Great authentic Spanish Paella at this fashionable London hot spot and then a soporific siesta - what better way to spend a Sunday!
Iberica one of London's best and trendiest Spanish tapas restaurants in Great Porland Street transforms itself into a family friendly Spanish restaurant serving a Sunday lunch menu with three traditional paellas.
For those diners who love traditional paella this top Spanish restaurant in the west end gives diners a choice of specially prepared authentic dishes originating from the city of Valencia. There was a time when a seafood paella was considered Spanish food for the poorer coastal inhabitants. Wealthy land owners in the hills ate only poultry paellas. Chicken, hare and rabbit was the dish of the rich. Now ironically it is the reverse as seafood has become expensive even on the coast.
Iberica's Sunday lunch menu doesn't have any class distinction.They cater for everyone's taste whether it be fish or fowl or a combination of both and vegetarians need not feel excluded as the chef prepares a special mixed garden vegetable paella.
Although Iberica has a reduced selection of tapas on their Sunday lunch menu diners might do better not to indulge in too many of these tasty starters and save their appetites for the main event. A little Huelva ham to start and a Cava Rosada pale pink and delicately sweet with a pleasant fruity well balanced taste is just sufficient.
Scenting the procession of the saffron flavoured rice in the large iron paella pans passing by to other tables sends signals to the stomach that it is about to go on an amazing holiday: a culinary taste trip to sunny Spain. The Paella arrives: one chicken and rabbit and the other mixed seafood beautifully presented in the pans with large lemon wedges.
The chicken paella is also mixed with rabbit on this occasion which has been traditionally used in this recipe for more than a century.The Bomba rice which Iberica uses in their dishes is known as the king of paella rices because its water absorbtion factor is greater than other brands – each grain seems to hold its rich taste and texture. The stronger flavour of the rabbit couples well with the lighter taste of the poultry; both are moist, tender and beautifully cooked with the traditional saffron seasoning which gives this colourful dish such a delightful piquant taste.
The seafood paella is a fullsome Mediterranean sea sensation! Mussels, octopus, baby lobster, clams and other fishy bits again with the superb rice and traditional saffron seasoning. A liberal squeeze of lemon on the food adds a further zesty kick to this friendly dish that has traditionally been the Spanish family focal point for a Sunday feast.
This light and airy restaurant full of large tables of happy relaxed diners proffers a delightful eating experience. Iberica's great food and warm hearted atmosphere cannot fail to bring a ray of Spanish sunshine and unity to any family gathering.
Iberica Restaurant can be found at 195 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PS.To make reservations call 0207 636 8650. The restaurant is open for Sunday Paella lunch between 12noon and 4pm.
Iberica Restaurant
195 Great Portland St, London W1W 5PS, UK
Top Spanish Paella London W1 – Best Sunday Lunch at Iberica
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