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Mention the prospect of dining at a Spanish establishment to me and my mind would shrill with excitement as I begin to picture the myriad of tapas to be ordered. It is safe to say that with a penchant for the Spaniards and their culture, I am intrinsically drawn to the vivacious serenades, the alluring lingo and of course, the sheer vibrancy of their food.
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Of all the restaurants that I have been to, Tapas Club will remain as one of my fondest dining memories, with a dim but enchanting setting that further pampers you with its amazing food, incredible customer service and of course, complimentary olives. The twelfth day of the twelfth month may very well mark the first time that I fell in love with not only this place, but also one special someone whom I had the fullest joy of bringing along.
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Mawkishly sappy recounts aside, a return to this place was inevitable. Previously, I had the pleasure of trying one of their paellas for the very first time, and true enough, it is arguably the best paella at its price point. The Paella de Cerdo Ibérico ($26++) came served with strips of the Ibérico pork and lardo, boasting a robust and all too homely taste of the countryside. A simple tapas of Tartar de Salmón ($13.90++) gave a refreshing switch-up away from the generally savoury dishes served at Tapas Club, with diced salmon, julienned chillies, onions and a wonderfully bright marinade.
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The second visit gave way to the discovery of a must-order dish if you happen to be a fan of mushrooms, spice and all things earthy and nice. I have one word for the Cazuela de Setas Al Ajillo ($10.90++): a-series-of-contrasting-subtleties-that-result-in-a-definitive-flavour-explosion-occurring-on-multiple-levels. You have to try this dish. Then came the paella, the Arroz Negro ($26++) was a toothsome favourite of the table with every grain of the imported Spanish Arroz Redonda short-grain rice coated in squid ink, topped with cuttlefish, clams and dressed with aioli. Their Torreznos con Trinxat ($12.90++) had a indescribable downgrade factor from the first time I tried it, which leads to me to believe consistency may be a factor in some cases. Definitely worth a visit if you love red and yellow for Spain and evermore.