Flavor

Flavor Restaurant Review:

Given Half Moon Bay’s coastal location, it’s no wonder tourists are as common a sight here as the Pacific Ocean. In fact, it’s easy to forget there are locals. Which is why owners Francisco Sanchez and Devin Grant opened their American comfort-food restaurant. Meant to mirror the meals they enjoyed growing up, the duo has created an ambitious menu that serves up homey offerings such as tender beef short ribs that evoke memories of slow-cooked pot roast, complete with roasted carrots, and for an interesting twist, polenta biscuits. Juicy beef sliders made with mini brioche buns take diners into gourmet territory, as does moist mahi mahi with mango salsa (though a baked potato stuffed with cheese and sour cream and a heaping pile of wild rice make for odd plate-mates). Dessert can be as uncomplicated as peanut butter and ice cream in pastry, or as sophisticated as a plate of homemade confections that include frangipane with apricots, almond brittle, mango gelées, and chocolate cherry fudge dipped in chocolate. The wine list is in step with the casual vibe, offering reasonably priced selections primarily from the West Coast.