Finding flavor, ambience and community at DC Corazon
/DC Corazon 3905 14th Street NW
by Sophie Egar
I was grabbing Friday night dinner recently with a couple of friends and we decided to give DC Corazon a shot. Located in the intersection of Petworth and Columbia Heights, along 14th Street, this restaurant is a pink-painted brick building with a bright yellow heart on the wall. There is turf, flowers and pink ribbons tied to blue chairs, all underneath a tarp adorned with string lights. I’ve never seen a restaurant with an exterior containing so much personality and vibrancy.
My friends and I were not disappointed by what we discovered. The interior design, food quality and customer service were absolutely fantastic. Also worth mentioning is that the staff take COVID precautions as seriously as they can: customers must wear masks when not eating at their table, there is decent inside ventilation, and diners also have the option to sit outside on the heated, covered patio.
Outdoor patio at DC Corazon
What impressed me most about DC Corazon was the fact that the restaurant owner, Josefina Darui, came over and introduced herself. Josie was attentive and charismatic, and radiated the same comforting essence as the restaurant.
What’s even more admirable about her positivity is that Josie was stuck paying the building’s rent for 13 months without being able to operate as an open restaurant. Due to COVID-19, the restaurant could not open until just a couple months ago. The original grand opening of January 6th was delayed due to that day’s chaos amidst the Capitol insurrection.
It is clear that Josie poured her heart and soul into this restaurant in order to create an atmosphere that puts customers at ease. “It was my dream to have a place where people go and feel like home,” she said proudly. “I want it to be a community, a fonda, for it to feel like you're in your neighbor’s kitchen.”
Josie wanted to bring the colors, culture, and taste of her own hometown of Mexico City to DC, her new home, which she had fallen in love with since her very first visit. “It was my first time seeing snow fall. It was so beautiful… [DC] is one the most vibrant cities,” she said.
On one wall there is a mural depicting the colorful street where she grew up. Next to that is artwork with multiple handmade glass hearts, which Josie has been collecting for about 25 years. “I love hearts and I love art that is handmade… hearts in Mexico are glass blown, and it is an art to make them. Each heart is different, each one is unique.” In fact, Josie’s love of hearts, or corazones in Spanish, helped to inspire the restaurant’s name.
Aside from aesthetic, the food is also incredible. Sometimes after eating Mexican cuisine I may feel weighed down, but the meals at DC Corazon left me feeling satisfied and light. That’s because Josie genuinely cares and prides herself on the food being high quality and healthy, while keeping prices affordable. “Most of our food is based on organic, natural ingredients. We do not cut corners.”
Even the drinks are made naturally, without artificial sweeteners or chemicals. The alcohols, the tequilas and mezcals in particular, are “mixed with natural fruits, or roots” to make delectable, stunning concoctions. Some of the ingredients include cucumber, cumin, mango, ginger, turmeric and jicama.
One of DC Corazon’s cocktails made with a hibiscus flower.
One ingredient that Josie made a point to highlight was the hibiscus flower, which has a delicate sweet taste, and is featured in a handful of the food, sauces and drinks.
In yet another case of the menu’s thoughtfulness, their drinks follow the restaurant’s powerful color scheme – Josie flew in a mixologist from New York for their expertise. Another interesting feature of DC Corazon is its list of authentic, high quality and affordable Mexican wines.
A hallmark of the menu is its versatility: even a vegetarian will feel torn at the many appetizing options. I got to try vegetarian tacos for the first time, alongside three sauces (tamarindo, hibiscus, and green tomato). One taco has cactus, another hibiscus beet, and the third mushroom truffle. All three were healthy, filling and delicious.
I also enjoyed a horchata, a classic Mexican rice drink. The horchata at DC Corazon is homemade and beyond refreshing – I highly recommend it. I also highly recommend the mole, Josie’s pride dish. While this creamy, rich Mexican sauce is usually paired with chicken, at DC Corazon you can also try it with salmon or steak.
I would be remiss without mentioning the desserts at DC Corazon. We tried their traditional Mexican tres leches cake and a Mexican-style cornbread, which Josie makes each day herself. Both are rich but light, and absolutely delicious.
DC Corazon
3905 14th Street NW
dccorazon.com
Lunch:
Monday - Friday 11 am - 3 pm
Dinner:
Monday - Thursday: 4-10 pm.
Friday/Saturday: 11am - 11pm
Sunday 11 am - 9:30 pm
To schedule a delivery for pick up, call (202) 481-0511 or order online.
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