José Andrés’s first-ever restaurant—the original Jaleo in Penn Quarter—and its suburban siblings still feel lively 26 years in. Credit fanciful presentations (foosball-turned-dining tables, croquetas served in glass sneakers), stellar sangría, and wide-reaching menus that embrace picky eaters and food lovers alike (pan con tomate for one camp, Ibérico/sea-urchin toast for the other). Meanwhile, classics such as cod fritters and garlic shrimp rarely disappoint. Moderate.
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
Jessica Sidman covers the people and trends behind D.C.’s food and drink scene. Before joining Washingtonian in July 2016, she was Food Editor and Young & Hungry columnist at Washington City Paper. She is a Colorado native and University of Pennsylvania grad.
