The ratings were so high for this place. I really don't understand. The bread is from the supermarket. The Paella was really dry. The salad was tuna and corn with oil and vinegar dressing. Nothing was spanish. Will not go there again.

エル・バレンシアーノ（EL VALENCIANO） （Hachioji City, Tokyo／nearest station: Keio-Hachioji） The Spanish restaurant “エル・バレンシアーノ” is a 1-minute walk from Keio-Hachioji Station's west exit, on basement level 1 of the building next to FamilyMart near the Minamitama Chuto Kyoiku Gakko-mae intersection. You can enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine prepared by a chef who has trained in Spain. His specialty is paella, and he reportedly won the top foreign entrant award at a paella competition in Valencia, the birthplace of paella. Owner-chef Motohiro Oyagi was born and raised in Hachioji. His interest in Spanish cooking apparently began with the friendly Spanish people he met while studying in America as a student. He went to Spain, trained at a rice restaurant in Valencia and a Spanish restaurant in Ginza, then opened “エル・バレンシアーノ” in his hometown of Hachioji in Heisei 18 (2006年). At lunch (currently Tuesdays and Thursdays only), the signature homemade hamburg steak lunch is so popular that nearby office workers fill the restaurant day after day. Dinner features authentically prepared Spanish dishes including paella, tapas (small plates), cured ham, ajillo, meat dishes, and fish dishes, alongside carefully selected Spanish wines. It's a place full of memories: while working at an office in Hachioji from 2013年～2016年, I visited almost weekly as part of my weekday lunch rotation. After changing jobs and workplaces, I stopped coming to Hachioji, but this time I happened to have an opportunity to visit and returned for the first time in about 10 years. It was a public-holiday Monday during a three-day weekend. I called shortly after noon to reserve and then visited. The basement interior has a tucked-away atmosphere, with 5 counter seats and 16 table seats, totaling 21 seats. Both à la carte and course menus are available, and the Valencia course (3900円※minimum 2 people) can be ordered on the day. Whether ordering à la carte or a course, paella is the main dish. The authentic way to enjoy it is to choose your paella first, then enjoy wine with appetizers, ajillo, soup, bread, and so on while it cooks. ●Bottle of wine (white) Txakoli Ameztoi（チャコリ・アメストイ） 5489円 A traditional white wine made from 100％ Hondarribi Zuri grapes from the Basque region of northern Spain. Lightly sparkling and dry, with a light, balanced flavor. Fresh green-apple-like fruit aromas harmonize with jasmine-like floral notes in the mouth. ●Assorted appetizers 2035円 A platter of cured Iberico pork ham from Salamanca, Spain (jamón ibérico), paprika-flavored dry sausage (chorizo), Spanish cheese blending cow's, sheep's, and goat's milk, olives, and homemade pickles. The ham is freshly sliced from the whole leg at the counter, with concentrated umami that deepens as you chew. The cheese's distinctive goat flavor is perfect with wine. It's topped with quince jam, which mellows the flavor when eaten together. ●Mushroom ajillo 952円 Plump mushrooms simmered in olive oil and garlic. Finely chopped cured ham in the oil releases its umami too. The classic way to enjoy it is to order bread (239円) and soak up plenty of the flavor-infused oil. ●Beef stew (half size) 1085円 A stew packed with the flavors of beef, onions, tomatoes, almonds, and mushrooms. Rich and concentrated with the sweetness and umami of onions and almonds. Spain is said to have the world's highest almond consumption, and almond-based sauces are apparently often used as seasonings. The chef suggested a half portion because the Valencian paella coming afterward also contains plenty of meat, so we went with that. It was also nice that it was served already divided between 2 people. ●Valencia paella 3916円（1958円ｘ2 servings） Paella requires a minimum order of 2 servings. It's prepared to Spanish standards, so the portions are substantial. This Valencian paella with local chicken, rabbit, white beans, escargot, and more is a special dish that reportedly won the top foreign entrant award at the “International Paella Competition” held in Valencia in Heisei 21 (2009年). The key is a bouillon made by simmering Daisen chicken from Tottori Prefecture for 6 hours, infusing every grain of rice with umami. Preparation apparently takes longer than opening hours; even on dinner-only days, the chef arrives before noon and spends many hours preparing. With plenty of meat, it's as filling as combining a main meat dish with a final carbohydrate course. ●Crema catalana 549円 A traditional cold dessert from Catalonia, Spain, with the surface of custard cream caramelized using a torch. It's also said to be the predecessor of the French dessert “crème brûlée.” The contrast between cold lemon-and-cinnamon-flavored custard and hot, crisp caramel is exquisite.

+3

A Spanish restaurant near Keio-Hachioji Station. At lunch, it sometimes fills up as soon as it opens at 12. It filled up in no time today too, and several groups were turned away. The homemade hamburg steak, both a regular lunch item and the signature dish, is very popular. Soup, salad, homemade hamburg steak, and rice or baguette for 1,150円. Everything is delicious, to the point that I worry whether this price is enough for them. The beef stew looked delicious too. It's very popular at dinner as well, so I think booking is the safer option.

+2

It was delicious. Both the food and atmosphere gave me that true restaurant experience I hadn't felt in a long time. It was the best paella I've ever eaten. It was so good that I could accept that perhaps I simply don't like paella all that much. Overall, each dish was carefully and earnestly prepared, properly bringing out what makes it delicious, so I could relax and enjoy a lovely dinner. With only 1 waiter, some stages can take time, but I saw that as an effort to run the business in a way that offers food this good at this price. It didn't bother me, and the waiter left a good impression too, making me want to support them.

+2

I visited エル・バレンシアーノ, which opens for weekday lunch at 12. I arrived 5 minutes early, but 7 people were already lined up. It's a well-known place that a foodie acquaintance had long told me was delicious. At opening time, we were shown to seats in order. Groups were seated toward the back, while I was alone and was shown to the counter, where I waited to order. I chose the hamburg steak lunch for 930円 including tax. The daily lamb lunch was already sold out at that point, but that wasn't a problem. You can choose bread or rice, and a large rice portion is free, so I asked for a large. After ordering, I heard the pat-pat sound of hamburg steaks being shaped. About 5 minutes later, onion soup and a green salad were served. The onion soup had plenty of onion and bread. Served piping hot, it was full of sweetness and umami and very delicious. It also contained cheese, making this dish alone very satisfying. About 5 minutes later came a mound of rice and a hamburg steak plate with a tall, nearly spherical steak shaped like a rugby ball. It also came with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes. The hamburg steak was generously covered with a fresh, original demi-tomato sauce featuring demi-glace, fresh cream, and small diced tomatoes. Time to eat. I cut into it with a knife and fork and mixed the sauce before tasting. It was meaty and more delicious than expected. The mashed potatoes and the tang of the sauerkraut made pleasant accompaniments too. Thank you for the delicious hamburg steak lunch.

+3