Jaleo's little bites of happiness

There’s food you eat knowing that with each bite you experience, in edible form, the primal ethnic authenticity of your ancestors- or at least, someone’s ancestors. And then there is the food that, while having much less connection with the culinary tradition it clams all the hallmarks of, still tastes damn good.

Jaleo is my new Spanish place in this second strain. There is no tapas in Spain that tastes like this - at least in the regions I know- but man oh man is it good anyway. The quality of ingredients is right off the vine, the dish ideas are creative, and the intense sauces will make you vow to learn to cook tomorrow, or next week latest. Bring a group: the average person has room for between 2-3 plates so it’s best to order a dozen and share.

We tried:

• Rabbit in dried fruit sauce - Incredible: I waited till no one was looking and cleaned the plate with my fingers

• Eggplant Flan - I liked it, my dining partner did not

• Pork in orange sauce - I was dubious. I was wrong. You didn’t need a knife, or even a tongue. You could have spread this stuff on bread it was so tender.

• Stuffed quail and lentil stew - The quail was nothing special but the lentils have made me rethink small brown legumes everywhere.

• Steamed Mussels with bay leaves and olive oil – Yep. Sometimes simple is best

• Raw tuna with anchovy oil and pine nuts - I am spoiled for sushi forever.

Jaleo | 480 7th Street, NW