For this Tasty Tuesday, I’m writing about a restaurant that I would never have gone to on my own – Jaleo at Disney Springs. My good friend Kim over at @kimswatchable on Instagram and her fiance, Scott, are big fans of all restaurants by José Andrés – because we’re close friends and locals, they’ve coaxed me into going a few times – our latest and most spectacular for Kim’s birthday dinner.
Whether you’re on vacation at the Walt Disney World Resort or you’re an Orlando local, Jaleo, by José Andrés is the perfect place for a fun night out. The atmosphere is lively and the restaurant is spacious. Which makes it a perfect 2020 spot. More importantly, the food creates an experience all its’ own with dishes and flavors you can’t find anywhere else! Ever since our last trip, I’ve been dreaming about heading back for their unique tapas.
The Main Course
Typically, I would write about the meal in the order dishes were served. However, the paletilla iberica de bellota is too delicious to wait. Described on the Jaleo menu as “36-month cured ham shoulder from the legendary free-range, acorn-fed, black-footed ibérico pigs of Spain,” this dish has blown away all of my expectations on multiple occasions. First with flavor and texture. I am never the person who orders pork. Ever. But this pork tastes as if a tender skirt steak and a flavorful ham had a baby. The meat has an incredible mouth-feel and provides the rich flavor of fat without feeling fatty.
The ham shoulder is served alongside some of the creamiest mashed potatoes in the world. Their smooth texture and buttery flavor accompany the meat beautifully.
What I like most about this dish is that it’s not something you will find in many other restaurants. It’s an opportunity to, most likely, try something completely new. As an adventurous eater, finding something I’ve never seen before on the menu is my favorite risk to take. I took this one for you and I can say it’s more than worth the $30 price tag.
To accompany the dish, our server recommended setas al ajillo, sautéed mushrooms coated in oil, herbs, garlic, and white wine and espinacas a la catalana, spinach cooked to perfection with pine nuts, raisins, and apples. Both were delicious takes on what could have been just a bland side of vegetables.
Tapas at Jaleo
The menu is served tapas-style at Jaleo, which is one of my favorite ways to eat. I’ve always loved having the option of trying a bit of everything on the table. After living in Europe for six months during my time in college, my love for this dining style only grew.
Luckily for me, during our dining at Jaleo, there was a great group of friends to share with, meaning we all had the pleasure of trying a diverse and filling spread of small plates.
Since I never think there is enough garlic in a meal, an instant favorite of mine was the gambas al ajillo. Juicy shrimp with great quality olive oil and razor-thin slices of garlic are served in small ceramic dishes. Spoon them out to eat them as-is or on top of crusty pieces of bread.
In addition to the shrimp, we enjoyed pan de cristal con tomate, a crusty, toasted bread topped with fresh crushed tomatoes. This dish stood out to me because it was so simple. With so many big flavors on the table, this dish stood apart by using quality ingredients to make a two-ingredient dish shine.
Gazpacho al estilo algeciras, endivias con queso de cabra y naranjas, and cebolla asada also had spots on the table. The gazpacho packed a bright, acidic punch, and cut through the richness of the rest of the meal.
The endives stuffed with rich goat cheese, almond slivers, and mandarin oranges combined sweet citrus with big textures and flavors in a total win. The final dish was sweet, and sticky caramelized onion slices, slow-roasted, and topped with bleu cheese. I detest bleu cheese but I could not pass up the chance to try these onions, which were just as delicious as they looked.
Overall experience
The experience at Jaleo is what leaves me longing to return. From unique dishes and drinks to the open kitchen, it’s just such a great place for any night out. From the food to the service, this is a place I will certainly be heading back to soon!
Want more Tasty Tuesday? Check out my Death Row Disney meals for fun ideas on great places to eat around the Walt Disney World Resort.
