Jaleo by Chef José Andrés made a big splash with its Disney Springs opening last month, bringing the best of Spanish cuisine to Walt Disney World.
Head over to our in-depth Jaleo review to read our impressions of the restaurant, but in brief, Jaleo jumps right to the top of the list when it comes to top quality food at Walt Disney World. If you enjoy the concept of small plates, family sharing and some food that might surprise you, this is a restaurant for you.
Jaleo hosted us at a recent event to try out José's Way - a fixed price Chef's Tasting menu priced at $110. This may sound a lot, but when you see the amount of food on offer (and how good it is), it quickly becomes clear that José's Way may just be the way to eat at Jaleo.
Your server can tell you exactly what will be included in José's Way on the day you visit, but this is a selection of the dishes that may be on offer. It is worth noting that if ordered individually, the cost would be significantly higher.
Every trip to Jaleo should start with the Pan de cristal con tomato - it is addictive, so be warned.
These are 'Ferran Adrià' liquid olives and gordal olives stuffed with piquillo pepper and anchovy. They are served on a spoon, and they just burst in your mouth on contact with your tongue - Molecular gastronomy at its finest. The flavor is really something else, and it might even convert anyone who wouldn't normally choose olive dishes.
Caviar at Walt Disney World? At Jaleo yes.
Jaleo's ham is something special, and the tasting menu serves it in a couple of ways.
At other Jaleo restaurants, the fritters are served in a shoe - but at Walt Disney World, they come on a pillow fit for royalty.
You don't see Octopus everyday on a Disney menu, but it is here at Jaleo, and the paprika & oil gives it a wonderful smokey flavor.
This Skirt Steak comes all the way from Spain, and it is unlike any pork you've had before.
Spain is famous for its paella, and Jaleo serves five different kinds, made in the on-stage paella kitchen. This is the vegetable paella which contains no less than 9 different vegetables.
Jaleo's desserts are among the very best at Disney Springs. Each is unique, and with José's Way you get to try more than one.
The cheesecake is unlike any you have tried before - the chef told us this is the 'real' way to do it, and we think he's right.
José's Way tasting menu certainly isn't something that should be rushed, so plan for at least an hour and a half, but the experience could certainly be longer if you wanted it to be, especially if you venture into the excellent cocktail menu. The Ultimate Gin and Tonic should be on the top of your list, and no visit to a Spanish restaurant is complete without a Sangria.
So to sum up, the José's Way tasting menu is a great way to take the stress out of ordering, and letting the restaurant's creator take you on a tour of some of his best dishes, at a price that represents real value. It can become a bit cliché, but Jaleo is one of those restaurants where every dish just works, and if you go in prepared to try anything, you'll be rewarded with a truly unique dining experience at Disney World.
You can make reservations at Jaleo Disney Springs on OpenTable for both lunch and dinner. If you would rather see the full menu and be in charge of your own ordering, see the full Jaleo menu here.
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