Le Cake Chateau
1152 7th Avenue, San Diego CA 92101Le Cake Chateau on 7th Avenue in downtown San Diego is located half a block from Copely Symphony Hall. It’s a great spot for pre-symphony dinner as well as post-performance happy hour, often frequented by performers. The Rosas family runs this French bakery, serving breakfast and lunch daily and now offering a full dinner menu with international wine list on Fridays and Saturdays. Le Cake Chateau offers a casual yet upbeat urban atmosphere serving rustic French bistro fare including Coq au Vin, Rack of Lamb, Filet Mignon with Gorgonzola, Ratatouille with pasta.
Dinner and the Symphony
Review by TableAgent
Le Cake Chateau is a petite French bakery located on 7th Avenue in downtown San Diego. A couple of doors down from Lucky’s Tatoos and half a block from Copley Symphony Hall, the bakery sits at an interesting intersection of upscale urban culture and neighborhood family charm. This area of downtown is enjoying a renaissance, which includes Le Cake Chateau’s recent decision to open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. Look for the red awning and the black granite-topped tables on the sidewalk out front and you’ll know you’ve come to the right place. If you don’t find an open on-street parking spot, there are many parking lots and garages in the area.
How did a family of Mexican chefs come to run a French Bakery and Bistro? Mom, Maggie Rosas, paired up with a French pastry chef, of course! After operating Le Cake Chateau as a bakery, offering breakfast and lunch for three years, the Rosas’ brought in chef Dana Straub and wine merchant Gina Roiban in January 2008 to begin offering dinner to the symphony-going crowd as well as the neighborhood locals.
The clientele on the Saturday night I visited seemed to be mostly pre-performance symphony goers, nicely dressed in San Diego’s relatively casual chic, with lots of salt-and-pepper grey hair. The place was packed and I was glad I’d made a reservation, since my table was the only one left. Even though it was busy, my table beside the pastry cases was a cozy spot for dining solo. Jazz vocals provided the soundtrack under the cacophony of conversation. Tables were adorned with white tablecloths and vases, each containing a single orange daisy in sprightly, urban bistro style. There were some outdoor sidewalk tables, although when I visited, the weather was too cool to sit outside comfortably.
Le Cake Chateau’s dinner menu items are a la carte, listed in French and English. They include traditional French entrees such as Coq au Vin along with Italian dishes like pasta Carbonara and California favorites like Blackened Ahi Tuna. The family’s Mexican heritage also sneaks into dishes like Poulet au Feu or “Chicken on Fire” which is seasoned with a spicy chipotle cream sauce.
A basket of sliced French baguettes arrived first to the table with a ramekin of salty chive butter and I was reminded that the bread and everything else on the menu is made fresh, on site, from scratch.
I chose the Langoustine appetizer, four langoustines (a variety of lobster resembling a monster shrimp) served chilled and arranged in a pool of sweet red chili sauce with a nest of fresh chiffonade greens. The lobster meat was mild, firm and tender and the chili sauce gave this dish a colorful zing while the fresh greens cooled it back down.
The Shrimp Bisque was in high demand, which I assume means it’s really good, since they had run out by the time I ordered. My salad course was Maggie’s Pear Salad, a large serving of mild leafy greens and endives, punctuated with tangy gorgonzola cheese bits and sweet candied walnuts, with fresh pear slices and dressed with a refined honey vinaigrette. It was light and satisfying as an introduction to the entrées yet to come.
Tournedos Gorgonzola was recommended by my server and proved its value as a favorite. I enjoyed filet mignon perfectly cooked rare, very tender with a rich gorgonzola cream sauce poured over the top and robust portions of buttery herbed mashed potatoes and steamed zucchini, yellow squash, red and yellow bell peppers.
Rack of Lamb came equally well cooked, tender and flavorful, mild-tasting and not gamey, with a red wine reduction sauce and the side dishes mentioned above. The portions were generous; the rich potatoes complimented the more astringent vegetables, leading one to eat more than intended since it was all so delicious! I’d characterize this as continental comfort food, hearty and flavorful. If I were to use a musical metaphor here, it might be a Mahler symphony – bold and satisfying, inspired by different genres whose flavors come together creating a richly fulfilling experience.
The wine accompanying my dinner was the 2003 Chateau Reserve de Mouton from Bordeaux, France. It proved to be an excellent complement to the hearty fare, a full-bodied, nicely balanced dinner wine, rich and fruity as it is described on the wine list with blackberry and raspberry liquor aromas.
For dessert, of course there was an array of cakes and pastries. I chose chocolate mousse. It arrived with a raspberry coulis and dark chocolate sauce drizzled on the plate and consisted of layers of rich chocolate mousse alternating with chocolate cake, topped with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and the time-honored red cherry on top. A full, handed cup of blood orange herbal tea, tart and sweet, finished off my meal.
During the course of the evening, early dinner patrons left for their symphony performance and a younger clientele came in lending an urban neighborhood buzz to the relaxed yet stylish bistro ambience. Le Cake Chateau also caters pastries and cookies for Copley Symphony Hall, so racks of goodies paraded across the street in time for intermission. And I’m told that they also host a post-performance happy hour for Copley performers.
This little bistro serves the local community non-stop, delivering breakfasts and coffee break goodies to businesses in the area, serving lunch and now serving a fine dinner to locals and visitors alike. It speaks well of the family’s passion for their food and their neighborhood that you’ll find the owner and the wine supplier waiting tables and the dinner chef also baking cakes first thing in the morning.
If you’re looking for a little bistro with urban neighborhood charm and great food, this is your dinner spot. It’s a great place to meet friends for lively conversation over a satisfying meal with a respectable glass of wine. It’s perfect for dinner before the symphony. Or, how about an espresso or cup of tea (two dozen varieties of tea adorn the shelves above pastry cases) and dessert after the show? Chef Dana Straub is just getting started with the dinner offerings and anticipates that the menu will change over time. The owners are aware that they have a few kinks to work out of the system in order to live up to the true potential of their dining establishment. I look forward to enjoying the creative culinary evolution of Le Cake Chateau and its talented chef and staff.
In addition to bakery and dining options, Le Cake Chateau also collaborates with Roiban Wines for catering parties and special events. Contact owner, Humberto Rosas, for more information at 619-325-0977.
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Reservations
Business Info
- Address: 1152 7th Avenue, San Diego CA 92101
- Cross Street: C Street
- Location: Downtown | East Village
- Cuisine: French |
- Cost: | Inexpensive
- Category: Fine Dining
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Available
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner |
- Parking: Street | Public Lot |
- Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
-
Staff:
Dana Straub
| Executive Chef
- Website: http://www.lecakechateau.com
- Phone: (619) 325-0977
- Features: Catering Services, Outdoor Seating, Takeout Available,
- Occasion: Dining Alone,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- All Day - Main Dining Room 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Tuesday
- All Day - Main Dining Room 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Wednesday
- All Day - Main Dining Room 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Thursday
- All Day - Main Dining Room 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Friday
- All Day - Main Dining Room 7:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Saturday
- All Day - Main Dining Room 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
- Sunday
Menus
Breakfast
Served with a side of fresh fruit and Hash Browns
Breakfast
- Breakfast Crepes 5.95
- Family recipe crepes with choice of seasonal Fresh fruit. * Peaches & Cream * Strawberry & Whip cream (seasonal) * Banana Caramel & Whip Cream * Blueberry and Sweet Cream Cheese
- Classic Pancake Combo 7.99
- Three Buttermilk Pancakes served with two eggs, hash browns and your choice of two Bacon strips or two pork sausage links.
- Vive La French Toast 7.99
- Four fluffy triangle-shaped slices, dusted with powdered sugar served with two eggs, hash browns and your choice of two bacon strips or two pork sausage links
- Eggs Benedict 6.95
- Two Poached Eggs on a toasted English Muffin with Canadian Bacon topped with our signature Hollandaise Sauce
- Chateau Breakfast 4.95
- Delicious Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Ham and melted Cheddar Cheese served on Croissant or Bagel
- Bacon and Egg Croissant/Bagel 4.95
- Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Bacon and melted Cheddar Cheese on a toasted Croissant or Bagel
- Sausage and Egg Croissant/Bagel 4.95
- Scrambled Eggs with Sausage and Cheddar Cheese served on a toasted Croissant or Bagel
- Cream Cheese Croissant 3.95
- Freshly Baked Butter Croissant with Cream Cheese and Strawberry Signature Marmalade
- Fast B 1.89
- Bagel with Cream Cheese and Jam
- Turkey Bagel 3.95
- Turkey and Cheddar Cheese on a toasted Bagel
- Veggie Breakfast Wrap 4.95
- Combination of Scramble Eggs, with Sauté Mushrooms, Red Peppers , Onions, Tomatoes and Cheddar Cheese served on a Tomato Basil Tortilla
- Chateau Wrap 4.95
- Scrambled Eggs with Black Forest Ham, Bacon & Cheddar Cheese on a Flour Tortilla
- Fruit Cup 2.75
- A refreshing cup/bowl of Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Pineapple, seedless Red Grapes and Seasonal fruits
- Fruit Bowl 4.45
- A refreshing cup/bowl of Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Pineapple, seedless Red Grapes and Seasonal fruits
- Sunshine Yogurt Bowl 4.95
- A Bowl of Fresh Fruit with Vanilla non-fat yogurt topped with Granola and Raisins
Omelets
- Royal Omelets 5.95
- Three egg omelet with choice of one meat & two veggies. *Bacon* Ham* Turkey *Sautéed Onions * Mushroom * Red Peppers * Bacon * Ham * Turkey * Sautéed Onions * Mushroom * Red Peppers
- Queen Veggie Omelet 5.95
- Sautéed Mushroom, Roasted Red Peppers, Spinach, Onion and Tomato served with Wheat Toast.
Extras
- Bacon 1.50
- Canadian Bacon 1.50
- Turkey 1.50
- Egg White Only 1.00
- Cheese 0.50
- Ham 1.50
- Avocado 1.50
- Sausage 1.00
- Onions 0.50
- Tomatoes 0.50
Lunch
Salads
- Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad 8.25
- A lightly breaded Chicken Breast with Buffalo Sauce on a bed of fresh Romaine Lettuce topped with Cherry Tomatoes, Celery, Carrots, Croutons and Parmesan Cheese tossed in a Ranch Dressing
- Traditional Caesar Salad 6.25
- Crisp Romaine Lettuce tossed in a Homemade Caesar Dressing topped with Croutons,Parmesan Cheese And Cherry Tomatoes
- Spinach Salad 7.25
- Spinach topped with Mushrooms, Cherry Tomatoes, Bacon and Goat Cheese tossed in a Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Pear Salad 7.50
- Spring Mix Greens tossed in a Honey Walnut Dressing topped with Candied Walnuts, Gorgonzola Crumbs and Fresh sliced Pears
- Ahi Tuna Salad 7.95
- Seared Ahi Tuna on a bed of Fresh Spring Mix, Cucumber and Cherry Tomato tossed in a tangy Lemon Mustard Dressing
- Albacore Tuna Salad 7.50
- Crisp Romaine Lettuce, Red Onion, Steak Tomato, Cucumber and Albacore Tuna.
- Rasberry Chicken Salad 8.25
- Oven Roasted Rosemary Chicken on a bed of fresh Spring Mix topped with Strawberries, Oranges, Cherry Tomatoes, Feta Cheese and Rice Noodles served with our Homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing
Hot Sandwiches
- Pesto Panini 7.75
- Sliced Chicken Breast topped with Mozzarella Cheese, Homemade Pesto Mayo spread and Savory Sun-Dried Tomatoes on Sourdough Bread or Ciabatta
- Classic BLT 6.50
- Bacon , Lettuce, Steak Tomato and Mayo on Grilled Sourdough Bread.
- Croque Monsieur 6.75
- Black Forest Ham and Cheddar Cheese Sandwich lightly grilled with Egg and pan fried.
- Roasted Turkey Melt 7.50
- Roasted Turkey Breast, Smoked Apple Wood Bacon, Monterrey Jack Cheese, Avocado and Homemade Honey Mayo Aioli served on Grilled Sourdough Bread
- French Dip 7.50
- Slices of mouthwatering Roast Beef cooked in Aju sauce and served on a French roll and side of French Fries
- Veggie Burger 7.25
- Veggie Burger Pattie with Lettuce, Caramelized Onions, Sweet Roasted Bell Peppers, Spring Mix and caper Mayo spread on a whole wheat bun
- Portobello Mushroom 7.75
- Balsamic marinated Portobello Mushroom topped with Roasted Red Peppers, Caramelized Onions, Goat Cheese and Caper Mayo on an Onion Roll
- Tuna Salad Sandwich 7.00
- Albacore Tuna Salad made with Water Chestnuts, Celery, light Mayo and Cheddar Cheese on Whole Wheat Bread
- Grilled Chicken Ciabatta 7.25
- A Tender Chicken Breast topped with Pesto Basil, Lettuce, Tomato and melted Provolone Cheese on Ciabatta Bread
- Ahi Tuna Sandwich 8.25
- Seared Ahi Tuna on Ciabatta Bread with Wasabe Mayo, Mixed Greens and Red Onions.
Cold Sandwiches
- Monterrey Club Croissant 6.75
- Black Forest Ham, Turkey Breast, Monterrey Cheese and Mayo on a Freshly Baked Croissant
- Spring Croissant 6.75
- Mixed Green Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Avocado, Provolone Cheese, Mustard and Mayo on Freshly Baked Croissant
- Ham & Cheese Croissant 6.99
- Black Forest Ham and Melted Cheddar Cheeseon a Freshly Baked Croissant.
- Jessy Croissant 6.50
- Black Forest Ham, Lettuce, Tomato, Mustard,Mozzarella Cheese and Mayo on a Freshly Baked Croissant
Wraps
- Chicken Pesto Wrap 7.50
- Sliced Chicken Breast, Sun-dried Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, Romaine Lettuce and Pesto Sprea wrapped in a Tomato Basil Tortilla
- Balsamic Veggie Wrap 7.25
- Mixed Green Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Avocado Provolone Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette wrapped in a Tomato Basil Tortilla
- Balsamic Veggie Wrap 7.25
- Mixed Green Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Avocado Provolone Cheese and Balsamic Vinaigrette wrapped in a Tomato Basil Tortilla
- Grilled Chicken Spinach Wrap 8.25
- Grilled Chicken Breast, Steak tomatoes, cucumbers, mushrooms, avocado, cilantro and mild chipotle mayo sauce wrapped in spinach tortilla, Served with Roasted vegetables
- Grilled Chicken Caesar Wrap 7.25
- Grilled Chicken Breast, Parmesan Cheese, Romaine Lettuce and Homemade Caesar Dressing wrapped in a Tomato Basil Tortilla
Crepes
- Chicken & Mushroom Crepe 7.25
- Two Crepes filled with Chicken, Mushrooms and Spinach topped with a choice of Creamy Sauce or Cheese served with a side salad
- Florentine Crepes 7.25
- Two Crepes filled with Creamed Spinach, Mushrooms and topped with mozzarella Cheese served with side salad
- Ham & Cheese Crepe 7.50
- Two Crepes filled with Black Forest Ham & melted Cheddar Cheese topped with a choice of Creamy Sauce or Cheese served with a side salad
Soups
- Bowl 3.75
- Cup 2.25
Sides
- Fried Mozzarella 3.99
- Served with homemade Marinara Sauce
- Breaded Onion Rings 5.95
- Lightly Breaded & Seasoned
- French Fries 2.99
- Our Fries have Zero Grams of Trans Fat per serving
- Spicy Chicken Wings 7.95
- Traditional spicy sauce served with carrots celery & Ranch dressing
Dinner Menu
Aperitif : Appetizers
- Baked Rustic Artichoke Dip 7.00
- With toast points
- Calamari 7.00
- Fried seasoned calamari
- Langoustine 7.00
- Served with a sweet red chili lime sauce
- Sauteed Mushrooms 7.00
- With demi-glaze wine reduction
Soupe Du Jour : Soup of the Day
- French Bisque De Crevette 7.00
- (Shrimp Bisque)
- Bistro Style French Onion 7.00
Salades : Salad
- Caesar Salad 8.00
- Fresh romaine lettuce, tossed with home made Caesar dressing
- Maggie's Pear Salad 8.00
- Spring mix, endives, candied walnuts, fresh sliced pear, Gorgonzola crumbs, tossed in a sweet honey walnut dressing
- Spinach Salad 8.00
- Spinach tossed with mushrooms, bacon, cherry tomatoes in a honey balsamic vinaigrette, topped with goat cheese
Plat Principal : Main Course
- Steak Diane 20.00
- Black Angus NY strip accompanied by sauteed mushrooms and a wine reduction
- Fileto al Pepe 20.00
- Presented with green peppercorns in a demi-glaze sauce
- Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon 20.00
- Offered alongside garlic mashed potatoes and a demi-glaze sauce
- Tournedos Gorgonzola 20.00
- Filet split and laced with gorgonzola
Poulet : Chicken
- Poulet au Feu 12.50
- Pasta and mushrooms combined with chicken and a spicy chipotle cream. Translated as 'Chicken on Fire.'
- Coq au Vin 12.50
- Rooster in wine sauce
- Chicken Dijon 12.50
- With sweet Dijon sabayon
- Classic Chicken Marsala 12.50
- Including mushrooms and pasta
Poissons : Fish
- Whole Stuffed Snapper 15.00
- Filled with fennel and root vegetable
- Red Snapper 15.00
- Pan seared herb en cruet wild rice
- Blackened Ahi Tuna 15.00
- Beside green chili rice pilaf
- Striped Sea Bass 15.00
- Root vegetable-stuffed and grilled
Cocotte en terre : Casserole
- Vegetable Lasagne 10.50
- Mousaka 10.50
- Potato and eggplant bechamel
- Rigatoni Alforno 10.50
- Ricotta, mozzarella and red sauce
Porc : Pork
- Charred Pork Tenderloin 15.00
- Topped with an apricot glaze and a side of curried couscous
- Bistro Style Center Cut Chop 15.00
- With garlic mashed potatoes
Pates : Pasta
- Ratatouille 10.50
- Grilled vegetables and sauteed pasta with garlic
- Spetza 10.50
- Italian sausage with sweet peppers and pasta
- Roman Style Carbonara 10.50
- Creamed vegetables and pancetta join with pasta
Agneau : Lamb
- Rack of Lamb 20.00
- Sauteed vegetables and Provencal potatoes
- Lamb 20.00
- Brace chops and wine reduction with wild rice pilaf
Desserts
$3.95
Cakes
- Opera Tort 3.95
- Almond Sponge Cake filled with layers of Delicious French Mocha Buttercream topped with Belgium Chocolate Ganache.
- Triple Chocolate Mousse 3.95
- White Chocolate, Silk Milk and Dark Chocolate Mousse on a thin Chocolate Cake.
- French Mocha Buttercream 3.95
- French White Genoise drizzled with Gaviña Espresso and layered with real French Buttercream
- Coconut Pineapple Cake 3.95
- A Tropical Delight! A Chateau Cake filled with chunks of Pineapple and real Coconut Mouse
- Sacher 3.95
- Dark Chocolate Cake filled with French Raspberry Marmalade and topped with Rich Belgium Chocolate Ganache.
- White Chocolate Mousse 3.95
- A Heavenly Delight! White Cake filled with Rich Creamy White Chocolate Mousse and topped with a Cloud of Whip Cream.
- Carrot Cake 3.95
- Fresh Shredded Carrots, Pineapple Raisins, Walnuts and Philadelphia Cream Cheese.
- Famous Chocolate Truffle 3.95
- Chocoholics! Rich Chocolate moist cake filled with Chocolate Truffle and topped with Rich Belgium Chocolate Ganache.
- Custard Napoleon 3.95
- Crisp Thin Puff Pastry filled with Homemade Custard decorated with Royal Icin.
- Custard Napoleon 3.95
- Crisp Thin Puff Pastry filled with Homemade Custard decorated with Royal Icin.
- Black Forest 3.95
- Chocolate Sponge Cake filled with Chocolate Mousse, Sweet Black Cherries topped with White Whip Cream surrounded with Chocolate Shavings.