Mi Casa (CLOSED)

In the alley behind Hamilton hotel, a Spanish restaurant that serves homey dishes has quietly held its place for a few years. Contrary to the expensive wines pompously displayed on the side walls, the interior and ambiance is warm and friendly. Like many of the restaurants in Barcelona, the sight of jamón hung on the ceiling and the scent of onions and garlic welcome you while raising your expectation for the food. Dipping the bread in a little bit of oil and adding a plump shrimp on top with some garlic, the burst of flavor in your mouth will have you finish the dish in no time while raising the bar for the rest of the menu. The seafood paellas, filled with mussels, short-necked clams, shrimps, and squids, unfortunately did not meet quite the same level of satisfaction as the first dish. The blandness that the rice leaves at the end made me wonder how all the seafood flavors have disappeared. Maybe the pork, chicken and chorizo paella might have been a better choice. On a side note, Mi Casa is actually known (to a select few) for their quality jamón, perhaps because Joselito, chosen by Michelin Star chefs to be the best producer of jamón, is the brand used at this restaurant. You can even see people come in to purchase this jamón for a takeout.