Xiquet by Danny Lledó
A Michelin-starred gem offering a refined taste of Valencia, with a focus on wood-fired cooking, exceptional seafood, and warm hospitality.
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Xiquet by Danny Lledó
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A Michelin-starred gem offering a refined taste of Valencia, with a focus on wood-fired cooking, exceptional seafood, and warm hospitality.
"Experience Spanish gastronomy that tells a story, from the fire in the kitchen to the final pour."
Opt for the Tasting Menu
Showcases diverse, lightly adventurous dishes. Consider the zero-alcohol wine pairing.
Embrace a Leisurely Pace
This is not a short meal; savor each thoughtfully presented course.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Spanish, Valencian
Price
$$$
Michelin Star
Excellent Cuisine, where diners can expect skilfully crafted and exceptional dishes
Insta-Factor
High
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Award-Winning Paella
Experience the paella that has earned national acclaim, showcasing rich flavors and traditional Valencian techniques.
Impeccable Service & Hospitality
Warm Mediterranean hospitality meets flawless service, making guests feel truly at home and well-cared for.
Michelin-Starred Culinary Artistry
Discover creative and refined Spanish dishes, presented with meticulous attention to detail by a Michelin-recognized chef.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Opt for the Tasting Menu
Showcases diverse, lightly adventurous dishes. Consider the zero-alcohol wine pairing.
Embrace a Leisurely Pace
This is not a short meal; savor each thoughtfully presented course.
Engage with the Chef
Don't hesitate to ask Chef Danny Lledó or his team for personalized recommendations.
Reservations Essential
Securing a table is necessary for this one-of-a-kind experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
Opt for the Tasting Menu
Showcases diverse, lightly adventurous dishes. Consider the zero-alcohol wine pairing.
Embrace a Leisurely Pace
This is not a short meal; savor each thoughtfully presented course.
Engage with the Chef
Don't hesitate to ask Chef Danny Lledó or his team for personalized recommendations.
Reservations Essential
Securing a table is necessary for this one-of-a-kind experience.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Xiquet by Danny Lledó offers a unique fine dining experience rooted in Valencian tradition, often praised for its creative dishes, impeccable service, and warm hospitality. While many rave about the tasting menu and signature paella, some diners find the experience to be overpriced for the quality, citing inconsistencies in food preparation and a less-than-seamless overall ambiance.
"I came here with my girlfriend to celebrate both of our birthdays - Chef’s tasting. We were seated next to the kitchen where we can see all the activity through the glass - always cool to see.
Food was fantastic. Light and delicate. The pork Wellington was little heavy after the delicate series of dishes. Paella and sea food - scallop and sea bass - dishes were savory and aromatic - wished for more!
The service was little static - the young man who was describing each dish and wine pairing seemed to be pressured and repeating what he had memorized about each plate.
Overall, great experience. The Chef personally greet you in the beginning and at the end. Also very nice touch."
Hong Kim
"The perfect place to celebrate a special occasion with friends or a significant other! I visited Xiquet with two close friends to celebrate two of our December birthdays. As we began walking up the steps to the third-floor dining room, Chef Danny was waiting promptly to greet us. We were then led over towards the open kitchen area and immediately welcomed with a small bite and a house "sip"--such a nice way to begin our dining experience and we knew right away we were in for a treat.
After being escorted to our table, the amazing service continued. As each course was presented, we received a card with detailed descriptions of the food being set before us. While every single bite was exquisite, but my favorite of the night was a play on a "partridge in a pear tree"--it was delicate and festive and an absolute delight. We also enjoyed wine pairings with every course, which were presented by the very knowledgeable sommelier (Xiquet has won many awards for their wine program!)
For the final course, we were led down to the second-floor lounge, which as exclusive as the dining room feels, the lounge gives off true VIP status. We received a variety of sweets and ordered a night cap, which we were able to enjoy leisurely, with no kind of pressure to "move along". Everything from the food, the service and the space was the perfect for the making of a special evening, while not feeling "stuck up". Make this your next stop for date night (or just a fun night out with friends)!"
mharmiso3
"Absolutely fantastic experience beyond words. The Spanish food combination in this Michelin Star menu was exceptional. Very creative chef and every plate was surprising in amazingly good ways. I would highly highly recommend. The service was outstanding."
Robert Sammon
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Xiquet is known for its Michelin-starred Valencian cuisine, particularly its acclaimed paella, wood-fired dishes, and warm Mediterranean hospitality.
Yes, Xiquet offers a tasting menu that showcases a diverse range of lightly adventurous dishes, often with expertly curated wine pairings.
Absolutely. Many reviews highlight Xiquet as a perfect place to celebrate special occasions due to its exquisite food and attentive service.
The atmosphere is described as warm, intimate, and elegant, designed to feel like a special meal with friends, especially in the top-floor dining room.
Yes, reservations are definitely needed for Xiquet to ensure you can experience this unique dining opportunity.
Yes, the restaurant is known for its personal touch, with Chef Danny Lledó personally reaching out to inquire about dietary restrictions.
After the main courses, guests are often invited to a second-floor lounge for dessert and after-dinner drinks, extending the experience.
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Chef Danny Lledó is the visionary behind this focused Valencian culinary machine and his dishes are as pretty to look at as they are delicious to eat. This is confident cooking that results in inventions like tonyina tartare with citrus "caviar" and a creamy coconut milk-mustard-sauce. "Bossa de Captaire", or beggar's purse, with suckling pig and foie gras in apple confit and brown butter may then be trailed by lobster, prawn, and cuttlefish all of which garnish the paella de la duquessa de denia.
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Serving Spanish cuisine with heartfelt, Mediterranean hospitality, Xiquet caters to both appetite and comfort at the opening of Washington’s Observatory Circle. Diners are able to experience a seat at the Chef’s Counter where they sample canapés and aperitivos, peruse the evening’s tasting menu and prepare to ascend to the top floor dining room. Seeping with sunlight during the day and warmly sky-lit in the evening, the dining room lined with sofa seats and auburn cushions invites leisure, whilst the simplicity of décor directs your gaze to the glass-enclosed kitchen.
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Xiquet, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Washington DC, offers a delightful fusion of traditional Spanish flavors and contemporary dining elegance. Xiquet invites diners on an exquisite journey through the vibrant and diverse tapestry of Spanish cuisine.The restaurant's intimate ambiance sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience, perfect for romantic evenings. Led by renowned Chef Danny Lledo, Xiquet boasts a menu that showcases the best of Spanish gastronomy, with each dish thoughtfully crafted to captivate the senses and ignite the palate.
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Chef Danny Lledó has built a menu that reflects the climate, agriculture and sea bounty of Valencia at Xiquet. Featuring a stunning wood-fired kitchen enclosed in glass, the Embassy Row restaurant offers both tasting and a la carte experiences that are sure to leave you breathless. Standout dishes have included the Red Prawn of Denia and either of the two paellas, including a vegetarian version with artichoke, asparagus, lima beans and eggplant, or the seafood version with lobster, red prawn, scallop and cuttlefish (caviar optional).
Top Michelin Star Restaurants in Washington DC
Xiquet by Danny Lledó delivers an immersive fine dining experience rooted in Valencian tradition and modern Spanish cuisine. From the moment guests arrive, they’re welcomed with a bite and a sip of vermouth at the Chef’s counter, where the team introduces the wood-fired kitchen that anchors the restaurant’s bold, ingredient-driven menu. Upstairs in the dramatic top-floor dining room, natural light pours in through large skylights by day, while the space turns warm and intimate at night.
The 8 Best Seafood Restaurants in Washington D.C
Xiquet by Danny Lledó is a Michelin star restaurant that offers a fine Valencian tasting menu with a focus on seafood. It is known for its wood-fire kitchen and signature Mediterranean flavors, paired with thoughtful wine selections. The restaurant provides a multi-course culinary experience, featuring a variety of dishes including paella and other traditional cuisine of Valencia, all prepared in an open wood-fire kitchen.
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Danny Lledo’s Spanish special-occasion spot in Glover Park is shortening its usual tasting menu to a $65 Restaurant Week version. Among the dishes: house-aged tuna loin with asparagus and egg-yolk gel; hamachi and tuna belly with Serrano peppers, apple, and ash oil; and a paella with guinea fowl and rabbit. You can add on the kitchen’s signature Ibérico pork Wellington for $35, and wine pairings start at $45.
All Restaurants in District of Columbia, United States
Xiquet (chee-KETT) by Chef Danny Lledó features a sought-after tasting menu showcasing the finest products from around the world served with warm, Mediterranean hospitality. Known as one of the best fine dining restaurants in Washington DC for its modern Spanish cuisine, Xiquet has held a Michelin Star since 2021 and earned MICHELIN’s Sommelier of the Year Award in 2022.
Restaurant | LEDC Business Directory
International Award-Winning Chef Danny Lledó brings you the new Valencian fine dining restaurant: Xiquet DL. Ignited by a wood-fire kitchen, Xiquet reflects Valencia's warm coastal climate, abundant agriculture and plentiful fresh seafood. It is also the cradle of the famous Spanish rice dish, Paella. 2404 Wisconsin Avenue NW 20007 DC United States
Top 10
Chef Danny Lledó takes his guests on a culinary tour of his beloved Spain at the Michelin starred Xiquet. Friendly staff and a great view of the kitchen fires used to prepare the paella of the day add up to a wonderful dining experience. update - as of May 4th, 2022 Xiquet has retained their Michelin Star and received the Sommelier of the Year Award.
Check out D.C.'s 2022 Michelin Stars
Michelin also honored Nicole Ramée, Alisa Watts, and the team at Xiquet for the Sommelier of the Year award. Will Patton and the teams at Bresca and Jônt won this year’s Exceptional Cocktails award.
Top restaurants to try for DC’s Summer Restaurant Week 2024
Michelin-starred restaurants Elcielo in NoMa’s La Cosecha Market, Gravitas in Ivy City and Xiquet in Glover Park are also participating.
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