With Jose, it's always a festival

Below is a press release from Jose Andres' people about a new festival featuring pintxo, a "small bite" tapas from the Basque region of Spain. It looks like a great opportunity to get some really good food for a really good price. Enjoy!



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Good Things Come in Small Bites with Jaleo’s Pintxo Festival
Featuring Patxi Bergara from Bar Bergara in San Sebastián

Washington, D.C. (August 28, 2007) — From October 9th through the 23rd, Chef José Andrés brings a favorite treat from Spain’s culinary capital San Sebastián to Washington during Jaleo’s Pintxo Festival. A pintxo (PEEN-cho) is a “small bite” tapa from the Basque region of northern Spain typically served on a palillo (toothpick) or a slice of bread. During this two week celebration, Jaleo will feature special pintxos inspired by guest chef Patxi Bergara of the award-winning Bar Bergara in San Sebastián, plus a “Pintxo Hour” featuring $1 pintxos and demonstrations at FRESHFARM Markets in Dupont Circle and Penn Quarter.

Jaleo’s Pintxo Festival will begin with a kickoff party from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9th, featuring complimentary pintxos. Guests will be transported to San Sebastián with the recreation of an authentic pintxos bar scene at the Jaleo Crystal City. Everyone is welcome.

During the entire festival, Jaleo will feature a changing assortment of 10 pintxos of the day offering Washingtonians the opportunity to sample a wide variety of these unique small bites. Pintxos, inspired by Bar Bergara’s recipes and priced from $1.50 to $3, will be available throughout the day.

Special $1 pintxos will be available during “Pintxo Hour” from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at all three Jaleo locations (dates available posted below). During “Pintxo Hour” pintxos will be presented at the bar for guests to enjoy on the honor system with the bartender counting toothpicks to determine the bill just as it is done in San Sebastián. Guests can also wash down these tasty bites with a zurito, a small glass of beer that traditionally accompanies pintxos, or with a glass of txakoli (chah-koh-LEE), a slightly sparkling white wine from the Basque country. Jaleo will also offer a txakoli sangria during the celebration

Jaleo chefs will demonstrate classic and modern pintxo recipes at FRESHFARM markets, Sunday, October 7th at the Dupont Circle Farmer’s Market at 11 p.m. and at the Penn Quarter Farmer’s Market on October 11th at 5 p.m.

Guest chef Paxti Bergara owns and operates the legendary Bar Bergara in San Sebastián, which has been in the family for over 50 years. Under the direction of Patxi and his wife, Blanca Ameztoy, Bar Bergara evolved to become the first modern pintxo bar with more sophisticated, refined and elaborate offerings including a tasting menu. Accolades include “Best Pintxos Selection” at the Lo Mejor de la Gastronomía conference in San Sebastián, and an honorary member of the cofradia del pintxo (Pintxo Association) and the cofradia de anchoas (Anchovy Association).

With its rich gastronomic heritage, the coastal city of San Sebastián, or Donostia in the Basque language, is Spain’s undisputed culinary capital. The city and its environs are home to restaurants by some of the best chefs in Europe like Arzak, Berasategui and Mugaritz. Good food isn’t just left to the professionals. San Sebastián is also home to numerous gastronomic societies, private organizations whose members get together at their tkoko or club to cook together.

Pintxo Hour for Jaleo, at all three locations, takes place on these dates from 5 to 6 p.m.:

Wednesday, October 10

Thursday, October 11

Monday, October 15

Tuesday, October 16

Wednesday, October 17

Thursday, October 18

Monday, October 22

Under the direction of Chef José Andrés, Jaleo is an award-winning tapas bar with three locations in the Washington metro area. Jaleo is located at 480 7th Street NW in Washington, DC, (202) 628-7949; at 7271 Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland, (301) 913-0003 and at 2250-A Crystal Drive in Arlington, Virginia, (703) 413-8181. For more information please visit the website, www.jaleo.com.