I can't speak highly enough about Arume - as it was hands down the best paella and sangria my fiance and I were lucky enough to have on our most recent - and first time visit - to Barcelona.
Once off the dark and winding, stony streets and into the intimate and warmly lit belly of Arume, you're hit with an immediate attack on the senses - intoxicating smells fill the air and sights of drinks being mixed, plates firing from the kitchen, brimming bowls being served all around... it was hard to tear our eyes away from the plates of octopus, lamb, scallops waiting to be grabbed and taken to their appointed tables from the open window of the kitchen as we were whisked by and seated in the second room of the restaurant - another convivial and similarly inviting setup. No frills needed.
We immediately dove into a pitcher of the red wine sangria - which - was far and away the most spectacular batch I've ever tasted. Perfectly balanced, not too sweet, not to alcoholic (though don't kid yourself, strong nonetheless), and the perfect accompaniment for what was to come.
With every intention of feeding our paella craving with both their seafood and duck paellas, we opted for a few starters (even though we could've easily went in for one of everything), and with the help of the super friendly wait staff, were not disappointed. First was the tomato/fresh tuna 'salad' which was more like small beds of tomato/tuna/onion/a beautiful vinaigrette - I LOVED this dish. Perfectly fresh and acidic at the same time, with a palpable freshness that was just plain moorish. Next, we shared the Galacian Clams in a Thai Curry as well as the Crispy Octopus (with potato seaweed foam and paprika oil). Both were OUTSTANDING. We could've bathed in the Thai Curry sauce and the octopus was perfectly crispy without being overly oily - and the hints of spice danced alongside the more cooling potato notes.
Plates scraped clean...it was time for the main event. We'd both had dreams of paella, and my lord were we not disappointed. The seafood paella carried strong flavors of the sea and octopus, clams and mussels throughout. The singular drawback I'd say was the lack of shrimp in the dish. Aside from the giant prawn sitting atop the paella which made for a beautiful presentation, safe for the shrimp notes in the stock, there were none to be found. That said, it was still an incredible, and top notch paella. The true star was the duck paella w/ padron peppers. HOLY MOLY. I would give anything to have this gorgeous skillet in front of me right now. Especially once we folded in the accompanying yogurt-like sauce, dolloped on top, there was such an incredible depth of flavor, and absorbent amount of duck hiding in the nooks and crannies of the perfectly cooked rice, it was hard to stop eating. And stop we did not, instead, we devoured.
Another hefty glass of the sangria for each of us to top off the night, and we were two happy, and full, campers...heading out into the night to dream of paella and when we'd be able to come back to Arume (to try everything else as well of course(!)
Reservations are HIGHLY recommended. It's a small space and while they seemed incredibly accommodating, it's definitely worth nabbing a spot in advance. read more