Clarendon Culture

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill signs lease

@LimeFreshMex just signed one of its very first leases outside the state of Florida!  The Mexican restaurant chain will be opening their newest restaurant in Clarendon - in the space formerly occupied by ComfortOne Shoes, near the intersection of Wilson Boulevard and Fillmore Street.   Between La Tasca and Cheesecake Factory, across the street from Whitlows, one block from the Metro, and one block from Mexicali Blues, Lime Fresh chose a prime spot.   Like I’ve said before, Clarendon has a huge void when it comes to Mexican food (at least for this Texas girl), so Lime Fresh couldn’t have chosen a better time or place to move in to the ‘hood.

With $3 sangria happy hour specials, house-made queso, 4 different types of guacamole, and a huge menu with all my tex-mex favorites, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Lime Fresh give this area more of what it needs.

DC’s very own Spike Mendelsohn chowing down on (and apparently loving) Lime Fresh..

(images via Lime Fresh’s blog)

Santa Fe Cafe

I recently walked over to Santa Fe Cafe for lunch on a beautiful spring day. I had seen it and heard about it, but after one of my readers mentioned that they have great Mexican food, I decided to finally check it out in person.

Santa Fe Cafe is located in Rosslyn - about a 20-25 minute walk from Clarendon.  It’s at the ground level of a larger building, so this sign is one of the only markers.  It’s easy to miss if you’re not on the lookout.

The decor consists of lots and lots of chili peppers in every form - pictures on the walls, christmas lights, dried bunches, handkerchiefs on howling wolves.  

The menu is displayed on a large chalkboard above the registers where you order.  (I should point out.. at lunch, you order at the registers, pick up your food when your name is called, and your lunch is served on disposable plates.  At dinner, on the other hand, you are served at your table, on normal porcelain china, and it is a much more relaxed setting.)

I ordered 3 of my favorite items: queso, guacamole, and a taco salad.  Queso and guac are my “litmus test” for any Tex-mex or Mexican restaurant. Both were excellent.  The queso was particularly a favorite, and it could be due to the fact that good queso is hard to find around here.  I can’t say it’s as good as any of my favorite queso in Texas, but it’s creamy and delicious, and probably some of the best I’ve had in the area.  The guacamole was house-made, with freshly chopped onions, tomatoes, and avocado.  Both paired well with the light, crispy chips.

The taco salad was served in a flaky flour shell.  The ground beef was well-seasoned (not over-seasoned), and none of the toppings tasted like they came out of a bag, which seems to be a rarity in restaurants these days.  All the veggies were freshly chopped in house. - the lettuce was crisp, and the tomatoes were juicy.  

Santa Fe Cafe also has a fully stocked beer fridge for your brewski pleasure.  Just grab and go.

All in all, Santa Fe cafe is a great place to get your Tex-Mex fix.  It’s better quality food than many of the area Tex-Mex or Mexican restaurants (or Mexican’t, as Colbert would say), prices are affordable, service is quick & friendly, decor is unique, and the food is made with love.  I spoke briefly with the owner, who seemed like the kindest man.  I’ll definitely be back (enchiladas, next time!)