This season’s escape from DC’s bustling city streets and impending polar vortex is Taberna del Alabardero. The scenic beauty of the restaurant’s red walls transports you to Spain’s beautiful and welcoming old world. Staff greets you like family with smiles and boisterous compliments about the food they’ll be serving. Taberna del Alabardero takes as much pride in their culture as they do in each plate that is served to every one of their guests. 

To compliment the seasons, Executive Chef Javier Romero updates his menu every four months, which he largely credits to his great team and the freshness of produce shipped with love from Spain. I questioned whether I blacked out in Farragut West and ended up in Madrid. I didn’t. In the Aranjuez room, a room set for royalty, Javier Romero previewed favorite dishes from his Fall Menu – 11 courses with four appetizers, six entrees, and a dessert. All with influence from Spain with dashes of local flavors. Three bottles of Spanish wine – Sparkling, White and Red – complimented the meal and Javier’s anecdotes in-between servings.

Javier and I

“Pop another one!” Javier said to begin a damn good meal.

The first glass was a  of Cava Biutiful Cave Brut Nature; the Sparkling wine from Ador, Spain was paired with fresh seafood appetizers. First was the Carpaccio de Bacalao Ahumado con Salmon Marinado (Cod Carpaccio with Marinated wild Salmon topped with Spanish pickles, olive oil, and capers),  Vieras a la Parrilla – grilled scallops over an Iberian puchero (bone broth made with ham, pork belly, cuttlefish reduction) and Gallina Noodle Soup – crunchy hen noodle soup with vegetables, topped with a poached quail egg. 

The Tartar de Atun was a crowd pleaser. Finding yellow fin tuna tartare is simple, but finding it this fresh and sitting upon a Spanish Ajoblanco – a perfectly balanced almond garlic and Pistachio sauce – is what made the dish a personal favorite of the evening. The sauce had a thickness that didn’t overshadow the simplicity of yellow fin tuna like many so commonly do with fish dishes.

“Pop another one!” Javier said displaying the meal’s next wine – a Rueda 2013 Melior Verdejo imported all the way from the community of Castile and León.

The entrees were next and included Spanish favorites with some new world twists; Javier explained, “I am an ‘ambassador’ of Spain.” The first entree, Rape a la Parrilla con Cangrejo Cremoso – grilled monkfish over marinated broad beans and a dash of Old Bay (thanks, Maryland!) was the most popular dish of the night. Monkfish reminds us that it’s not always about looks, but personality and taste. This was a dish to be shared with loved ones, and a personal favorite of Javier’s. The next fish entrees was Mamitako Tataki, a yellowfin tuna tataki over traditional Basque county fish stew with potatoes and bell peppers. 

“Pop another one!” For the third and final wine of the evening was the Ca Hacienda Lopez de Haro 2012 Rioja Tempranillo. A wine so good, I would maybe trade my first born for a case.

Editor’s Note: The preceding statement in no way implies an offer of any sort. 🙂

The wine was poured and pans of Paella de Langosta – Paella of Maine Lobster, mussels and calamari, and  Paella Vegetariana – Vegetarian Paella with seasonal mushrooms spanned the length of the table. Javier joked the Paella dishes were not made from left over scraps in the kitchen contrary to its cultural origin. We were also treated to Mollejas De Ternera – veal sweetbreads with chanterelle mushrooms, fava beans, potato gnocchi and Conchinillo Confitado – suckling pig confit slow cooked for 12 hour and served with smothered potatoes, royal trumpet mushrooms and creamy peach gravy.

The last and final course was dessert, Coulant de Azahar con helado de Frutos rojos– orange blossom coulant (molten cake) with red berry ice cream. The light dessert was a perfect closing to a filling meal. Javier looked around at his guests and said, “Remember this.” You do not go to Taberna del Alabardero for a meal, but for an experience. 

The fall menu runs through the end of the year; click here for the full menu.

Taberna del Alabardero welcomes you to its upcoming events. Each event will feature a special menu offering:

Sunday, November 15 – Madrid Night of Flamenco with Casa Patas featuring award-winning choreographer Karen Lugo
Thursday, November 19 – Wine Tasting DinnerThursday, November 26- Thanksgiving Day (prix fixe menu) 

-HGP