The dining scene at the Bay Street Emeryville shopping mall continues to get more interesting with the arrival of Flores, a Mexican restaurant whose San Francisco location has received a Michelin Bib Gourmand award.
Flores is set to open Nov. 3 at 5614 Bay St., Suite 244, right by the new pizza-and-hot-wings joint Arthur Mac’s Little Snack. Soon it will have company in the shopping mall from a Fogo de Chão, which is nearing completion judging from its facade work this week, as well as a Mumu Hot Pot specializing in interactive dining with meat and vegetables cooked at the table.
Flores comes from the Back of the House restaurant group, which aside from the San Francisco flagship runs a third Flores in Corte Madera. The Emeryville restaurant will be split into two: a full-service restaurant and, next door, a Flores Taqueria offering grab-and-go tacos, bowls and salads. It’s a bit like a Chipotle in that customers can make their own meals by selecting beans, rice, pico de gallo, avocado, dressing, etc. The Taqueria will open tomorrow, Oct. 26, with a free burrito giveaway to the first 50 customers.
The Flores menu will focus on the “incredible diversity of hyperlocal Mexican cuisine,” the restaurant group said in an email. That means shrimp and mahi-mahi ceviche, big-eye tuna tostadas with chipotle aioli, handmade crispy masa dumplings and tacos with fillings like carnitas, chicken tinga, “vegetariano” and fish with escabeche.
The bar has craft cocktails, beers and wines from Mexico and California and traditional Mexican tipples like margaritas. There are a few eyebrow-raising drinks, too, like the Amor De Mis Amores, made with whiskey, mezcal, avocado salsa, egg white, agave and lemon. Does that count as a small meal?
The Michelin Guide has praised the restaurant’s Cow Hollow location for its lively atmosphere, friendly staff and, of course, its good food. Here’s more of what Michelin has to say: “Flores is among the city’s best upscale Mexican spots — with the bonuses of heftier portions and a lower price tag. You’ll be able to taste the difference in the handmade corn tortillas that encase an oozy huitlacoche quesadilla and the tender, citrusy carnitas. Save room for churros: the spicy ‘Mexican hot chocolate’ dipping sauce is well worth the calories.”
Details: The full-service restaurant will open Nov. 3 with hours running from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. The Taqueria will open Oct. 26 with daily hours from 11 a.m.- to 9 p.m. at 5614 Bay St., Suite 244, Emeryville; floressf.com.
