Tequila Tastings

El Centro D.F. is the Washington, DC's newest south of the border restaurant, created by "the father of modern Mexican cuisine," Richard Sandoval. He took a Latin American staple—the taqueria—and keeps it as authentic as his more than 200 tequilas, many made from 100% agave.

Sandoval calls El Centro's cuisine: Mexican comfort food.

"The restaurant's menu is based on traditional dishes," he says. "From authentic chiles and cheeses to fresh tortillas, to housemade sauces such as adobo, entomatada and tomatillo, the cooking showcases the unique flavors of Mexico."

The bar is networking nirvana. Try the special Mojito Mexicano made with El Jimador tequila and chile ginger syrup.

The restaurant itself features three levels, each with a different mood. Seating 60, the ground floor's rough plank tables and cream stucco walls with green splotches evoke a streetfront eatery. To reach the reservations-only, 64-seat basement tequileria, available for buyout, walk past the open kitchen, through the door marked "Exit" and down the concrete staircase with rope and chain balusters. Up on the roof (capacity 100), the aroma of fresh squeezed limes, sizzlin' stripsteaks and sounds of live DJs will greet your group. One recent White House contingent began with rooftop margaritas before descending to the basement for Jalisco shrimp and crab enchiladas with grilled pineapple.

— C.H.S.