LAReview
Spain Restaurant
First and foremost, we appreciate how Spain Restaurant’s name leaves zero room for questions. In fact, everything about this Echo Park spot is right to the point and exactly what we expect, which, frankly, we love. This place offers warm comfort foods like tortilla española, croquettes, and ham-filled bocadillos; there’s always soccer playing on the TV, and you’ll also find a very attractive charcuterie section with all the jamon serrano you could ever possibly need. Their paella mixta comes extra fluffy and well-seasoned from its saffron and bright lemon, but the rice could use some more crispiness around the edges. On the other hand, we’re very happy with how much seafood and chicken they cook into the dish, which is exactly what we look for from a lunchtime paella break.
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Food Rundown
Paella Mixta
While this paella has a nice savory flavor from its stock and saffron, it’s still a little too moist for our liking and lacks the crispy edges we love to nibble on. However, the shellfish and roasted bell peppers bring some nice brininess and sweetness to the rice dish that we thoroughly enjoy.
Chorizos Al Vino Tinto
Slices of spicy chorizo sausage are cooked in a tart red wine sauce that’s flavored with plenty of rosemary. It’s a relatively simple but delicious tapa that brings plenty of savory, sour, and spicy flavors to the party.
Boquerones al Ajillo
These equally vinegary and salty anchovy filets are the perfect partner for an afternoon cocktail or beer. The garlic and olive oil also add some necessary heat and nuttiness that balance out the fishiness.
Croquetas de Papas
These golden-brown croquettes come with a creamy ham, cheese, and potato filling that contrasts nicely with the fried outer crust. They’re wonderfully savory and dense–make sure to get multiple orders to avoid having to share too many.
Tortilla de Chorizos
We’re really into the combination of soft potato, egg, and chorizo in this tortilla, but the whole thing is a bit too dense. The starchy potatoes overshadow the egg, while the chorizo is more like a slice of sausage here and there rather than an ingredient that’s well incorporated throughout the entire omelet. Skip this.
Iberico Sandwich
Deeply salty jamón Iberico and slightly sweet/nutty aged manchego, all inside a firm mini-baguette. What more do you need to know?
