Café Olé

Food here was delicious. Place gets packed around lunch time. They have great daily lunch specials. Food is very fresh and prices are reasonable. There is plenty of street and garage parking in the area

I don't typically post negative reviews, but we had a terrible experience here and I fed obligated to after how my wife and I were treated at this place. I'll start out by saying that we sadly never even got to try the food because we left due to our treatment. My wife and I just moved to the area and were eager to try this place after seeing some decent reviews online. After we were seated, we are greeted by our waiter who initially just seemed like a "no frills" kind of guy, not much courtesy but it was fine. We look through the menu, call the waiter over and give our orders which the waiter took with the continued scowl on his face. My wife decides to order a sangria, and being a non-US citizen, provides her US government-issued work authorization card for identification. The waiter proceeds to examine it suspiciously and finally rudely rejects it. We insist that this is a clearly valid ID and has been accepted numerous times in the past a various establishments, but he refuses to oblige. I kindly ask the waiter to ask someone else before making this decision. The waiter relies "no, it's my decision". I try to ask for the manager, and the waiter continues to argue with me and refuse. Finally, he goes to ask his manger and returns without bringing anyone else and just says no. At this point we got up and left, and I doubt we will ever return.

I only sat at the bar, but the bartender seemed freindly and helpful. Pleasant. Kind of a weird shape with the bar very near the front door, there's kind of a 'pinch point" between the bar and regular diners. I'm sure this isn't an issue in the summer, but in the winter, you get brushed by everyone who goes by. If I were at a table, this would annoy me. I like the place well enough to go back and well enough to recommend it.

I am a fan after my first visit and will definitely be back again! Now for the meat of the story :) We had a Google Local offer and wanted to use it before it expired, so we stopped by Cafe Ole for dinner. The place was over half full on a weekday evening, which is a good thing. We were promptly seated and our server was nice and friendly. When asked, he happily suggested his favorite dishes to us, and not just run down the entire menu! The menu selection is limited, which is actually good coz they can do it better. But limited still has enough choices for everyone - vegetarian, carnivores, fish lovers, all will have enough options to pick from. They have a good selection of wines and of course a full bar to get any cocktail of your choice. We ordered the following dishes. Portabello Napoleon - I was pleasantly surprised by the presentation of the dish. The fresh taste of all the ingredients with the perfect amount of balsamic vinaigrette and basil pesto was excellent! Risotto - rich with good flavors and a nice hint of white wine and cheese. Hummus Special - probably the winner of the evening - good combination of hummus and lamb - the spices in the lamb made this dish the winner! Lamb Shawarma - lamb was tender and cooked perfectly and surprisingly had a different flavor than the lamb in the hummus, which was good! Fro dessert we also ordered Date and caramel cake that was better than what we had expected. The cake was moist and soft and not too sweet and the date flavor was different and good! the mezzas size are decent - the two of us were stuffed after sharing 4 mezzas and we have a decent appetite. They also have outdoor seating that will be good in summer. A good option away from the busier DC restaurants!

On 11/29/2016, I ordered chicken pesto pasta for lunch. While trying to swallow a bite, I found a 1 square inch of glass in my mouth. Luckily, I didn't cut anything in my mouth. I am not sure if I swallowed anything and I'm waiting to find out. I immediately went to the counter and asked for the manager. The manager mumbled me an apology ("sorry", as if its no big deal) and did not do anything else. I pickup up the bowl and put it front of him. He asked me "do you want us to make another bowl"? I told him "I'm not eating here again" and got my money refunded. However, I'm very angry because of the casual attitude and complete indifference about the threat they have posed to my health. They should have profusely apologized to me. This seems like a regular occurrence. Never, ever, I'm coming back here again.

Not too far from where I work so I am here quite a bit. If you like salmon, you will love the Power Lunch.....I am hooked. So fresh. If you call before hand, you won't have to wait

Looooved it! Perfect everything. Try the salmon! Best ever!

Try the Israeli cous cous! Also worth your time: the lamb sliders and the risotto. I hear they have a bottomless brunch now -- must try! The folks at Cafe Ole season their food beautifully.