Aioli Bodega Espanola: Perfection en Espanol
Sacramento's Aioli Bodega Espanola is an irrefutable favorite among locals, and there is no questioning as to the reason why. Aioli is fresh, flavorful, authentic and a little bit whimsical-- the ideal setting for a romantic dinner date with your significant other, or the one you're trying to win over.
Situated in a quaint residential-looking location, the dim lighting, soft Spanish music, clinking wine goblets and smells of saffron and grilled seafood wafting heartily from the kitchen sets the perfect ambiance. You'll immediately begin to crave some of Aioli's authentic paella just by simply walking through the front door.
To start your Aioli experience, try splitting one of their famous tapas between your table. The Mejillones Aioli, steamed mussels with garlic and sherry wine cream sauce, or the Salmon Tartare en Romesco, chopped fresh salmon in a light Romesco sauce with endive, make excellent starters.
For your main entree, Aioli offers more than a dozen dishes that are each as fresh and flavorful as the next. The Paella Valenciana, which features saffron rice, shrimp, scallops, pork spare ribs and chicken breast, and Atun a las Carnarias-- seared ahi tuna with salsa fresca and pimento of espelette, are among the favorite dishes of Aioli frequenters.
Other delicious entree choices include grilled pork chops with pearl onion and vinegar date sauce; grilled chicken breast with red pepper flakes, wild mushrooms and sweet sherry sauce; rioja wine-marinated rabbit with mushrooms and olives; and a seared duck breast with a red wine vinegar glaze spiced with cinnamon, vanilla and cayenne pepper.
Finish off your Aioli meal with an order of their famous flan, Pastel de Almendras-- almond cake with honey and orange, or Chocolate Con Accento Frances-- chocolate truffles in a white chocolate soup.
Dress is business casual and reservations are helpful.
- by LeeAnn Mullen, Sacramento Reporter for HelloMetro
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LeeAnn MullenLeeAnn Mullen is a freelance journalist from Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism is currently furthering her education by studying for an additional degree in information systems management. Mullen has written for several Cleveland-area newspapers, online publications and dozens of private clients. Her topics of specialty include health, technology and travel.
