A Small Spanish Restaurant Worth Knowing in East Naples: Paella Mediterranean Fusion
Paella’s Mediterranean Fusion is easy to miss in the strip of Tamiami Trail just east of Airport-Pulling. It’s a small, family-run restaurant from chef Juan Perez, formerly the head chef at LaMoraga, with a menu that wanders through Spain and the Mediterranean.
Paella is naturally the specialty, and the House Mix seems to be the crowd favorite: saffron rice loaded with seafood and chorizo. There’s also a striking black version made with squid ink, a meat paella and a $19 vegetarian version. But paella is not the only reason to go. Their tapas are compelling too, particularly the grilled octopus and garlic shrimp.
Photo via Yelp
I’d start with a few small plates before committing to the paella. The menu has boquerones, tortilla Española, Iberian Bellota ham and chorizo-and-Manchego stuffed mushrooms. Beyond paella, there’s braised lamb shank with Parmesan risotto, grilled black grouper with truffle beurre blanc and a Catalan seafood stew. Prices are unusually reasonable by Naples standards: most tapas are $10–$19 and the paellas run $19–$32.
The dining room is small, and that’s worth knowing before the season gets going. The menu is strong and the service matches. Reservations recommended.
Paella’s Mediterranean Fusion
3861 Tamiami Trail E., Naples | (239) 234-6071 | Mon.–Fri. 3–9 p.m.; Sat.–Sun. 1–9 p.m. | Website
Originally published in
The Naples Florida Review.
Read the full edition here.