Spanish in the Village: Las Paellas Cafe

One of my least favorite cuisine is Spanish.  I don't know why, but it must be its relative similarities with most Filipino dishes, such that the distinction is blurred.  Or maybe it's the general appearance of the food, commonly served in small portions or tapas style.  Although I do agree that Spanish food is both filling and fulfilling.  I have been gratified with my few forays in Alba, Guernica, and Ilustrado - particularly liking salpicao and cochinillo.  Still, it's not something I dream of whenever my mind is idle (and my stomach empty).

Nonetheless, the village does have notable Spanish restaurants in the vicinity.  I couldn't recall when this Las Paellas Cafe branch opened just behind our house.  Likely, I didn't give it much attention.  But, a free lunch is still free lunch.  So, I happily joined the family for a trip behind our fence, ridiculously taking our cars for a distance we can actually walk through.

Caesar Salad, P195 (+10% service charge)

The place was empty as it practically opened for us.  With brightly lit interiors, the walls were painted in festive orange and yellow to set one in the mood for food.  The menu was basically Spanish food with Filipino imprints.  We started of with a serving of Caesar Salad.  The greens were fresh, moist and crisp.  The light vinaigrette dressing was a welcome flavor.  The croutons and crispy bacon added yet another crunchy dimension, although the bacon bits seemed few and negligible.

Gambas Al Ajillo, P255 (+10% service charge)

One of my favorite tapas, the obligatory Gambas was my pick of the day.  Sauteed in olive oil, these shrimps were peppered with chili to add some zest and spice.  It came served with a single piece of garlic bread cut in half.  One would dare wipe up the excess olive oil with the bread, which was crusty on the outside yet soft enough within.

The shrimps were small-sized yet plump and juicy.  Mildly spicy, the flavor was addicting.  My only gripe was that it was literally swimming in oil.  I should have ordered rice immediately to soak up the sauce.

Tortang Talong Stuffed with Galunggong, P195 (+10% service charge)

Although eating with senior citizens comes with its perks (hello, 20% discount!), the downside is most orders are either seafood or veggies.  The Tortang Talong has pinoy written all over it, with its toppings of chopped fresh tomatoes and onions.

An easy dish to make in one's own home, this version was supposed to be stuff with galunggong fish.  I could hardly make out the stuffing, yet even find minute traces of it.  The eggplant was okay, and the egg batter was not overwhelming.

Crispy Kare-Kare, P310 (+10% service charge)

Already widespread in its many permutations, the Las Paellas version was apparently a more recent addition.  A rack of crisp pork belly was soaked in thick peanut sauce and served with various vegetables.  This was obviously ordered to appease my carnivorous cravings.

The pork was crisp but not consistently so.  The fat to meat ratio was 50/50, which is actually a plus for me.  The skin was crisp in some parts, but chewy in some slices.  The meat though was flavorful in itself.  The sauce was nutty and leaned toward a sweeter side, a particular preference I liked in kare-kare.  The string beans and sliced eggplant were crisp and fresh also.  I did, however, raise my eyebrow with how it came served with the bagoong dip haphazardly placed within the bowl itself.  I would have preferred it to be served separately, to give one the freedom to season the dish to taste.  Their version was okay, but pales in comparison to the higher quality of Pino's version of kare-kareng bagnet.

Valenciana, P525 (+10% service charge)

What's a trip to a Spanish joint without paella?  The group feasted on two versions, the Valenciana and the Marinara.  The Valenciana was a mish-mash of nearly everything - chicken, pork chorizo, and assorted seafood.  The saffron rice was soft but not mushy, it was creamy in texture.  The tomato-based sauce was mild but somewhat more fluid than the usual paella way.  I liked the chorizo as it was peppery and fatty.  Bits of chicken were nowhere to be found except when I was jolted by its chopped up bones.  Some of the clams and oysters actually had no content, which was a disappointing revelation.

Marinara, P525 (+10% service charge)

On the other hand, the Marinara mix seemed heftier and had more content.  The slices of squid was tender and not rubbery.  The briny flavor of the shrimp was good and added saltiness to an otherwise oily dish.  Again, the rice was correctly done, leaving no burnt grains on the pot.  The serving size for both paella dishes should be good for 3-4 average persons.

Perhaps not as classy or high-end as Ilustrado, or even Alba, Las Paellas Cafe is an easy and affordable way for people who crave good Spanish food without breaking the bank.  True to their name, the paella dishes are done correctly, but not spectacularly.  For the simple reason that Pino is quite far from my place, I may come back for this version of Crispy Kare-Kare, as it was nearly at par.  Despite my near disinterest for Spanish food, Las Paellas Cafe may deserve that biannual visit.

Jones

Las Paellas Cafe

Aguirre Avenue, BF Homes

Paranaque City