Jaleo

In theater season, Jaleo's dining room fills and empties each evening according to the performance schedule of the Shakespeare Theater, right next door. Lunchtime always draws a crowd from nearby office buildings and the Hill. This restaurant, ... more

In theater season, Jaleo's dining room fills and empties each evening according to the performance schedule of the Shakespeare Theater, right next door. Lunchtime always draws a crowd from nearby office buildings and the Hill. This restaurant, which opened in 1993, may be credited with initiating the tapas craze in Washington. Though the menu offers a handful of entrees, you really want to consider the tapas, of which there are about 55. These include a very simple but not-to-be-missed grilled bread layered with a paste of fresh tomatoes and topped with anchovies; savory warm goat cheese served with toast points; a skewer of grilled chorizo sausage atop garlic mashed potatoes; a delicious mushroom tart served with roasted red-pepper sauce; and gazpacho. Paella is among the few heartier entrees (it feeds four). Spanish wines, sangrias, and sherries are available by the glass. Finish with a rum-and-butter-soaked apple charlotte in bread pastry or a plate of Spanish cheeses. The casual-chic interior focuses on a large mural of a flamenco dancer inspired by John Singer Sargent's painting Jaleo. On Wednesday at 7:45pm and 8:45pm, flamenco dancers perform. A second and even prettier Jaleo is located in the suburbs, at 7271 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda, Maryland (tel. 301/913-0003). Though this branch is within walking distance of my house, I prefer the ambience of the original D.C. location. less

Go with the tapas. (Are there entrees?) They keep bringing them, a few at a time, so you have a chance to taste and enjoy each dish as it appears. Try something new; the menu is crowded with tastes you've never had. Everything I've had ... more

Go with the tapas. (Are there entrees?) They keep bringing them, a few at a time, so you have a chance to taste and enjoy each dish as it appears. Try something new; the menu is crowded with tastes you've never had. Everything I've had there is wonderful. And wash it all down with some sangria. You're guaranteed to have a fun, loose evening! (The only complaint I've had there, and I've eaten in both the downtown and Bethesda locations, is that it can get noisy, but that can be part of the fun.) less

YOU should give Jaleo a try. Wonderful tapas and a very nice wine list to go with them. They have this potato dish with a garlic tomato sauce that rocks. The cheeses, the sardines, the dates, the mussels, the codfish stew, the sausages, everything ... more

YOU should give Jaleo a try. Wonderful tapas and a very nice wine list to go with them. They have this potato dish with a garlic tomato sauce that rocks. The cheeses, the sardines, the dates, the mussels, the codfish stew, the sausages, everything is delicious. I like both the DC and Bethesda outposts less

Great tapas restaurant with great atmosphere - I went to the one in downtown DC, but there is also one in Bethesda. The selection of dishes and wines is excellent. Obviously, you should not expect huge servings in a tapas restaurant. I love the ch ... more

Great tapas restaurant with great atmosphere - I went to the one in downtown DC, but there is also one in Bethesda. The selection of dishes and wines is excellent. Obviously, you should not expect huge servings in a tapas restaurant. I love the cheeses, cut meats, deep fried bacon-wrapped dates, spinach, portobello mushrooms, and asparagus in particular. In addition, I agree with other reviewers that the pan seared sardines were excellent. The service was prompt and very friendly - they deserve their tips. less

Forget the entrees, this is a tapas restaurant. Prices are a little high, but the food is very good. The selection of wines and sherrys is excellent. I really enjoyed the pan seared sardines and the mussels were excellent. The salmon with eggpl ... more

Forget the entrees, this is a tapas restaurant. Prices are a little high, but the food is very good. The selection of wines and sherrys is excellent. I really enjoyed the pan seared sardines and the mussels were excellent. The salmon with eggplant was very good too. This place can get very crowded so it is good to make a reservation, especially on weekends. Deserts are authentic and very well presented. The service was prompt and very friendly. less