The concierge at Helix recommended an Asian, Hispanic fusion restaurant nearby, so we set off in search of the Merkado. The Logan Circle area was hopping for a Friday night, and we found the place quite crowded and loud. Sitting inside meant absolutely no conversation would be possible, so we waited for an outside table.
The evening was cool, and we had about as much fun people watching as eating. John & Kate started with grilled squid. Instead of the calamari pieces one might expect, what arrived was a single whole squid. It looked more like a pasta shell than sealife. I did try a bite, both of tentacle and of body. It initially had the texture of rubbery pasta, but I decided it wasn’t for me.
The entre’s were fantastic. Mine was grouper over red beans and rice, a combination I could at least understand. Laura ordered arroz con pollo ,and bolth of ours had enough seasonings to make things interesting. . Kate got a bowl of more calamari, and John had a seafood trio on noodles.
Service was marginal, but we were in no hurry. The desserts looked quite interesting, but we were tired and stuffed. Time to head back to the Helix and collapse.