Clavel

I really enjoyed this restaurant. The service wasn’t too bad, and it was super busy whenever I’ve gone. It definitely has steady business all the time. The drinks and food are a bit pricey, but super delicious. It’s an upscale Mexican restaurant. I gave Clavel 4 stars because portions are small, yet pricey.
They have all types of different mezcal, if you’re into that. I’ve tried the ceviche and that was delicious. The Sandia drink is delicious! I highly recommend.

This place is great — the servers are friendly, the ambience is right and lively, and the food is super yummy. Been here two times, place was really busy last night. Don’t go if you must have things orderly or you are in a rush. Can’t stop thinking about the queso fundido, made authentically, and the barbacoa tacos! Really awesome. Drinks are a little pricey, but at least they’re made well. Didn’t care for the fish options we had our first visit bc they were a little fishy. We will for sure be back! We enjoy sitting at the bar. The restaurant is refreshingly accessible to wheelchairs BUT super tight, you would need to call ahead so staff could assist or prep.

We have only ever been here for drinks/​seating at the bar, so while I know the food is pricey, I can’t wait to try it. It’s just every time we are in there it’s way too crowded for a table. Only once have we entered and there was no room at the bar. I know you can order food at the bar but we wanted a little more privacy and space.
Drinks are ON POINT. The menu is super impressive. Bartenders are awesome and as you watch all the drinks being made you wonder/​make ooh and ahh faces, «oooo what’s that, ohhh what’s that» and they tell you and then you order that next.
The drink menu contains a long list of tequilas and mezcals and if you’re my fiancé you read it and if you’re me you ask him or the bartender what would be good for me based on the fact that you like pretty sweet alcoholic drinks. Then you get it, and it tastes strong at first, and then you mellow out a bit and sip it and it’s delicious. The fresh flavors of the juices (paloma) and the lime (margarita), etc. are really prevalent and it’s just damn satisfying.
I love the vibes in the place, sort of feels like an actual joint in Mexico (I imagine, anyways), or a nice mix between tiki and classy bar.

I am 99.9% sure I would have never found this place without Unilocal.I have passed it several times going to see some contractors in the area for work and never noticed it. It has indoor and outdoor seating. Interesting take on upscale Mexican food. They do have some tasty beverages. My favorite dish of the night was the cheese in the skillet. If you like cheese, this is a must eat. Everything else was good, but overpriced.

I enjoyed the food a lot. The chips and salsa were amazing! I wish I had those chips right this very moment. The main dishes were pretty small, so if you’re hungry, you’ll need to order quite a bit, which is OK since you’ll be able to try more things! I tried the vegan taco (no, I’m not vegan, but the way the waitress described it, made it sound amazing) and was pleasantly surprised how good it was! It wasn’t listed on the menu so you would need to ask for it on your own. We also got a shrimp quesadilla which was super good! It was a little difficult to find this place, but luckily there was plenty of street parking when I got there.

Clavel: Pricey, good food, in small portions.
I had food outside on a warmer day. Not a bad spot if the weather holds up. The tables are on a side street, with very little traffic.
My biggest knock is that the food is pricey, for the small portions that you get. I went home after spending $ 45 on food for two, eating most of it, and had a second dinner. That’s the reason it gets only 4 stars.
Everything I ordred was excellent. I would get all of it again. The tacos were solid: beef, pork, shrimp, and fish. The quesadillas and ceviche were tasty.
Best of the bunch though were the beef and shrimp tacos. I would start with these two if you’re just grabbing a light snack. If you are looking to leave full, bring your wallet and order everything.

Yasssss! Finally a unique, deliciously authentic with style and charm. My husband and I went here for the first time yesterday evening. It was crowded as we expected, and waited the 45 minutes for a table. The bar seating was a Darwin-​like game and we weren’t in the mood to fight a Hopkins professor or hipster whacko for a seat.
The blonde hostess was lovely and managed the crowd, wait with ease. The proprietor, wearing a stylish red cape was seen but not heard and making sure everything was running smoothly like a well oiled machine.
We got two Amarga Paloma cocktails at the bar while we waited. That libation consists of El Buho espadin, fresh grapefruit and lime, raw wildflower honey, house made citrico bitters, and himalayan pink salt stylishly draped on one side of the tall slender glasses. There’s a succulent icon with agave angustifolia below this drink on their menu. We gave the bartender $ 30 cash and he rang it in as $ 25 but it was too busy to correct him.
Our server was a mild mannered, pleasant gal wearing high waisted 80’s style jeans. She apologized for the wait (we also waited for our cocktails at dinner) but we understood it’s a busy Saturday night. Everyone from the bussers to the managers, to the servers and runners worked well together. I asked the food runner for a box and moments later it was brought by another employee.
We got the queso fundido with veggies which was so delicious. It came with two small cups of guacamole, also expertly prepared, and some frijoles puercos and totopos. The house made chips arrive in an aunthentic basket to keep them warm. I was full after the queso.
For our meal we opted for two quesadillas, one barbacoa and one chorizo, as well as the mahi taco and the shrimp taco. I wish I had requested flour tortillas instead of corn. Corn tortillas no matter how legit always taste off to me. After having lived in San Diego for years it’s hard for me to be wowed at fish tacos. I would try something else next time to get a better grasp of the menu. Since I was so full I mainly nibbled on the tacos but ate all of the garnishes (cucumbers and radishes) and enjoyed the fermented cabbage slaw by HEX ferments.
I ordered the Morenita (Los nahuales reposado espadin, pedro ximenez de anada sherry, caramelized piloncillo sugar, house 7 blossom bitters, brulee pineapple, large ice). That is no joke, sip gently.
Their drink menu is seriously impressive to anyone from a novice to a mescal and tequila connoisseur. We can’t wait to go back, only might try for the senior dinner hour of 5 pm when they open to avoid a wait. They don’t take reservations unfortunately, but judging by their busy night it appears they don’t need to.

Definitely off the beaten path, but an excellent meal.
Service was speedy, yet waiter was very attentive.
We had ceviche, guacamole, and queso to start. All were excellent and their 4 homemade specialty salsas only added the flavor explosion. These tacos were awesome (barbacoa, steak, vegeterian) Wow! The drinks were delicious. The smoky taste of mezclin mixed with fresh ingredients. We’ll be back!

I am happily single and more than comfortable alone, but let me tell you: the cozy ambiance of Clavel and those gosh darn strung-​up lights had me feeling some type of way. If you have a special someone, you’re doing yourself an injustice if you don’t have at least one date night here.
I’ve been here a couple of times, and their Santa Sandia is one of my favoritest drinks ever. Ever! I love watermelon and I love things with a spicy kick and I love salted rims (although this is a chili salt) and this one has it all. If you’re a fan of combinations like sweet salads or salted caramel, it’s a must try.
Complimentary chips and guac were much appreciated, though the chips had a slightly burnt taste to them.
We muted the alcohol in our stomachs with an order of Queso Fundido, which was super cheesy and delicious. I’d definitely try to eat this one before it cools too much – rubbery cheese is much less delicious.
The service is fantastic, with super friendly and attentive staff.
The only disappointment was our dessert. For $ 3, you can get a sliver of Mexican Flan. The flan is a lot thicker and almost cake-​like, which I wasn’t the biggest fan of, and it didn’t really taste like anything special.
Overall, the ambiance alone will win you over, but the drinks will bring you back again and again (and again and again).

Sorry Hampden. you know how I feel about you. Clavel is the shining start on top of the tree, if the tree is Hampden.
We rolled up at 8p on a rainy Friday night, passing WC Harlen (within stone’s throw) and residential Remington. A 35 minute wait greeted us and the first-​come bar was packed. The cheery host promised to open the patio once the drizzle quit so we give them our ph# and hit WC.
We downed our drinks and paid our tab when they called 28 minutes later. Clavel offered us both in– and out-​door seating. we chose a bench outside. Clavel remained packed all night.
STIFF but balanced cocktails arrived after a wait, the Morenita blowing some lengthy hipster hair back. Service remained European. sloooooow but confident, informative. They failed to let us know about the communal napkin rack that the group next to us hogged. scan and ask for them when you go.
The food. GOOD! Tacos by preference:
1) Barbacoa — good shredded texture, nice salt, good grain through end. Ultra juicy, salty. Light earth.
2) Pork — salty, light bbq sweetness, light vinegar, pickled onions very balanced, grain on display, nice crunch from the onions best texture for sure.
3) Goat — juicy with no string, light lime and delicately salted up front, the onion becomes overwhelming mid though the corn is great.
4) Beef — best shredded texture, nice onion crunch, excellent salt, low on acid. Very earthy again, heavy corn, grainy and soft.
5) Lengua — good tortilla, heavy grain, earthy tongue with a light metallic finish, texture too mushy and needing more salt. the lemon accents the thin texture.
6) Corn Fungus — heavy gritty cheese, light zucchini, seeds with slight contrast, not much fungus.
7) Fish — discontinuous, onion and fish clash, light bitterness from onions, grain masked by acids.
We also had the Mahi mahi ceviche: rich with lasting salt and brine in the finish, slightly tough mahi, meaty and raw. The onions remind of anchovy and only light relief. cause cucumber. Ffishy qualities and bland. Puerto 511 for the ceviche-​win.
Definitely stop in for some tacos and stiff drinks. Explore at your own peril after.

So I just noticed that this review, although completed, was sitting around unpublished on my Unilocal account. I just published it now, but as a full disclaimer, things may have changed – especially since we are transitioning into fall from summer.
I came here for a few drinks and small bites with a few friends the other day. I had heard many good things about this place and was excited to try it.
It’s located in Remington, which is an up-​and-​coming neighborhood. In other words, the area around Clavel may look a little run down and somewhat sketchy. But it’s not that big a deal in my opinion, especially if you come when it is bright outside.
The restaurant itself is fairly nondescript from the outside. However, inside is very cozy and nice. It’s certainly not a sleek, fancy restaurant… but its rustic-​ness feels right for the restaurant and its food.
The service here was a little slow here, despite sitting at the bar. But the servers did eventually come and were friendly and professional.
My table ordered a few drinks and all of it was good. I was told by one of my dining companions that the margarita was solid. My other friend ordered a spicy watermelon cocktail (I forget the name) and enjoyed it as well, despite it being much spicier than he had expected.
I ordered the nixtamal, which was a frozen cocktail containing El buho espadin, fresh corn, and leche condenscada. Honestly, I had expected it to be sweeter than it actually was. It was okay and the presentation was pretty cool but it isn’t something I personally would want to order again.
There was also a very substantial list of tequillas and mezcals if that is your thing.
The food here wasn’t bad at all too. The tacos here are pretty authentic. The tortilla chips and salsa aren’t bad either (though I was a little confused why they served the chips with a HUGE bowl of salsa). The guacamole was okay but was a little overpriced for what it was (in my opinion).
I think my biggest issue with this restaurant though was that it was hot. We came on a fairly moderately warm day but since there was no air conditioning going on inside the restaurant (which also has an open kitchen), it was pretty toasty in the restaurant. Not a super big deal though.
Overall, I really liked Clavel and plan on coming back.

Yayyyyy another yummy place near me!
I’m so happy this opened.
Don’t order until you’ve heard the specials.
So, the queso. The queso is fantastical. I love that crispy cheese at the end. Don’t be a pussy, get it with the chorizo, it’s so good. Comes with a side of bean dip and guacamole.
The chips came out in this adorable little basket, and I was just a fan of all the presentation.
Salsas are on the table, proceed with caution if you’re sensitive to spice. If you’re like me, dump that shit on, its delish.
I got the beef tongue taco, the shrimp taco, and the octopus taco.
I was a little disappointed in the beef tongue just cause it was shredded and mushy instead of chunks of beef tongue which I love because its got a good bite to it. Still, flavour was yum.
The shrimp taco was my favourite. I’m definitely getting that one again. How do they make the shrimp so yummy? I will never know.
I as an okay-​sorta fan of the octopus. It was on special, and I knew it was octopus because it had tentacles, but when I was eating it, it didnt have the texture or the flavour of octopus that I was looking for.
The place is adorable.
I will be back for drinks.

This place is so hipster as to be cringe-​worthy. From the pierced and tattooed server in her awkward vintage clothes, to the man-​bun bartender behind the bar, to the artisan ice cubes, and communal tables.
We go to a private club near there and have been twice and both times, we were both like ‘meh’. First, the space. The space is small. Like, VERY small and they do not take reservations which means you may be packed into the entrance-​way because not even the bar has a space while you wait for a table. There are two communal tables then some four and two tops spread about, plus bar seating and second bar counter that seats six (think high top but hipster version with reclaimed wood and vintage chairs).
The menu is an 8×10 piece of laminated paper. One side is drinks, the other is food. To say the food selection is limited is to understate it a bit, but nonetheless we found some stuff we like from the three appetizers, three meat tacos offered, one sandwich, and few fish tacos that were offered.
Here is where it gets good — the food is wonderful. It really is. The tacos I had were pork, beef, and a pork and a beef combo — all where wonderful. At three bucks a piece, I could have had more, but I didn’t feel like ordering anything else. I wasn’t full, I just couldn’t be bothered to try to find a waitress, figure out what she was saying (she nearly whispered), and get the food (which did come quickly). Even with the cheap tacos, the drinks were expensive and the bill was a little high.
Desert choices were a plate of five chocolates with a shot of tequila or flan. That’s it.
I am so conflicted about this place — I might go back for drinks and chips and salsa (which were wonderful), but not sure if I will rave about it to friends.

It may just be me, but the emperor has no clothes.
The drinks tasted good but we’re waaayy too small and too expensive. Dinner was great… Just wish the tortillas were a little warm for a place that boasts about their tortillas. Loved the lighting and the queso tasted great as well. Don’t know if it’s worth all the Unilocal hype though.

Huge shout out to Lane Harlan, who is single handedly providing my area with food and intriguing late night cocktails (ok, so I guess there is also P&L…) But, that has nothing on the dazzling ambiance and enthralling wall of Mezcal’s happening at Bar Clavel.
There is parking in the evening — an actual lot if you don’t want to park on the street, which makes it super easy. The entrance is up the stairs with the glowing lights, not towards the outside tables. I like the outside atmosphere, but I prefer the air conditioning during these summer days and the interaction with the bartenders well versed in Mezcal. Anthony taught me so many things about Mezcal vs. Tequilla vs. other Mezcals.
I do love me some agave drinks, but I also know better than to drink too many in public and when I am driving, so I stuck with one of their inventive cocktails. I went with the Michalada, kind of like a bloody mary but better — tecate lager with the juice of a lime, tomato-​clam juice, salsa maggi e inglesa — in a mug with a chili salt rim. I must say I nursed it and by the end, it got a little extra spicy. I did see some other cocktails on the list; I am interested in trying the classic marg next.
You can also order individual tastes of different Mezcals, talk to the bartenders, they will walk you through the menu — it’s set up by grower/​producer and then lists the type of agave plant and the area. There are tons of choices — I dare you to try them all, just not in the same night.
There are also some gorgeous glass bottles filled with mezcal that Lane herself has collected on her various trips. Once you get a feel for your favorite styles and then try a few of the selective ones.

Great new place by the owners of WC Harlan. The food is tasty with quality ingredients. The wait staff are friendly and attentive. It’s definitely hot right now so come by and give it a try!

Came here last night after hearing a lot of buzz about this place. Didn’t know what to expect since the information on their website was limited but you just need to come here.
The service was a little all over the place and we had multiple servers throughout the evening. I don’t mind the approach, and it makes sense for a casual place like this, but it did make it hard to follow up on certain items at times. All the cocktails sounded really good but I settled on the El Burro. A combination mezcal, ginger purée, bitters and mint — very delicious. We would have ordered a second round but the drinks came so late in the meal that it wasn’t worth it.
But anyways, onto the star — the tacos which are all served on a third generation tortilla recipe. There about 7 different taco options ranging from cooked pork, to beef tongue, to fish. The shrimp taco and the fish taco were ok, but all the meat tacos were unbelievably good. My favorites were the chambarete — beef in dry chiles and spices, as well as the barbacoa — beef and pork in poblano and pasilla peppers. Both were just delicious, and tasted as of the meat was stewed for at least 4 hours. The tacos themselves are a bit small but at their price point you can go hog wild and order a bunch.
All in all, this super casual no frills mazcaleria hits the spot. Hopefully it doesn’t get too popular because it’s a real gem — I’ll definitely be back.

Came here the Friday after it opened and it was so awesome we just had to return the next weekend! I ordered a margarita and it was the best I’ve ever had. Not sugary sweet like others I’ve had in the city and very flavorful. I highly recommend getting it with the chile shrub for a spicy kick. My boyfriend ordered the watermelon serrano cocktail (can’t recall the name) and that was excellent as well. Their cocktail game came as no surprise to us, since the owner also owns WC Harlan — a fantastic speakeasy-​style bar also in the Remington area.
As for the food– DELICIOUS is the word that comes to mind. We ordered the lengua (beef tongue, try it!), pork, and fish tacos and they all hit the spot. Reasonable prices as well. The next visit we tried both types of ceviche and they were wonderful — the perfect refreshment on a summer evening.
The ambiance is very cool. It reminds me of an oasis in the desert, complete with Georgia O’Keefe-esque décor.
¹⁰⁄₁₀ great new joint in Baltimore. I can’t wait to come back and try the mezcal tasting!

Clavel just opened up close to where i live so naturally i had to check it out. Now, i am not the biggest fan when it comes to Mexican cuisine so i rarely go out of my way to get it, but i do every now and then. On a Wednesday the place was bumping, we were able to snag some tables at the bar. Since they are new i guess they are adjusting to the flow, because the service was a little slow and disjointed. Disjointed to the fact that they forgot our orders so an 1hr and a half in we were like something is wrong. They did remedy that situation by giving us a fantastic discount.
Food and Drinks
Food was delicious, i ordered some sandwich fantastic, a quessadila, and a taco. I finished the sandwich and the delicious camorones taco. phenomenal. Drinks the margarita with a spicy edge was strong and delicious i will go there just for that alone. My other friends all enjoyed their meals. Note: food portions are small so if you go hungry, you may leave hungry, just order the sandwich and or a ton and i think you will be fine depending on your appetite level. They do shine in the drink department since its a sister restauraunt of WC Harlan.
Ambiance:-The place is really nice and that is all.
Repeat-​Multiple times over…

This place is amazing. We sat outdoors when no one else did but the server still checked on us throughout our experience. Very traditional Mexican food — small portions, great mezcal and wonderful service.
The bartender-​in-​residence from NY also came outside and took us through the details of the varieties of mezcal offered here. He recently spent time in Oaxaca, Mexico so he was highly knowledgeable.
I will return and highly recommend it to anyone who loves tequila.