Jaleo-Las Vegas is but one of five in the U.S. and Asia. I first dined at the original in Washington D.C. a long time ago and I was eager to introduce my family to Jose’s food.
José Andrés and I
We go way back, almost two decades. He creates the food and I love to eat it. Don’t expect to find a lot of criticism here, because if I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t write about it. I’ve dined with him at Cafe Atlantico, Jaleo, Minibar and Zaytinya in D.C., The Bazaar-South Beach, Bazaar Meat and Jaleo in Vegas. Now add Jaleo – Orlando to the list.
I’m a fan not of only his Spanish tapas, but also his humanitarian charitable works as founder of World Central Kitchen.
Dinner at Jaleo
Our first course to arrive shortly after cocktails is raw sheep’s milk manchego cheese with fried, salted Spanish Marcona almonds.
Brik pastry cone with cured iberica sausage, goat cheese and honey
Ham tasting. A selection of jamón iberico de bellota, paletilla iberica, jamón serrano and lomo iberico hams
Liquid olives are Jose’s homage to El Bulli and Ferran Adria.
Classic Spanish omelet with potatoes and onions
Pressed sandwich of serrano ham and manchego cheese
Octopus with potatoes and pimentón
Ribeye paella for two, found at Orlando Magic Springs. They rang the bell and yelled “paella” when this arrived at our table!
Individual serving of Basque style goat cheese cheesecake in Las Vegas.
Classic Spanish custard with Catalan whipped cream in Las Vegas. This is the best flan I have ever tasted. It is life changing and every bit as good as I remembered from The Bazaar-South Beach Miami.
Washington D.C. vs. Las Vegas vs. Orlando
I dined alone in Washington, but I loved introducing my wife to Spanish tapas in Vegas, then my son in Orlando. The menus are similar and José “borrows” some recipes to offer at his other restaurants. Ferran Adria liquid olive is served at all Jaleos, Bazaar Meat, The Bazaar-Miami and my first dinner at Minibar. Variations on cones, caviar and others are also shared menu items.
Jaleo is a fun, high energy restaurant that won’t break the bank, unless you go crazy and order one of everything. Trust me, it’s tempting and if you do, they might ring the bell and yell Paella!