For those of you who know me, the title above implies awesomeness of big huge massively epic proportions.
Who is Jose Andres, you ask?
Only my favorite chef, ever (besides you, dad...). He has a few restaurants in the DC area (read about them here), in addition to a restaurant or two in other cities, a TV show and oh yeah, a newly acquired James Beard award. Jaleo, his Spanish tapas restaurant, has been one of my favorite restaurants for years, a frequent destination for myself and one of my good friends who shares in my obsession with all things Andres. I've been to all of his DC restaurants (with the exception of the ever-elusive Minibar...I will get there someday!), and would probably marry any of the dishes on the menus, if that were legal. And sane. But more so the legal part. I'm drooling a little just thinking about it...
Anyway, I happened to be downtown this afternoon for a farmers market that has recently opened for the season. They don't have much yet, but I managed to find enough for a tasty dinner! Heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil and baby cucumbers for a simple gazpacho, some nice crusty bread for grilling and serving alongside, and a stop at this place around the corner for some delectable buffalo mozzarella (among other cheeses. Seriously, I'm a sucker for a good cheese). While sampling some salmon spread (because who doesn't love a free sample?), I look over and see Mr Andres just walking around, doing his own bit of shopping. A couple awkward but wonderful minutes later, I'm the proud owner of this:
Proof, yo.
He was super nice, and it was a pleasure chatting with him for even just a few moments! I'm not usually the fawn-over-people type, but this guy is seriously one of my heroes (is that a bit much? Not that I care). Totally made my day week life.
On that note, it's 2am. I'm tired. I'm going to bed.
