[Valencia, Spain]
In search of the best Paella….
Day 1: Coast side restaurant in Valencia
Paella is always served for a minimum of 2 ppl, its always best enjoyed together in other words 🙂
‘Paella (Spanish pronunciation: [paˈeʎa]) is a Valencian rice dish that originated in its modern form in the mid-19th century near lake Albufera, alagoon in Valencia, on the east coast of Spain.[1]
Many non-Spaniards view paella as Spain’s national dish, but most Spaniards consider it to be a regional Valencian dish. Valencians, in turn, regard paella as one of their identifying symbols.
There are three widely known types of paella: Valencian paella (Spanish: paella valenciana), seafood paella (Spanish: paella de marisco) and mixed paella (Spanish: paella mixta), but there are many others as well. Valencian paella consists of white rice, green vegetables, meat (rabbit, chicken), land snails, beans and seasoning. Seafood paella replaces meat and snails with seafood and omits beans and green vegetables. Mixed paella is a free-style combination of meat, seafood, vegetables and sometimes beans.
Most paella chefs use calasparra[2][3] or bomba[3] rices for this dish. Other key ingredients include saffron and olive oil.’
Seafood Paella + Sangria + hot night = trouble!… I think I shortly fell into a food coma after this meal!
Day 2: something different 🙂
Entree was a local potatoe and egg dish, I’m not the biggest fan of sunny side, but it was a very interesting meal nonetheless.
It was a bit heavy for entree, but I think for a breakfast – it would be lovely after a big night out or on a cold sunday morning.
then, we tried NOODLE Paella! that was VERY interesting. Apparently it was a local speciality, it was surprisingly salty but very tasty and bursting at the seams with seafood! 🙂 yummm!!!
Day 3: Amstelleria, Aqua shopping centre.
We were staying accross the road at Hotel Melia Valencia (which was an absolute treat at a bargain price), and we ventured towards the new shopping complex to see what it was all about.
It was an interesting space – all very open and no use of air-conditioning in the foyer area because it had been designed with the environment in mind – it used the natural flow of air as ventilation.
For lunch, we decided to try something different, and I think we both agreed this place was amazing!
Beer on tap on you table!!! – what a seriously cool idea!!!
I ordered a salmon bocadillo and we were on our merry way to becoming a little tipsy 🙂
[Last day brunch]
At the only place that seemed busy on the Sunday we were leaving, we were treated to a massive brunch including drinks and coffee for only 10 Euros each!
Paul got an amazing roast entree and lunch…I think it was a bunny rabbit (:( )
and I got this pan fried egg and potatoe thing again – with patee this time.
I’ll have to say, I probably wouldnt go back to try the same, but Paul’s roast was seriously melting off the bone type deal. yum!
It wasn’t the best service, as there on only one woman pretty much running the front, but she did the best she could.
And given the circumstances, it was all very quick and filling.
Desert was also simply, but fresh and delicious.
[strawberry sponge cake & fresh melon]
Overall a pretty ‘delicious’ Spanish summer holiday, and would definitely go back to try the other parts of Spain’s specialities.
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tastefully yours,
Joanna
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