On Monday, March 27 – National Paella Day – R.Aire Restaurant at The Hampton Maid in Hampton Bays is hosting its first Paella Party, celebrating the origins of this classic dish and paying homage to Chef Alex Bujorneau’s Spanish background.
“In Spain, dining with friends and family is an integral part of the culture, and I wanted to recreate that convivial feeling here at R.Aire,” said Bujoreanu. “Our hope is to build community through this event, and hopefully, host regular paella parties all summer long, where friends gather, relax, and enjoy fantastic food in a casual, elegant setting.”
Guests will sample three of Bujoreanu’s signature paellas — DeMarisco (seafood), Rustic (meat), and Mushroom Fideua (vegetarian) — all paired perfectly with a complimentary glass of sangria, and optional wine pairing. Guests can enjoy a cash bar for cocktails and a live flamenco performance by The Gipsy Strings will cap off the evening.
Bujoreanu takes great pride in his paellas, a guest favorite at R.Aire. He works with the finest, freshest ingredients to create an authentic, rich, dark, and savory dish with a dense and chewy texture. He uses Bomba rice, native to Spain, which stays firm while absorbing the liquid during cooking, and he refrains from stirring the rice, which allows a perfectly crisp socarrat crust to form.
The Paella Party takes place from 6 to 8 PM and costs $45 per person, inclusive of the paella tasting, a glass of sangria, and live entertainment. The optional wine pairing is $15 and includes three varieties of Spanish wine. For those wishing to stay overnight, The Hampton Maid is offering a 20% room discount for anyone joining the party.
Dining Reservations can be made through Resy, and room reservations here.