Sunday, October 18, 2009

Cafe Bleu

92103 is losing another little gem. Cafe Bleu is closing Saturday, and it's a damn shame given that we'd just started eating there. So, for the first of at least two farewell meals, we made a great go of it.

Amuse Bouche:

Goat cheese and raspberry reduction served on a cucumber slice over balsamic vinagrette. One bite of fresh goodness here. I'm swiping this one.

Appetizers:

Olives, Dates, and Almonds Plate.

This plate is served with pecorino-stuffed dates wrapped in applewood smoked bacon, which even my strict vegetarian neighbors tuck in for. The plate is sprinkled with truffle oil and it's a surprisingly light indulgence.

Onion Tart

Oh sweet lord, I feel like protesting the closure just for this. It's a puff pastry shell with caramelized onions and Parmesan cheese layered with tomatoes, garlic, and a pistachio pesto that would make you weep. I have a burning love for this dish that will send me into mourning come Saturday.

Entree:

Coq Au Vin.

I am the world's worst vegetarian when I hit up a great restaurant. Yeah, it's ye olde French standard cuisine, but one that's ridiculously easy to botch. And Cafe Bleu's is a good as my mother's. And she was a trained chef who could cook your underpants into an evening delight. The sauce was a beautifully balance mushroom and wine affair, served with potato souffle. I'm having my leftovers for breakfast, you better you bet.

The staff is lovely, and the bartender pours a kicking mixed drink. And he's a dead ringer for Bryan Dick, but hey. I'm not letting the week go by without another go at the mushroom vol-au-vent and an amazingly good gazpacho. And it's one of the coolest looking joints in Hillcrest without an ounce of the pretension easily found in this neighborhood. I'll be following this chef, and hopefully there will soon be more magical dances across my palate.

The worst part about Cafe Bleu's impending closure is that it's not because of slow business. The landlord -- who is already losing money since the space Rags occupied remains empty -- jacked up the rent in times like these. Yep, they turned down a steady rental for the prospect of a bigger check. I'll tell you, I expect that space to be empty for a while yet. Seven restaurants have come and gone in my lifetime, and the turnover is become ever shorter because of this mismanagement. It's a shame.

So, San Diegans, hit this spot up sometime this week if you can. The happy hours are great, and the Tuesday Night Out special will leave you patting your stomach all night. I highly recommend making reservations if you want to give a shot on Saturday (closing night).