Monday night, we went to the Taqueria del Barrio grand opening party in Petworth! We snapped Taqueria del Barrio's Anna Bran-Leis, who welcomed guests and opened the doors to her first brick-and-mortar restaurant, which she owns along with the successful DC Empanadas truck and stall. At the storefront on the red carpet, she is with DC Council member Brandon Todd and ANC commissioner Karen Cooper.

Guests got a sneak peek of their Mexican menu items and tasted the al pastor picaditas, smoky chipotle albondigas and chicken taquitos. Here, Taqueria del Barrio GM Mikey Torres, Mexican Cultural Institute's Ignacio Sanchez, Elsa Borja, Alberto Pierro, Claudia Godinez, Gustavo Morales and David Dybiec.

We also got to try their signature cocktails; the margarita del barrio with silencio, caramelized pineapple, turmeric and habanero; and the funny cigarettes cocktail with cachaca, green chartreuse, lime and sage pineapple olive oil. Here, Richard Carvalho, Amen Clinic's Cindy Porter, Kristin Burns and Gustavo DaSilva.

The restaurant, which will officially open on Thursday, is decorated with Mexican glass tiles, original floorin, and brick walls painted with icons of loteria, a bingo-like game, and the Virgin of Guadalupe. Here, Renewable Fuels Association's Ed Hubbard, Bran-Leis and Events DC's Chinyere Hubbard.