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¡Que Rico! New Spanish Restaurant Jaleo Opens at Disney Springs
A bit of Spanish flare is sparking excitement at Disney Springs’ new tapas-style restaurant Jaleo, bringing the culture and flavors of Spain to Walt Disney World Resort. And let us tell you – the bold colors of this new dining establishment are just as bold as the flavors!
Jaleo at Disney Springs is James Beard Award-Winning Chef José Andrés’ largest restaurant to date (22,000 square feet!) and his fifth in the U.S. This new flagship location located at the West Side takes Disney dining to the next level – both in style and spice. Officially open as of March 17, 2019, Jaleo represents the very best of Spanish cuisine and design, from its fresh flavors to its aesthetic architecture.
Now, what exactly is considered Spanish cuisine? Well…think sangría and paella! Spanish cuisine is strongly influenced by its surrounding coastlines with savory seafood and often incorporates fresh, local ingredients from the region. Plus, as one of the world’s largest producers of olive oil, most dishes also include a bit of “aceite de oliva.” And we can’t overlook the region’s signature Jamón Ibérico, which is thinly-sliced cured ham.
Jaleo features an extensive menu of tapas reflecting the rich regional diversity of traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine, including authentic paella cooked over a wood-fired paella pit, Spanish specialties like hand-carved Jamón ibérico de Bellota and wood-grilled Iberico pork, and signature dishes like Gambas al ajillo (shrimp sautéed with garlic and chili), and Croquetas de Pollo (classic Spanish chicken fritters). And that’s just a taste! Click here to view the full menu.
Tapas-style means socially dining with small portions among friends…and of course it’s usually paired with fun and festive refreshments. Jaleo offers an extensive beverage menu, with traditional Spanish favorites including Vermút – El Bandarra (Cataluña) served on ice with orange peel and mint, and Clara – Spanish-style shandy made with lager. And did we mention the sweet and delicious sangría options? You can keep to the classic Sangría Roja, or go all out with a pitcher of Sangría de Lujo Tinto, which is a bold, fruity red wine sangría with spiced wine, gin, brandy, and citrus that is prepared tableside.
The menu items aren’t the only inspired element of this fresh and fierce dining establishment. The architecture is also bold with its incredible design. Can you guess the fresh ingredient that the building incorporates with its design? We’re thinking of a vegetable…
Did you guess artichoke? Because yes, this architectural masterpiece created by renowned Spanish designer, Juli Capella, was strongly influenced by the artichoke – a vegetable native to Andrés’ homeland of Asturias on the northern coast of Spain. The bold, playful nature of this striking two-story building features petals that organically open. Plus, the petals themselves form pergolas, which extend toward the outdoors and offer picture-perfect views of the lakefront and lively central courtyard. With no solid walls, the bright warmth and welcoming nature of Jaleo encourages full immersion into the zestful Spanish culture.
Speaking of zest, the interior of this stunning building is just as inviting, with bold pops of color, whimsical light fixtures, and a large glass work of art in the center (the heart of the artichoke, as you may say). With stunning gold accents and the enticing color palette featuring citrus shades such as orange, yellow, and a touch of red, the ambience is inviting and festive, and the special cultural touches throughout the building give it a defining character.
Jaleo is officially open at Disney Springs for lunch and dinner. Experience this cultural dining experience for yourself – and listen for the sound of the drums while dining. That means it’s paella time!