El Jamon (CLOSED)

One of my favorite places in Astoria, never ever busy, closed not long after it was open, but it was amazing...


Review #1
I called up, the person on the phone was really nice and explained a few items to me, being one of my first Spanish meals.  For appetizers or Caciones we had the Datil (Dates stuffed with almonds and wrapped with bacon), this was incredible.   Really rich, and layers of texture.  The outside bacon was perfectly crispy, the date was soft and juicy and the almond was a nice crunch to finish it off.  Really unique flavors, excellent appetizer.

The Queso Frito De Cabra (Fried  Goat cheese with honey and Sweet onion) was also very good.  It amazes me how many countries have a fried cheese dish... This was great, i like the combination of honey and cheese.  It was not greasy at all either.  Although we did not order it, in our bag was something that might have been the Patatas Bravas, (Fried Potatoes with spicy sauce)... Although it was more like sweat potato and there was no spicy sauce.  This was very rich, kinda heavy, but not greasy, good stuff.

We skipped on main courses and instead got 3 Tostas (toasts).  I really did not know what to expect, they were offering expensive ingredients for cheap.  I was really impresed with what arrived.  Each  order was 3 peices of bread with topings... We had Hogaza De lomo (Melted Manchego Cheese topped with grilled marrinated pork loin and piquillo pepper).  The meat was very lean, flavorful and jucy.  The Pechuga De patp (Grilled Sliced duck breast with a balsamic vinegar and shallots soy sauce) was excellent, the duck was cooked well, and it was a generous portion on each piece of toast.  I like soy sauce in dishes outside of asian cuisine, it made this dish really stand out, compaired to the other flavors.  This was my favorite of the three.  The last one was also very good thu, Gambas al ajo blanco (shrimp sautee with scallions and almond puree).  No suprise here, a very nice portion of small juicy shrimp.  This one was the lighest on flavor, but still very good, maybe some lemon would have helped.  The bread used for the toast was excellent, very fresh.

Most of the food was inexpensive, the Tostas were $6-7 each, the dates were only $5, the fried goat cheese was expensive at $8.  I want to sit down for dinner and check it out, the pictures on the website look nice. Highly recomended at least for delivery/takeout!

Review #2:
Since writing my first review, i've ordered take out 3 times as well as visited the restaurant for a sit down meal.  I cant speak highly enough of this place.  First off its owner is a very nice person who is a great host.  I brought my father here who is very picky and he described the food as "phenomenal", which is rare for him.

Beside what i have previously mentioned, i've tried many other things.  The shrimp with garlic app is small perfectly cooked shrimp that arrives at your table in what i would describe as an oil bath! its bubbling hot and very garlicky when it arrives at your table, nice presentation.  The lentil soup is the best i've EVER had, its smokey and meaty due to the churizo they added.  For only about $11 we had a half chicken with crispy potatoes and what i believe was broccoli rabe, fantastic juicy chicken for cheap.