The Paella Mix

This Spanish-style restaurant should be bigger. I have never been more impressed with the accuracy of traditional spanish dishes in the midwest more than I have when my wife and I visited Carlos at The Paella Mix. My wife is from a small town outside Valencia, and even she was impressed. We got Papas Bravas, Gambas, and I got a Jamon Serrano Bocadillo. Everything was cooked and flavored to perfection. We both got the red sangria, it was delicious and very accurate to a traditional sangria in Spain. Carlos is a very pleasant manager with a clear passion for what he does. He agreed that the menu should expand in the future, so we are very excited to see what is in store for the Paella Mix!We are already planning a trip back to try the actual paella.

Phenomenal. Great paella made even greater by the fresh seafood. The squid, both fried and in paella, was soft and tender. The sauce of the mussel dish was very savory, that after all the mussels are consumed, I would still take the sauce by the spoonful. Food came to our table very quickly in a rhythmic pace, and I watched the chef whipping up the food in real time. It’s a very commendable achievement for a small kitchen of a small shop in River Market. 4 dishes for 2 person was very much enough, and we left with a just full stomach and a very good mood.

Having lived in Spain for a couple of years, I wanted to see if the Paella Mix had a level of authenticity that reminded me of the great food in Spain and it certainly did! I had the paella mixta (seafood) and my wife had La paella Valenciana. Both were spectacular, some of the best I have including my Paellas in Spain!!! We also enjoyed the gambas al ajillo which were magical! Cucumber and tomatoes with meal was a nice bonus along with great Spanish style bread. Thanks Carlos for bringing Spain to KC!

We ordered a lot to try, we were satisfied with the most dishes, besides seafood paella, they premade it and put it on the pan, the temperature was not even hot, and no rice cracker on the bottom. Calamari and potato were really tasty, highly recommended, they use potato wedge instead of real potato chunk, but I’m fine with it since they have really small kitchen. Clam tasted good too, even it’s really salty, but the garlic inside brought the flavor to next level.

Had an incredible evening at the Paella Mix last week. Carlos, the chef and owner, hosted our family to a private dinner where he prepared a delicious paella full of seafood. We enjoyed classic Spanish appetizers, delicious Spanish wine, Basque, cheesecake, and Catalan cream – the best version of custard one can enjoy. In classic Spanish style, we were encouraged to take our time, to savor, to enjoy a long conversational dinner. It was a perfect evening. Thank you, Carlos, for your delicious food and lovely hospitality.