Él Bebe Unleashes Smoking Mezcal Cocktails on Navy Yard Tonight | Eater DC

"Opening today at 4 p.m. at 99 M St SE, I report that Él Bebe in Navy Yard unveils executive chef Javier Loayza’s opening lineup of tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and burritos against a color-soaked backdrop of funky graffiti art. The bar launches with about 50 tequila and mezcal options (pours $8–$59, with rare Herradura Selección Suprema Extra Añejo at the top), nine festive cocktails ($9–$14) — including a dry-ice–themed Los Muertos (espresso-infused El Silencio mezcal, Averna amaro, crème de cacao, Pierre Ferrand dry curaçao, Angostura bitters) — and beers ranging from Miller Lite and DC Brau to Mexican Tecate and Bohemia, plus an exclusive Tropic Thunder IPA from Atlas Brew Works. The food menu, designed to encourage quick turnover, is heavy on starters (salads, mini empanadas, ceviche, dips, nachos) and offers 11 a la carte tacos; Peruvian-born Loayza draws on Latin, Central American and Spanish flavors. Standouts include tamales with beer-braised carnitas served open-faced, and tacos spanning mushroom and cauliflower options to chorizo, pork belly, and marinated short rib. Operated by Metropolitan Hospitality Group, which won’t take reservations, the relaxed 3,600-square-foot space (75 seats indoors, a 15-seat patio planned for spring) was designed by Gensler with cathedral-style lighting, succulents, jalapeño-hued booths and a roll-up garage window; happy hour runs weekdays 4–6 p.m. (soon to start at 2 p.m. once lunch begins in March) with $2 chips and salsa, $4 Tecates/Coronas, $6 frozen margaritas and an all-day 16-ounce Tecate with a Sauza Blue Reposado shot for $9. A short dessert list (passion fruit flan, fried pastries, tres leches sponge cake) will donate a portion of proceeds to DC Central Kitchen." - Tierney Plumb