Fire up the pans and gather the saffron—March 27 marks National Spanish Paella Day, a celebration of Spain’s iconic rice dish that has become a global sensation. Finding its origins in Valencia on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, paella has grown to become the unofficial national food of Spain while finding international success with variations worldwide, as other countries put their own flair on the dish.
This year, for National Spanish Paella Day, Philadelphia’s premier Spanish tapas restaurant and sherry bar, Oloroso, located in the heart of Center City, offers a lineup of three expertly crafted paellas. Oloroso offers a contemporary yet authentic take on one of Spain’s most beloved and recognizable dishes, making it the perfect destination to mark the occasion.
“Paella is by far one of our most rewarding dishes to create and present to our guests at Oloroso,” said owner and chef Townsend Wentz. “We strive to honor the tradition and origins of this iconic Spanish dish while adding our own signature touch. It’s a dish meant to be shared, bringing people together over bold flavors and time-honored techniques.”
Traditionally enjoyed as a communal meal prepared over an open flame, paella is one of Oloroso’s top-selling menu items. While its ingredients change with the seasons, the heart of the dish and the time-honored preparation process remain constant. Guests at Oloroso can join the celebration by ordering either a half or full-sized serving of Oloroso’s paella, available one of three ways: Paella Oloroso (shrimp, mussels, clams, chicken, chorizo, tomato-shellfish broth, and saffron), Paella Verdura (grilled seasonal vegetables, roasted red peppers, and kombu oil) and Paella Squid Ink (crispy cod tempura, snap peas, pil pil emulsion and squid ink).
From humble origins as lunch for the working class dating back to the 19th century to arguably Spain’s most traditional and time-honored dish, there are plenty of reasons why Paella has not been lost to time roughly 200 years later. Whether it’s your first time partaking or if you’re a connoisseur, Oloroso is the perfect place to celebrate National Spanish Paella Day.
Reservations are recommended and can be made via Resy. For more information, visit olorosophl.com
