A Study of José Andrés- Part One: Overview

Having lived in the metro area of DC my whole life, I've been accustomed to seeing great restaurants come and go. Since I've only very recently discovered my "foody" passion, I have yet to experience a lot of them first hand. Growing up in Bethesda, I watched my hometown turn into a restaurant-Mecca of sorts with bug names such as Mussel Bar's Chef Robert Wiedmaier,  Chef Tony's (formerly Visions) Chef Tony Marciante, and of course, Jaleo's Chef José Andrés. My chef instructor, Susan Callahan, has told me on numerous occasions that she would gladly run away with José Andrés. Thats a bold statement. I'd like to know more about this man. 


Luckily I live within metro-distance of most of his restaurants (the others are in Las Vegas). So I decided to do my own impromptu study of him; researching his life, going to each of his restaurants, tasting and experiencing his cuisine. This is going to be a 5-part post. I can't promise promptness, but I can assure you all that I will eat as much as my student-limited budget will allow and bring you all the details I can on each restaurant; from atmosphere and service to food and drink. 
Through what I have found on the internet, here is a brief overview of the restaurants that I will be reviewing (in my own unique way) one at a time:

• minibar by José Andrés 

• 405 8th Street NW Washington, DC 20004
• One of two flagship restaurants; the other one is "é", is located in Las Vegas. 
• Three chefs serve a prix fixe menu of thirty to thirty-five small courses to six diners at a time. 
• For a cool visual of how José Andrés uses molecular gastronomy at this location, watch this video: Almond Cups with Spanish Blue Cheese
• America Eats 

• 405 8th St NW Washington DC 20004
• This restaurant serves traditional American dishes 
• Works in conjunction with the Foundation for the National Archives in the former Cafe Atlantico space.
• Named after the Works Progress Administration (WPA) writers project of the 1930s
• A "casual tavern menu" is offered on the first floor, while a "more refined and elegant menu" (minibar)  is featured on the second and third.


• Jaleo

• 480 7th Street NW Washington, DC 20004
• The restaurant serves traditional Spanish tapas. 
• Jaleo has four locations, in Washington, D.C.; Bethesda, Maryland; Arlington, Virginia and at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. 
• "Jaleo" is named after a painting by John Singer Sargent.


• Zaytinya 

• 701 9th Street NW Washington, DC 20004
• This restaurant serves mezze, known regionally as meze, maza or mezethes, small plates of food from the Mediterranean regions of Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon. 
• The word Zaytinya means "olive oil" in Turkish. 
• The restaurant is a short distance from the Verizon Center.
• Since it's opening in 2003, Zaytinya has repeatedly ranked as a "Top D.C. Dining Destination" 
• Oyamel 

• 401 7th Street NW Washington, DC 20004
• This location serves a variety of small plates and antojitos. 
• It was originally located in Crystal City in Arlington, but reopened in Penn Quarter in February 2007. 
• Andrés consulted Mexican food expert extraordinaire Diana Kennedy (one of my personal favorite references for Mexican cooking) while developing the menu for Oyamel.

So now I will go on my Chef José Andrés-inspired adventure. Stay tuned for fun-filled reviews of each and every one of these restaurants (and more) in the coming weeks. And please let me know if you have suggestions, comments, or advice. From one foody to another. Eat well!!!

For more information on José Andrés, check out these sites:
Jose Made in Spain

Think Food Group

José Andrés' Facebook

@chefjoseandres

**Please be aware, I am in no way an expert on anything that I write about. I'm just a young woman who loves food and wants to learn more about everything**

Sushi and Bubbly! FujiMar Opening

A week earlier, I received an email from my mentor, Amy Riolo, inviting me to a grand restaurant opening. As she is away for the month, she told me to go in her place. I was allowed one guest. My friend Casey Merrick and I had plans to stop at Schneider's of Capitol Hill. The Italian couple that I'd worked with earlier in the week, Anontello and Laura, were hosting a tasting of wine from Puglia and I wanted to stop by and see them before the main event of the night. 

We arrived at Schneiders, where we tasted delicious wine and excellent home-made foccacia. Plus I got to see Laura and Antonello one more time, so that made it even better!

Next we went directly to 1401 K Street, NW. We hopped out and were greeted by this scene:

The front of the restaurant was set up with tents, bright lights, tables and couches, and portable heating units. 

We walked up to the entrance and were greeted by a very good-looking pair of men. They asked for my name and a little tiny voice in my head told me "they know you don't belong here!-this is when you get caught." Behold- my name was on the list! They removed the velvet rope and we were in! The excitement and anticipation swam through my body as the scantily clad young ladies opened the door to reveal FujiMar to us.

We walked in, clearly on the earlier side as there were only a few people sitting at tables, chatting and enjoying a drink. I looked over at the closest table and locked eyes with a women who seemed vaguely familiar. That always happens to me when I go out- I think I see someone that I know and I make a fool of myself by asking "do I look familiar?"

But this time was an exception- I did in fact know this woman. She had booked the t.v. spot on USA9 News Now that I had assisted with only two days earlier. Janet Terry is her name, and Casey and I decided to sit down her and her friend.

It took quite a few minutes to get one of the waiters over to our table, and they were not very savvy to what was going on. I asked them what was on the complimentary wine list, and they had to check with the bar twice to give us an answer. We decided on a glass of Prosecco and clinked glasses in celebration of a fun night.
                                   

At 7:00, we were told to ascend the steps to the restaurant. We walked around for a few minutes, taking pictures and soaking in the beautiful atmosphere. Soon, servers were walking around, passing out appetizers and refilling our wine glasses with abandon.

Beef skewers, eel and scallop sushi, and shrimp skewers were a few of the highlights. The fish was so fresh, it tasted as though they had caught it only hours earlier.

Spicy Tuna Sushi with Roasted Jalapeno 

One of the dishes I could have done without, however, were the fish croquettes. And then there were the ground beef empanadas; all I could taste was the cilantro!

We spent the next hour or so walking around, introducing ourselves to people, tasting everything that came our way. I even met the owner, Masoud, who gave me his card and told me "this is not the food we serve. If you want to try our real menu, give me a call- I'll set you up." I intend to do just that!

The Back Lounge

One part of the restaurant that they had not yet set up for us was the sake bar. Hidden in a cute little corner, it was stocked with the largest variety of sake that I'd ever seen- but that's not saying much. I don't know why it wasn't being used that night. I would have liked to have some sake with my sushi!

Sake Bar

The Executive Chef, Raynold Medizabal, started walking around after a little while. I pulled him over in our direction and told him he had done a fabulous job. He was busy, clearly, but he managed to spend a few minutes with us as tell us a little about his inspirations. He later sought us out to let us taste some truffles he'd made. He was a very nice man. I gave him my card :)

 Raynold Medizabal and I

 

Saxophone Player and DJ Booth

One of the coolest aspects of the furniture and decor were these swinging chairs. We referred to them as "bubble chairs," and they were the most popular place in the restaurant. There were people literally waiting in lines to get in them and have a friend take a picture. We joined the fad.

Casey in the Bubble Chair!

There are so many things that I wish I could share with you all. It's just one of those things you'll have to experience on your own. I highly recommend FujiMar for a nice night out in DC. It's a block away from McPherson Square Metro Station so it's easy to access from anywhere in the DC/Metro area. The food is fab, the drinks were very unique, and the atmosphere is so alive and fresh.

For Reservations

Cactus Cantina

Tonight I went to dinner with one of my very best friends, Carolyn Eby. She lives in South East DC and I live in Gaithersburg, MD so we decided to meet somewhere in between. I'm into Mexican food, so we decided on a little place called Cactus Cantina. Located on Wisconsin Avenue between Glover Park and Tenleytown, this restaurant has a rich history in northwest DC.

I had never been there myself but I've heard great things. Before we went, I read a couple of reviews from fellow foodies. I found out a few things that I kept in mind while perusing the menu. For one thing, I heard the house-made tortilla chips are amazing. A true statement. They come to your table fresh and warm with just the right amount of salt and sweet corn taste. The salsa was great too- very much like the salsa I've had at places like Guapos and Uncle Julio's.

Carolyn and I ordered one of the appetizers from the specials menu- Queso and Guacamole. The queso was way too sweet. It tasted as though someone had dumped sugar in there in place of salt. We thought some hot sauce might help, so we asked our waitress who brought us typical tabasco sauce- not the right addition to our Mexican meal. The guacamole was alright- fresh avocados were definitely used. It was lacking in other ingredients, however. There were probably a total of 4 tomato chunks in the entire scoop and not a single piece of onion. Not what I like to see when I'm paying $8.95 for an appetizer.

Then it was time for the main course. Carolyn is a big mango fan. As I was sitting in the restaurant, drinking my Corona Light, I saw on the specials menu that there was a Mango Chicken dish. I knew immediately that this would soon be in my friend's stomach. It came to us completely covered in sauce and extremely bright and colorful veggies. It was a delicious dish. If there were one thing I would complain about, it would be the sheer amount of the sauce. But everything else was delectable. And for $13.95, I'd go back and order that for myself.

Mango Chicken Platter- from the specials menu

I always tell myself that I'm going to try something new- something that I've never had before. Then I always end up getting the combination platter. In a way, it is trying something new! I find it very cool to compare and contrast every Mexican restaurant with one another, determining who has the best tamales, enchilada, etc. The platter that I ordered at Cactus Cantina included a Chicken Enchilada, a Cheese Chile Relleno, a Beef Taco al Carbon, and a Pork Tamale. Since I don't eat pork, I requested a Chicken Tamale instead. Out of this entire dish, I would say the tamale stands out the most for me. I don't remember where I heard this, but I know that somewhere in Mexico or Central America, it is traditional to include chick peas and green olives in the tamale. This was a nice surprise that I received when I dug in. The chick peas made a fabulous textural difference in the masa, the chicken with perfectly moist, and everything all together made the tamale outstanding. As for the other components, I couldn't find anything wrong with them, but they were nothing special. This combination platter, Cantina's Special, costs $15.95.

My Combination Platter: Mexican Rice, Chicken Tamale, Chicken Enchilada, Cheese Chile Relleno, Beef Taco al Carbon, Pico de Gallo, and Guacamole. 

For dessert, we orders from the specials menu again. Tres Leches Cake. It was moist and warm, but it lacked the yummy condensed milk flavor that I was expecting.

Tres Leches Cake- $6.50

All in all, Cactus Cantina delivered on the basics. I didn't try the margaritas or sangria, but I intend to in the future. I'll definitely be back.

A Lesson in Entrepreneurship

When I was a child, I used to print out flyers and pass them around my neighborhood. I offered my neighbors dog-walking, car washes, lawn work- I even had a semi-successful video rental business at a young age! Ever since then, my parents always told me I was going to be a great entrepreneur. It didn't mean much until I was able to pronounce and spell the word myself and I finally learned what it meant! Last semester, I took a class called "Essentials of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management." I have been a part of many small businesses- I tend to gravitate towards them when looking for a job. There is something about the familial nature of a grass-roots business, the familiarity one can have with his or her boss. I always knew this was the right type of business for me.

About four years ago, I started working at a store in a local mall called The English Trading Company. Long story short, this business was a small, privately owned partnership, and had that family feeling that I love in a company. When the store went out of business, I helped them close their doors. It was a tough time for everyone.  One of the partners decided to continue the business under a different name, Knightsbridge Trading Company. I helped him open his new store and I have seen the hardships, trials and tribulations of starting a small business. It's not all tough, though. The three employees, myself and two other incredibly hard-working women, have helped this strong, determined man maintain a store that has loyal customers that have followed us for almost 20 years!

The reason I'm sharing this with you is because I had the amazing opportunity to join the Cornell Entrepreneur Network at a panel discussion last week. The question and answer session took place at The Liaison Capital Hill in Washington, DC. I went with my mentor, Amy Riolo, who graduated from Cornell in 1995. She was asked by the Cornell Alumni Association to speak on the panel. It was an honor for her to be asked, and it was an honor for me to join her.

I was so proud to have my ID badge say "Amy Riolo- Intern"

The name event was "Epicures and Bon Vivants: A New Breed of Entrepreneur in the Business of Hospitality, Food and Drink." All of the speakers had graduated from Cornell and have a lot of advice to give up-and-coming entrepreneurs as well as the average business man (or woman!) Here is a list and short description of the speakers:

• Nick Bayer, class of '00. President/CEO of Saxby's Coffee. 
• Amy Riolo, class of '95. Food Historian, Author, and Restaurant Consultant. 
• Zach Koff, class of '02. Director of Operations, Shake Shack. 
• Jay Treadwill, class of '61. Principal, Optimum Hospitality Services. 

The moderator was a nice man by the name of Bill Eaton, who had also graduated in 1961. He asked each panelist a question, they answered it, and the other speakers chimed in when they thought it appropriate. There was a wealth of knowledge at that small table, and it was amazing to see everyone in the "audience" so inspired by them. 

The Speakers: Nick Bayer, Amy Riolo, Zach Koff, and Jay Treadwill

Although there were many good things said, these are the things that really stuck with me (please keep in mind, these are opinions, not fact.) 

• Due to the high volume of importing produce and food from other countries, there is a shift in the dining patterns of exporting countries. The speaker gave the example of quinoa, primarily exported from Ecuador, Bolivia, Columbia, and Peru. Because of the more recent increase in demand for the consumption of quinoa in countries around the world, natives to the cultivating countries have seen their diets change. This is really interesting, and something that I never would have thought of on my own. I'm curious as to some other examples of this in other places around the world.....
• One of the speakers was asked if "Buy Local" was a trend or a fad. They replied by stating it is not a fad. Fads come and go, trends will shape the way that our society eats, thinks, and makes money. He also clarified this statement by claiming that "local" means within 300 miles, or a 1 day trip back and forth. 
• When asked by an audience member about the pros and cons of free wi-fi at his establishment, Nick Bayer, CEO of Saxbys Coffee, said he highly recommends it. Even though there will be those people who come and sit in his coffee house, order a $1.00 cup of drip coffee, and surf the web for the next four hours, he says that wi-fi creates a sort of synergy that can't be faked. When someone walks by a coffee shop with no one in it, they may think there is something wrong with the establishment. If, however, there are a bunch of people looking comfortable and satisfied, they will inevitably be more willing to give it a try. I urge business owners to think about the long-term effect that free wi-fi can have on your business. Sure, you'll get those few rude people who come in just to use your internet, but if you think about it, they are giving you free advertising!
• Amy, an extremely knowledgable woman when it comes to dietary cuisine trends, stated that she believes the next trend in ethnic cuisine will come from those countries who have recently, or will in the near future, end conflict. An interesting thought, especially considering the vast amount of conflict in the Middle East. Oh who are we kidding, there's conflict everywhere. It's time we all tap into ethnic cuisines we've never even imagined... Who wants to come to a Cypriot restaurant with me?!