When the team behind the Circa chain of restaurants began brainstorming for its new concept, it didn’t shy away from two of the hottest food trends in the city: Mexican fare and cocktails. That crowd-pleasing format is the cornerstone of Él Bebe, now open in Navy Yard.
The most obvious challenge for Él Bebe is the competition. Tacos and margaritas are nothing new to D.C., with everyone from from fast-casual kitchens to all-star chefs getting into the game. In Navy Yard alone, Agua 301, Mission, and Taco City D.C. are already offering plenty of Mexican fare. Él Bebe knows tacos are what diners are craving, because he asked everyone on his team to help design a wide-ranging menu.
“Literally it was the one thing that everyone agreed on: tacos and tequila,” says Matt Carlin, president of Metropolitan Hospitality Group, which operates Él Bebe.
The team was divided up based on expertise to create the menu, whether was to develop vegetarian taco options or creating drinks for the bar.
While much of Él Bebe’s menu, executed by executive chef Javier Loayza, sticks to Mexican favorites, it’s built to be flexible and appeal to those looking for more than the standard options. Pork belly tacos get an Asian twist with soy glaze and banh mi slaw. The same goes for the bulgogi-style beef with gochujang mayo, napa cabbage, and peanuts. For a vegetable fix, crunch on beer-battered cauliflower tacos topped with cabbage and creamy tamarind ketchup, or the Mexican twist on a Caesar salad with spiced pepitas and cotija cheese.
And it doesn’t have to all be a food coma-inducing feast of meats, cheeses, and tortillas. For example, lettuce wrap options for tacos are expected to launch this week.
“If you really wanted to eat clean you could,” Carlin says. “If you wanted to have a big night and try all of the dips—the queso fundito, [etc.]—you could do that.”
The menu’s 11 tacos range $3-$4 each, while plates of enchiladas, burritos and quesadillas range between $8-$12. Sides like cilantro lime rice and smoky black beans for $3.50. Be sure to save room for dessert too: A portion of all sweets sales will benefit DC Central Kitchen.
As expected, cocktails at Él Bebe revolve heavily around tequila and mezcal. House “clasico” margaritas run $9 a piece, with other drinks priced between $10-$14. Fans of smoke and spice will enjoy the Hasta La Vista, with chipotle-infused mezcal, tequila, Cynar, agave, and fresh lime. And once the summer humidity hits, Él Bebe will crank out plenty of its frozen margaritas, which come in four flavors: classic, strawberry, prickly pear and hibiscus.
Dinner service begins nightly at 4 p.m., and lunch is expected to follow in the coming weeks. Current happy hour specials run Monday through Friday from 4 p.m.-7 p.m., including on days with D.C. United and Nationals home games (both play nearby). Those deals include $2 chips and salsa, $4 select beer cans, and $6 classic margaritas.
There are only about 75 seats spread across the dining room and the bar, making for an close-quarters, high-energy experience. Walls are lined with vibrant artwork, including murals commissioned from Miami-based pop artist Miguel Paredes. No matter the occasion, Él Bebe wants to be a high energy space to gather and socialize.
“It feels like a little rock concert in there,” Carlin says.
Él Bebe is located at 99 M St. SE
El Bebe – Official by Lori McCue on Scribd
