Last night I decided to pay an impromptu visit to Bar Jamon, the smaller tapas bar /drinking bar hybrid right next to Casa Mono. This little place on 17th and Irving is a nice low key spot for meeting for a nice glass of Spanish wine or sherry (including several 250 ml cuarto selections) and a couple of small bites. The wine list is impressive and although the food selection is fairly limited, Bar Jamon doesn’t pretend to be a restaurant that will serve you a huge meal.
Instead, indulge in one of the 12 Spanish cheeses they offer with accompaniments from honey coated Marcona Almonds to Membrillo, to fennel or tomato. Then enjoy some thinly sliced Serrano ham, better and less salty than at most other Spanish restaurants. The pan con tomate, a deliciously garlicky warm piece of bread rubbed with tomato is also supremely satisfying. What’s even better is that if you like the Serrano ham and the pan con tomate, you can combine them into a sandwich. The Bocadillo de Bar Jamon combines the two and mixes in some manchego cheese for what might be a perfectly sized and incredibly delicious bar snack. The tapas selection also includes chorizo and pickled peppers, quail, duck liver, tuna and even a soft egg with somewhat rare and seasonal cardoons—everything is $12 and under.
Although the place is tiny and you will most likely be standing the room is comfortable and I never felt crowded. The next time you have a hunger for some Spanish nibbles and a glass of Rioja and don’t want to break the bank, head over to Bar Jamon. Your wallet and your belly with thank you.
No comments:
Post a Comment