Bring on the sake and bring on the rum

Benjamin asked, “It’s called Sakerum, do you have a drink with both?”

“We don’t," replied our waitress. "But let me see if we can make you one. What’s your name?”

“Ben.”

“We’ll call it The Ben.”

Ben, Alex, and I alongside 8 people met up for dinner at Sakerum to feast before the New Year. Bird cages that were converted into light fixtures adorned the ceiling of this dimly lit Latin-Asian restaurant. The mood was right, the company and conversation was great, and the food flowed. This bi-level eatery’s best dish came in the form of a soft-bodied, eight-armed mollusk we commonly refer to as an octopus. The Yaki Tako, charred octopus in lemon oil with a mango picante sauce, shocked me. Before I took a bite I thought, “Wonder if I will even like this?” And like it I did. Superbly cooked, seasoned, and served. One hit wonder? I certainly hope not.

The soy butter brussel sprouts and the kimchi spiced tuna poke with seaweed salad didn’t disappoint. But to be honest, we tried several dishes and none repulsed my taste buds. The churrasco, a prominent Latin American dish, was made with sliced grilled short rib and topped with the finely chopped parsley, minced garlic, vegetable oil, oregano, and white vinegar sauce commonly found in Uruguay and Argentina, chimichurri. Often times the chimichurri overwhelms the meat’s flavor, yet at Sakerum it complimented the short rib not over powered it.

Skip on up 14th Street NW past U Street to Sakerum, and while you are at it ask for The Ben.

Sakerum, quite the yummm!

P.S. by Paulo is a food-critiquing site dedicated to bringing Washingtonians the best food D.C. has to offer through short & pithy reviews. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PSbyPaulo/ and Instagram @PSbyPaulo. Share it with your friends!