1313 Old Chain Bridge Road,
McLean, VA
(703) 288-4422
http://www.evobistro.com
We decided to go out to lunch today. Our usual routine is to dutifully eat lunch at our desk, so this was a bit of an occasion. We decided to go to Evo because 1) tapas are fun and 2) we really needed a glass of wine. Evo has traditional Spanish Tapas, but with a Middle Eastern flare.
We were not disappointed. Evo is kind of the place for "Mclean Ladies Who Lunch" to go and eat. This actually isn't a bad thing. The bistro with its high ceilings, blown glass fixtures, and wine wall, has a great atmosphere. Yes, you heard me correctly, there is a wine wall. Evo has many wines on "tap." You can purchase a card and taste as much or as little from the individual wines as you wish! If you don't have to drive, it could be fun, delicious, and dangerous!
Although Evo has a full menu, I highly recommend getting tapas and sharing. They are delicious, and it's simply more fun to share your food. We ordered two per person, which was just right. First, my favorites. The calamari was delicious. It was lightly coated and cooked perfectly (I cannot stand heavily breaded overcooked rubber) and served with three delicious and intriguing dipping sauces. I also recommend the Sweet Peppers stuffed with mushrooms and cheese, the tomato mozzarella salad, the spinach with chorizo, and the chicken kabobs served with saffron hummus. We also had a portabello mushroom with goat cheese, empanadas, and the tortilla Espanola. The mushroom had potential, but was kind of flavorless and the tortilla has way too much potato. The empanadas were fine, but underspiced. Also (and this is a completely personal preference) I prefer my empanadas with a flour/corn meal crust rather than a fried puff pastry.
I highly recommend Evo if you are looking for a place with excellent service, plentiful drinks, good food, and a fun atmosphere.