The mystery of Spanish food reveals itself through Chef Carlos’s stories about Spanish culture, food, and wine. Certain smells and tastes can last a lifetime, and the Don Quijote Spanish food menu is rooted in his cherished special memories and sensory flashbacks of growing up in Spain.
Through Spanish food and tapas, you’ll meet Carlos, his family, his influences, and his journey through life. You’ll experience life growing up on a Spanish farm and the love story that brought him to America.
Paella is the national dish of Spain. Don Quijote serves Paella from each Spanish region. There are three widely known types of paella: Valencian paella (Spanish: paella valenciana), seafood paella (paella de marisco), and mixed paella (Spanish: paella mixta). But as a son of a famous Spanish chef, Carlos has numerous seasonal paella, including black paella (paella negra).
Gazpacho is a tapas and a signature dish of Spain. According to Chef Carlos, ``the secret to his Gazpacho is picking veggies straight from his organic garden- which is a pureed mixture of fresh tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, onions cucumbers, garlic and herbs.``
“Growing up on a farm in Galencia, my mother took care of the family and the farm while my father was a celebrated chef on a Mediterranean cruise ship. I could hardly wait for my father to come home. People would plan weddings around my father coming home.
In Spain, being a great chef made you a celebrity, and I couldn’t have been more proud of my father, Chef Manuel Rivero Gonzalez. He would prepare dishes from the many regions of Spain. His diverse recipes from the different Spanish regions would have a profound influence on the Don Quijote Restaurant menu.
A remarkable cuisine my father would prepare was from a most unique culture in Northern Spain called the Basque country. To this day, I can remember the truly unique flavor and smell of the cuisine of Basque. This extraordinary cuisine had a flavor and aroma unlike anything else I’ve ever had.”
Savory meat pastry made with peppers, tomatoes, and onions
Spanish style omelette made with potatoes, onions, and eggs
Creamed chicken dipped in egg & bread crumbs then deep fried
Steamed mussels
Tasty shrimp sautéed with garlic in a white wine sauce
Tasty shrimp Rioja style (sautéed with garlic in a white wine sauce)
French fried squid
Squid sauteed with onion, garlic, and herbs, then simmered in its own ink
Galacian-style octopus with paprika and olive oil
Uniquely delicious Spanish meatballs
Moorish-style skewered pork marinated in wine, paprika, oregano, parsley, garlic, and olive oil
Mild smoked Spanish sausage simmered in white wine
Sliced cured Spanish ham
Chicken livers sautéed with onions, garlic, and herbs in a delicious sherry sauce
Fresh mushrooms sautéed with garlic
Grilled fresh mushrooms with garlic & olive oil
Artichoke hearts sautéed with garlic, roasted red peppers, and cured Spanish ham (also available without ham)
French fried cauliflower
Fresh cauliflower sautéed with garlic, paprika and roasted red peppers
Cold potatoes in a creamy garlic sauce
Potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce
Semi-soft Spanish cheese
A sampling of some of our most popular appetizers. Includes tortilla a la Española, albóndigas, chorizo, champiñones al ajillo and patatas bravas
A sampling of some of our most popular vegetable appetizers. Includes tortilla a la Española, champiñones al ajillo, coliflór al ajo Arriero and patatas bravas
Delicious soup of the day homemade from scratch
Traditional cold vegetable soup. A popular appetizer of southern Spain (in season)
Selected salad greens, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, sliced eggs, anchovies, and olives. Served with house vinaigrette dressing.
Fresh greens, boiled potatoes, green beans, tuna, anchovies, tomatoes, and sliced eggs. Served with house vinaigrette dressing
Crisp lettuce, artichoke hearts, garbanzos, roasted red peppers, onions, olives, and sliced eggs. Served with house vinaigrette dressing.
Fresh greens topped with avocado slices, shrimp, mussels, and grilled salmon. Served with our chef’s creamy dressing
Classic European grilled ham and American cheese
Cured Spanish ham and manchego cheese
Spain’s culinary classic! A traditional shellfish and saffron rice dish famous throughout the world. Includes jumbo shrimp, cod, baby clams, bay scallops, mussels, squid, and crab legs
Vegetarian version of the culinary classic
A traditional shellfish, chicken, and saffron rice dish originating in the region of Valencia.
Chicken version of the culinary classic
Black rice version of the culinary classic
Moorish style skewered pork marinated in wine, paprika, oregano, parsley, garlic, and olive oil. Served with yellow saffron rice and vegetables
A combination platter of some of our popular tapas. Includes empanada, tortilla a la Española, croquetas, chorizo, albóndigas, and champiñones al ajilo. Served with yellow saffron rice and vegetables
Roasted lamb stuffed with green olives. Served with yellow saffron rice and vegetables
Marinated grilled pork loin with roasted red peppers. Served with boiled potatoes and vegetables
Tender filet cooked to your liking with a fresh mushroom sauce. Served with a baked potato and vegetables
Tender swordfish grilled to perfection and topped with our lemon garlic sauce. Served with boiled potatoes and vegetables
Baked north Atlantic cod in a tasty white sauce made with baby clams, mussels, shrimp, asparagus, potatoes, wine, and garlic
Deep fried north Atlantic cod, typical of the cafés and tascas of Madrid. Served with French fried potatoes and vegetables
Boneless baked flounder stuffed with crab meat. Served with yellow saffron rice and vegetables
Tender, boneless flounder dusted with flour, lightly fried, and topped with our lemon garlic sauce. Served with boiled potatoes and vegetables
Tender, boneless flounder dipped in flour and egg, then lightly fried. Served with French fried potatoes and vegetables.
Steamed Alaskan snow crab legs. Served with drawn butter, baked potato, and vegetables
Jumbo shrimp Rioja style (sautéed with garlic in a white wine sauce). Served with yellow saffron rice and vegetables.
Grilled shellfish (lobster, shrimp, mussels, and crab legs), squid, and cod fish. Served with yellow saffron rice and vegetables
Grilled lobster tail. Served with drawn butter, baked potato, and vegetables
