A new counter-service eatery serving South American fare has debuted in the L'Enfant Plaza food court in southwest D.C. Located at 429 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Suite 450, just two blocks south of the Smithsonian Castle, Maizal's menu encompasses food from Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina and Peru.
Customize your meal by first selecting two arepas — a corn-flour flatbread that is popular across the region — or a bowl of grains, greens or beans. Then pick a protein from options like shredded beef, pulled pork or grilled chicken; toppings (spicy broccoli, grilled pineapple, pickled onions and lentil salad, to name a few); and from one of 10 sauces, including chipotle aioli, habanero or balsamic vinaigrette. Or try a signature arepa, such as the La Inka (grilled jerk chicken, sweet potatoes and yuca fries), a side of plantain chips or churros with Nutella.
First-time restaurateur and Colombian native Dario Arana-Rojas tells Eater Washington D.C. that he and his business partner have "an aggressive plan for growth" with a second location in the works at the forthcoming Ballston Quarter Market food hall.
Maizal has garnered rave reviews thus far, with a 4.5-star rating out of seven reviews on Yelp.
Brent F., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on April 25, said, "Great new addition to the L'Enfant Plaza food court! If you are like me, and you have never heard of an arepa before, just order two of the signature arepas. Food is good in taste, portion and cost, and it is made quickly."
Yelper Gellie E. added, “Extensive menu and a welcome addition to L'Enfant Plaza. Its point of view is different enough — rice bowls (similar to Roti) and arepas — to add into the lunch rotation."
Intrigued? Stop in to try it for yourself. Maizal is open from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday. (It's closed on weekends.)
