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On a recent visit to New York, Young & Hungry dropped by Boqueria in the Flatiron District for a peak at what chef Marc Vidal has in store for his forthcoming D.C. location, opening in Dupont Circle this fall. Just a quick bite (or three), starting with the cojonudo (pictured above): fried quail eggs, sprinkled with coarse salt, atop a chunk of spicy chorizo on crunchy toast. Two tiny eggs. Four bites tops. (I polished ’em off in two.)
Next up: dátiles con beicon. That’s sticky dates, stuffed with almonds and Valdeón, wrapped in bacon. The foursome arrived on a skewer looking a charred to say the least. This is one bacon-wrapped dish where the pork barely registers, what with the mushy fruit and cheese, punctuated with a small crunchy nut. I’m usually a sucker for bacon-wrapped dates. I didn’t particularly care for this version.
And, finally, rounding out my three-dish lunch, pintxos morunos: seared lamb, marinated in lemon and cumin, and topped with a kicky “salsa verde.” My server had mentioned that the lamb dishes were Boqueria’s specialty. This small plate backs him up. The lamb arrived tender and pink; its juices gently seeping onto the super-salty toast where the meat had perched. Delicioso!
Photo by Chris Shott