La Paella

Hidden on what’s essentially a San Vicente service road, you could live in Beverly Grove for years and not know much about La Paella. This family-run Spanish restaurant feels like you’re drinking tempranillo in an old tavern in Madrid, and the tapas menu is full of homey dishes you won’t find at modern spots. This is where you should focus your attention: mini skillets of sizzling baby eels, paprika-tinged callos madrileños (tripe and chickpea stew), and buttery-soft octopus swimming in good olive oil. Regardless of this restaurant’s name, the paella here is just ok and a touch wet for our liking, but we appreciate that the warm staff serve it tableside (A nice touch). 

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

Food Rundown

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

Pulpo a la Gallega

Buttery? Soft? Tender? This octopus can be described as all of these things, but it still won't grasp how perfect it is. It melts away in your mouth and comes flavored with good Spanish olive oil and lots of smoky paprika. Más por favor.

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

Paella Valenciana

This paella is all about the show. It gets served tableside and comes bejeweled with big pieces of shellfish and lima beans. Even though it's a bit too risotto-like (translation: wet), we still get it every time because it feels like the crescendo to every great meal here.

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

Callos a la Madrileña

This tripe chickpea stew is what Punxsutawney Phil eats to survive a long winter. That's not true, but we'd totally get it if it was. It's hearty, addictively savory, and full of texture from the soft tripe and beans. The smoky paprika adds nice heat, too.