175113 Thu Aug 04 09:24:57 -0700 2005 7 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 941706 In A word simply awful. We were a group of six who had dinner at the above named restaurant during D.C. restaurant week. They had a special menu, which did not include their spanish dishes, Three members of our party ordered steak, (not a Spanish dish) but one of two entrees available. It was decidedly UNEDIBLE. The fish ordered by 2 others was tastless and I chose the vegetarian entree which was supposed to be a vegetable stew. It tasted more like packaged gravy with a few pieces of vegtables in it. Definitely not a stew. We approached a manager after dinner and met with statd thata during restaurant week it is too difficult to prepared the Spanish dishes. AVOID THIS RESTARANT Thu Aug 04 09:24:57 -0700 2005 0 dove 1 941716 ...this seems to be a recurring theme this week and is very disappointing. We have reservations at the Taberna tonight. Should we just cancel and take our chances on finding a table elsewhere? Thu Aug 04 10:04:42 -0700 2005 941706 0 Kerry 2 941719 Taberna's reputation for RW is abysmal. It's a great restaurant to have around, if you know how to order, but definitely avoid during restaurant week. My suggestion is that, if you feel you must eat there tonight, then ask for the tapas menu, or simply eat at the bar or one of the small bar tables and stick to the tapas. Patatas bravas are a must. The fresh anchovies are great for sharing. Very rustic preperation. Thu Aug 04 10:19:22 -0700 2005 941716 0 Steve 3 941723 Thanks, I guess, for the confirmation. I think I'll take your advice. However, does the preparation of meals from the regular menu suffer during restaurant week as well? And has ANYONE here had a good RW experience this week at Taberna? Thu Aug 04 10:50:55 -0700 2005 941719 0 Kerry 4 941734 "However, does the preparation of meals from the regular menu suffer during restaurant week as well?" That question is probably too difficult to answer. I and a few other Chowhounds ordered from the regular menu last year during RW, and some of the items were exceptional, some not. Taberna is famous for underseasoning. I've eaten very well here with exotic, inherently tasty ingredients. That's why I like the tapas: Think rabbit, shellfish, marinated meats/fish, etc. Patatas bravas are very spicy and great. Anchovies. But anyone who orders steak or chicken is asking for some very bland food. Thu Aug 04 11:40:06 -0700 2005 941723 0 Steve 5 941863 ...took your advice and stuck with the regular menu. We had alot of tapas (seven), all of them fantastic. Especially the Jamon Serrano ham (which I've never had before) and Manchego plate - an awesome combo btw, the paella, and a bottle of Rioja. Definitely worth the trip even if it did wind up costing more than we originally budgeted for a RW dinner. Fri Aug 05 12:33:38 -0700 2005 941734 0 Kerry 1 942228 I was quite underwhelmed by Taberna during RW as well. It was selected by someone else in our dining group. The menu seemed really limited. I ordered the fish. Having never had authentic Spanish cuisine before, I wasn't sure if what I ordered was a typical dish or not. The fish was **so** overcooked. Again, could just be a difference in style. But I think that a restaurant of that caliber would get very good seafood and wouldn't be interested in cooking it to death. Very chilly, though attentive, service. Perhaps that's just the mood of the place. Wed Aug 10 12:52:20 -0700 2005 941706 0 clair o. 2 942235 I tried Taberna last year during restaurant week and was underwhelmed. A couple of months later we took our son there for his birthday (his request) and had an absolutely fantastic meal. Many restaurants do not shine during RW. Wed Aug 10 13:36:04 -0700 2005 942228 0 dinwiddie