Flan y Ajo

FINAL VERDICT

AUTHENTICITY: 4 out of 5

AMBIANCE: 5 out of 5

FOOD: 5 out of 5

PRICE: Affordable; tapas $3 to $8 each.

Well, today I steered away from Mexico and back to the Madre Patria. I usually wouldn't write a review of a restaurant unless it was a latin restaurant of some kind, but sometimes you have to make exceptions in life. Flan y Ajo was worth the deviation.

Flan y Ajo is truly a hole in the wall. The word "diminutive" may not fit here. It makes the old Cuban Revolution feel big. But this is not a bad thing, instead, it's a great thing; it makes you feel you're having dinner at the kitchen of Siobhan and Diego, the owners. You feel at home.

The wife and I went, because we've heard it was a good Spanish Tapas place. It's BYOB, so we went next door to ENO where we bought a moderately priced ($15) Argentinian Malbec wine. At Flan y Ajo, we sat at the bar. Diego was doing the serving at first, and he was so friendly, it was a joy to sit at the bar. The menu has a long list of tapas. At first we ordered the Lomo, the Tortilla Española and the Saetas Salteadas (mushrooms). Oh yeah, we also ordered the Pulpitos (baby octopus) with oil, paprika and coarse salt. I've had octopus in many variations; cooked in their ink, sauteed with garlic, grilled, yet Flan y Ajo managed to introduced a completely new taste and texture to my pulpo lexicon. Perfectly cooked with a peculiar texture, and great with bread, the pulpitos are a must at Flan y Ajo. The Lomo was to die for; we ordered it twice. I don't eat this type of dried cured meats often, and I forget how delicious they can be. It makes the best bacon or prosciutto taste pedestrian. Complex, yet simple. After a good discussion on cooking large octopus with Diego and the banning of bullfighting in Spain with Siobhan, we had some Spanish deviled eggs with tuna, some tomato bread, and some flan to finish things off.

I highly recommend Flan y Ajo; priced moderately, great ambiance. I'd recommend you don't go with a lot of friends, but instead, sit at the bar and make some new ones. That's how it's done in Asturias. I'm planning to go back soon to take some pictures of the place to complement this review; maybe the Dia de Reyes (Jan. 6th) celebration would be a good time!

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Flan y Ajo

225a WESTMINSTER ST.

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

Wed-Sa 16.00 - 23.30

Phone: 401 432 6656