Home is Jaleo

Tegan moved to DC this weekend! For those who don't know, Tegan is one of my Vandy besties and a past roommie and the district's newest resident. After we finished moving her stuff into he apartment (why did I think living in a row house with 5 millions stairs was a good idea?) we decided it was time to celebrate the way we have celebrated so many times before: Spanish style. 

Tegan knows me too well, and without even asking choose José Andrés's Jaleo for dinner, one of the most-loved tapas restaurants in the city. Located right downtown, Jaleo's large glass windows prove the perfect opportunity to observe the dazed tourists, annoyed locals, and speeding streets from a equally bustling and crowed setting. 

Carnes, verduras, paellas del día, frituras, pescados, quesos, embutidos, 'José's Way'...you can have your pick of the taste of Spain. 

Of course, we had to start off with Sangria. I will always be partial to Tegan's homemade sangria (which may have to have it;s own future blog post). Jaleo's sangria is a bit to wine-y for my taste but you really can't go wrong with a cool glass on a hot summer night. 

We started out with a Spanish classic - Pasamontes manchego cheese with compressed apples in muscatel. 

Next, we had Escalivada Catalana with roasted red peppers, eggplant and sweet onions with sherry dressing, served with toasted bread. 

Being southerners we had to get the fried green tomatoes with goat cheese and microgreens....and some tiny papas arrugas with mojo verde and rojo sauce. 

We were surprisingly stuffed from all these tiny little tapas. Ok, and maybe a bit tipsy from the sangria. So of course, as soon as we saw the the Gin and Tonic ice cream on the dessert menu we knew we had to try it. Other than holding a claim to fame for her sangria, Tegan is quite known from making a mad gin bucket. 

Her mom ordered rounded us out by ordering the Pan Con Chocolate (chocolate flan with caramelized bread, olive oil and brioche ice cream).  

Bienvenidos a casa Tegs!