Last time I was in D.C. in 2008, I went to a Spanish restaurant called Jaleo, located near Chinatown on 7th Ave. NW. The restaurant was featured on Rachel Ray’s $40 A Day show. Say what you will about her annoying squeaky voice, but the woman knows her food! I took my mom and she said that the only tapas that surpassed the ones from Jaleo, were the ones she ate in Spain. Jaleo got my mom’s seal of approval and it definitely got mine ten times over.
I headed to Jaleo last night for their “Jaleo Hour”, their happy hour where tapas, wine, sangria, and well drinks are $4. Unfortunately, I don’t know my way around D.C. very well and my commute took longer than I expected. I arrived at the bar at 7:01 p.m.- ONE MINUTE too late! I had eaten at my hotel room, so I wasn’t terribly hungry, but I was definitely in the mood to have a drink (or seven!) I plopped down on a stool and order a half carafe of their Cava Sangria: Cava, brandy, strawberries and mint. Simple, delicious and refreshing! After I finished the sangria with the help of my new friend, Elizabeth, I ordered one of their signature cocktails, La Pomada: gin, freshly made lemonade, and mint.* After two Pomadas and half a carafe of sangria, I was ready to eat! Two different people, sat next to me at different times throughout the night and ordered the oxtail, so in my quest to try new things, I followed suit. A big chunk of oxtail was served on top of very, very creamy mashed potatoes. The meat came off the bone effortlessly and had the richest flavor imaginable. The tail was cooked in a red wine sauce, that when mixed with the meat’s natural juices, made a heavenly puddle perfect for dipping bread. It definitely wasn’t made for sharing. I mean, you could, but trust me, you won’t want to. I could have eaten at least two more. Absolutely fantastic!
I will definitely be returning to Jaleo this week to partake in their happy hour and to eat more food. Stay tuned.
Buen Provecho amigos!
*The lemonade was served out of canister that made it fizz. If any one knows the proper name for this device, let me know
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I remember that place! The tapas were delicious. I wish I was down there to hit up some of the other places with you. But at least next time we find ourselves in DC you can be my restaurant tour guide. Keep posting your culinary adventures so that I can eat vicariously through your blog.
ReplyDeleteTe quiero mucho.