You see Paella all over Spain. Practically every restaurant in Spain serves it and I'm positive…read moremany are an amazing meal. But if you're seeking for an overall dining experience, this is the absolute best you're going to get.
Let me start by saying that I'd like to consider myself as somewhat of an expert on food. I'm passionate about it and was raised in New York with exposure to so many cultures and cuisines. One thing in my 30 years that I've somehow skipped is Paella. I've had Peruvian, Cuban, Columbian, Puerto Rican, and many other Latin flavors, but never this. To top that off, my Colombian fiancé was raised on rice every day of her life and absolutely hates it. Have you ever seen a Latin girl hate rice? Furthermore, the drive to this place is 40 minutes from the center of Valencia and at the end of very run down farm houses.
My take? This was, without a doubt, the best rice dish I've ever had in my life! My rice-hating fiancé rolled her eyes in food-gasmic fashion! Every bit was mmmm....ohhhh...oooh!!! Ok so the rice is about a centimeter above the pan. Very shallow. So you're getting this crispy, crunchy, and spongy mouthfeel. Then the flavor hits you. Not spicy in the slightest. It's fresh it's wonderful. A squeeze of lemon kicks it up a notch for me. There's Italian style green beans and artichokes in the mix. And the chicken...perfectly cooked and seasoned.
We ordered the Paella Valencia which we were told is most traditional. You'll leave STUFFED and the cost is extremely reasonable at €16! Then, there's the view! Oh how heavenly! Sparkling water leading to lush mountains. There's a small private beach just outside where you won't deal with many people. I beg of you, if you're in Valencia do NOT miss this meal. I'll remember it to my dying day.