Friday night lights
Illustration By Mark Stivers
When you think of going out for a fun Friday night, I bet you don’t think of Winters. But you should, especially if you like tapas with a side of convivial atmosphere. At teeny, homey Ficelle, the owners—sisters Mary Ann Washabaugh and Joanne Knudson—usually do a takeout menu for dinners, with lunches served in-house. But on Friday nights (and occasionally other nights), there’s a tapas menu of tasty plates like hearty Basque garbanzos with sausage; chicken tingas or chiles rellenos; a mixed appetizer plate with beans, cheeses and tiny roasted peppers; and wines and sangria. The menu is inspired in part by the sisters’ Spanish heritage, along with Mexican touches contributed by the cooks. The crowd is largely local and chatty, but also welcoming to strangers who’ve come to enjoy some tapas, perhaps a little local music, and the bright lights of Winters. Ficelle, 5 East Main Street in Winters; (530) 795-9593.
