This Valentine's Day give yourself the gift of culinary care in Half Moon Bay
Chef Pablo Estrado describes Fattoria e Mare (Italian for "Farm and Sea") as a labor of love. After 20 years of supporting some of the top restaurants in the Bay Area, Estrado first opened his sea-to-table concept in 2014 in a caverous building in Burlingame. Due to pandemic circumstances that location closed in 2020. In 2022 Estrada relocated to the charming town of Half Moon Bay where the restaurant re-opened on Main Street in the former location of Pasta Moon.
The new building with its high ceilings, rich interior, lush colors, and artful ambiance is the perfect setting for an intimate dinner, though there's adequate space to accommodate larger parties, as well two private dining rooms for special events.
Manager Carlos Sanchez leads a five-star team that puts genuine care into house hospitality. That care extends from the hostess to the servers and everywhere in between. During a December visit with my partner and his mother, we were floored by the attentive staff as they accommodated for our every dietary need and patiently walked us through half a dozen wines before each of us found the right fit for our palettes.
The wine list itself is impressive and offers a variety of old and new world wines including bottles from California, Spain, France, Argentina, and Africa, as well as an extensive selection of Italian bottles. By-the-glass options at approachable price points include a light and fruity Falanghina, a classic Chianti, and a supple Nebbiolo that easily bridges seafood to steak. The drink menu also features classic and craft cocktails, mocktails, spirits, and a remarkable assortment of digestifs.
Connections are key for a chef who's vision is a combination of authentic imports and local products, and this is where Estrada's passion really shines. A winner of San Mateo's As Fresh As it Gets award, Estrada makes it a priority to partner with local farmers and fisherman to incorporate seasonal produce into his offerings. The menu features authentic antipasti, seasonal salads, fresh local seafood, and sizable entrees, along with housemade pasta, pizzas, and breads.
The steamy housemade foccaccia served with olive oil and balsamic is some of the best you'll find with a crisp crust dusted by large flecks of salt. The antipasti includes gorgeous charcuterie boards, castelvatrano olives with preserved orange, and grilled Spanish octopus. Fresh housemade pastas include a bucatini cacio e pepe (Roman sheepherder's pasta) that is prepared tableside as long round noodles are tossed in a large wheel of cheese. The malfade de nero features thick homemade noodles and squid ink straight from Italy—it's as authentic as you'd find in Venice. Oven-fired pizzas boast fresh ingredients layered atop fermented house-made dough and can be adapted for gluten-free diners. Main entrees feature all variety of meats from duck to prime rib, though the restaurant really shines in its seafood selections, including seared scallops, spicy prawns, and a whole branzino that is deboned tableside and served with confit potatoes and al dente romesco. Prix fixe menus feature four courses of seasonal specials for $75 and are offered Thursday-Sunday evenings.
On Valentine's Day, an elevated menu of five courses ($95) includes a four-cheese tortellini bathed in a savory broth of truffle mushrooms and spinach; fresh butter lettuce picked a stone's throw away, topped with almonds, dates, grapes, and blue cheese, and dressed in an elegant white balsamic vinaigrette; and a land and sea pairing of filet mignon and lobster plated with potato gratin and brussels all doused with a lemon cream sauce. Add an optional pairing, which I highly recommend, of five wines for $45.
Fattoria e Mare is located at 315 Main St, Half Moon Bay, California. Make reservations by calling 650-342-4922 or go to https://fattoriaemare.com/.