Noche

On a recent first visit to Noche in Virginia-Highlands -- where the dinner menu features salads, tacos and tapas -- we tried several dishes:

Saffron Paella ($9) with shrimp, chicken, sausage, mussels, yellow rice and peas:

This dish included traditional ingredients and was tasty, but too salty.

Shrimp Taco ($5) with roasted corn and black bean salsa and chipotle aioli:

Great flavor made this dish a personal favorite. I'll order it again on future visits.

Grilled Veggie Taco ($3) with black beans, spinach and charred tomato salsa:

It's possible to get a great-tasting veggie taco. This does not compare. It's not awful, but a bit too bland to recommend. (Unless, perhaps, you hate spicy food -- but then why are you at a Mexican restaurant? -- or you're too famished/drunk/exhausted/ill to care.)

Lobster Taco ($7) with peppers, onions, oaxaca cheese and cascabel chili sauce:

Delicious! Another favorite with sophisticated flavors.

Bottom Line: Menu items can be hit or miss, but overall this restaurant offers tasty fare served in an energetic casual environment.