Bravas Bar de Tapas — Restaurant in Healdsburg

Three of us shared a lunch meal here on a Wednesday. Healdsburg seems to be mostly shut down on Wednesdays, reducing the selection of restaurants. We had eaten here before and had a great experience, but remember it as somewhat pricey. I was proud of our ordering skills on this day, as the three of us had a great meal for $100, including $42 of alcohol. We shared a 1/2 bottle of their Black Slate red wine ($32), which was fairly robust classic Spanish red blend. Our concept was to get a large main dish and each order an appetizer, all to share. This worked very well. Our main was the Bravas Fried Chicken ($34), which came with a large Kale Salad. There were 11 pieces of very crispy, but somewhat dry chicken. It was served with a dipping sauce and a bunch of surprisingly spicy "sport" peppers. Caution: They were the spiciest Spanish thing I've eaten after spending many months on the Iberian peninsula eating and cooking. As for the apps: We got Salmorejo ($7), a rich and delicious cold soup like Gazpacho but smoothly blended with bread. Yum. Next was Roasted Cauliflower with Dates, Blue Cheese and Marcona Almonds ($10). Delicious. Then Fried Eggplant Chips with Truffle Honey ($9). This was my choice, and I regret it. Dry, flavorless eggplant was like straw. But the honey was delicious. Lastly I can't leave here without a sip of Fernando Pedro Jimenez sherry ($10). Good, but sweeter than I remember. Overall a great afternoon on the shaded patio...

Update 06/25/20 We were excited to hear that one of our favorite restaurants, Bravas Bar De Tapas reopened in Healdsburg for patio dining. The variety was truly amazing. We started with Marinated Olives, (Pickled Garlic, Idiazabal Cheese). We added some Marcona Almonds (Rosemary, Pimenton Salt), Pan Oliva ( Toast, Arbequina Olive Oil, Garlic, Sea Salt), and Escarole Salad (Moscatel Dressing, Apples, Hazelnuts, Cabrales). We really enjoyed the Salmerejo Soup (Andalusian Chilled Gazpacho). We then moved to Dungeness Crab Stuffed Piquillo Peppers (Idiazabal Cream, Jamon Mingas), and Steamed Clams in Cava (with Garlic, Parsley, Chili Flakes). We also loved the Monterey Calamari ( Salsa Verde, Lemon), and the Octopus (Fingerlings, Smoked Paprika, Olives). We drank a bottle of wine we brought with us, and several rounds of Blind Pig IPA. For dessert, we settled on Hot Rum Balls (Spanish Fried Pastries with Rum Glaze), and Straus Family Organic Soft Serve. We drank the lovely Sherry, Alvear (1927 Pedro Ximinez), which our waiter recommended. Everything was delicious as usual and service was spot on. It was a wonderful luncheon and beautiful weather on the patio.

Previous Review: Our long time favorite spot for Spanish tapas. We drive 90 minutes each way from the SF Bay Area. The food and service are exceptional. No disappointments....

I've eaten all over the bay and around the world, and never have I felt so unwelcome. Came in on crutches today as I broke my leg. The front of house was a few feet away, looked at us, but did not acknowledge us. I asked for a table for two but she still refused to acknowledge use until I went right up to her (keep in mind I'm on crutches and can’t walk).

She remained stone faced, no greeting, and said "I have a high chair table only". I asked if there were any other options due to my disability and pointed to my crutches. She only responded with a "no". Not "I'm sorry but that's all we have". No response with an alternative or to wait for a regular table, just "no". I said we’d give it a shot, and she took us to our table without a word, tossed the menus on the table and left. Did not say anything about “your server will be with you shortly” or anything. It felt like she did not want us to eat here, that we were unwelcome, so we left.

I don't know if there was a racial component, and generally I try to give people the benefit of the doubt(maybe she had a bad day) but we were one of the only POC in the restaurant and I can't help but feel like that contributed. I wish we could have tried the wonderful looking food but unfortunately we were not wanted at this establishment. I've never felt this way at any...