Jose Andres' lab

[Monkey]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...-2003May27.html

This is amazing, did anyone else see this; Jose Andres’ laboratory. Cubes of foie gras, rolled in corn nut powder, wrapped in clouds of cotton candy.

Does anyone have more info? Steve?

It seems like ordering off the tasting menu will give you a preview of the dishes come mid June. When is the lab officially open for business?

[mbthorpe]

I'm all for small dishes, but my memories of childhood don't include foie gras. Does this mean I had a deprived childhood?

[Monkey]

Yeh, that's a strange childhood. I guess he's talking about the cotton candy.

[vengroff]

I've heard about this project before and am very excited to try it once it materializes.

Some of the items, like the mango and jicama as pasta dishes, sound like the evolution of things Cafe Atlantico already does. I wonder if some of the new dishes will make their way onto the small plate brunch menu, or if they will remain strictly at the bar.

[mikeczyz]

i would imagine reservations very hard to come by. only eight seats? will they be taking reservations?

mike

[Fat Guy]

Tom Sietsema (who wrote that piece) is doing a Q&A on eGullet starting tomorrow. Ask him about it!

[Bux]

I'm all for small dishes, but my memories of childhood don't include foie gras. Does this mean I had a deprived childhood?

Let's assume so, if only to remove all vestiges of guilt for pampering yourself with all the foie gras you can eat today. I too am just compensating for a derived childhood.

[Steve Klc]

Jose is in Mexico right now, doing research for the next restaurant he and his restaurant management group is opening--an upscale Mexican-inspired restaurant in Crystal City, VA. There was another article about this in the Post recently--how Proximo was also going to open a third Jaleo there as well and how the hope was this might help to redefine the character of that Crystal City strip. On this and the lab I'm somewhat out of the loop--I've been in Bethesda-Jaleo for awhile getting their new dessert program up and running. "Arroz con leche a la moderna" anyone? I'd ask Tom to reveal what he knows about the lab and what this move might mean to Crystal City! (Remember what Jaleo opening in that derelict downtown DC spot 10 years ago helped do to that location.)

By the way, I HAD the foie gras, salty corn dust and cotton candy "lollipop" last weekend during the dim sum brunch--it was stunning, served on a wooden skewer standing upright in a small glass and was being served to the tables around me at the time that had ordered the unlimited tasting option.

[Bux]

"Arroz con leche a la moderna" anyone?

Is nothing sacred anymore.

[vengroff]

I'd ask Tom to reveal what he knows about the lab and what this move might mean to Crystal City!  (Remember what Jaleo opening in that derelict downtown DC spot 10 years ago helped do to that location.)

The MCI Center and Jordan coming to town didn't hurt either.

Next time you see Jose, whisper in his ear, "3rd & H NE, 3rd & H NE, 3rd & H NE...."

[Varmint]

Next time you see Jose, whisper in his ear, "3rd & H NE, 3rd & H NE, 3rd & H NE...."

I still have the bruise on my cheek from the last time I tried to do that!

[Steve Klc]

Darren, point taken but don't forget MCI Center opened in like 97--and that's maybe 5 years after the Jaleo owners rolled the dice gambling that something might happen in that (insert word here: scary, seedy, nasty) part of town.

[vengroff]

Darren, point taken but don't forget MCI Center opened in like 97--and that's maybe 5 years after the Jaleo owners rolled the dice gambling that something might happen in that (insert word here: scary, seedy, nasty) part of town.

Absolutely. There's no doubt they went out on a limb with that location at that time. Hopefully they signed a 20+ year lease. I'm sure the rent has gone up just a tad since then. I don't know how much they are asking for those loft condos going up across the corner, but I bet they're not cheap.