I want to eat Paella it's my b-day

[justla]

It's my birthday and I want Paella. I just called La Paella on San Vicente and they said they couldn't accomodate a party of 10 for this coming Sat. How small is this place? I need a place to go and have some good Paella in a nice atmosphere with my 9 friends in Los Angeles at around 8pm on Sat. Suggestions PLEASE.

I posted this on the Cali board by mistake.

[graffitipassion]

Just an update from my venture out to La Espanola. I went on a Saturday, so the place was packed with people picking up their Paella to eat it outside or take to go.

Still, dispite the line forming that was beginning to reach the door, the owner (Dona Juana) and her relative were so increadibly kind. They also kept a spread of cheese and chorizo out for people to sample, which seemed to keep everyone calm.

I asked about the restaurant and they told me they had no affiliation with any restaurants except that they sold to most Spanish restuarants in the U.S. Their only recomendation for TRULY authetic Spanish food was a restaurant called Viva Madrid in Claremount Village.

[kproq323]

The owners of La Espanola in Harbor City owns a great restaurant in Glendale that specializes in Paella. They use their mother's recipe from a small village in Spain. I would just call La Espanola and ask them for info on their restaurant. Unfortunately I do not remember the name.

[graffitipassion]

I would really like to find this out! Fortunately, I am heading to La Espanola this weekend to pick up some staples. I'll be sure to ask and let you guys know if someone doesn't beat me to it.

[uni]

I’m part Spanish and I have tried every Spanish Restaurant (or so they say its a spanish restaurant) here in Los Angeles. La Paella is a joke. The paella there is awful and overpriced. That’s really one thing we are missing here in L.A, good authentic Spanish food. This place serves good paella:

Spain Restaurant
1866 Glendale Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
[phone]

The restaurant is nothing fancy. It’s actually beside the on ramp to the 2 freeway. The paella is close enough to home, but it’s still not as good as my abolita's. They also have authentic dishes. The boquerones that they serve is very good. They also have a small deli where you can buy everything you need to make paella at home.

[slacker]

Thanks for posting this. I'll have to check it out, especially the paella.

The paella at Cha Cha Cha, mentioned above, is just so-so.

Ciudad has paella Tuesdays. Haven't tried their paella, but maybe you can get it on other nights too.

[moniqueyd]

Primitivo Tapas/Wine bar....everything is appetizer size but they do have delicious paella. Really cool vibe, lots of fun and lots of room. Plus....lots of great wines.
It's on Abbot Kinney in Venice.
Happy B-day.....have fun!!!

[hrhboo]

Unfortunately, Primitivo doesn't seat parties larger than 6 at the weekends. I do love their food though and heartily agree with your rec.

[trojanhorse]

That's too bad they can't accomodate, La Paella is really good, especially the black squid-ink paella. A fun spot to take a larger party for good paella is Cha Cha Cha, there are 2 of them and IMO the Hollywood one has a little nicer atmosphere. Don't miss the sangria and mojitos there, as well! Happy birthday!

[julietg]

La Paella isn't that small, just intimate.

Try:

La Luna Negra
44 West Green Street, Pasadena, CA

[nd33x]

I second this suggestion. Good tapas, paella, and great sangria. They also have entertainment and a band on Friday and Saturday nights. Nice big tables for large parties.

[SauceSupreme]

La Luna Negra has a huge room and should be able to accomodate you given enough advance notice.

[slacker]

I don't recall ever seeing paella on the menu at La Luna Negra. I used to like this place a whole lot, went there all the time, mostly for atmosphere. But the tapas are very borderline Spanish, if at all.

[SauceSupreme]

They must have taken it off the menu, or I've had one too many pitchers of sangria in my lifetime. Both are equally probable.