21 replies to this topic

[Daniel]

Chihi Jai
7th and Revolucion
Downtown

Moderately priced. This is only place downtown I know that serves Spanish food (with some Basque dishes also I believe), and its been here forever. The food is good, but the portions aren't as big as I wish they were.

[dreambrother]

Chihi Jai
7th and Revolucion
Downtown

Moderately priced. This is only place downtown I know that serves Spanish food (with some Basque dishes also I believe), and its been here forever. The food is good, but the portions aren't as big as I wish they were.

how is the paella? been wanting to try it out, and this sounds like the place to go since it's straight-up authentic spanish food, of which i've never really seen a spanish restaurant.

[Ryu]

I would past on the paella, it wasn't that great tastewise, although looks wise it was very appealing. This was a few years back, though. But it does have a very nice atmosphere, almost cafelike.

[sdc]

Ryu,
You're in New Jersey how do you know what the Pealla tastes like....I thought it was good last time I tried it there.

[tijuanalunchbunch]

I've had paella at the wine festival in Ensenada and years ago at Paella Tonico. Can't even remember where that was in Tijuana - it was soooo long ago. If this is the place I know as Chiki Jai, they used to have a mouse that ran along a toy train track near the ceiling. wonderful!


jim

[Ryu]

Ryu,
You're in New Jersey how do you know what the Pealla tastes like....I thought it was good last time I tried it there.

Actually, I've always heard about Pealla and that's the first and only time I have tried Paella so far. It does look good like I said but I think good Chinese fried rice is better in my opinion.

[sdc]

Well that you shouldn't really be giving your opinion when....You're out of your element....

[BajaGringo]

Paella comes in many forms and styles. Shrimp, fish, chicken, duck, beef and vegetarian are some of the more common paellas. Seasoning has much to do with the taste and varies by chef. I personally love the dish and have learned to make a pretty mean chicken or beef paella myself. I like Basque food in general and am thinking about trying this place out this weekend.

[Ryu]

SDC are you investing money in this place or something? Ok, my opinion is that the paella was only ok. I'm not saying someone should or shouldn't visit this estabishment, only that the writer personally didn't think it was anything out of the ordinary. Although the writer thinks SDC either loves this place or is a minority share holder in the restaurant or maybe they are franchising. That or he's just giving me a hard time.

[BajaGringo]

Or maybe you just have different tastes in food. I absolutely love morcilla at an Argentine restaurant - my wife passes every time. She loves brussel sprouts - they make me want to lose my entire dinner...

[Chiquito]

I've been to the Spanish place on Revo & 7th a few times to wait for someone. They had nothing I liked. The few things I tried were very dry and bland. Your mileage may vary.

[sdc]

Although the writer thinks SDC either loves this place or is a minority share holder in the restaurant or maybe they are franchising. That or he's just giving me a hard time.

Ryu,

I'd have to say the later....

but I will say, you first say you have only had pealla once then you say that this (the only) pealla isn't that good. Maybe you just don't like pealla in general, because before you knock this restuarant you should go try pealla at different resturant so you have a point of reference...thats all I'm saying...

[Ryu]

SDC, granted and good point. I'll tell you the truth, I don't even remember what it tasted like, just that it was not as exciting as it looked. But all paelle might be like that. Someone that does have experience with paella go there and give it a try. I'm interested to see if my taste buds are off or if I should just avoid paella period. But visually, it does look very appealing.

[TJDave]

Pinche Ryu... always giving opinions and advice on subjects he knows nothing about....

I should make some paella for you sometime (if you ever get back to SoCal)... it's all about the safron... too little and it's not really paella, too much and you've ruined it.

[Ryu]

I know a place you can get really good tequila..... cheap too

[sdc]

Ryu.....price shouldn't matter for you because you can't handle more than one anyway....

[Ryu]

I'm tempted to say I could outdrink You! But since we both know I can't, the guy owns his own freaking liquor store, I'm going to shut up now. Although there are advantages to getting drunk easily, you save quite a bit of money at the bars and clubs.

[sdc]

Ryu....Any time you want to put that to a test you know I'm always open....

[Ryu]

Ryu....Any time you want to put that to a test you know I'm always open....

If we're doing it at your place and your suppling the alcohol, then yeah, I think I can outdrink you. I know I'll at least have fun trying.

[Scribbles]

This is the small place with the plates on the outside of the restaurant right? If so I went here years ago and couldn't enjoy my food as the people next to us were smoking like it was going out of style. We moved outside and finished our meal. The food was just ok and a little overpriced for what we got.