I had my reservations about Taulat. It wasn't on the list but for somewhere like Valparaiso it's difficult to find information other than a few blogs and Tripadvisor. The back entrance was much more discreet (didn't realise there was another entrance at the time) past the cooks' kitchen and to the counter. The menu looked like Chilean-influenced Spanish and they advertised their rooftop with blankets to shield the cool breeze.
The chirimoya juice was fresh and the Pisco sour with ginger was a revelation - like an excellent alcoholic ginger beer.
- Machas a la Parmesana CLP10,900 - the Chilean seafood specialty dish of razor clams covered with soft creamy cheese was a nice starter, best appreciated by taking the whole unit, swallowing the cheese first then chewing the clams to taste the clam flavour;
- Paella Mixta CLP18,900 - a delicious paella with beautifully cooked al dente rice but unfortunately no crisp bottom texture. The top layer had some grilled parts to it but I think the seafood had been thrown into the oven for too long and so the mussels and (less so) clams had been shrivelled and burnt. The chicken was overcooked but still adequate and the calamari and prawns were also overcooked but had good flavour. Despite the ingredients not being dealt with that well, the delicious rice and overall saffron & paprika flavour made up for it.
It wasn't the best food nor the cheapest, but satisfying enough.