622814 Tue May 26 18:47:13 -0700 2009 14 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 4717138 I got an e-mail saying this was their opening week. Anyone been yet? I am particularly interested in the non-cerviche food. Thanks! Tue May 26 18:47:13 -0700 2009 16318 a70wilson 1 4718528 Took a quick look at the menu while breezing by. Ceviches are clearly the focus, but there are tapas, a few "mini" paellas, a few salads, some mini sandwiches. But the menu is at least as long on alcohol as it is on food. Plus they have salsa lessons (the dance, not the condiment). Judgement reserved, of course, but this does not inspire confidence. Wed May 27 08:45:02 -0700 2009 4717138 21787 Dmnkly 1 4718962 Based on some quick research of Yves Carreau's other restaurants, Sonoma Grille and Seviche (both in Pittsburgh), I am encouraged. The seem to get positive reviews with pretty consistent feedback. I agree the salsa lessons are a red flag, but that's just to attact a post-supper crowd. Wed May 27 10:36:06 -0700 2009 4717138 129741 gregb 2 4721249 Seviche is great, looks like there is a similar menu here. I like that you can select the type of fish for each variation of ceviche. The Fire and Ice is a really neat experience. The only thing I didn't like was the pisco sour - if you're looking for a traditional presentation, look elsewhere, this was more like a mojito (and no egg white either!). Thu May 28 05:48:29 -0700 2009 4718962 31602 youami 3 4755763 Was the pisco a Peruvian or a Chilean presentation? Tue Jun 09 06:29:33 -0700 2009 4721249 206445 thecheeseisblue 1 4725935 Was surprised it was so crowded on a week night, but I'm sure the place will be very popular. Had a hard time getting drinks but servers were pleasantly apologetic. Non-ceviche food was pretty good - we got several non-fish apps - pork shank, pork empanadas, wild mushroom flatbreads; one of the small paellas; and what they call a "filet mignon" sandwich (didn't really seem like it but it's hard to tell under everything). To me, food was decent - not great - and expensive. That place is not cheat. OTOH, everyone had a good time - it's got a fun vibe to it. It's pretty loud. I'm sure it will do well but it's not a place I can see hanging out regularly just because of the price. Fri May 29 13:35:40 -0700 2009 4717138 69144 BmoreHound 2 4725969 So is it noisy like Ra? Quiet enough to sit down and have dinner, or hectic? Fri May 29 13:42:57 -0700 2009 4725935 72002 chowsearch 3 4725991 Noisy like RA. Good comparison. We were shouting at the table. Fri May 29 13:49:00 -0700 2009 4725969 69144 BmoreHound 4 4726018 Thanks. Wonder if Ra was their model. Fri May 29 13:55:50 -0700 2009 4725991 72002 chowsearch 5 4755464 BMoreHound-what weeknight did you go? sorry to hear the place is like Ra noise-level wise. wine list? or just trendy cocktails? Tue Jun 09 01:38:44 -0700 2009 4726018 256995 LuLuBlaubugunder 6 4756323 They had a pretty decent selection of wine on the list, lots of variety. I was so happy to see that they have Xingu by the bottle so I stuck with that. Tue Jun 09 08:59:48 -0700 2009 4755464 151336 BaltoPhilFood 1 4775727 I went this weekend and had a great time. I chose the chef's sampler and had great seviche, a nice salad, and two good soups. My wife had the paella and was a bit disappointed. The asian tartare style seviche was ridiculously good, but the peruvian style sevice left something to be desired. The mojitos were top notch, too! I highly recommend it. It was a fun meal. We had an early dinner so I cannot comment on the crowd noise. We did sit by the windows and it had filled up by the time we left and didn't find the noise noticeable like RA (perhaps because the salsa music is more pleasant than the 80s rock of RA). Mon Jun 15 17:24:26 -0700 2009 4717138 1083938 BaltEater 1 4848788 bump. want to have a bday celeb there next month. seems to be vegi friendly which is great. so is the ambiance that special? Sat Jul 11 07:17:37 -0700 2009 4717138 111873 vivinator 2 4852499 Loud music, causing voices to need to be raised. If you want to shout in a happy atmosphere while spending a fair amount of money, maybe. Sun Jul 12 20:49:58 -0700 2009 4848788 72002 chowsearch 1 4865722 i checked out their happy hour specials. have $5 drink list and i think $5 tapas list. scallop tapas was delish but rest was decent as a previous reviewer noted, not great. had some sort of chicken tostada and a shrimp/fruit seviche. mojitos were tasty - try the key lime mojito. sweet twist on the traditional mojito, not too sweet though as im not a sweet drink person and found it to be good. disappointed with the decor. thought it looked cheap inside and that they could have better utilized the space. Thu Jul 16 17:17:14 -0700 2009 4717138 224646 dianamac23