Food for Thought

On Fridays, Rosie serves a mixed stew of New Jersey food and dining information. Today, read about her dinner at the Spanish Tavern in Newark for Lowell’s birthday and their anniversary.

SPANISH TAVERN, NEWARK
For our second date, Lowell told me that he would like to take me to The Spanish Tavern in Newark. This was before there were computers and before there was a Rosie (I was known as Rosalie then). At that time, the restaurant was a small bar across the street from where the restaurant is currently located. Lowell ordered Paella Valenciana for two containing lobster, clams, shrimp, mussels and scallops, Spanish sausage, and chicken with saffron rice, which I cautiously tasted since I had never eaten it before. Then I proceeded to wolf down a couple of portions. I was in love….with the paella—and with Lowell. We have had many laughs recalling this date. Recently when I asked him where I could take him for his birthday (which is the same day as our anniversary), he said, “Spanish Tavern.” We had not been there in over 20 years.

Well, sometimes it is better to rely on our memories, as we remembered the food being so much better than it was on a recent visit. However, more than 20 years ago our palates were also different. Bread came with butter in tin foil, which most likely would have not bothered us when we were dating. It does now. A watery minestrone soup came with dinner and was sparse on ingredients and flavor. Octopus, one of our go to dishes that we love grilled and charred, was boiled, bland and served on a wooden tray with boiled potatoes and sprinkled with paprika and olive oil. Broiled Chilean sea bass was a respectable hunk of fish in a tasty light garlic and wine sauce. It was accompanied by string beans and carrots. A side of addictive crisp and hot Spanish potatoes were distinctive and one of the best we have had in a long time. While the bright red lobster in the colorful Paella Valenciana, with yellow rice and green peas, was perfectly cooked and a generous portion, the chicken was overcooked, the sausage was very thinly sliced and the rest of the shellfish disappointing perhaps because the rice was salty. The light flan was homey and much enjoyed. Expect big portions here, tables close together and exemplary service. While the menu is heavy in fish dishes, veal, chicken, lamb, pork and beef items are also on the menu. Specials are written out with their prices. In all, we had a fun evening celebrating our life-cycle events.

Paella Valenciana
Photo courtesy of Lowell Saferstein

Spanish Tavern
103 McWhorter Street
Newark
973-589-4959

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