Tortilla Flat offers delightful dining

Before you even sit down at Tortilla Flat, you can tell it's going to be a delightful meal. We were greeted by the chords of Mexican tunes played by a live guitarist, and bright colors decorate every inch of the building, from walls to ceilings to chairs.\nDuring daylight hours and in the warmer seasons, outdoor seating is available. In the evenings, the front porch glints with white Christmas lights.\nThe service at Tortilla Flat is good; our drinks were consistently filled promptly, and we didn't have to request our check to pay. Our server was patient with us as well, allowing us time to make up our minds about the menu.\nAppetizer\nAll meals at Tortilla Flat are served with chips and salsa, as one would expect from a Mexican restaurant. The salsa is mild and chunky; unlike other Mexican restaurants, you don't have to worry about running out of salsa because it comes in a large container.\nWe ordered the chili con queso for $4.25. Made with Chihuahua and cheddar cheeses, diced tomatoes, jalepeno peppers and sour cream, the chili con queso was served in a large bowl, but was not "piping hot" as the menu promised.\nIt is different than the recipe served in other restaurants, containing much more sour cream than usual; some diners might not enjoy the difference, but others will find it a welcome variation.\nEntree\nWe ordered the beef enchiladas for $5.95. Served in corn tortillas, topped with sliced red onions, black olives and a ranchera sauce, the enchiladas were good. They were served at the perfect temperature, and the ranchera sauce added spice to the meal.\nSides included Spanish rice and black beans. Though the rice was dry, it still tasted good. The beans, topped with cheese, had an excellent flavor.\nWe also sampled the chicken topped with spinach and chipotle cream sauce. This selection was more sweet than spicy, a good option for a diner with a timid palate. For $9.95, it was enough for two meals, but again the rice was a bit dry.\nDessert\nWe attempted to order banana chimichangas for dessert, but the restaurant was out of bananas. As an alternative, we sampled both the fudge torte and the flan, for $2.50 and $1.95, respectively.\nThe torte was a chocolate lover's dream, topped with shaved almonds and served warm. Some diners might find the chocolate somewhat overpowering, while others will enjoy the rich, warm brownie-like delight.\nThe flan was creamy and cool, with just the right flavor. It seemed at first to be a small portion, but it was too rich to finish. At less than $2, this is a good choice alone or to cap a meal.\nOverall\nParking is located in the rear of the building, and we found it easy to miss.\nIt might not be the most authentic Mexican food in town, but the atmosphere makes up the difference. We were delighted by our experience at Tortilla Flat from beginning to end.