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my boyfriend picked the place and so I wasn't exactly expecting to be blown away. (he makes up in other ways =) anyway, yes, the place can look either grungy/dirty or old world romantic -- but with no pretensions. the service was impeccable though and food was great for what it was supposed to be -- small plates. we didn't get the paella but tried the squash tapa (amazing!), mussels (eh) and squid ceviche (very good). we also ordered a half pitcher of sangria, which turned out a bit weak, and so we ordered another. all in all a very good experience.

I've been coming here for the last couple of years religiously due to the amazing lunch special - for 13 dollars you get soup, salad paella and ice cream. However, I think that the economic downturn has negatively affected the quality of the food and portions. During the summer, my salad included tomatos and the seafood paella was generously stuffed with mussles, clams, cockles, 3 or 4 shrimp, langostine and squid. However, I recently ate there and even though they are charging the same price, the food is missing many of the things that made this such a great option for lunch. The salad no longer has tomatos and the paella I had today had all of 2 shrimp, 4 clams and some squid. What happened to all of the other seafood you previously put in the dish? A disappointment to say the least as I had been looking forward to my lunch there today. I'll be coming back because I still like the food, but am not as much of a raving fan as I once was - and may even have to find a new place for paella. A shame too because I really like this place a lot.

I have always been a fan. Been going here since went to college years ago. My personal favorite are the dried roses all along the ceiling...so sweet and romantic....even if not on a date! As far as food goes, probably best chorizo I have had at a Tapas restaurant. Love the Sangria...overall, comfortable, great spot and totally not overpriced!

There is really nothing to write home about here. The food is decent but the place is completely lacking of character, charm and cleanliness... even the front door is filthy. We booked a reservation for 30 people and they took too long to get back to us, set us up downstairs beside the kitchen and boiler room with no functioning air conditioning in the middle of July! The food was just mediocre but is cheap.... so to each their own.

After making reservations 2 days in advance for a specific outdoor table, we arrived on time to discover that the only outdoor table was occupied. We patiently waited at the bar, ordering a pitcher of sangria (too sweet and not very good), and requested to be seated 30 minutes later. The manager informed us that the party seated at the outdoor table "don't want to move." Staff and manager did nothing to make us comfortable, or to appease us, despite the fact that they acknowledged we had made reservations (and had allowed us to do so) but there was nothing they could do. Not the way to run a NYC establishment if you want return customers. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend La Paella and won't be back.

Dined at La Paella on Saturday night. Very charming restaurant. Service was a problem the entire night. Seemed to only have one server for the entire upstairs. Shared the vegetarian tapas and seafood paella. Both dishes very good, especially the tapas. I'd go back if I was in the area, but wouldn't go out of my way. Just too many excellent restaurants in NYC with as good food and much better service. Sam L.

Went there on Saturday night with 5 girl friends and we all ordered a different tapa. I recommend the ceviche which was light and flavorful and the potatoes! They were SO good, soft and full of flavor. We also got mussels in spicy tomato sauce, the grilled rib eye and the mixed plate which were all delicious. All of us left La Paella full and satisfied there wasn't a single bad dish, not to mention the great sangria. The fruit in the sangria were chopped into little pieces so you can sip the sangria and get some fruit in the sip. Other places add big chunks of fruit that get stuck at the bottom. I am definitely going back and bringing my boyfriend here!