Although chef and businessman Eric Paz has worn many professional hats—television producer, newspaper executive and hotelier—he says working with food is what he loves most.
In June, Paz opened La Bodega Gourmet, a delicatessen and gourmet food shop on Bee Caves Road.
Chef Eric Paz said he inherited his culinary interest from his mother and grandmother.[/caption]
La Bodega, which means “grocery store” in Spanish, features tapas, or small meals; Spanish wines; bread; and cheese. Paz’s signature dish, paella, is available from noon until 2:30 p.m.
A native of Panama, Paz said he inherited his passion for cooking from his mother and grandmother, attending culinary school as a young man. A three-time winner of Austin’s Paella Cook-off, he has developed a paella mix sold at Central Market, Whole Foods Market and Spec’s Liquor Store.
The ready-made paella mix, which contains rice, saffron, paprika and other seasonings, requires only the addition of a protein—chicken, pork or shrimp—along with broth or water to make a complete meal, he said.
The shop’s lunch menu features sandwiches served on Spanish Catalan bread, including the Dali, made with Serrano ham and Manchego cheese, which Paz says is his customers’ favorite choice. The Madonna sandwich is made with coppa, a dry, spicy salami created locally by an artisanal butcher. The Peccorino Toscano cheese and tomatoes sandwich is Paz’s favorite.
La Bodega’s takeout dinner menu changes daily, Paz said.
“One night we will have vegetable lasagna, and another night we will serve lamb made with garlic and raisins,” he said.
La Bodega Gourmet offers baked goods.[/caption]
Paz has also offered slow-cooked Argentinian pork ribs served with chimichurri sauce as well as Basque Cornish Hens for takeout.
Paz said he is happy with the shop’s location because its parking lot has space for monthly paella parties.
“This is the demographic I was looking for,” Paz said of his Bee Cave location. “This area has people who travel and who know Spain—who know Spanish food.”
He said an estimated 25 percent of his customers are Latino, with many from Central and South America.
Paz said he hopes to open similar store in Houston and Dallas.
“I think the market is ready for Spanish food,” Paz said.
La Bodega Gourmet paella parties
La Bodega Gourmet hosts a monthly paella party with tapas, a wine bar, live music and paella. Seating is limited to 40 people, and the $25-per-person dinner begins at 6 p.m.
“People like it because they’re eating something different,” chef Eric Paz said.
Tapas (takeout)
La Bodega Gourmet offers a number of tapas, or small meals, for takeout.
- Spanish beef empanadas ($15/dozen)
- Spanish meatballs with saffron sauce ($15/dozen)
- Chicken livers with sherry ($15)
- Mussels with white wine in garlic sauce ($30)
- Spanish chorizo with white wine ($15)
Holiday takeout specials
($25 per person, four-person minimum)
- Roasted turkey breast with caramelized onion glaze
- Lechon Asado—slowly roasted pork with herbs and spices
- Lamb chops with house-made pimiento-ginger glaze
- Holiday paella—made with pork, turkey sausage and mussels
Includes choice of:
- Saffron rice or roasted garlic mashed potatoes
- Oysters and chorizo stuffing prepared with bread, cherries and spinach
- Classic bread stuffing
- Roasted sweet potato casserole
- Green salad with grilled radicchio and nuts
- Catalan garlic bread
11500 Bee Caves Road, Ste. 200, Bee Cave 512-263-8844 www.labodegagourmet.com Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat. 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
