Aventura, Annaburg-Spanish paella

I’ve eaten here 4-5 times—not because it’s amazing, but because so few restaurants have their kitchen open after 8 or 9 PM! It specializes in Spanish-style paella, seafood noodles, and squid ink paella—fun to try occasionally, but gets boring if you go too often. Here’s the full lowdown 🇪🇸! 🍚 Star Dishes: Paella Beats Noodles, But Watch for Undercooked Rice The seafood-focused mains are the main draw, but they have their ups and downs: Seafood Paella: Better than the noodles! The rice soaks up rich seafood broth—super savory, and a squeeze of lemon + pinch of salt makes it bright and fresh. It’s meant for 2-3 people (huge portion!), but the seafood is just “okay”: lots of quantity, not much quality. Mussels and clams taste a little bitter, shrimp is average, but the scallops have a nice aroma. Squid Ink Paella: We never got to try it! The rice was undercooked, and the kitchen was closing soon, so they refunded us. Fingers crossed it’s better if you order it earlier 🦑. 🥢 Apps: Hits, Misses, & a “Shrinking” Favorite Apps are all over the place—some are must-orders, others are total wastes: Mushroom Mix Bowl: Another staple! A big, hot bowl of mixed mushrooms, perfectly seasoned (not too salty, not bland). It’s hearty, earthy, and always consistent—never misses. Gumbo Shrimp: Tastes good, but messy. A few shrimp come in a cast-iron pot, with super crispy bread on the side. The shrimp are average, but there’s way too much oil—and the bread is so crunchy, it scratched the roof of my mouth instantly 😅. Vegan Appetizer (Goat Cheese + Fruit/Nuts): Total IQ tax. It’s just goat cheese with nuts (for fat) and fruit (for freshness)—basic, overpriced, and nothing special. Pulpo (Octopus): Meh. The octopus is chewy, not fresh or tender, and the sauce is boring. Try it once if you’re curious, but don’t order again. 🍗 Roast Chicken: Surprise Hit! This was a nice shock—order it if you’re with 2-4 people (huge portion!): The chicken is tender, with crispy skin that’s juicy (no dry meat here!). The sauce is unique: Spanish-style, tangy and slightly spicy (green sauce), paired with black dates. The sweet-savory combo works so well—I didn’t expect to love it this much! 🥩 Steak: Hard Pass (Total IQ Tax!) Save your money. The steak is overpriced, tough, and flavorless—maybe I’m spoiled by homemade steak, but this was just sad. Definitely not worth it. 💰 Final Verdict: Fun for Occasional Cravings, But Too Expensive It’s one of the more unique spots in Ann Arbor, and great for late-night eats—but the price is a problem. At $50–70 per person (I eat a lot, but still!), it’s overpriced for the quality (especially the paella and steak). Go once to try the crab toast, mushroom bowl, and roast chicken—but don’t make it a regular. #UniversityOfMichiganAnnArbor #AnnArborFood #AnnArbor #SpanishPaella #MichiganFood #AnnArborEats #LateNightEats #SpanishCuisine