Jaleo Tapas-bar

They were displaying a variety of dishes featuring Clementines! I had seared clementine with blue cheese and a duck confit with clementine. I really liked the seared clementine, but the confit was not seared (I prefer crispy skin), and the clementine on that dish wasn’t seeded. I think this was the dish’s first night (and a monday), so its execution will probably improve. It was very good, and, like all duck confit dishes, must suffer comparison to Atlantico’s, which is superior.

The fried dates were great, as always, and we tried the battered fried shrimp, which were an interesting change. The ‘patatas bravas 2009’ were the third iteration of the dish that I’ve had, and perhaps my favorite so far. These were chunks of tiny potatoes, fried with a crispy exterior, and the same mix of red sauce and aioli from previous iterations. Another dish we ordered was a brussel sprout salad, served warm with bits of orange, ham, grapes, and apples. Excellent, as well.

The foods nice, the portion are small so you won’t feel stuffed.

I think that this is one of the most overstated, over recommended, restaurants in the area. I did not enjoy the food or the atmosphere.

The menu hasn’t changed much, but it’s still great. Lots more veg items than I remembered. The cava sangria is incredible (regular, the rosé was far too sweet with the strawberries).

Jaleo’s Bethesda Row location is the one I go to most often, and it is definitely worth a stop. I recommend the ham and date fritters, the machengo and apple salad and the garlic shrimp.