I think the age-old “Don’t judge a book by its cover” rings true in this review. I pass LIMA quite frequently on my way to and from work and from the outside, I had assumed it was nothing more than a night club with food. Had I been in charge of dinner reservations, it certainly wouldn’t have been my first choice. I must say, I’m very glad I wasn’t in charge!

LIMA is an absolute treasure. From start to finish I had what I believe to be the best dining experience I’ve had since arriving in DC. Let’s start from the top.

I went to LIMA on the Wednesday of Restaurant Week with some work friends. As one of my friends and I arrived before the rest of the party, we started at the bar with a happy hour mojito. Although the flavor list looked tempting, we both stuck with originals.  I absolutely love a good mojito in the summer and this was just the drink I was hoping for – tons of fresh mint and lime througout.

As the rest of our friends arrived and the second round of drinks was being ordered, I went with a guava-flavored mojito. It was quite a bit stronger than my first drink, but I am not one to complain about that! The guava perfectly complimented the other flavors without drowning them out.

We were presented with rolls as we sat down to order. The rolls were good, but the lime butter even better. Flavored butters are such a simple way to add interest to a meal and this was one of my favorite.

To start, I ordered the tuna ceviche, per the waiter’s recommendation. Absolutely fantastic. The tuna was fresh and delicious and the marinade, with hints of sesame and ginger, was just the right match. The size of the dish was enough to whet my appetite without spoiling what was to come.

Next, I had the Wild Atlantic Salmon with grilled vegetables, a corn tamale and chipotle salsa. The salmon was prepared beautifully and both the sides held their own quite well. The salsa added a unique element to a simple dish, making it stand-out among others.

Dessert was classic warm chocolate cake. It was served with cream, dulce de leche ice cream and a fresh strawberry. It was extremely rich, moist and decadent. Just what I like in my sweets! It was a light portion, which made for a perfect ending.

As we ate, our servers kept the wine flowing. The service was attentive and friendly, yet as we clearly were working at a leisurely pace, our waiter left us to enjoy. The dining room itself was warm and inviting, dark and candle lit for an excellent ambiance.

LIMA may be a pulsing night club one floor below, but from where diners sit there’s nothing to distract from the wonderful food and service in the dining room. As it should be! This restaurant gets my very enthusiastic recommendation.