Animado

A wave of savoury seafood aroma greets the table the moment the paella arrives. Cooked slowly from raw grains, it is the defining dish at Animado. The rice absorbs every drop of broth, achieving a deeply satisfying texture. Diners can select a medium portion serving 2 or a large pan for 3 to 4. Because it typically requires around 40 minutes to prepare from scratch, placing an order right after sitting down and lingering over starters is the customary way to pace the evening.

While the rice simmers, the house-fermented sours make ideal companions. The drinks menu spans fermented salted lemon, fermented ginger, and gently sweet fermented kumquat, pairing brisk acidity with deep fruit undertones that sharpen the appetite. Rich liver paste brightened with lemon peel, an assorted five-item appetiser platter, and bubbling ajillo laced with rich crab butter—ready for dipping slices of baguette—naturally encourage another sip of sour or wine.

Fresh pasta with a chewy bite and rich wheat character provides another draw among the main courses. Each sauce displays distinct personality, from slow-simmered beef tendon ragù to salmon mi-cuit in a bright lemon cream. Beyond pasta, the kitchen turns out savoury plates such as crisp puff-pastry pizzas and tender daikon simmered in consommé under a porcini cream sauce.

Dessert rounds out the meal with choices like a matcha Basque cheesecake or panna cotta finished with fermented kumquat sauce, best enjoyed unhurried alongside coffee or tea. With counter seating alongside regular tables, the tavern welcomes both casual solo drops and group gatherings looking for unpretentious evening dining.