El Arco

Although from the U.S. we travel frequently to Spain, sampling paella along the way. Having said that, the paella we enjoyed last night was definitely on the short list of the best.
The rice was well seasoned and perfectly cooked; not dry, mushy or greasy. The seafood was fresh and the chicken tasty. While waiting for the paella, which is finished to order, we tried the grilled vegetable platter; another pleasant surprise.
We also liked the atmosphere of this restaurant. The feeling when we walked in the door was warm and inviting. Our server was both charming and attentive, without being a hoverer.
All said, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Taberna el Arco, especially for their paella. In this crowded and competitive catagory it is still a standout.

We stumbled upon this little beauty in our travels through El Centro in Madrid. What drew us in were photos of a variety of Paella and Tortilla de Potata. Our server was fantastic and offered helpful information regarding the menu and wine selection. Based on the our wine profile he suggested a wonderful bottle of wine and shared details about Spanish wines available in the area.
We ordered the mixed meat paella which to clarify is a mixture of seafood, the traditional tortilla de potato (it’s like a spanish quiche with potatoes) and the cheese plate. It was a lofty order for the two of us but we enjoyed it equally as much at home.
The paella is made at the time of order, our server made sure we were aware it would be about 25 minutes for the food to arrive but not to worry as the tortilla de potata and cheese platter arrived shortly after we ordered. The Tortilla de Potata was the best I’ve had. It was perfectly cooked with the right blend of seasoning. My husband had a extra servings which is unusually because he hates eggs. The cheeses were each different and very unique. I even liked the blue cheese because it seemed milder than others I’ve tried in the past. The paella had a generous offering of seafood including mussels, clams, prawns, and squid. We finished the crêpe with dulce de leche. On top of all of this, the meal was very affordable.
The food was superb and the staff was delightful. It’s only been open for a few months and I expect they’ll take off quickly making it difficult to get a seat. Get in while you still can!