Much has been written about Spain's signature dish -- Paella. I've been lucky enough to enjoy one or two spectacular specimens of this saffron-infused rice, sausage, vegetable and seafood classic. But, visiting the Spanish Benevolent Society and their restaurant La Nacional the other night, I tried a Paella of a different sort.
The tapas lounge and dining room looked every bit the Spanish neighborhood joint. No frills. Plenty of wine and cerveza. Soccer on the barroom's TV screen. The scent of sauteed garlic drifting through the air.
My pal Jenn and I couldn't resist the kitchen's Grilled Squid tapas and a plate of sliced Chorizo Sausage, Serrano Ham and Manchego Cheese to start. And, after debating about which Paella to try, we were convinced by our waitress to glance further down the menu and order up its kissin' cousin, Fideua (pictured above) -- a Valencian dish, in which noodles take the place of the rice within a typical Paella recipe. A minor twist to a Spanish standard, but a major taste and textural delight to say the least.
Housed in a brownstone on 14th Street, word has been that La Nacional is in danger of folding. Hopefully, New Yorkers will rally around this tapas institution and prevent its demise -- and appreciate a heaping pan of Fideua in the process.
Just finished breakfast yet all I want to do is eat a big plate of Fideua this very moment.
Posted by: Kitchen MC | December 07, 2008 at 11:00 AM