Jaleo - Review

Jaleo - Highly Recommended
Spanish, Tapas
480 7th Street,
NW Washington, DC 20004
Tel (202) 628-7949
Fax (202) 628-7952


Met up Athos and his wife over the weekend and had an eating extravaganza in DC.
And naturally, the highlight was Jaleo.
So, after weeks of e-mails with little commitment to head down to DC, my wife and I decided last thursday night to make the 4 hour car ride down to visit our friends.
When we got to Athos's place, we were greeted with appetizers.
Shortly after, we took a ride down to the fishmarket and had some freshly shucked oysters and steamed crab.
We then went to an event at the Verizon Center in downtown DC. Athos hooked us up with an Executive Suite. Skybox baby! There, we devoured more food, chips, salad, nachos, wings, ribs, hot dogs, and chicken bbq.
After the event, we made our way over to Jaleo and I was thinking, "how on earth are we going to eat anything else...?" but luckily (and I never say this) we had an hour wait. They are BUSY! and don't take reservations at this location. We walked around the block till our stomachs settled and then were seated in a corner table.

Haha, now onto the food at Jaleo. Typical Catalan tapas.
I had previously studied the Chef's cookbooks and pretty much knew what he had to offer.
Chef José Andrés is a desciple of the famed Chef, Ferran Adrià at El Buli in Spain. But at Jaleo, his food is very straight forward. Nothing "progressive" or "nuevo", just classic Spanish Tapas.

List and pictures of dishes ordered for the table.
-Pitcher of Sangria
-Mojama (cured tuna), Romesco, Hard Boiled Egg on Toast
-Anchovies on sliced sourdough
-Roasted Portabello with Garlic and Parsley Oil
-Sauteed Wild Mushrooms with Raisins and Walnuts
-Grilled Asparagus
-Sauteed Spinach with Pinenuts
-Squid with Squid Ink Sauce and Rice Pilaf
-Rabbit Confit with Garlic Mashed Potatoes
-Blood Sausage
-Homemade Chorizo with Garlic Mashed Potatoes
-Pork Belly with Pimiento Peppers
-Duck Confit
-Roasted Quail with Honey Aoili and Rosemary Sauce
-Flan
-Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse Tort











Tapas:
Taste/Texture 40/40 Everything was great. Pork Belly, Artisinal Chorizo and Blood Sausage were outstanding.
Presentation 10/20 A little on the rough side.
Aroma 10/10
Price 20/20 I couldn't believe the bill... It's usually the other way around, with the bill being a little higher than expected. Perhaps NY is just overly priced.
X-Factor 10/10 Dishes were well flavored and clear. You knew what you were eating every bite.
Total 90/100

Overall Experience:
Food 48/50 Fantastic. Everything was great.
Service 28/30 Seemed like an all Gay waitstaff... Happy Happy Happy!
Atmosphere 5/10 Very "Touristy" Layout. But everyone was very friendly.
Price 10/10 Happy to pay it.
Total 91/100