In Shenzhen, if you ask where to eat authentic Spanish food, I believe most veteran food lovers will recommend this Spanish restaurant called "Ling". Ling Restaurant has been open for more than two years, but the conversation about it has never stopped, with labels such as "Ten Million Decorations", "Armani Team", "President's Chef", and "Shenzhen's Most Authentic Paella" all cast a veil of mystery over Ling, attracting many diners to try it out.
Located in 1979 on the shores of Xiangmi Lake, Ling Restaurant is a unique 3-storey building designed by famous Shenzhen architect Liu Binwu. Hispanic chef Alejandro has worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star hotels, as well as as the President of Costa Rica, where he currently serves most of the restaurant's meals. Veronica Lai, the current restaurant manager, has worked in a number of five-star hotels and fine dining restaurants for more than 20 years, and thanks to Veronica's years of professional food and beverage management experience, Ling's service quality is also impressive.
Iberian ham is one of the world's top ham varieties and a representative of Spanish cuisine, Spain belongs to the Iberian Peninsula, but not all Spanish ham can be called Jamón Ibérico. Iberian ham can only be made from purebred or 75% pedigree Iberian black pigs, which are kept in the Dehesa (oak pastures) region on the border between Spain and Portugal, and are grown entirely from acorns or cereals. Ling's current supply is Iberian black pork ham, which has been refined for 48 months, which is the best time to taste, and the sliced ham is crimson in color, snow-white in fat, and attractive in appearance. Diners can order a separate Iberian ham, or they can choose a Spanish cold cut plate with Spanish sausage and salami, which is even more flavorful, and after serving, grab the whole piece of ham with your thumb and forefinger and put it in your mouth, salty and oily, and you can even feel the process of digesting a thin slice in your mouth, which is quite enjoyable.
When you come to a Spanish restaurant, paella is naturally a must-order. Paella is one of Spain's national dishes, originating from Valencia, Spain, and is a rice dish cooked in a large iron pot with flat ears and ears. Paella de Marisco is a kind of Paella, but because the paella is so popular, it has basically occupied the home of paella, making many people think that there is only one kind of paella in Spain, but in fact, in addition to all kinds of seafood, the locals often add chicken, beef, sausages and other ingredients when cooking paella. Like most Spanish restaurants in China, Ling's rice is basically only one type of paella, and the type is a little simpler, but fortunately, this signature paella is enough to make people feel the chef's skill. Ling's paella is made from Valenciagen rice, which absorbs water and is more chewy than ordinary rice, and the saffron added during cooking makes the whole rice golden brown, and a few drops of lemon juice are added before eating, which is delicious and fragrant. Many people say that authentic paella grains are sandwiched, but this is not accurate, and the slightly hard texture of the rice is not due to the sandwiching, but because of the tough texture of the raw rice.
Ling's service staff are mostly well-trained, active and thoughtful service, whether it is refilling water or replacing plates are quite timely, if customers need it, they will also give professional advice on dishes or wine pairing, the service experience is relatively good, and an additional 15% service fee will be charged in addition to the meal.
Located in District 1979B, it's easy to overlook the restaurant's all-black façade, but it's a real surprise once you walk inside. The main dining area of the restaurant has two floors, the lobby on the first floor is luxurious and exquisite, several walls are covered with brilliant bright tiles, black and red tablecloths are neatly arranged with golden tableware, in the middle is a large red rose arrangement created by Armani's team, surrounded by golden branches, and the open kitchen can see the chef's cooking process, the whole space gives people a sense of enthusiasm. Go straight to the second floor and walk across the bridge is the private room, the restaurant named it the Queen Room, from the Queen Isabella who created the Kingdom of Spain, the Queen Room is not as gorgeous as the lobby, the combination of black and white tones creates another style, the two walls are regularly hung with white deer head decorations and flower balls, and the long table under the cluster of deer heads and flower balls makes people feel as if they are in a European aristocratic banquet.
