. "0"^^ . . "Basis for my starred ratings (which skews heavily to the food or drink):\n1 star: Never again.\n2 stars: Poor food, poor experience, extraordinary measures in order for me to come back.\n3 stars: Average, nothing really special, nothing particularly bad.\n4 stars: Very good, would definitely return.\n5 stars: A favorite, one of the best.\n\nAn excellent meal, and one of the best example of molecular gastronomy in the States.\n\nThis place has it down pat. Scoring a reservation for one of the 10 or so seats is tough. If you get one, you're rewarded with a golden ticket that they send to you before the date of your meal. It's a nice touch.\n\nLocated within Jose Andres' Jaleo, the counter seating was probably the only minor annoying thing about the night. The chef expedites right in front of you and you're served as a group. Part of the draw to molecular gastronomy is the distillation of true flavors into unexpected forms, and the kitchen performed superbly in that respect.\n\nTruffle mist\nApple \"brazo de gitano\"\nJose taco - excellent\nBarquillo - excellent\n\"El vermut\"\n\"Merienda\"\nCrispy chicken skin en escabeche - excellent\nCava sangria\n\"Fabes\" con jamon - excellent\nLobster with citrus and jasmine\nFoie gras with black truffle - excellent\n\"Kokotxas\" al pil-pil - excellent\nLamb with truffle and mamia\nTorta Pascualete with cotton candy\nCrema Catalana egg - excellent\nAfter eight timbal\n\"Ferrero Rocher\"\nYemita\nMore things . . .\n\nMy wife and I have experienced a lot of tasting menus. She was less impressed than I was, but this is what I have to say. The experience was excellent. Chef understands that a tasting can be more than just food, that beverages as a course can add immeasurably to the experience. That Catalan is the source of excellent food, refined here, but still deeply satisfying in that provincial kind of way. That whimsy also makes for a fun experience. That stuffy food can be served without being stuffy. And that I should have gone to minibar in DC when we had the chance. If the food is half as good as it was here, then it must be worth it."^^ . "2016-06-29T00:00:00"^^ . "5"^^ . "5"^^ . . "0"^^ .