and actually had tables available. El Chalan had good reviews, in a good neighborhood, and surprisingly told me that I didn't need a reservation when I called to inquire.
I really, seriously, indubitably need to stress how phenomenal their peanut sauce is. The bread it's served with is boring, but the sauce is one of the most amazing things to ever have the pleasure of touching my tongue, and my tongue has been touched by some pretty great things. Peanuts, garlic, hot peppers, and they actually and smartly did not use mayonnaise as a base like many lazy chefs do when trying to invent a new sauce. This sauce is seriously the stuff of royalty, absolutely worth going to El Chalan for this sauce alone.
As for the actual dinner, my dish was kind of boring. It involved filet mignon, french fries, and some yawn inducing blandness. BUT, my friend's Peruvian chicken was phenomenal. I had one bite, and was immediately jealous. I will be going back to El Chalan many times in the future, and every time ordering Peruvian chicken. Yes, please, and thank you. -
Review from Katie Y.
10/21/2010
Dios Mio that's some tasty Lomo Saltado! Wash it down with a Pisco Sour in a dainty little flute-like glass, and you've got yourself an amazing Peruvian Power Almuerzo. Always packed for lunch, but also always full of zippy efficient servers, your wait for a table may be surprisingly low when you see how busy this place is. A little short on atmosphere, the other patrons' presence basically IS the atmosphere, unless you're into old fashioned religious-icons-with-black-background paintings... then you might want to bring a rosary along and kill two birds with one stone for lunch or dinner.
Tip: if you detest cilantro like I do, be sure to ask them "sin cilantro" for your dishes - the chef is liberal with cilantro adornments heaped atop each plate. Also, avoid the Cua Cua de Mariscos - you can't escape the flavor of cilantro no matter what you do. -
Review from Joanne H.
3/31/2011
I came here for lunch one weekend with a couple other people. At first, I was a little apprehensive because it was a fairly large restaurant near Farragut Square that was pretty empty. There were a lot of restaurants nearby, but something compelled us to choose this one anyway. I shared an entree with my friend, I think it was the Arroz Con Mariscos (Peruvian style Paella. Rice cooked with seafood & fish in white wine and spices). It was delicious! The other person got some sort of Peruvian chicken and rice dish. I tried some of that, and it was also very good.
The dining room you see when you look in is only part of the restaurant. It goes through to another room on the side, which is where we sat. I remember it being kind of dark. There was adequate artificial lighting, but I just wish there were more windows and natural light. It was actually a little fancier inside than I thought it'd be from the outside appearance, but I didn't really like the decorations (I think a lot of them were religious paintings). -
Review from Melissa H.
Dunwoody, GA
11/4/2010 1 Check-in Here
This was my first introduction to Peruvian food. If it's all this good, I'll definitely be on the lookout for Peruvian restaurants in Atlanta (where I live). I had a beef stew cooked in cilantro sauce, served with rice and beans. My husband had a goat stew and my sister in-law had a beef and potato dish. Everything was great. I'm a cilantro nut, so my beef stew was just perfect. I also enjoyed the small salad with red onions, lettuce, and lemon-cilantro dressing that accompanied my platter.
Service was decent, although we sometimes had to wait a while for water refills. I'll admit I was unusually thirsty that night so maybe it was just me. The food was so awesome, we will definitely consider going back the next time we're in D.C.
