best seafood paella?

[nyny]

looking for really good seafood paella, any suggestions?

[Tristan]

Without question...Sala has the best seafood Paella I have ever had. I've taken 4 different people there and all have loved it.

Cool atmosphere, reasonable prices and Paella to travel for!!

Sala is on Bowery and Great Jones st, I believe.

[Wilfrid]

I have never had good traditional paella in New York, but Bolo used to serve a version of paella which at least had plenty of lobster in it. Check the menu, because I am thinking back a while.

[Eric K.]

I agree. I have been traveling to Spain for twenty years and never had an authentic paella in NYC.

There are some tasty ones to be sure, but nothing that is true to form. I do not know why that should be. Kinda like not be able to get a good bagle outside of NYC.

Having said that, Marichu makes a pretty tasty one.

[rcc]

Marichu recently changed it's name to Alcala. I don't know if they retained same chef/staff.

[LES Resident]

I disagree with Sala, I wasn't crazy about it. Paella is one of my favorites and I've ordered it in a ton of places. My old fave is El Faro on Greenwich but now it's too much rice. Haven't been to Nacional. The name escapes me, but I really liked the paella at a place in the low 50's off Lex? I'm sure someone here knows the name. Best bet is to go to any of several Portugese places in Newark, NJ. Much better than what is generally served in Manhattan.

[rcc]

"...The name escapes me, but I really liked the paella at a place in the low 50's off Lex?..."

You might be referring to Solera which is actually on 53rd between 2nd and 3rd. Have had their tapas and full dinner dishes, which in spite of them being somewhat prepared more on the "haute" and not the traditional style, they were quite good. Also have a very good wine list. Haven't had the paella, though.

[Johnny S]

Rincon De Espana on Thompson in the village has really good paella. I haven't been there for a while, but when we were there, the paella was excellent. They have a few different paellas you can try. Plus, they provide some entertainment on the weekends ;)

[Wilfrid]

Sorry, I've tried it and it's truly awful. Salty, undercooked rice, cheap seafood.

[waxyjax]

i'd also like to make a recommendation AGAINST this place. it's not just that the food isn't authentic--it's just nasty.

[jay]

The restaurant "Paella" on Ninth St. between third and second makes really good seafood paella. Its meant to be shared with another person, and comes to around 12-14 dollars a person. Lots of great tapas on the menu as well. The restaurant is small, but they have a bar area if you need to wait for a table.

[mln43]

Could not disagree more. My experience with seafood paella at "Paella" is pretty negative, absolutely lifeless and bland. no real seafood flavor present, just rice with some seafood thrown on top. the meat paella is slightly better. Tapas and drinks mediocre at best.

[Diner on 8th]

I like the paella in La Nacional. However, it is the traditional style, not a seafood-only meatless paella if that's what you are looking for.