New Puerto Rican restaurant opening in Bellingham, bringing authentic flavors to Fairhaven

A new restaurant is planned to open in Fairhaven, bringing new Puerto Rican flavors and cuisine to Bellingham.

J’s Kitchen, a Puerto Rican restaurant, will be taking over the previous location of Fairhaven Pizza at 1307 11th St., although an opening date has not been set.

The restaurant is preparing to open but is waiting for certain approvals from the health department, according to an email from the owner, Justin Valle, who hopes to open the restaurant in late August or early September.

The restaurant will feature authentic Puerto Rican cuisine inspired by Valle’s family.

“We plan on serving Puerto Rican cuisine which is what I grew up eating. Both of my parents are Puerto Rican and all of my grandparents are from the Island. I learned to cook from my grandmother and mother. So I will be bringing some of their recipes and mine to the restaurant,” Valle wrote.

The restaurant’s online menu includes empanadas, salads, chimichurri, roasted chicken, soups, Cubano sandwiches, and mac and cheese or chicken and rice on the kids menu.

“We plan to focus primarily on bowls of rice, beans, and stews as well as sandwiches. And of course we will be offering Tostones, which are twice-fried unripened plantains! We will slowly expand the menu as we get our feet under us,” Valle wrote.

Although there is no opening date, the restaurant plans to be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday to serve lunch and dinner menus.