Review: Espana Restaurant, Fernandina Beach, Florida

On a recent holiday weekend, we found ourselves making a last minute decision to drive down to Fernandina Beach for dinner. Of course, this can be problematic on a holiday, and we didn't have reservations! Wishing for something a little more than a casual dining experience, we inquired at several nice downtown restaurants only to find out that we should have made reservations - or plan on eating after 8:30 p.m.

Our last attempt before abandoning our dinner plans was at Espana Restaurant. Tucked away on a quiet side street, we had seen this restaurant but never tried to eat there before. Luck was with us as the kind hostess at Espana had just had a no-show and we were shown to the only open table in the restaurant. We repaid Espana for their kindness by being ravenous and ordering tapas and a full dinner with wine.

Espana Restaurant Menu Selections

Espana has a varied menu. While the dinner selections are on the pricier side, the tapas selections ($6.95 to $11.95) offer decent portion sizes for sharing. Other tapas plates include shrimp, calamari and clams with a few beef and sausage selections, too. We ordered the Mussels in a light wine sauce - a special not regularly on the menu - and found them cooked perfectly. We were served 10 or more (I was too busy eating and lost count) and they were wonderful. Bread and butter were brought to the table while we waited for our order. The bread was good but not a stand-out, so I elected to wait for my main entree after trying just a bite or two.

After a wait that seemed a little too long - but we were very hungry so I won't hold this against Espana - our main entrees arrived. I ordered the Snapper Seville (with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes and a light but delectable wine, lemon and butter sauce). My companion had the Grouper a la Lisbon (with tomatoes, onions, capers, and olives in a white wine and herb sauce). Both entrees were accompanied by rice and were excellent. We each taste-tested a part of the other's entree but were so satisfied with our own selections that there wasn't much sharing going on.

There are meat and salad selections on the menu as well as a tasty selection of seafood entrees focusing on snapper, grouper, and scallops. Meat entrees include beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin and chicken. Prices for main meals range from $18.95 to $28.95. Salads are amply sized and looked delicious, ranging in price from $3.50 to $5.95. Paella is also available in one or two portion sizes. A few furtive glances around the restaurant at the food other people were enjoying would lead one to believe that Espana does most things on their menu very well as there was definitely a mixture of beef, seafood, salad and various tapas plates being enjoyed.

Atmosphere at Espana Restaurant

The atmosphere in Espana Restaurant was very nice, although a little noisy with every table occupied. If you are having a special dinner you might want to inquire ahead or go on a week night (and certainly not a holiday weekend) if you were hoping for a more intimate setting. Lighting is subdued and perfect for dinner. The decor is okay - unpretentious - and the wait staff was relaxed and accommodating as well. Dress for Espana is dressy to nice casual - although Fernandina Beach is a tourist area so casual dress is accepted most anywhere.

As we were leaving - no room for dessert - we noticed a beautifully lit courtyard that was also available for seating. We'll have to come back again and give that area a try.

If you're in Fernandina Beach for a visit, definitely keep Espana Restaurant on your list of places for a casual or special evening.

Espana Restaurant
22 S. 4th Street
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034
(904) 261-7700
Open 7 days a week, 5-10 pm
EspanaDowntown.com

Sources:
Personal experience.