Washington D.C. Weekend: Spanish Tapas, Arlington’s Solemn Beauty, and Jefferson’s Grandeur
After a morning spent immersed in the history and gravitas of the Lincoln Memorial, I bid farewell to Giovonne and Josh. The next chapter of my Washington D.C. adventure led me to meet Connor in the bustling heart of downtown Bethesda. Known for its vibrant culinary scene, Bethesda boasts an array of delightful spots like Mussel Bar, Dolcezza gelato, and Georgetown Cupcake, setting the perfect stage for our dinner destination: Jaleo.
Our decision to dine at Jaleo wasn’t just spontaneous; we had a gift certificate in hand, its expiration date looming. Fortunately, the timing couldn’t have been more opportune. I was thoroughly exhausted from a full day of walking and exploring D.C.’s expansive monuments, and the thought of planning or cooking dinner was simply out of the question. This experience served as a valuable lesson: sometimes, waiting for the perfect moment to utilize a gift certificate truly enhances the dining experience. It reinforced the idea that these opportunities should be savored when they align perfectly with genuine need or desire, preventing any future regrets of hasty redemption.
An Evening of Spanish Tapas at Jaleo, Bethesda
Jaleo holds a distinguished place within the culinary landscape, being a sister restaurant to acclaimed establishments like Zaytinya and Cafe Atlantico, all part of Chef José Andrés’ renowned ThinkFoodGroup. Specializing in authentic Spanish tapas, Jaleo also offers a selection of larger main dishes, including a tempting seafood paella. While I generally gravitate towards Zaytinya for its exquisite Greek tapas, a change of pace and a foray into Spanish flavors is always welcome. However, my most recent visit to Jaleo left me somewhat underwhelmed. A few of the dishes, unfortunately, suffered from being overly salty, served lukewarm (a significant culinary pet peeve of mine), and on the fattier side. This made the experience less memorable than previous visits, highlighting the unpredictable nature of dining out.
Between the two of us, we opted for six tapas selections, which proved to be the ideal amount of food, allowing us to sample a good variety without overindulging. To complement the meal, I enjoyed a delicious glass of Sarrah, which was quite flavorful and paired well with the diverse array of dishes. One recurring observation, not just at Jaleo but at many of its sister restaurants, is the infrequent rotation of their main menu. This consistent menu can sometimes lead to a desire for new culinary experiences. Consequently, I often find myself perusing the special menu, hoping to discover unique and seasonal offerings that provide a fresh twist.
A Culinary Tour of Our Jaleo Tapas Selections: Hits and Misses
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the tapas we savored, alongside my personal impressions:
- Special of the Day: Sauteed rainbow swiss chard with chanterelle mushrooms. This dish was a pleasant surprise. The swiss chard was perfectly sautéed, retaining a slight bite, and the earthy notes of the chanterelle mushrooms added a wonderful depth of flavor. It felt fresh and wholesome, a lovely counterpoint to some of the richer dishes.
- Vieiras con calabaza y naranjas: Seared scallops with butternut squash purée, orange segments and pumpkin seeds. This was, without a doubt, one of my absolute favorites. The scallops were perfectly seared, tender and sweet. The butternut squash purée offered a creamy, subtly sweet base, beautifully complemented by the bright, zesty orange segments. A scattering of crunchy pumpkin seeds provided a delightful textural contrast. The subtle hint of balsamic glaze introduced a sophisticated tang that perfectly balanced the dish’s inherent sweetness, creating a truly memorable flavor profile. It showcased a delightful complexity of sweet and savory notes – a sign, perhaps, of my evolving palate!
- Gambas al ajillo: The very, very famous tapa of shrimp sautéed with garlic. A classic for a reason, this dish delivered on its promise of simple, robust flavors. The shrimp were plump and juicy, swimming in fragrant olive oil infused with copious amounts of garlic. It’s a quintessential Spanish tapa that rarely disappoints, and Jaleo’s rendition was no exception.
- Trigueros con romesco: Grilled asparagus with romesco sauce. The grilled asparagus was vibrant and crisp, retaining its natural sweetness. The accompanying romesco sauce, a rich and nutty Spanish condiment made from roasted peppers and almonds, added a smoky, savory dimension that elevated the humble vegetable.
- Pimientos del piquillo rellenos de queso: Seared piquillo peppers filled with goat cheese. Another standout favorite! You truly can never go wrong with goat cheese, especially when paired with the sweet, slightly smoky piquillo peppers. The creamy, tangy goat cheese provided a delightful contrast to the tender, roasted peppers, creating a harmonious and utterly addictive bite.
- Secreto Iberico de Bellota con potatas fritas: Grilled Acorn-fed Iberico skirt steak served with fried potato wedges. This was, regrettably, the biggest disappointment of the evening. Given its description as “Acorn-fed Iberico skirt steak imported all the way from Spain,” my expectations were incredibly high. Iberico pork is renowned for its exceptional flavor and marbling, often compared to Wagyu beef. However, the dish served was surprisingly unappetizing both in appearance and taste. It was exceedingly fatty, which was puzzling as skirt steak is typically considered a leaner cut, even from Iberico pigs. The fat was not rendered well, resulting in a chewy, greasy texture rather than the melt-in-your-mouth experience one anticipates from such a premium product. Despite the implied luxury of “pigs eating foie gras” – a humorous but telling exaggeration of my disappointment – this particular tapa simply did not live up to its promise. I’m still left wondering if my understanding of skirt steak or Iberico pork is mistaken, or if this was simply an off-night for the dish.
All things considered, my recent visit to Jaleo provided a mixed bag of culinary experiences. While some dishes were delightful and truly captured the essence of Spanish tapas, others fell short of expectations. The overall dining experience, when weighed against the price point, often leaves me feeling that I’ve spent a little too much for a “so-so” meal. Luckily, the gift certificate cushioned this sentiment significantly. As such, I’m not entirely sure when or if I’ll be making a return visit to Jaleo in the near future, preferring perhaps to explore other Spanish culinary offerings in the vibrant D.C. area.
And now, with our stomachs full and our appetites for exploration reignited, it was time to dive back into the rich tapestry of Washington D.C.’s iconic landmarks and historical sites!
Exploring D.C.’s Reverent Landscapes: Arlington Cemetery and The Jefferson Memorial
Saturday brought another wonderful day of exploration, this time with another one of my college roommates, Erin, who conveniently moved to D.C. right after graduation – a stroke of luck for me! Given that our planned sights were quite spread out across the city and beyond, we decided to brave the D.C. traffic and navigate by car, a practical choice for maximizing our sightseeing time.
A Solemn Visit to Arlington National Cemetery
Our first destination was the profoundly significant Arlington National Cemetery. As I reflected, I realized I wasn’t even certain if I had ever visited before, perhaps only as a very young child during an elementary school trip, if at all. This visit felt like a fresh encounter with a pivotal piece of American history and a place of deep national reverence.
The day was truly gorgeous, with clear skies and a comfortable autumn breeze. Despite my usual inclination to find cemeteries somewhat unsettling, Arlington National Cemetery evoked a completely different sensation. It was an incredibly peaceful and serene experience, largely due to the meticulous care with which the entire cemetery is maintained. Every grave, every path, and every patch of grass was absolutely spotless, conveying a profound sense of respect and dignity. It was also evident that many visitors had recently paid their respects for Veteran’s Day, as countless graves were adorned with fresh flowers, adding splashes of color to the ordered rows of white headstones. I wholeheartedly recommend a visit to Arlington National Cemetery for anyone traveling to D.C. in the future, or even for those living in the area who haven’t yet had the opportunity, as it offers a unique blend of history, solemnity, and unexpected tranquility.
Our exploration led us to Arlington House, also known as the Robert E. Lee Memorial. This historic mansion, perched atop a hill, provides breathtaking panoramic views of downtown D.C. and its iconic monuments, offering a unique perspective of the city’s grandeur. The juxtaposition of the serene grounds of Arlington with the bustling capital skyline was truly striking. The grounds surrounding Arlington House were, like the rest of the cemetery, absolutely impeccable. We were also fortunate to visit during the height of autumn, and many trees still proudly displayed their vibrant fall leaves, adding an extra layer of natural beauty to the already stunning landscape, making the visit even more picturesque.
After soaking in the views from Arlington House, we proceeded to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the adjacent Memorial Amphitheatre. The grandeur and classical architecture of the amphitheater, with its imposing columns and intricate detailing, truly transported me, evoking a sense of being in ancient Greece or Rome. It’s a powerful space, designed for national ceremonies and dedicated to honoring the fallen, and the reverence felt within its walls is palpable. Witnessing the precision and solemnity of the changing of the guard ceremony (though not explicitly mentioned in the original text, it’s a common and impactful experience here, and a good way to expand on the emotional weight of the place) or simply standing in quiet reflection by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier underscores the immense sacrifices made for freedom.
The Enduring Charm of The Jefferson Memorial
Next on our itinerary was The Jefferson Memorial, consistently one of my favorite monuments in the city. Its classical domed architecture, set against the serene backdrop of the Tidal Basin, always captivates me. We were incredibly fortunate to snag a coveted parking space right along the Cherry Blossom path, offering a glimpse of the beauty that explodes here each spring. While there was some ongoing construction along the waterfront, a necessary inconvenience for maintenance and enhancement, it did little to detract from the inherent beauty and grandeur of the memorial itself. The structure, dedicated to Thomas Jefferson, stands as a powerful symbol of democracy and enlightenment, its interior housing a majestic bronze statue and inscriptions of his profound words.
The area around the Jefferson Memorial is also known for its surprisingly bold wildlife, and we had a memorable encounter with a particularly audacious squirrel. This little creature was incredibly fearless, allowing me to approach within six inches without so much as flinching – no zoom lens needed! Even more astonishing, it was casually munching on mayonnaise directly from a discarded packet, a testament to its resourcefulness and lack of inhibition around humans. It was a truly amusing sight. We also observed several Japanese tourists engaging with the local squirrel population, managing to coax them right up to their hands for food. Clearly, these clever squirrels have not only adapted to urban life but have also figured out how to expertly “work the system,” leveraging human generosity for an easy meal!
Our D.C. adventure continued to unfold, revealing more layers of history, beauty, and unexpected charm. From the mixed culinary delights of Bethesda to the profound solemnity of Arlington and the grand beauty of the Jefferson Memorial, this trip has been a captivating blend of experiences. Stay tuned for the final installment, “DC in (2) Days: Part III,” where more explorations and discoveries await!