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Paella in Valencia
Visiting Valencia in early May next year. It would be a sin not to try paella in Valencia where it originated (not sure) but I will be traveling solo. I have visited most of major touristy places in Spain before and actually had tried paella in Barcelona but I had asked the person who works at the restaurant before it opened. This time though I would like to try well-known paella restaurant since I will be in Valencia but as you know every menu indicates two person minimum.
Anyone traveling solo who had paella in Valencia? |
I just came back from Valencia.
I will say a few things, which you may already know: The most renowned paella is served outside of the city. We had two lunches in Meliana, a short train ride or a 20euro taxi ride from the center. Well worth getting there. At these, and most other places, you need to order your paella in advance, the previous day or the morning of your meal. Rice dishes are almost always eaten at lunch, not dinner. Paella, as you know, is served almost always for a minimum of two. BUT you can take home the uneaten portion and have it the next day. OR you can splurge and order the meal for two and eat what you like. They are not all that huge, especially if you skip the starters, and the bread. The two paellas we had in Meliana were at CA PEPICO and NAPICOL. Both serve rice for two persons but it would denote hurt to call and inquire if they could make an exception. I'd begin with CA PEPICO.....plead and beg!! Both are described in this report I wrote for a food site,, Hungryonion.org: https://www.hungryonion.org/t/valenc...11-12-24/41345 A poster on that site had the same dilemma as you did, and was able to find paella made for one person at RESTAURANT NAVARRO. In the center city, we had a wonderful paella at LLISA NEGRA. Unlike most traditional rice restaurants, they serve paella for dinner. It's an upscale place under the helm of a famous local chef and I recommend highly. But in the city you do not get the atmosphere you would if you travel out of the city to one of the places I mentioned, above. Photos of NAPICOL, CA PEPICO, AND CASA SALVADOR--we had wonderful rice at all three places just outside the city of Valencia--are in my report for WWW.HUNGRYONION.ORG. Here are a few photos of our fideua at LLISA NEGRA. (We ordered a noodle dish instead of rice: The typical fideua, common to the coast from Barcelona south to Alicante. Before those, I should mention that the dish we wanted (my partner cannot eat seafood) was off the menu that evening because they lacked a kind of bean (similar to lima bean) that should go into the dish. . But I asked, explained why that one appealed, and they took the time to create it as a special for us. Terrific service,, beautiful restaurant, in the center of Valencia. I specifically asked if it was possible to book a table for one and they told me, "of course." (I had thought I might be dining alone a few of the nights we were there) https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...57534f0e9.jpeg Complimentary entrante of seasonal mushrooms: Roverello, with fresh rosemary, at Lllisa Negra in Valencia https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4efd1fb05.jpeg Can you imagine an ensaladilla with a bruleed top coat???? As incredible as it sounds--- a snack before our fideua (I also ordered two Denia prawns before the rice) https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a964468f8.jpeg Cooking a pair of paellas over orange wood at Llisa Negra, Chef Quique Dacosta's Valencian rice temple..we sat next to the open kitchen, at my request https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4178132c3.jpeg Our fideua (with cut noodles instead of rice): Figatelll, green beans, duck and pears!!! As with the socarrat in a paella, the noodles get a bit charred at the bottom, so crispy contrasts with soft textures int he dish. Recommended. Here is the trip report I wrote during this recent trip, November/December 2024: https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/birthday-in-madrid-followed-by-cuenca-valencia-and-denia-focus-on-food-1726707/ |
Paella in Valencia
You should definitely follow ek’s recommendations, as she really does her food research and chooses restaurants in an informed way. However, I can also recommend a cooking class for authentic paella. We did that while visiting Valencia. It was fun, informative and delicious. It’s easy to find one. Enjoy the city!
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Originally Posted by JoanYUL
(Post 17618745)
You should definitely follow ek’s recommendations, as she really does her food research and chooses restaurants in an informed way. However, I can also recommend a cooking class for authentic paella. We did that while visiting Valencia. It was fun, informative and delicious. It’s easy to find one. Enjoy the city!
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Originally Posted by ekscrunchy
(Post 17618671)
I just came back from Valencia.
I will say a few things, which you may already know: The most renowned paella is served outside of the city. We had two lunches in Meliana, a short train ride or a 20euro taxi ride from the center. Well worth getting there. At these, and most other places, you need to order your paella in advance, the previous day or the morning of your meal. Rice dishes are almost always eaten at lunch, not dinner. Paella, as you know, is served almost always for a minimum of two. BUT you can take home the uneaten portion and have it the next day. OR you can splurge and order the meal for two and eat what you like. They are not all that huge, especially if you skip the starters, and the bread. The two paellas we had in Meliana were at CA PEPICO and NAPICOL. Both serve rice for two persons but it would denote hurt to call and inquire if they could make an exception. I'd begin with CA PEPICO.....plead and beg!! Both are described in this report I wrote for a food site,, Hungryonion.org: https://www.hungryonion.org/t/valenc...11-12-24/41345 A poster on that site had the same dilemma as you did, and was able to find paella made for one person at RESTAURANT NAVARRO. In the center city, we had a wonderful paella at LLISA NEGRA. Unlike most traditional rice restaurants, they serve paella for dinner. It's an upscale place under the helm of a famous local chef and I recommend highly. But in the city you do not get the atmosphere you would if you travel out of the city to one of the places I mentioned, above. Photos of NAPICOL, CA PEPICO, AND CASA SALVADOR--we had wonderful rice at all three places just outside the city of Valencia--are in my report for WWW.HUNGRYONION.ORG. Here are a few photos of our fideua at LLISA NEGRA. (We ordered a noodle dish instead of rice: The typical fideua, common to the coast from Barcelona south to Alicante. Before those, I should mention that the dish we wanted (my partner cannot eat seafood) was off the menu that evening because they lacked a kind of bean (similar to lima bean) that should go into the dish. . But I asked, explained why that one appealed, and they took the time to create it as a special for us. Terrific service,, beautiful restaurant, in the center of Valencia. I specifically asked if it was possible to book a table for one and they told me, "of course." (I had thought I might be dining alone a few of the nights we were there) https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...57534f0e9.jpeg Complimentary entrante of seasonal mushrooms: Roverello, with fresh rosemary, at Lllisa Negra in Valencia https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4efd1fb05.jpeg Can you imagine an ensaladilla with a bruleed top coat???? As incredible as it sounds--- a snack before our fideua (I also ordered two Denia prawns before the rice) https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...a964468f8.jpeg Cooking a pair of paellas over orange wood at Llisa Negra, Chef Quique Dacosta's Valencian rice temple..we sat next to the open kitchen, at my request https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4178132c3.jpeg Our fideua (with cut noodles instead of rice): Figatelll, green beans, duck and pears!!! As with the socarrat in a paella, the noodles get a bit charred at the bottom, so crispy contrasts with soft textures int he dish. Recommended. Here is the trip report I wrote during this recent trip, November/December 2024: https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...-food-1726707/ I guess I have to try Llisa Negra or Navarro and beg them for a single portion of paella. :). I now regret that I made all my lodging and transportation reservations so early. I saw that you visited Cuenca. I remember going there back in 2011 and that was right after high speed train from Madrid to Valencia inaugurated. I also saw that you stayed at Only You. Well, that's definitely out of my budget but I was able to get an early bird deal for my stay at Estimar. I'm looking forward for my stay at this four star place. |
I sugges in Valencia Casa Carmina and Casa Roberto (Maestro Gozalbo, 19)
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Originally Posted by danzar1972
(Post 17619231)
I sugges in Valencia Casa Carmina and Casa Roberto (Maestro Gozalbo, 19)
Thanks! |
Navarro located behind the Town Hall offers single-serving portions.
Also, Casa Carmela specializes in traditional wood-fired paella. If you have time, you can engage in a paella cooking class (there are several places offering that) - interesting experience. |
Originally Posted by Youttle
(Post 17619389)
Navarro located behind the Town Hall offers single-serving portions.
Also, Casa Carmela specializes in traditional wood-fired paella. If you have time, you can engage in a paella cooking class (there are several places offering that) - interesting experience. Thanks |
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