Enjoy a glass of wine or an espresso at the bar

Tucked in plain sight in the East Village of downtown San Diego is Café Chloe – a fusion of Parisian chic and urban Southern California.  The interior décor definitely speaks French, but has more use of white and bright natural light than most traditional Parisian cafes.  The blend is a great match for this wine bar and cafe.

With distressed dark washed wood floors, dark open cabinets, and a dark bar contrasted by the white round table tops, a curved white bar top, and white (and lavender in the nook in the back) walls, the interior conveys a balance of tradition and style.  The café has balance and harmony between the light and dark, colors and neutrals, open and private.  The walls that face the street are made of floor to ceiling windows that are open during the day.  The vibe of the space is classic and hip, traditional and modern, contrasts in harmony.

Chloe stole my heart with her café mochas – served in an oversized bowl as they are in Paris with mildly sweetened chocolate.  I dislike sweet mochas, as the sugar masks the chocolate and espresso flavors.  Café Chloe has no dependency on sugar and the drinks are the better for it. The mocha is truly a gem.

I also appreciated the modest portion size of the delicious food.  That may sound odd.  In so many places we are conditioned to celebrate the oversized meal as a trophy of good value.  But, I miss the well made but small servings of food I would find in France.  With such clear flavors, quantity isn’t needed – or wanted.  Café Chloe romanced me over brunch with nostalgia and great flavors.  I ordered the Greek yogurt with granola, dried apricot, and lavender honey.  The flavors and textures complimented and contrasted well.  I loved the tang of the yogurt that had the thick consistency of sour cream against the crunch of the granola and the sweet honey.  I also loved the hint of lavender, unexpected, fragrant, and a nice finish to the combinations of flavors.  I sampled their chocolate croissant.  I was disappointed that it wasn’t in the traditional shape of the pain au chocolate I would buy in France.   But, I guess the course of love is never easy and in spite of that surprise, Café Chloe came through with a flaky, warm, buttery croissant with dark chocolate inside. 

So traditional it is edgy

Café Chloe serves breakfast, lunch, tea, and dinner, and on weekends, breakfast and lunch are replaced by brunch.   The menu for breakfast and brunch is similar, so you won’t miss out if you choose one or the other.  Brunch does have the advantage of a number of ‘champagne’ cocktails.  It appeared that Prosecco was the base for the ‘champagne’ cocktails.  While I did not have one of the cocktails on this visit, in general I prefer Champagne or sparkling wines to Prosecco (although production methods have improved and there are dry Proseccos available, in general, I find it too sweet).  For anyone in who has the same preference, I recommend that you ask about the wine if you order champagne at Café Chloe.

Outdoor seating at Cafe Chloe

I will be back to enjoy an evening glass of wine or champagne with the cheese plate – especially on a warmer evening when I can enjoy it all with a friend at one of the outdoor tables.  The atmosphere is very relaxing, the service is friendly, and, the food is very good.  For anyone looking for a step up from the typical coffee house, Café Chloe is a great option.  While the atmosphere is relaxing, there is more polish to everything than is usually found in the typical café.   Café Chloe is refined without being stuffy and delivers great flavors with genius simplicity.  Grab your favorite read, your best looking sunglasses, and be the slick person spotted by others at one of the outdoor tables.  When looking to push up your own slick-score, it isn’t just who you are, but also where you are.  Café Chloe is the spot to do that – and you will enjoy a great meal or drink in the works. 

Cafe Chloe charms upon introduction

Wallet:  Small bites $5 – $11, Entrees $15 – $23, lunch somewhere in between.
Closet:  Casual to business dress. 

Café Chloe
721 9th Avenue #1
San Diego, CA 92101
619/232-3242
M-F 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Sat 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Sun 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.