TOTT: Xixon Offers A Taste Of Spain

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Whether it's the perfect platter of Paella, the sumptuous Sizzling shrimp or tasty Tapas and treats, you'll find quite the samplings of Spain at Xixon Spanish Restaurant located on Coral Way in Miami.

The 3-story, 6,000 square foot space is owned by Carlos Mattos and his wife Begona. The restaurant is named after the Spanish city in which she was born.

The first Xixon opened in 2001 as a deli -- something Begona always wanted.

"She started with a delicatessen, she always liked the deli business. She liked the treatment she got in delis in Spain. This personal touch with customers," said Carlos, about their first Xixon.

Their full deli is on the same floor as the main dining room, a catering space upstairs, and the Vinoteca or wine room downstairs.

"We carry over 300 types of wine. It's 100% Spanish wine. We don't carry any wines from any other place," Carlos said.

The food is a combination of appetizers, tapas and main dishes. Everything is authentic to the many regions Spain.

"The idea was, if you are from Spain or you want to know Spanish food, you want to come here and experience Spanish cuisine," he said.

CBS4's isa Petrillo began her tasting with the appetizer platter. Consisting of a pastry filled with smoked salmon, sardines in salt, marinated tuna and watermelon, and vegetable flan with truffled olive oil. She goes for the salmon.

"The fresh salmon on top of a pastry is something I wouldn't know that you could put together, but it's like a European delicious dessert in an appetizer," Petrillo said.

Then there's the Tuna and watermelon.

"That's a perfect combo of salty and sweet. The watermelon is soft and perfect and the saltiness of the tuna on top makes it a really nice combination in your mouth," she said.

Next up: Tapas -- sizzling Shrimps in garlic sauce.

"It is elegant and simple and so very Spanish. The shrimp is fresh and delicious. The garlic gives it flavor and is not over-sauced. This is the real deal," Petrillo explained.

And finally the main dish, a spanish classic -- seafood paella with fish, clams, mussels, shrimps and langostinos.

"If you ever go to Spain, this is what it tastes like," Petrillo exclaimed.

Xixon is a hidden gem in Miami offering an escape to another continent. It's opened 7 days a week, serving lunch and dinner. Lunch only on Sunday.

For more info: www.xixonspanishrestaurant.com