La versión español está después de la versión inglés.
ONE DAY LAST week after morning coffee, José, the owner of Mesón Salvador, asked me if I liked paella. I told him I loved it. “And Jerry?” “I would guess he loves it, too,” I said. “OK, pick a day next week and we’ll make you paella.” San Geraldo was thrilled. It turns out he had never had paella. It usually serves a minimum of two people and it’s not a dish you want to order in any old restaurant. The only way it’s good is if it’s made fresh to-order.
There seemed to be quite a bit of excitement in the week since the plan was made. Our reservation was confirmed a few times by a few different staff. Adrián, who usually writes our reservations as “Mitchell Dakota” (Mitchell for me, obviously, and Dakota for San Geraldo), this time used our first and middle names. But fast forward to today at 2:30. We arrived, were greeted with hugs, and moments later our paella was placed on the table. Chef David is truly a wonder. When we finally emptied the pan, the bill arrived. You can see it below.
JOSÉ HAS TWO FAVORITE English expressions. One is: “Oh My God I Can’t Believe It.” The other is: “The Best In The World.” My sentiments exactly.
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UN DÍA LA semana pasada después del café de la mañana, José, el dueño de Mesón Salvador, me preguntó si me gustaba la paella. Le dije que me encantaba. “Y Jerry?” “Supongo que él también lo ama”, dije. “Bueno, elige un día la próxima semana y te haremos paella”. San Geraldo estaba emocionado. Resulta que nunca había tenido paella. Por lo general, sirve un mínimo de dos personas y no es un plato que desee ordenar en solo ningún restaurante. La única forma de hacerlo es si se prepara de nuevo.
Parecía haber un poco de emoción en la semana desde que se hizo el plan. Nuestra reserva fue confirmada varias veces. Adrián, quien usualmente escribe nuestras reservas como “Mitchell Dakota” (Mitchell para mí, obviamente, y Dakota para San Geraldo), esta vez usó nuestro primer y segundo nombres. Pero avancemos hasta hoy a las 2:30. Llegamos, nos saludaron con abrazos y, momentos después, pusimos nuestra paella sobre la mesa. Chef David es realmente una maravilla. Cuando finalmente vaciamos la sartén, llegó la cuenta. Puedes verlo abajo.
JOSÉ TIENE DOS EXPRESIONES favoritos en inglés. Uno es: “Oh My God I Can’t Believe It” (Dis Mio No Puedo Creer). El otro es: “The Best In The World” (Lo Mejor Del Mundo). Mis sentimientos son exactos.
Mi segundo nombre es Scott, pero ahora prefiero a Scoot. San Geraldo es Ray, pero “Rey” tiene más sentido.
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Wonderful !
parsnip
Parsnip,
The paella, the treatment, and the message!
That is so beautiful!!! I bet the paella was amazing!
Kathleen,
Exceptional. Maybe we can do a family paella here one day! Too much for two people, although that didn’t stop us!
How sweet is that! I think they like you two.
I had my first paella back in 1973…..made by a friend of Ron’s. Loved it ever since.
OutKast….what can’t he do!? Cool!
Jim,
I love love love this song. It makes me want to shake it like a Polaroid picture. The love we feel here is unbelievable.
Aww, I’ve never had paella, but this was so sweet! I agree with the sentiments on the bill, Scoot.
Deedles,
I always wanted a nickname that would stick. Scoot would have been a kick. And, yeah, I’ve been getting teary eyed a lot lately. So much love… and gratitude.
That paella: Oh, my! And the price was right, too. (But just what you and San Geraldo deserve.)
A. Marie,
It reminds me how lucky we are to have chosen to live here.
never had paella, but it looks dee-lish! especially when FREE!
Anne Marie,
I’ve had paella before. This was the best I’ve had. I’d even pay for it!
Free paella!!! I need to move …. it looked good and that was a sweet, kind gesture,
Bob,
We were so surprised and so touched. And yes you DO need to move!
Well, this should just prove….you two are loved in your village.
Mistress Maddie,
It was such a generous gesture, but the note filled us with love (surprising there was any room after all that paella).
Now how sweet is that??? Looking forward to hearing further adventures of Scoot and the King.
Debra,
Is it too late for me to adopt a nickname?
I love paella, and that one looks amazing. I can only imagine how good it was. And ain’t they nice? Ken mentioned making a paella soon, and now I’m ready.
Walt he Fourth,
It was perfection.the food at Méson Salvador is always superb and the chef, David, is gifted. So good. And given the images I’ve seen from your kitchen I can only imagine how good Paella a la Ken will be!
Looks wonderful, cooking for someone is love, a true sign you are valued members of the community.
David,
They do make this home. In my case, NOT cooking for someone is love!
I make paella often – just to remind myself of holidays in Spain! I put in more seafood, I think.
Mbutterworth,
What a lot of work! This one was mixed paella, so a little of everything. They also do one entirely of seafood. Sounds delicious, too
Can’t beat that price.
Adam
We should have ordered another to go.
That IS great service!
So San Geraldo is really Jerry Dakota? Interesting. Is he part Sioux?
Kirk:
San Geraldo is from SOUTH Dakota. But Jerry Dakota would be a really cool name.
It would be wonderful to experience good paella!
A little boy in a rainbow ball pit–he’ll remember that experience!
Over from Debra’s site. I’ll be back.
Susan Kane:
Thanks so much for stopping by! That was the first truly exceptional paella I’d ever hand. I made the mistake in the past of ordering it off the menu in a restaurant. Not fresh and mushy, overcooked rice.