A Master Tapas Chef in D.C. Breaks Out With His Own Rockville Restaurant | Eater DC

"In Rockville Town Center I found a polished paella spot from D.C. chef George Rodrigues that aims to give the suburb a sophisticated Spanish home. Opening previews on Jan. 21–22 (two seatings each night) offered a $75 ticket with veggie, meat, and seafood tapas, paella, dessert, two glasses of red, white, or seasonal sangria, and free sparkling wine to celebrate the long-awaited solo venture; the full menu went live on Jan. 23 with nightly dinner service for two weeks before adding lunch. The two-dozen tapas swing from familiar items — shishito peppers, calamari, ham croquettes, spicy papas bravas, pan con tomate (anchovies optional), pollo rostizado, and tortilla española — to regional specialties like Catalonia’s calçots, served charred and smoked next to a creamy cup of romesco, plus escalivada with labne yogurt and pulpo con patatas (slightly cooked octopus and potatoes); diners can start with a $30 medley of Spanish cheeses and meats. Paellas (served in 10- or 14-inch skillets) include his favorites — seafood; chorizo and chicken; and a squid-ink version with saffron aioli and shrimp — prepared the traditional way (starting and finishing in the oven), a technique he credits learning while at Boqueria. The 2,000-square-foot redesign pays ode to Basque country with flamenco artwork, rustic wood paneling, red-and-yellow tones, European tiles, and a marble-topped bar pouring sangrias and a wine list of only Spanish grapes; desserts include burnt Basque cheesecake and churros with caramel or chocolate. The 60-seat restaurant will expand with a 30-seat patio in spring, and Rodrigues plans to lead paella and Spanish wine classes onsite." - Tierney Plumb