Paella in Calgary?

[msommers]

Any ideas on where to find some good stuff? Seriously craving it!

[Guillermo]

there used to be a spanish restaurant down near Eau Claire, they might (?) have it. that is if they are even still there, since the whole tapas thing faded around 2005 or so (and I think they specialized in tapas).

[pho88]

The only place I know of is Mimo.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/mimorest/

[me_dennis]

Originally posted by Guillermo
there used to be a spanish restaurant down near Eau Claire, they might (?) have it. that is if they are even still there, since the whole tapas thing faded around 2005 or so (and I think they specialized in tapas).


don quixotes.. this is the only place i've had paella

[flipstah]

Originally posted by pho88
The only place I know of is Mimo.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/mimorest/



Originally posted by me_dennis



don quixotes.. this is the only place i've had paella

Time to try some new places!
:drool:

[taemo]

there's also this
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g154913-d705893-Reviews-Paella_Spanish_Restaurant-Calgary_Alberta.html
8th st, 6th ave SW but never heard anything good about it.

Gonna give Mimo a call and see if they are open tonight, havent had paella for so long
edit: gave Mimo a call, lady sounded really friendly. Will be there at 5pm.

[msommers]

Please let us know your impressions!

[flipstah]

Originally posted by msommers
Please let us know your impressions!

+1. Paella's rule!

[msommers]

Originally posted by flipstah


Paella's rule!

Paella's rule is what?








:rofl:

[Neil4Speed]

Originally posted by msommers


Paella's rule is what?

:rofl:

Classic Geologist, almost a joke.

:)

[pho88]

Originally posted by taemo
there's also this
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g154913-d705893-Reviews-Paella_Spanish_Restaurant-Calgary_Alberta.html
8th st, 6th ave SW but never heard anything good about it.



This place actually became a steak house.

[taemo]

Alright guys, went with the gf and we both enjoyed it.

This is a family restaurant and surprisingly it is owned and operated most of the time by only one lady, Isabel De Costa.
She's been operating this restaurant for 27 years now, does the cooking and serving all by herself and manages both the restaurant and the bar on the other side.
She calls her daughters and husband if she needs the extra hands.

We arrived at quarter to five, greeted by no one as she was probably managing the bar or kitchen at the time, few seconds later she comes to greet us and make us sit anywhere we wanted. (someone came in at around 5pm but since she was cooking our meal they probably thought there was no one and left)

Lots of seafood choices at this restaurant but since we were set on paella she suggested we tried the flaming sausage for starter. She comes back few min later with complimentary bread and a chorizo which she lits on fire.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/6152272916_4d0e0b2852.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itaemo/6152272916/)
201109155D-IMG_9758.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itaemo/6152272916/) by earl.dieta (http://www.flickr.com/people/itaemo/), on Flickr
It's like salami and after firing up, becomes tougher and saltier. We both loved eating it with the bread.

The paella takes about 30minutes to prepare and portions are very generous, better be with a $30$ price 'For 1' which can feed 2, I wasn't aware how big the portion would be so we ordered a 'For 2' size for $50 and it can feed 4 hungry persons.
Presentation looks great - 5/5
Taste was a little disappointing - 3/5
It looked like the meat(beef and chicken) was already pre-cooked, rice was a little dry but cooking may vary per customers as comparing to other reviews/pictures online, their paella looked different than what we had.

I'll let the picture decide whether it looks authentic paella or not but we thoroughly liked it and ate half of it.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6151727337_d5229234fc.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itaemo/6151727337/)
201109155D-IMG_9771.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itaemo/6151727337/) by earl.dieta (http://www.flickr.com/people/itaemo/), on Flickr

I wouldn't mind going back again and order a bigger paella plate with friends, have more of that flaming chorizo, try all the different seafood and pork dishes.

I took pictures of the menu for those interested on trying it out and maybe share their paella experience as well

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6179/6151726945_1550b81c33.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itaemo/6151726945/)
201109155D-IMG_9745.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itaemo/6151726945/) by earl.dieta (http://www.flickr.com/people/itaemo/), on Flickr
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6151726389_1f1a74d8e5.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itaemo/6151726389/)
201109155D-IMG_9741.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itaemo/6151726389/) by earl.dieta (http://www.flickr.com/people/itaemo/), on Flickr
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6184/6151726621_6cdf319277.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itaemo/6151726621/)
201109155D-IMG_9742.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itaemo/6151726621/) by earl.dieta (http://www.flickr.com/people/itaemo/), on Flickr
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6083/6152272628_2c82bc26c6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itaemo/6152272628/)
201109155D-IMG_9744.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/itaemo/6152272628/) by earl.dieta (http://www.flickr.com/people/itaemo/), on Flickr

[Isaiah]

I've been going to Mimo for about 20 years and the quality of both the food and service has always been stellar. Back in the day, that was where everyone would get together to watch all the World Cup games and the place would get so full you could barely move. The paella there has never disappointed and Isabel is a real peach.

Abdul, the owner of La Paella (restaurant) turned it into a steak house a couple of years ago. Although I have been a customer over the years, I would say even at its prime their signature dish didn't live up to it's namesake.

Don Quijote, the Spanish restaurant and bar on 3rd ave across from Eau Claire, has really gone downhill of late. For several years, the GM (who also moonlighted as their head chef) had mastered the paella and it was widely considered the best in the city. The last few times I've been there, however, it's either the owner Jose or their cook who prepares the dish and it doesn't hold a candle to the original. To make matters worse, the prices have increased while portion sizes have decreased.

Coles notes: Mimo FTW.

[msommers]

Thanks for the feedback! I may have to try it although it doesn't really look like what I was used to getting in Spain (for 9 euros too) but it's worth a shot. Love the pics!

As an aside, I went to Don Quijote's one night while they had their salsa dancing thing and there are some serious people in there, I definitely felt out of place. The energy and music are good, just feels odd that they have to shut it down at 2 :(

[sdevils15]

That looks like something that Shooter McGavin would eat.

[taemo]

Originally posted by msommers
Thanks for the feedback! I may have to try it although it doesn't really look like what I was used to getting in Spain (for 9 euros too) but it's worth a shot. Love the pics!


yeah it wasn't the paella that I remember from Spain but then again each restaurant/countrie's paella may differ from each other, however it still tasted fantastic.
Just that the meat looked pre-cooked and the rice she served us was a little dry.
Fresh parsley gave it a really fresh flavour though and my gf who is picky with food enjoyed eating it as well.

here's a picture on urbanspoon of the paella that others have received at Mimo
http://a2.urbns.pn/w/s/Z0/MxkqzoNtmM6R5h-640m.jpg
Looks like it has more broth than ours.

One thing I forgot to mention is you get to pick how spicy do you want your paella, we went with mild. It had some heat but not enough to burn in your mouth

And like Isaiah, Mimo's FTW
I will definitely be back again for more

[pho88]

Not paella, but I really like the Blue House cafe which has a similar style of seafood. Service can be hit or miss, but the food is great. The Paila Marina looks like a variant of paella.

http://www.bluehousecafe.ca/index-1.html

[Guillermo]

^^blue house also has 2-for-1 entree coupons in the entertainment book, just in case anyone is into saving money like I am :bigpimp:

[flipstah]

Originally posted by msommers


Paella's rule is what?








:rofl:



Originally posted by Neil4Speed


Classic Geologist, almost a joke.

:)

Neeeerrrdss. :rofl: Punctuation error FTL.

But good description and I can't wait to try it out! I thought paellas have a rice base then they put all the trimmings on top? All I see is broth in those ones... :confused:

[clem24]

Went to Mimo a few years ago.. The clams are soooo freakin' good. Unfortunately, that was the most memorable part of the meal for me.

http://www.members.shaw.ca/mimorest/photos/dishes/clams1.jpg

[vadeit]

Originally posted by taemo


here's a picture on urbanspoon of the paella that others have received at Mimo
http://a2.urbns.pn/w/s/Z0/MxkqzoNtmM6R5h-640m.jpg
Looks like it has more broth than ours.

One thing I forgot to mention is you get to pick how spicy do you want your paella, we went with mild. It had some heat but not enough to burn in your mouth

And like Isaiah, Mimo's FTW
I will definitely be back again for more


That looks like their taste of Portugal dish, not paella.

Is very, very good.