That is to say it kept me away from restaurants like Flats, which serves some fine Spanish food. Flats is billed as a tapas bar, with tapas being the rough equivalent of appetizers. The Spanish don’t eat their evening meal at 6pm, but have their main meal at 2pm and a light supper at 9-10pm. Most restaurants are closed at 6pm, but the bars are open and they all serve tapas as light appetizers to get you through the rest of the day.

In my mind, the question of authenticity arises whenever a restaurant bills itself as representing a foreign culture or nation (with some notable exceptions like "Panda Express" or "Kentucky Fried Chicken"). The first thing I looked for is the ubiquitous Jamón Serrano, which can be found in the La Seo sampler. The Spanish equivalent of prosciutto, this tangy cross between bacon and pork jerky is something of an acquired taste but is a taste worth acquiring. Another of the cold tapas included Manchego, a mild goat cheese from Central Spain.

The Yams Bravas are a variation/combination of Patatas A’lioli (potatoes with a garlic cream sauce) and Patatas Bravas (Potatoes with a tangy tomato sauce). The 1000 peseta Spanish version is more like potatoes with ketchup or potatoes with mayonnaise, nothing like the deliciousYams Bravas -- a good option for the first time explorer of Spanish cuisine.

The Castilla is another option that will delight the uninitiated, mini meatballs in a saffron tomato sauce. I will admit to you that I can’t describe the flavor of saffron but it is expensive, used in many Spanish dishes and makes everything yellow. Cantabria might be more familiar to those who dine at cosmopolitan delis with its grilled panini, tuna and olive tapenade.

I’d personally recommend the Galicia, scallops with canellini beans and caramelized onions, a dish that transcends novelty and treads lightly across Cloud Nine. Although I’m not fond of eggs, the Spanish Tortilla is several steps above edible. Not to be confused with a Mexican Tortilla, the Spanish version is more like an omelet with potato, onion and ham.

The restaurant is not large and has quickly become popular even as it joins an already strong suite of dining options in the heart of booming Fairhaven. Weekend evenings may make it difficult to secure a table but listening to Spanish guitar while you wait will ease the pain. Portions are not large but that is the Spanish way and in the tradition of tapas. Besides, with so many excellent options, you want to leave room for the variety.

Written By: Glen Berry

Features
Beer and Wine  |  Smoke-free  |  Dinner

Comments
Whenever I am in Fairhaven, I head to Flats. It's a place where good service is the norm, staff is knowledgeable and if they are not busy, can engage in some stimulating chat about food and wine. Of course it is nice to go there hungry but I enjoy just stopping in for a good cup of coffee or tea. Every dish I've tried has been wonderful--fresh ingredients and unique flavors. Flats takes customer service and quality of food very seriously.
- Roxie on Mon, June 23, 2008

Manchego is sheep cheese, not goat.
- David Williams on Thu, September 13, 2007

Wow - what a delicious meal! The decor and arrangement are pleasant, the waitstaff were knowledgeable and helpful, and of course most importantly the food was delicious. I took my somewhat adventurous 8 year old who happily ate almost every dish I ordered. We ordered more than we could eat and happily took the rest with us for later. I highly recommend it for the variety and quality of ingredients. Enjoy!
- lucy on Sun, October 1, 2006

my friend that i haven't seen in 20 years came up for a visit this week and we went to your restaurant for lunch. it was a little slow that day as, we were the only ones there. our food, waitress and wine was absolutely wonderful!! tonight a couple other friends and i will be eating at your restaurant before going to the fairhaven for dancing. i work in a salon in bellingham and will be telling everyone to dine in your restaurant! thankyou, mindi boysen
- mindi on Fri, April 7, 2006

With all the places billing themselves as serving tapas, you will know that you never really had a tapa until you eat at Flats. I have frequented this fine Fairhaven establishment many times and it always delights! A few favorite are the "Anchoa" (which is topped with smoked spanish paprika, not chili powder FYI) the must have "Pulpo" and the house named "Flatsbread". The wine selection is outstanding and very well priced, with easily the largest selection of Spanish wines in the county. Everything is handmade in-house, and the service is fun, passionate, and very knowledgeable. Get thee Flats immediately!
- Jordan the Ca on Wed, November 30, 2005

Anyone who describes their experience at Flats as "disappointing" should not be allowed out on the streets of Fairhaven. The owner Rich along with his dedicated staff provide a wonderful dining experience. A great array of tapas complemented by an excellent selection of wines by the glass or bottle (moderatly priced) with a warm & soothing ambience. Go & enjoy!! Guy T
- Guy T on Fri, November 18, 2005

In both the dishes we tried, there was an overabundance of canned chile powder- so powerful that it drowned out the flavor of both the olives it was on, as well as the decent glass of wine i ordered to go with it. The anchoa, powerful little anchovies, were laid out on top of some flavorless avocados (it's okay to rotate a menue seasonally to make good with produce, yo) a lot of "aoli" (we all know this is just a fancy word for mayo) and boring bread. for nine bucks, we got three little slices. Our freind is the sous chef at a tapas place in Seattle, so it's not like we didn't know what we were getting in to. It was disappointing.
- erin on Tue, November 15, 2005

In your quest to describe Flats delicious menu, you passed over a very important subject. The imports and domestic wines in stock are of an excellent selection. To add to Flats credit, they chose as their own label a Cabernet Sauvignon, witch can not be compared. Also a full flavor private imported reserve from Spain, guaranteed to take part in dreaming of those wonderful Mediterranean afternoons. Thank You
- Marion on Mon, October 24, 2005

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