Mike Isabella to Preview Bandolero at Tackle Box Now

Because why let a little thing like "completing construction" stop you from opening your Mexican restaurant in time for Cinco de Mayo, Mike Isabella has decided instead to just open the hell up in Cleveland Park's Tackle Box location. Yes, in an announcement that totally explains the rumors that Tackle Box would close, owner Jonathan Umbel has given Isabella free rein of the restaurant for two weeks to preview Bandolero — which is eventually destined for the former Hook space that Umbel also owns.

So, on select evenings from April 19 through May 4, Isabella is going to be offering a five-course menu featuring dishes likely to appear on Bandolero's menu at $65 per person — a little more affordable than the $119 for five courses from his LivingSocial preview in February? There will be vegetarian options and walk-ins can hang out at the bar. Then on Cinco de Mayo itself, Bandolero plans to take over the restaurant all day, from noon until 1 a.m. with a la carte food and beverages in celebration of the holiday. Also, naturally, margarita sampling.

Seatings for the preview will begin at 6 p.m. on the following days:
Thursday, April 19 – Saturday, April 21
Tuesday, April 24 – Saturday, April 28
Tuesday, May 1 – Friday, May 4

Reservations are available on CityEats, though note that the Cinco de Mayo party is walk-ins only. In the meantime, Tackle Box will be fully closed throughout those couple of weeks and, no, there is no opening date yet for Bandolero's actual location in Georgetown.

· Bandolero at Tackle Box DC [CityEats]
· All Previous Bandolero Coverage [-EDC-]
· All Previous Mike Isabella Coveragef [-EDC-]