Gazpacho: Classics And Creative Twists
Jaleo's classic gazpacho is brightened with Sherry.Photo by Greg Powers and Audrey Crewe
Earlier this month we found some of the best chilled soups around town. As promised, here is the all-gazpacho round-up, from some great classics to creative twists on the traditional. Just in time for people to start pelting each other with tomatoes in Spain during the annual Tomatina festival.
• Tapas fave Jaleo does the chilled Spanish soup with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, bread and a touch of Sherry vinegar.
• Michel Richard’s Central makes a yellow tomato gazpacho.
• A gourmet twist on the traditional includes tomato gazpacho served with mustard ice cream and basil seeds at Poste Moderne Brasserie.
• Dino’s Zuppa Freddi di Melone appetizer is a melon gazpacho made with tomato broth, cucumber and basil.
• Equinox’s yellow tomato “Vichyssoise,” made with basil powder and tomato marmalade.
• Belga Café’s “Gazpacho van tomaat” with cucumber sorbet is sure to cool you down.
• If you’re looking for somewhere on the casual side, Busboys and Poets also has a yellow tomato gazpacho served with guac.
• Masa 14 has watermelon gazpacho, replacing tomato for watermelon and served with a cucumber and watermelon relish, crab meat and spicy pumpkin seeds.
• Zola makes a spicy gazpacho with avocado and cilantro.
• Urbana cools theirs down with avocado ice milk.
• Barcode Restaurant adds garlic croutons and parmesan cheese.
Red fruit bonus: Can't get enough of summer's tomato bounty? Check out Ripple's Tomatina festival Aug. 31 with a five-course tomato menu and performance art tomato fig ht, and Jaleo's seventh annual Tomatina fest, from Aug. 30-Sept. 12.
Among other special dishes, Jaleo will be serving a tomato-based cocktail, the Tomatica ($12), made with Sun Gold tomatoes, Manzanilla Sherry, lemon and beer and garnished with a baby heirloom tomato.
Laura Olson is a journalism student at American University in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Rockville, Md., she grew up learning about and loving the variety that DC has to offer. Laura enjoys cooking for friends and family at home and exploring the food scene downtown.