Imperfecto DC: A Michelin Experience That Actually Surprised Me
On my way to my summer escape in Vermont, I made a quick stop in Washington, DC to see friends. One of them happens to run marketing for Imperfecto—and for years they’ve tried to convince me to go. Honestly? I always thought it was just another bougie, overpriced Michelin star spot. You know the type: picture-perfect plates, no soul, big check.
Well, I was wrong.
The moment we sat down, Chef René himself came over, asked about our preferences, and even offered to make a tomato pasta for my 3-year-old. I laughed and told him not to worry—my kid eats whatever we eat (ok, plus extra French fries). My only request: I need to try the pâté and the steak tartare.
Then came the magic.
The Line-Up
Food started rolling in with a flawless progression of flavors. It all kicked off with a mushroom soup—rare in the U.S., but this one was so good it took me straight back to my Tía Adiela’s kitchen. From that moment, I knew I had to let go of my skepticism and enjoy the ride.
Here’s what we had (hold your appetite):
Moussaka Cigar – Phyllo, smoked eggplant, ground lamb, pine nuts, goat-manchego cream.
Falafel – Latin tahini, sumac, cardamom.
Aladdin Burrata – Tamarind hummus, crispy lentil tabbouleh, apple compote.
Madai Crudo – Sea bream, tahini salsa macha, avocado, green aguachile, tostada.
Ceviche – Local shrimp, chiles toreados dressing, sweet potato leche de tigre, rye chip.
Truffle Tagliolini – Homemade pasta with corn cream, asparagus, Pecorino, truffle.
Tiger Prawns “A la Diablo” – Lemon-butter, house Cholula, sourdough.
Steak Tartare Tonnato – Hand-cut Angus, bonito sauce, quail eggs, pickled veg, kale chicharron.
Pâté Tart – Chicken liver mousse with cognac, matzo tart, cherry glaze.
Cochinillo – Slow-roasted suckling pig with sauce al pastor, apple-bean tamal, honey-glow pineapple.
And yes, dessert was spectacular. The pastry chef is too talented for me to even try to do it justice with words.
The Verdict
Execution? Perfect.
Service? Flawless.
Wine pairings? Spot on.
Ambience? Chic, cool music, pristine bathrooms (yes, bathrooms matter), and a clientele worth watching.
The only hiccup? My martini wasn’t cold enough—but the flavor was excellent, and I didn’t even complain because everything else was that good.
Imperfecto is the opposite of what its name suggests. A place that delivers elegance with flavor and warmth, not just hype. Next time I’m in DC, it won’t take anyone convincing me to go back.