If you were to ask anyone around the world what they thought a “Spanish” food was, undoubtedly they will utter the word “paella”. Unless you are talking to an American, who will excitedly burst out into a rant about how they love “burritos”, “tacos”, “gorditas”… etc, none of which are Spanish. However, Americans tend to think Mexican food is essentially what they serve in Spain, much like Australia is exactly like England, and the Canadian and French cultures are twin sisters. I know I am generalizing here, but is has happened to me too many times for it not to be somewhat true. How about the time I told someone in LA I was Spanish, and they proceeded to tell me how much they love Cancun. Yet, I digress.
Paella has become to Spain what pasta is to Italy and hamburgers are to the United States. A culinary beacon that is supposed to exemplify a culture, a people and a society. Paella in truth is a Valencian invention. For the best paellas in Spain, and the world, one must go to the Valencian Autonomous region and sit in any restaurant of Castellon, Valencia or Alicante. Catalans do not make paella, nor are they very good at trying to, but just as there are tourists in Madrid and Seville, Barcelona has had to cater to the tastebuds of the weary tourist that MUST have their paella. Insert Restaurant Elx.
The name Elx is the Valencian translation of Elche - a city in the southern Valencian region, province of Alicante, where paella is touched by the Gods. Valencian transplants created the Restaurant Elx institution years ago on Paral.lel street in southern Barcelona. It still is there, and is a cozy environment on a tiny street, decorated in crimson and burgundy. Two years ago the owners decided to expand and opened another branch on the docks next to the Maremagnum Mall, in the Port Vell District. This restaurant not only serves the best paella dishes in the city - it serves up one of the best dining experiences in general. Once you get past the gritty cargo docks and fishing trolleys, a completely glass enclosed restaurant greets you. The high walls and floor to cieling windows give Restaurant Elx a lofty ambience, where you can sip your Rioja or Cava, eat your paella, and watch the seagulls skim the top of the Mediterranean. This restaurant is well worth the trip. However, be mindful the waiter staff is typically Catalan, which means… not overly nice. The waiters are dry and abrupt, and will particularly shun your table if you act like a drunk tourist who assumes everyone speaks English.
Enjoy!
Restaurant Elx - Maremagnum, Local 9, Moll d’Espanya 5 [Metro L4 (Barceloneta)]
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