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Spanish Restaurants

July 19, 2014 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

First Take: Jaleo in DC for Delicious Tapas, Paella and More…

Side of Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Side of Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

Visiting Washington, DC on a business trip, I got a chance to visit and dine at the acclaimed Jose Andres restaurant, Jaleo!  With a long, tasting menu in front of us, a group of us from work were ready to eat.  And eat.  And eat.  Here’s how it all went down at this authentic piece of Spain right here in Washington, DC!

Tasting menu at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Tasting menu at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

Walking over to Jaleo you’ll first notice it’s bold signage on the side of the restaurant spelling out the restaurant name in large 4′ letters.  Inside Jaleo, the place is obviously popular and bustling with people.  Having yet to visit Spain, Jaleo seems to have a decidedly European feel to the space with eclectic interior design in rich colors.  My instincts tell me that pieces of it are a bit retro and dated, purposely.

Colorful interior at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Colorful interior at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Foosball dining table at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Foosball dining table at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

Our group of 20+ people gets seated across three tables which for me was glass table-top over a foosball table, cool!  As we waited for our 17 course tasting menu, we spun up a quick game in honor of the recent World Cup of futbol…

Pan de tomate at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Pan de tomate at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

As red and white wine was poured for the table, I dug into my first taste of Jaleo, some delicious pan de tomato.  Thin crusts of chewy bread smeared with just the right amount of tomato, delish!  A very nice job for a common Spanish tapa and done quite well.  Some beautiful chicken fritters (croquettes) followed next and they were wonderful!  Full of crispy, flavor-filled creaminess.  Next came a small cone of salmon tartare and oysters gin & tonic, both were refreshingly clean and tasty.  Some Spanish potato omelet (a traditional tapa) along with chorizo in crispy potato followed.

Tortilla espanola at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Tortilla espanola at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

Midway through the meal we moved into the heavier tapas and the classic gambas ajillo (garlic shrimp) along with a huge paella made of chicken and mushroom.  I’d NEVER seen a paella pan this big, it required two people to carry it to the table and we dug into plates of darkly sauteed rice which was a bit oily but well flavored with the main ingredients.

Chicken and mushroom paella at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Chicken and mushroom paella at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

Some mini pork mini-burgers were delicious and smeared with a wonderful sauce.  And some chorizo over potato puree finished the heavier meat plates.  All around some amazing and delicious small plates.  And while we were all full, we finished off with some flan with crema Catalana and chocolate hazelnut cake with praline ice cream and salted caramel sauce, phew!

Flan at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Flan at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
 Chocolate torte at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining
Chocolate torte at Jaleo in Washington, DC- NC Triangle Dining

Service was excellent throughout the night and it looks like Jaleo bears true to its roots with a mostly European staff adding to the authenticity.   Given it was a business dinner, I don’t have a firm idea about the price range at Jaleo but the food was well-prepared and seemed quite authentic regardless of price.  So a big thumbs-up to Jaleo in Washington, DC.  I would love to have a restaurant like this in the Triangle and have my fingers crossed on that wish…

 

Jaleo

480 7th Street NW

Washington, DC 20004

202.628.7949

 

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Restaurant & Bar Reviews, Travel Tagged With: Spanish Restaurants, Tapas

June 26, 2014 by Ron Wen Leave a Comment

Taberna Tapas, Durham for Rustic and Real Spanish Fare

Front of Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Front of Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

When you think tapas in Durham, most likely the hot Mateo restaurant comes to mind.  But what about Taberna Tapas?  Located in a convenient spot on Main Street, Taberna Tapas opened up right around the same time as Mateo but got lost in the shuffle.   Small storefront, clean but humble interior, Taberna Tapas sports a small bar up front, an L-shaped dining space and a smattering of four and two-tops.  I had tried to eat here right after it opened but a lack of a liquor license meant a pass.  Nearly two years later I FINALLY make it in before a DPAC show and I’m sort of sorry I hadn’t tried earlier because it’s a solid eatery!  Different from Mateo but still worth the effort.  Here’s why!

Interior of Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Interior of Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

While not as elaborate as Mateo, Taberna Tapas sports a very comfortable and casual feel.  The space is focused on the bar up front with wine cubbies overhead.  The dining space is a bit tight and wraps around the bar which does give Taberna a more cozy experience.  There are a bunch of two tops on the right hand side which to me, makes it feel like a space that you pop into for a quick bite, right in line with my thoughts on tapas.  We grab a small table with a bench on one side to avoid a cramped high-boy against the wall.

Stuffed dates at Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Stuffed dates at Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Short rib at Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Short rib at Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

Taberna’s menu comes on one sheet but it seems pretty deep and offers plenty of options.  For starters we get some bacon-wrapped stuffed dates, croquettes, and short rib.  The dates are excellent: plump and filled with cheese and an almond.  Good portion size with five on the plate.  I also got to try out the chicken and bacon croquetas which were nice crisp patties with some creaminess in the middle a good choice.  And I’ll try the short rib next time!  Didn’t eat too much since I had just gone a bit crazy at lunch with Soo Cafe’s Korean fried chicken.  But of course I couldn’t resist a sweet finish and we did a dense flan with almonds which was great for $4.  The pitcher of sangria that went with the meal was delicious and full of fruit.

Flan at Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining
Flan at Taberna Tapas in Durham, NC Triangle Dining

All-in-all I’d have to say I liked Taberna Tapas quite a bit.  Simpler and more basic than Mateo, tapas were always meant to be a simple tide you over offering while you sipped on drinks.  And I think they do a good job at Taberna for the price. So while the space here is limited, definitely check out Taberna Tapas especially if you’re hitting up a DPAC show.  With its more inconspicuous presence I think you’ll find it makes a nice alternative to the extremely popular Mateo!  Buen apetito…

 

Taberna Tapas

325 West Main Street

Durham, NC 27701

919.797.1457

 

Taberna Tapas menu

Location on Google maps

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Filed Under: Durham, Restaurant & Bar Reviews Tagged With: DPAC Restaurants and Bars, Spanish Restaurants, Tapas

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