We celebrated our anniversary, as we had met at JALEO seven years before, and said goodbye to our favorite of Jose Andres's locations. It was wonderful to see my favorite staff and managers and learn to which restaurants they will be going so we can follow them as well as begin to frequent some of the restaurants in Penn Quarter. We enjoy nothing more than the relaxed and festive JALEO and it sister restaurants, and the fantastic food and service at each. Meanwhile, we want to thank all the dedicated personnel a Crystal City for providing special experiences even when we just dropped in. We love you and we're going to miss you.
Laura
I wanted to visit this location as they were shuddering their doors after 17 years. After being quickly seated, we waited for approximately 15 minutes before we had to ask someone if we had a server. The gentleman checked with the front and said he would assist us. Although friendly, his service was horrible. He forgot orders, food arrived room temperature, incorrect dessert brought, and had to continously ask for the staples e.g., bread and dipping oil. A separate server came to our table and was instrumental in getting us the correct dessert. He was kind enough to clear our table which the busboys overlooked when walking thru the restaurant. This other waiter provided us with the check and chatted with us. He was outstanding and represented the restaurant well.
Polly
This restaurant is about to close. The building is being torn down. We had to have a last meal there, because it held so many good memories. The space is beautiful and the food is beyond compare. It struck us how incredible the ingredients are at Jose's restaurants. We hope he has a space in Arlington again soon.
Doglover
Everything was outstanding at the Crystal City Jaleo, but with the restaurant closing soon this will be our last visit. One of the best restaurants in Arlington/Alexandria, it will be greatly missed.
AndreaF
This is a great restaurant and I'm sad to know it is closing at the end of this week. Hopefully, another one of their restaurants will return to the Northern Virginia area -- be it in Crystal City or even Alexandria. The staff here and the food have always been among the absolute best! Thank you!
AloniaW
We were there for my mother's bday. Hostess acknowledged this note in the reservation, nothing from the waitress, who didn't even introduce herself so I thought she was busser at first. Had questions about accommodating a dietary restriction and her answer was basically take it or leave it because nothing can be done. Food and ambiance good, service was just ok. Been to several of Jose Andres' restaurants so surprised by how mediocre this place felt by the end.
AnnB
Delicious food—our server offered great suggestions on the eggplant and sangria in particular—with reassuringly distanced tables and air purifiers. If your party is large enough for a shared paella, ours was excellent!
JohnR
We found the food to be very interesting and quite delicious. The taps-small plate concept is one we both enjoy. The service was just as good, with prompt, attentive service from all (Austin was great!). Everyone was very friendly. We also found they knew the menu well, and made nice suggestions for add-ons that were worth the cost. The garlic shrimp was right on spec, but perhaps our favorite was the potato salad with tuna and veggies, topped with trout roe -yummy! We will make it a point to return when in the area, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend to others.
Grace D.
To preface, I worked here from 2000 until 2008 in my hey day, so I may be just a lil biased, but the food has consistently been delicious throughout all these years. I know the care that goes into the development of recipes and the care that goes into prepping the food in the kitchen. I also know the emphasis on customer service that is placed onto the staff. I now bring my family here and we always have such a wonderful time. To add, my time here has an employee was the best time and I met the most wonderful people here too. What a special place.
MR58
Outdoor seating is good and all covid precautions are taken. Service was great as always, and food and drinks delicious. We asked to be seated before our reservation time and the staff were very accommodating. We'll keep coming back to Jaleo.
Restaurant was empty. Hostess insisted on seating us in the back though I had requested a window table. That table and most of that area were still unoccupied when we left. The meal was good and staff accommodating of our low carb request.
Valerie Norville
Always delicious, great service, excellent for family parties, great for those with food allergies. It is pretty noisy indoors in the evening. Not for those on a budget.
billinarlington
We opted for inside because it wasnt crowded and the decor and ambiance is so co.fortable and inviting. Sangria Hour is a wonderful way to sample delicious tapas and wine. Then, on to the paella. It was delicious and perfect for 4, could even have gone further. Wait. staff were friendly and attentive. Ambiance is lovely. It was quiet due to pandemic, so easy to social distance.
MrsK
We did the Tasting Experience and were delighted with the quality and quantity of food. Standouts included the Catalan-style (a dried fruit, a fresh fruit and a nut) spinach, the rum pineapple, and the gazpacho). All of the dishes were delicious and there were a LOT of dishes! We did have a setback with our drink but the manager was very responsive. Our server, Mark, was informative and attentive, as were the assistant servers.
JenniferG
We did the Jaleo Experience - this was $75 a person for about 13 tapa plates. The food was overall great, some was over the top delicious, and some were just okay. I would have expected a little more honestly. i do think a menu walking you through what each tapa was would be nice, with staff in masks (which we love!!) it was IMPOSSIBLE to hear the descriptions of the food. Mostly, i have been to other Tapa places that i think are better, and for $75 a person i did not feel totally blown away. I will come back, but i would probably just order a select few instead. Also, they say they require vaccination cards but never asked to see ours, that does not make me feel like it is an enforced requirement.
We celebrated our anniversary, as we had met at JALEO seven years before, and said goodbye to our favorite of Jose Andres's locations. It was wonderful to see my favorite staff and managers and learn to which restaurants they will be going so we can follow them as well as begin to frequent some of the restaurants in Penn Quarter. We enjoy nothing more than the relaxed and festive JALEO and it sister restaurants, and the fantastic food and service at each. Meanwhile, we want to thank all the dedicated personnel a Crystal City for providing special experiences even when we just dropped in. We love you and we're going to miss you.
I wanted to visit this location as they were shuddering their doors after 17 years. After being quickly seated, we waited for approximately 15 minutes before we had to ask someone if we had a server. The gentleman checked with the front and said he would assist us. Although friendly, his service was horrible. He forgot orders, food arrived room temperature, incorrect dessert brought, and had to continously ask for the staples e.g., bread and dipping oil. A separate server came to our table and was instrumental in getting us the correct dessert. He was kind enough to clear our table which the busboys overlooked when walking thru the restaurant. This other waiter provided us with the check and chatted with us. He was outstanding and represented the restaurant well.
This restaurant is about to close. The building is being torn down. We had to have a last meal there, because it held so many good memories. The space is beautiful and the food is beyond compare. It struck us how incredible the ingredients are at Jose's restaurants. We hope he has a space in Arlington again soon.
Everything was outstanding at the Crystal City Jaleo, but with the restaurant closing soon this will be our last visit. One of the best restaurants in Arlington/Alexandria, it will be greatly missed.
This is a great restaurant and I'm sad to know it is closing at the end of this week. Hopefully, another one of their restaurants will return to the Northern Virginia area -- be it in Crystal City or even Alexandria. The staff here and the food have always been among the absolute best! Thank you!
We were there for my mother's bday. Hostess acknowledged this note in the reservation, nothing from the waitress, who didn't even introduce herself so I thought she was busser at first. Had questions about accommodating a dietary restriction and her answer was basically take it or leave it because nothing can be done. Food and ambiance good, service was just ok. Been to several of Jose Andres' restaurants so surprised by how mediocre this place felt by the end.
Delicious food—our server offered great suggestions on the eggplant and sangria in particular—with reassuringly distanced tables and air purifiers. If your party is large enough for a shared paella, ours was excellent!
We found the food to be very interesting and quite delicious. The taps-small plate concept is one we both enjoy. The service was just as good, with prompt, attentive service from all (Austin was great!). Everyone was very friendly. We also found they knew the menu well, and made nice suggestions for add-ons that were worth the cost. The garlic shrimp was right on spec, but perhaps our favorite was the potato salad with tuna and veggies, topped with trout roe -yummy! We will make it a point to return when in the area, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend to others.
To preface, I worked here from 2000 until 2008 in my hey day, so I may be just a lil biased, but the food has consistently been delicious throughout all these years. I know the care that goes into the development of recipes and the care that goes into prepping the food in the kitchen. I also know the emphasis on customer service that is placed onto the staff. I now bring my family here and we always have such a wonderful time. To add, my time here has an employee was the best time and I met the most wonderful people here too. What a special place.
Outdoor seating is good and all covid precautions are taken. Service was great as always, and food and drinks delicious. We asked to be seated before our reservation time and the staff were very accommodating. We'll keep coming back to Jaleo.
Restaurantji Recommends
Restaurant was empty. Hostess insisted on seating us in the back though I had requested a window table. That table and most of that area were still unoccupied when we left. The meal was good and staff accommodating of our low carb request.
Always delicious, great service, excellent for family parties, great for those with food allergies. It is pretty noisy indoors in the evening. Not for those on a budget.
We opted for inside because it wasnt crowded and the decor and ambiance is so co.fortable and inviting. Sangria Hour is a wonderful way to sample delicious tapas and wine. Then, on to the paella. It was delicious and perfect for 4, could even have gone further. Wait. staff were friendly and attentive. Ambiance is lovely. It was quiet due to pandemic, so easy to social distance.
We did the Tasting Experience and were delighted with the quality and quantity of food. Standouts included the Catalan-style (a dried fruit, a fresh fruit and a nut) spinach, the rum pineapple, and the gazpacho). All of the dishes were delicious and there were a LOT of dishes! We did have a setback with our drink but the manager was very responsive. Our server, Mark, was informative and attentive, as were the assistant servers.
We did the Jaleo Experience - this was $75 a person for about 13 tapa plates. The food was overall great, some was over the top delicious, and some were just okay. I would have expected a little more honestly. i do think a menu walking you through what each tapa was would be nice, with staff in masks (which we love!!) it was IMPOSSIBLE to hear the descriptions of the food. Mostly, i have been to other Tapa places that i think are better, and for $75 a person i did not feel totally blown away. I will come back, but i would probably just order a select few instead. Also, they say they require vaccination cards but never asked to see ours, that does not make me feel like it is an enforced requirement.