Cozy Spanish Dining
After seeing a scene of eating paella in Spain on the European side outside the tent, I suddenly craved paella and visited a restaurant called Dos Besos in Pasadena.
When I entered the restaurant, the interior was so beautiful that I felt good even before eating. The restaurant was divided into an indoor space and a patio, and although we sat in the indoor area, it seemed that all the incoming guests preferred to sit in the patio.
We ordered Gambas al ajillo, Pulpo a la gallega, and Paella del mar. Gambas al ajillo and Pulpo a la gallega are part of the Tapas menu, which refers to small amounts of food typically enjoyed with drinks before a meal in Spain. Since paella takes about 35 minutes to prepare, it’s a good idea to order some items from the Tapas menu as well.
First came the Gambas al ajillo and Pulpo a la gallega. Seeing us enjoy the food so much, the owner came over and explained that the shrimp were wild-caught, not farmed, and were very fresh and juicy, while the octopus in Pulpo a la gallega came from Spain and was boiled with vegetables for two hours, seasoned only with olive oil, paprika, and salt. Perhaps that’s why the seafood was incredibly fresh, and especially the octopus was tender and not chewy at all. Another surprising aspect was that the food was not salty. Living in the U.S., I had come to expect salty food, but here the seasoning was mild, allowing the flavors of the seafood to shine through.
Finally, the Paella del mar arrived. We chose the seafood paella, but there are also options like squid ink paella, seafood noodle paella, and vegetable paella, so you can choose according to your preference. Even before eating, the visual and aroma of the paella stimulated my appetite, and as soon as I took a bite, the flavors of tomato and seafood filled my mouth. The rice was thinly crusted, creating many crispy parts, and a staff member came over to scrape the crusted rice from the pan, making it easy to eat and incredibly delicious.
Dos Besos
In fact, I thought there would be leftovers because the portions were large, but it was so delicious that I finished everything without leaving a single bite. Next time I come, I think I can order three tapas. If you want to enjoy a paella full of fresh seafood, be sure to visit Dos Besos restaurant located in Pasadena.
