DINING OUT: Paella is just the beginning at Sancho’s

Subtle and substantial, the Spanish food served at Sancho’s is as elegant as it is delicious.

From appetizer to dessert relying on fresh flavors, the cuisine that partners Celso Rodriguez and Camillo Diaz have been dishing out since November, 1985, provides a culinary experience par excellence, with the emphasis on excellence.

Rodriguez, who emigrated to the United States from his native Galicia in 1971, works the front of the house, while Diaz is in charge in the kitchen. Together, they have crafted an eatery in the heart of Bay Ridge that draws diners back time and again with its renditions of traditional Spanish dishes, including lots of fresh seafood.

“We thought we could please the neighborhood with Spanish cuisine,” noted Rodriguez. “We have been quite successful. We try to serve simple dinners without fanfare, and do our best for our customers.”

Among the highlights of the menu are such renowned Spanish preparations as Paella Valencia ($19.95), a house specialty serving up sausage, chicken, clams, shrimps, mussels and scallops over a bed of rice and peas. The plate – served with seconds on the side – is hearty, and definitely delicious, and is sure to will any seafood lover’s palette.

Also spectacular is another dish synonymous with Spanish cuisine – Gazpacho ($5), a soup of uncooked vegetables with a tomato base that is as vibrantly flavored as it is in color. The vegetables – including onion, garlic, cucumber and bell pepper – are puréed together, then garnished with diced veggies.

We also tried two garlic-based preparations. The Shrimp Ajillo appetizer ($8.25) was just as fresh as it was flavorful – the garlic sauce providing a powerful kick. The Chicken Ajillo ($15.95), a main course, featured intensely flavorful bone-in chicken pieces garnished with roasted red pepper in a sweet and pungent garlic butter sauce. Accompanying the chicken, but served on the side, were a large plate of fresh, house-made fried potato slices (like potato chips, but better) and a dish of yellow rice.

To complete our meal, one of us indulged in the Caramel Flan ($5), the cherry on top of any traditional Spanish meal. Sweet (but not too sweet!), the flan truly melts in your mouth with the rush of its luscious caramel sauce — drizzled on top — following suit.

We also tried the Almond Tart ($5.50) with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream on the side. This confection was dense and not too sweet, but supremely satisfying. Yum!

We left Sancho’s replete and happy, vowing to return so we could savor, once again, the sun-soaked flavors of Spain, right here in Brooklyn.

SANCHO’S

7410 Third Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11209

718-748-0770

Sanchosrestaurant.com

Sunday to Thursday: Noon to 11 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: Noon to 11:30 p.m.

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