Paella Flavors | TATEL Beverly Hills, CA

Spanish Momentos at TATEL Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills, CA, March 2023

• GAYOT’s Rating: 14/20
• Cuisine: Spanish
• Open: Lunch & Dinner Mon.-Wed. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Thurs. 11 a.m.-midnight, Fri. 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Sat. noon-2 a.m., Sun. noon-10 p.m.
• TATEL is on GAYOT’s:
– Best Los Angeles Restaurants with the Best Décor
– Best Beverly Hills & West LA Outdoor Dining Restaurants
– Best Los Angeles Craft Cocktail Bars
– Best Los Angeles Sexy Restaurants.

As there are many items from the Spanish repertoire on TATEL’s menu, I decided to concentrate on the paella. Before indulging in the celebrated dish from Valencia, I started my dinner with a great craft Bourbon cocktail called “Whiskey Business,” a good introduction to my evening of food critic business. Being French, I had to ask for bread as TATEL’s olive oil bottle standing on the table was nagging me. It ended up being a good idea as the bread was up to the taste and crunchiness.

Chef Marva Desimone surprised me with the Fried Cauliflower, prepared tempura style with gluten-free batter, sprinkled with breadcrumbs and pine nuts. You have to dip it into the crème fraîche and red pepper sauce it comes with. Desimone uses organic high-quality cauliflower, and it pays off on your tastebuds. This dish is not marked as a “TATEL Classic” on the menu, but it should. I, unfortunately, had to stop eating it, as I knew two paellas were coming.

First, let’s talk about the Arroz del Señoret, made with shrimp, sea bass and chopped calamari. As you can see in the photo below, this is not your typical paella. In the Valencian dialect Senyoret means “lord.” Back in the day, gentlemen did not want to get their hands dirty, so the shellfish was peeled, and the fish deboned. After all, TATEL is located in the most prestigious zip code in America. You wouldn’t want to de-shell your seafood at the table with your own hands and get them flavored. You are here to enjoy the rice cooked in fish stock and tomatoes.

Second, came a meat-only paella, described on the menu as Spanish Traditional Rice with Boneless Short Rib. Again, TATEL is showcasing a twist on paella. Which one to choose? Don’t — just order both and alternate the bites. That will keep your palate alert.

The Arroz Con Leche was nothing special, unlike the “TATEL World Famous Cheesecake,” as listed on the menu. “World Famous,” really? You wonder when you stumble upon these words… But after having it, the cheesecake might well be bestowed with “The Best Cheesecake in the Galaxy.” It is nothing like you’ve ever tasted in that dessert category. It is silk in the mouth. (It is vegan, and you can take home a whole one for $119.)

Sophie‘s Tip: Yo tengo que regresar a TATEL para probar los otros TATEL Classicos.

> Scroll down the food photo gallery for the décor photos.

TATEL | GAYOT’s Rating: 14/20
453 N. Canon Dr. (Santa Monica Blvd.), Beverly Hills, CA 90210
424-380-7902 | View Website