Pescadeli
The parking may be scarce at Pescadeli, but the seafood selection is abundant. Aside from the usual tuna, swordfish, salmon, shrimp and scallops, the counter could be stocked with corvina, sardines, anchovies, skate wings, dorade, octopus, cuttlefish and a boatload of other choices. Owner Santiago Zabaleta, the former chef at Taberna del Alabardero downtown, does a brisk restaurant wholesale business, which brings in harder-to-find species for home cooks, and at a lower cost. Formerly known as A&H Gourmet and Seafood Market, the shop also sells a full line of imported European groceries, cheeses and cured meats, as well as prepared carryout food, so you can easily assemble a complete dinner here. The staff is congenial and informed, the prices are lower (sometimes significantly) than other upscale fish purveyors, and the seafood is really fresh. You’ll be hooked.
Pescadeli, 4960 Bethesda Ave., Bethesda; 301-841-8151; www.pescadeli.com
