Tom introduced me to Flats Tapas Bar in the Old Fairhaven section of Bellingham, WA. He said it was a reminder of his visits to tapas bar’s in Brazil and NJ and wanted me to experience some of the cuisine. I was already happy with cachaca, so show me more!
Exposed brick walls, muted lighting and comfy seats greeted me. The menu was so varied, it needed studying (didn’t want to miss any culinary treat). There were salads, cold dishes, hot dishes and wine and spirits galore. I began with a salad of fresh organic greens and then watched all the perfect little meals come: Bravas (roasted yams in Spanish spices with romesco and aioli sauce), Bayona (grilled sausage and cheese with balsamic glaze and peasant bread), Galicia (seared scallops on white beans with carmelized onion, aioli and hazelnut pesto), Castilla (mini Spanish meatballs in a saffron tomato sauce). I could go on and on. What a treat!
What was most satisfying for me was the variety. The flavors fired and flickered in my mouth; all different and delicious. The kind of variety I’ve been living in my life: some east coast, some west coast, some Wall Street, some Mothering – a Hungarian goulash, my mother would say. 12/3