Spanish Diner

I just came home from here. It's New Years Eve. They had a 5 course menu planned for the night. My goal was to try everything. So I ordered for 2. I'm not a drinker of alcoholic beverages, so I got the bottle cola and Sprite instead. I got the tomato bread and salad first. Both were delicious! Next up I got a shrimp and crab meat salad and fried potatoes. Potatoes were a bit spicy, but the taste of both plates were great! Then came the shrimp bowl and calamari. I had to ask for lemon to put over the calamari because it was a bit bland, but after I got lemon slices, both plates were flavorful and delicious. The main course meals after eating a bunch of delicious food, were a bit disappointing. I got the lamb which was severely underdone. They took it back, but instead of a fresh plate my current pieces were simply pan seared again which made the outside hard, but the inside still undercooked. The other main course I ordered were the meatballs. Definitely great in taste, but very "different" in texture. These meals could've been better hence the 4 stars for food. For dessert I got the flan and fruit salad and both tasted fabulous. The service was amazing in spite of the main course issues. I tip very well for good service and that is exactly what our waitress received. I'll definitely be back!

Very interesting flavors. This restaurant is worth a visit. If I had time, I would have tried the jambalaya, which takes 45 minutes to prepare. It looks like it would be delicious. Con: We had a party of 10 and they split us up. The restaurant was not crowded and we were seated far away from each other. This was a business lunch, where remote workers were meeting their co-workers in person for the first time. That was a smite bumming.

“I highly recommend this restaurant in Bethesda. It offers a spacious dining area with a lovely patio. The food is not only delicious but also budget-friendly on Mondays and Tuesdays, where you can enjoy excellent paella at half price. Moreover, the service is impressively responsive, even when you have a complaint. It’s a fantastic spot for dining!”

— A Night at Bethesda's Spanish Diner— Spanish Diner is a restaurant located in the center of Bethesda that aims to combine traditional Spanish flavors with the visual artistry of food. This connection was explored during my visit to this culinary destination, which offered a tableau of opposites in both gastronomy and service. "Gambas al Ajillo," the opening act of the evening, arrived with a portion large enough to pique interest at the communal table. However, this dish—which is representative of Spanish tapas—was not like its origins. The prawns, which were supposed to be juicy, suffered from overcooking, and the traditional accompaniment sauce was a dull mixture that just faintly tasted of garlic where it ought to have tasted strong. On the other hand, the croquetas lived up to the hype, providing that satisfying crunch and flavorful warmth that bring back memories of Madrid's streets. But even though it was a visual poem on the plate, the "Ukrainian Salad" at this Spanish soirée echoed the flavors of modern art minimalism in that it was visually appealing but interpretively barren. The main course, "Ternera al Valdeón," was a meal destined for greatness: grilled hanger steak covered in the sharp flavor of Valdeón cheese. Unfortunately, the execution fell short, failing to capture the nuance and depth that were expected. In a similar vein, the codfish, while visually stunning, only ventured to the shallow end of the flavor pool, falling short of the richness of flavor that its presentation had promised. Even while the bill, which came to $160 without dessert, represented a large financial commitment and Bethesda's wealthy dining scene, the gastronomic return on investment was unclear. Though warmly provided, the service revealed a need for improvement and a more thorough comprehension of the epicurean experience. In conclusion, even though Spanish Diner is aesthetically pleasing, the symphony of flavors falls short of a crescendo. In my opinion as an epicure, Spanish Diner's performance fell short of receiving a standing ovation since it lacked a harmonized concerto of flavor and flare. I am reluctant to repeat this experience because I have a refined palette and respect for the culinary arts.