Amparo Fondita

"We had a really nice meal. Drinks were so good, I had the La Espina, and tasted a spin on The Last Word- La Última Palabra with tequila or mezcal. Super good. We did several small seasonal dishes and shared the red snapper with lentils. We loved the sauce with the grilled shrimp, the tortilla soup was both of our favorite. The apples, which we had as a starter was extremely sour- so while we liked it, I could see wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. Not sure how we had room for cava and tres leches cake, but we made it work."

"Welcome to Amparo, a Mexican restaurant that explores the rich tapestry of flavors woven through Mexico’s diverse heritage and regions. The name “Amparo,” meaning “shelter” in Spanish, holds sentimental significance as it pays homage to Chef Christian Irabién’s mother and grandmother. One standout dish that etched a lasting memory is the Chile Relleno – a simple yet exquisite creation featuring egg-battered roasted poblano with Chihuahua cheese, frontera salsa, and Chile oil. The Tres Leches, adorned with Mexican vanilla butter cake, Chantilly frosting, and satsuma mandarins, offers a unique twist, though its liquorish flavor might not appeal to everyone. The Horchata mocktail, blending jasmine rice, Mexican vanilla, and lemon zest, proved to be a refreshing and delightful accompaniment. Venturing into the daily specials, the Tacos de Gallo, showcasing masa-curated fried scallop and guajillo ranch, left a lingering impression. The Mahi Circus, a cured fish in a citrus Serrano aguachile, redefined my perception of ceviche. Having dined here prior to its feature in The Washington Post, I can attest that securing a table might become a challenging task post-publication. Despite the potential crowds, I am eager to return, particularly for brunch, as Amparo has now earned the title of my favorite Mexican restaurant in DC."

"An excellent dining experience. The decor is what I imagine the finest restaurant on Tatooine would look like. The food was thoughtful and well seasoned. Be prepared to share the generous portions as every dish we tried was excellent and enticing. The service was generally friendly and prompt but the server lost track of use at times because of the dinner rush. If you're in the mood for some of the best Mexican food in the city, you've found the right spot."

"It's rare these days to find a place that actually feels like a high quality, neighborhood, independent restaurant. The dining room is beautiful, it's not too loud, the drinks are delicious and food is gorgeous. Oh and the FLAN. Don't even get me started on the flan, it is SO GOOD. I've definitely found my new favorite spot."

"We went on a Sunday evening, not long after opening, for a 50th birthday celebration. The food was very good, the presentation was beautiful, all very sharable and generous. Drinks good, too. It's the old Johnny's Half Shell space I believe, and is a long, narrow inviting space with honeyed wood and good lighting. Will go back."