On Tap Magazine

David Winer's good with real estate. The owner of Grillfish and Logan Tavern recently opened yet another eatery in the red-hot embers of Logan Circle. Merkado Kitchen, located just down the block from his Logan Tavern, is a fun, modern, brightly decorated bar and restaurant brimming with potential to be the new neighborhood hotspot.

"Latin cuisine with an Asian twist" describes the cuisine here, where you can find dishes like Blood Orange & Jicama salad, Diver Sea Scallop Tiradito with sour orange vinaigrette, Ponzu Marinated Salmon and Arroz con Pollo. Items are grouped into categories like "Small Plates," "Bowls," "Nacho 'Nirvana' Platters," "Big Plates," "Side Plates," and "Sweet Plates," which represent anything a discerning modern palate could desire—from DIY to easy-on-the-waistline. Let the exotic flavors of the food simmer in a sea of warm orange walls painted with mural-sized faces belonging to mixed ethnicities and ages. Décor is stylish, and includes lush leather and funky fabric upholstered banquettes and white, bulbous lamps I just saw at Design Within Reach. They've already filmed a reality TV show here, so I'd say the buzz is bueno.

(1443 P St., NW, 202-299-0018, http://www.merkadodc.com/)