Aioli Bodega Espanola

I was invited to Aioli Bodega Espanola for a holiday lunch get together with fellow staff co-workers. It’s my first time here. The lunch was on a Tuesday (12/5) afternoon. Never had Spanish food before so was really looking forward to the experience. The restaurant dining area is a bit tight between tables but the owners seem to manage the space well. Our server was friendly and hospitable. She read through the days special and offered us options for drinks. She tended to our needs and took care of us. Service is a 5/5. Our food once ordered came within 15 minutes. It was warm but cooler than expected. Presentation of the dishes were ok probably deserving a 4/5. I ordered the Ravioles Caseros, a house made ravioli stuffed with herbs and fontina cheese, in a shiitake mushroom sauce. It was yummy and is different from other raviolis I’ve had at Italian eateries; but this is Spanish food and I enjoyed my meal. A 4.5/5. Value to price ratio is about a 4/5. Prices are on the higher side compared to other eateries in the area. Overall experience is about a 4/5. In all, Aioli Bodega Espanola offers a unique dining experience unlike other eateries. It’s not your common American, Italian, Mexican, or Asian cuisine. So if you’re looking for something different and are okay with paying extra for the experience, Aioli Bodega Espanola should top your list. If you find this review helpful, give the thumbs up button a tap below!

Overall this is a great place. Service and atmosphere were pleasant. Having had a lot of Spanish food due to our heritage, we were very much looking forward to the food and felt that, even though it was good, it was not amazing. We ordered the patatas bravas, the gambas al ajillo, the seafood paella and the lamb chops. The potatoes and the lamb chops were great - but the gambas were a bit on the colder side. The paella was just underwhelming - not bad but not amazing. Overall would come back for a spanish food craving, service was great.

Great ambiance, great drinks but the paella was just a little bit bland for my liking! For $60 I expected the seafood paella to blow my socks off but it was just okay. The mussels in garlic sauce though, oh my god. They were by far the best thing we had on the menu. Melt-in-your mouth tender and we had to get two bread baskets to lap up all of the sauce it came with. If it wasn’t socially acceptable I would’ve licked the plate clean. Pricey place but a few items (mussels, cocktails) are worth it!

On 2 separate occasions I have dined-in and ordered their soups and tapas -- all items ordered were excellent. Of particular note were the vegetarian soups - Creamy Asparagus (hot) and Watermelon Gazpacho (cold). Also, I could eat the Patatas Bravas (fried potatoes tapas) all day everyday if given the opportunity.

Busy Saturday night. Staff was friendly and attentive. The food was very good and served in a timely manner- very nice presentation. We enjoyed a delicious raspberry chocolate cake for dessert. I dressed up and was hot because the doors were open and no air conditioning. A little noisy but I call it lively. Enjoyed!