Spoiler Alert: Clavel is Great!
Everything matters when trying to run a successful restaurant. The food may be the star of the show, but to get people to come back again and again, the entire experience, from service to value to ambiance all play a vital role in long term success. This is not ground breaking guidance, but I reflect on this after visiting Clavel for the 6th time. There is a reason we keep going back.
What can be said that hasn’t already been said about Clavel? National Publications have lauded it, yet it still seems under the radar in Baltimore. Superbly executed casual Mexican food, in a relaxed atmosphere with one of the best, and unique, cocktail programs in Baltimore. How can you go wrong?
A few days after Christmas my wife and I decided we needed a night out, and with hours to go before dinner, unsurprisingly we could not find a babysitter, and as such we had to think of a place we knew would be kid friendly while also satisfying our “foodie” cravings. Our first thought was Clavel and knowing how it gets busy early we knew we had to get there before the doors opened at 5:00PM.
Sure enough, we arrived at 4:55PM and there were already 3 groups in line on West 23rd St waiting for the doors to open in 40 degree weather. By the time 5 O’Clock rolled around there were another 10 groups behind us as we all filed in to be seated.
In the past, it would have been a tight squeeze to get every group in line a table, but with their newly opened “Mezcal Bar” adjacent to the original dining room, there seemed to be plenty of space. The congenial host first seated us at a small four seat table in the original dining room, but without hesitation or prodding by us, seeing our two little ones, realized we might be more comfortable at one of the larger tables in the new area. And he was right, we were able to stretch out and enjoy the extra space. Our attentive server arrived promptly with crayons and paper for the kids and without much hesitation we ordered the queso funido with chorizo and couple of classic margaritas. The Queso is one our favorite dishes anywhere. Super cheesy, with a perfect amount of spicy chorizo, it’s the perfect start to our meal. As it sits in the sizzling cast iron pan at the table the cheese develops a beautiful brown crust on the bottom. Pro Tip: use a knife and fork to get each bit of that crust on to the perfectly crunchy, salty chips. Accompanying the queso are a mild salsa and guacamole, but our two year old ate them by the spoonful, I am sure they were delicious.
The margaritas are hard to beat, and during happy hour are only $6. An absolute steal for such quality handmade cocktails. If I had my druthers, I would opt for the mezcal margarita during normal hours, but when you can get a quality hand made margarita for only $6, you don’t pass it up. This ain’t no Nacho Mama’s house Margarita, this is the real deal.
We have been to Clavel a handful of times now, but we have never ordered a ceviche, though they are always highly recommended by friends. I decided now is probably the time to try one, and I order the Aquachile Rojo on a tostada to go along with my Cochinita Pibil Mixta(with cheese). My wife orders a Rajas Mixta and Barbacoa Taco, and Mixtas and Frijoles for the little ones. The main dishes arrived quickly, though without feeling rushed. The ceviche lived up to the hype. Fresh shrimp and rockfish perfectly seasoned on a tostada shell that kept its structure throughout each crunchy, acidic bite. The Cochinita Pibil Mixta was a perfect companion, with a rich spiciness, and I’m a sucker for picked onions, which there were no shortage of. I would put them on ice cream if I knew I wouldn’t get odd looks from my wife.
The Rajas and Barbacoa Tacos were both, as usual, excellent according to my wife. The rajas are sneaky the best taco on the menu, especially as a mixta, with the Mexican cheese perfectly balancing each vegetarian bite. The kids clearly enjoyed their plain mixtas and frijoles, with us even having to order an extra mixta for the 4 year old, the kid that hardly eats, wants more!
With each of us fully satiated, it’s time to get the bill, and consider me pleased when after all we ate, plus a total of 3 cocktails, the bill is $60 before tip. This has got to be the best bang for your buck in Baltimore, for a sit down meal, fully stuffed, both parents and kids, I leave with my wallet still having a bit of heft to it.
Clavel continues to be one of Baltimore’s dining bright spots, offering low key, authentic Mexican food, while avoiding the cliche Mexican dive atmosphere. Each time we come away impressed and eager to return.