Image: Guac with gilding.

Last Updated: April 2022

Current Status: Open for dine-in with indoor and outdoor seating.  Take-out and Delivery also available.

Overview: The sibling of Las Gemelas Taqueria in La Cosecha market, Destino serves up Mexican-inspired plates that pack a powerful punch.  Nearly every dish is a vehicle for bold layers of flavor that are rich, crowd-pleasing choices.

Like at Espita Mezcaleria, owned by the same team, Chef Robert Aikens is using Mexican cuisine as a starting point and adding his own touches.  The pork belly, mole verde, and egg noodle dish seems very French, as does the fish with celery root puree. The cauliflower tostada appetizer is a pile of the vegetable thickly coated in a red sauce and piled high on an incidental tortilla.  The guacamole is not the big bowl prepared table-side that we grew accustomed to, but a crafted dish with smoked tomatillo sauce and queso and smoked pumpkin seeds to gild the lily.  The dishes are well-conceived and balanced but far from restrained.

The drink list has several wine and beer choices, but the heart of it is cocktails and spirits, especially tequila and mezcal. 

The space is part of the rolling set-pieces in the larger market with the bar and interior tables flowing out into the large hall.  Outdoor seating, some covered, is also available.  For a pandemic-era spot they are doing well keeping up the crowds in terms of service and pacing.  It all adds up to a very enjoyable meal that will can please even a large party of assorted preferences.

Summary:

Cuisine: Mexican/Central American
Neighborhood: Union Market
Address: 1280 4th St NE, Washington, DC 20002
Website: https://www.destinodc.com/
Reservations: Resy

Other Critics/Voices:

Washington Post: No coverage of this spot, but Tim Carman wrote a piece on the taqueria.

Washingtonian: Both sibling restaurant listed as one of 25 New Top Restaurants.  Preview.