Coquina Restaurant on A Street in Ashland offers delicious Northwest cuisine with a delicate, creative flair. Lynn and Daniel Flattley opened the new eatery a couple of weeks ago in the city's historic Railroad District. It's in the space formerly occupied by Palace Cafe in the restored J.K. Van Sant Building. The Flattleys ran the Wild Rose Bistro in Bandon for seven years before leaving the coast to do business inland, and they have followers. One couple arrived during my visit to Coquina last Friday night and announced they had been steady customers of the Bandon bistro. Lynn Flattley is chef while Daniel Flattley hosts the nicely designed, simple dining room set with white tablecloths and glass candleholders on the tables. I asked for seating near the back and ordered a leggy 2008 red from Mannina Cellars based in Walla Walla, Wash. It was one of the four varieties of wine by the glass. There's an extensive list of bottled wines from the Northwest, California, Italy and France. Some are organic. A full bar also is available with a couple of specialty cocktails, such as pomegranate cosmopolitans and Dan's Margaritas, along with organic juices and coffee. Daniel Flattley presented the menu and explained that entrees, salads and appetizers at Coquina will change with the seasons — or with the chef's whims. The focus will be on fresh, regional ingredients and Lynn Flattley's desire to experiment by creating new dishes.— Laurie Heuston/Mail Tribune
Beet salad with a sherry vinaigrette, sauteed oyster mushrooms, watercress, pancetta, fennel marmalade, and pan fried chevre
Carrot Salad with Manchego cheese, crispy carrots, and a chive vinaigrette
Burata and Breakfast Radish with a radish top pesto, toasted pumpkin seeds, Villa Manodori aged balsamic, Oregon morels, pumpkin seed oil, and kale chips
Organic Greens- with a house vinaigrette
Wild Watercress with candied guanciale, Crater Lake Blue, hazelnuts, and pear vinaigrette
Menu items may differ from those listed. Vegetarian options are available. Open at 5pm Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sundays and Mondays. Reservations are recommended though not neccessary. Please call 541-488-0521.
