El Jamon, don't sleep on it!

El Jamon (25-51 Steinway) has got a lunch special fit for a king I tell ya! To my surprise, I went in for a nice Sunday afternoon lunch and was offered the new lunch special. Now I've gone there a few times before and been very satisfied with both the food and the service every time, but now there is even more of a reason to like the place, 3 courses for $12.95! (You can add a fourth for another couple of bucks but that would be gluttony). Needless to say, I had lunch for the next day...

I didn't take too much of a close note on all the options but there are 2 or 3 for each course. While you are looking over the menu there is always a nibble or two brought out by the sweet wait staff, this time was no different. We got toast with a ceviche flavored fish of sorts, maybe sardine? Also two little croquettes (I had a lunch date, i assume they will always bring out one of each person). I then of course looked over the lunch menu - which is available every day mind you.... but I forget the times (sorry!) and found great options.

I settled on Hogaza de Lomo (melted manchego cheese topped with grilled marinated pork loin and piquillo pepper) as my appetizer. Here I am thinking OK, I'll get a piece of toast with some smidge of pork- yeah right! This could really have been enough for me at this point. I was already starting to daydream about my lunch of leftovers for tomorrow! The flavor of the pork was so nice and tangy. It had a nice red tinge to it too, you could see the seasoning had worked.

So now comes the big one. My main was the Chuleton ala Brasa, a 10oz. grilled rib eye with cabrales cream sauce served with poor man's potatoes (they are kinda like home fries but better). I couldn't believe this was a "lunch" portion! They have the 16 ounce version on the regular menu and it goes for $20- that's craziness I tell you CRAZINESS! No joke, I started in and tried to make a dent and pretty much fell in food lust with the whole thing. The potatoes where nothing to scoff at either, they were under there just sopping up the cheese and meat juices, I'm not much of a potato person and I killed these- for reals. Over half of this plate ended up for lunch the next day. Filling isn't the word.

Is there room left for anything? Damn right there is! When it comes to their Chocolate Mousse, I can always make room. What kind of review would I be able to give if I didn't go all the way with my 3rd course?!?!?!? I really do love the simple homemade mousse they have here. I get it every time I'm there :) It's got flecks of shaved chocolate in it and they serve it with these little fried puffs of some sort of not too sweet fruit goo. Hahahaha I know my description sucks but hey, I'm a foodies not a proper writer!!!! But you get it right? Go try it for yourself, give me the better description- I'd love to hear it!


Yup, that's my review. The place is adorable and the people are sweet. The food is good and you get more then your money's worth (especially on this incredible lunch deal). I'd like to see this place stick around, it will now be my go-to steak place when I get the hankering thats for sure.