Plus Mount Pleasant's new upscale carnivore's haven
Estadio
Pass the porrón? Why not? Whether sipping from these Catalonian wine pitchers or sampling one of the hallmark house cocktails (gin mixed with exquisite, floral, custom-made tonics), the folks at Estadio want you to have a good time. At this Spring Street satellite of a popular DC Spanish restaurant of the same name, the ambiance matches the fare. Lively interpretations of tapas range from la pata el huevo (an outstanding pig trotter patty) to beet sopita (a chilled soup electrified with sherry vinegar and brightened with chopped apple and marcona almonds) to the smoky albondiga (a ham and beef meatball laced with manchego and saffron). No reservations, but standing at the communal table, snacking on salty pintxos, drink in hand, is all part of the fun. estadio-chs.com
Butcher & the Boar
Attention carnivores: a Minneapolis sanctum for meat lovers has landed in Mount Pleasant, boasting an extensive in-house butchering program. Solid takes on steakhouse classics—such as the wedge salad with smoked bacon and a superior steak tartare (enriched with bone marrow aioli and generously topped with a tuft of pecorino shavings)—appear alongside Flinstonian-sized prime cuts, the daily chef’s catch, and house-made sausages (note: some links shine brighter than others; get the piquant green chorizo packed with fresh herbs and Mexican-inspired spices). Pricey? Yes, but the hearty Midwestern portions are fit for the enormous, reimagined 9,700-square-foot space, where warm, informative service balances the ambiance. Hands down your new best bet for steak night off Coleman Boulevard. butcherandtheboar.com
