Pablo y Pablo

Nestled in the wine country of Washington’s Woodinville is Pablo y Pablo. Inspired by Pablo Picasso and Pablo Neruda, this restaurant strives for an intersection of creative and harmonious flavors. Using ingredients and techniques from around the world they bring Woodinville, a Mexican inspired restaurant and bar.

Pablo y Pablo’s Woodinville location embodies a distinctive rustic industrial look. The interior features many wood textures and exposed piping. The restaurant is flooded with natural light which bounces off their dark wooden floors. Its open floor plan hosts crowds and caters towards the many tourists exploring the wine country. Unfortunately, the open floor plan and lack of soft textures creates an environment that is quickly overwhelmed with noise. I would not recommend Pablo y Pablo as a location for an intimate gathering such as a date.

Pablo y Pablo’s creative spirit is first evident in their cocktail menu. Featuring drinks like a Tamarind Ginger Margarita and a Green Chili Pineapple Mule, their drinks embody their boldness and confidence in flavors. You will of course still find classics for those looking for a less adventurous experience.

Their Tamarind-Ginger Margarita stood out to me as an incredible way to see just how well they can combine flavors. My drink however was anticlimactic. I was hoping for a drink that used the tamarind tartness as a complement to the ginger's spice. What I got was a drink with no flavor that stood out. Making a margarita is a delicate dance. Each flavor including that of the tequila must be harmoniously integrated into the cocktail. If done incorrectly you end up with a spiked limeade. The Tamarind-Ginger Margarita as an enticing menu item makes sense, but it just wasn’t executed correctly. This drink however was beautifully presented and had a delicious salt rim.

My wife, Jess, opted to go for the Green Chile Pineapple Mule. We both had never seen this flavor combination and were again impressed with Pablo y Pablo’s dedication to creativity in the kitchen and in the shaker. The green chilis packed a mild spice and their flavor was evident throughout the drink. The sweet pineapple juice paired nicely with the chilis and ginger. It was not spirit forward making it a very safe choice for anyone looking for a fun cocktail.

Their brunch menu had many enticing offerings. We however opted to both try some of their tacos. We tried their Chipotle Braised Chicken taco, Butternut Squash taco and a Breakfast taco with each order accompanied by breakfast potatoes. The Chipotle Braised Chicken taco was reminiscent of a shredded chicken tinga taco. Its escabeche (a type of latin marinade, similar to pickling) slaw added big textures and the Cotija cheese delightfully tied it all together. Its delicate flavors make this a crowd pleaser.

The breakfast taco had cheesy eggs, roasted potatoes, house made chorizo, and was topped with salsa verde. I would recommend this to someone who loves eggs as that is all this taco tastes like. The occasional chorizo that was able to fight through the egg was great but could not be found in every bite. The potatoes added substance to the taco but I believe could have been improved by making them crispy. 

Finally, the Butternut Squash taco was the winner here by a stretch. Pablo y Pablo’s flavor combination expertise shines through in this dish. Not only is each ingredient complimented by its neighboring ingredient in flavor but also with texture. The toasted pepita seeds added both nuttiness and crunch to the taco. A winner in each taco was their homemade tortillas. These delicious tortillas were soft but also sturdy enough to handle the weight of the toppings.

After our plates were cleaned and the bill was paid, I had a few conclusive thoughts on Pablo y Pablo. While the cocktail menu was inventive, the finished products were a bit of a bore. Their tacos had their ups and downs but the Butternut Squash taco is a must-try if you visit. This tourist friendly aesthetic spot, boasts natural light, industrial design and an attention to detail evident in its finishes. 

Pablo y Pablo provides Woodinville with a fun take on traditional Mexican cuisine. Its vibrant dishes contrast the rustic interior. With so many wonderful restaurants and attractions in Woodinville, Pablo y Pablo has to stay on top of their game to compete. As of now they fall short. The menu's ambitious flavor combinations need to be followed through to execution. With a little work around the edges Pablo y Pablo will be a cut in no time.