CAFE ELEVEN

1440 University Ave. (619) 260-8023

Recently I was discussing fine dining in San Diego with a friend, when he reminded me of Cafe Eleven where he had recently enjoyed Sunday brunch.  I told him I recalled a positive dinner experience from a couple of years ago.  This convinced us to make a return visit on a recent Saturday evening, to gauge the current state of affairs regarding their dinner menu.

Tucked away in a shopping center in Hillcrest, Cafe Eleven has flown under the radar for years. Their menu features many examples of classic French cuisine, as well as several unique preparations of their own design.  The dining space is attractive, and intimate.

   

Works by local artists are displayed for sale on the walls of the dining room.

There is also a garden patio that is perfect for warm weather dining.

My friend got the evening's festivities started, and ordered the House Salad ($5.95), with lettuce greens, and mixed seasonal vegetables, served with a basil vinaigrette dressing.

I started with the Soup of the Day ($5.95), which was artichoke.

The soup had an intense artichoke flavor, pobably achieved through reduction.  The consistency was suprisingly lite, unlike heavy, gloppy versions I have had in the past.  This soup was more about the essence of artichoke flavor, rather than thick, heavy cream.  I liked this soup very much.

I took things to the next level by ordering a Cafe Eleven signature appetizer, the Shrimp Floridian ($11.50).

This offering features shimp baked with blue cheese, sun dried tomatoes, and wine, all under a pastry crust.  This appetizer was fantastic.  The ingredients formed a wonderful flavor combination that was further enhanced by the pastry shell.  Here is what one perfect bite looked like.

I highly recomend the Shrimp Floridian.

My friend ordered the Brie Cheese En Croute ($9.50) as his appetizer.

The brie was served with fresh fruit and walnuts.  The presentation was attractive, and I especially liked the hand formed puff pastry crust.

My first entree, Sweetbreads ($18.95), was an easy selection for me.

I absolutely love sweetbreads, the thymus glands, preferably from veal cattle.  Preparing them at home while not overly difficult, is quite labor intensive.  For this reason, I rarely skip an opportunity to order them at fine dining establishments.  The sweetbreads had been sauteed crisp in olive oil, and were served with a black olive, port wine reduction sauce.  The texture of the organ meat was perfect, with the crispy crust yielding to a butter soft center when chewed.  The sauce had a sweet component from the reduced port wine that contrasted nicely with the olive flavor.  Simply put I could eat this dish every night.  If you like sweetbreads, you owe it to yourself to visit Cafe Eleven and order their rendition.

My friend ordered the Beef Wellington ($24.75) for his entree.

The Wellington features a filet mignon topped with pate, baked in a puff pastry crust, and served with a demi glace flavored with mushrooms and port wine.  He told me that it was excellent, and worth ordering again.

My next entree selection was the eponymous Chicken Eleven ($14.95).

Here chicken breast is stuffed with brie cheese, Black Forest ham, and black olives.  It is then topped with a light cream sauce flavored with sherry and Dijon mustard.  The chicken was moist, rich with cheese, and flavorful from the ham and olives.  It had become apparent that sauces do very well at Cafe Eleven.  The cream sauce, with its subtle sherry and Dijon flavors, took this dish over the top.

For my final entree I ordered the Shellfish Crepes($22.95).

Scallops, shrimp, and mussels are blended with mushrooms, leeks and fresh tomato in a light cream sauce, and then flamed using cognac.  This preperation is then plated with two fresh, homemade crepes.  The crepes tasted as good as they looked with their slightly singed edges, and the creamy seafood mixture spilling out.  All the shellfish tasted fresh, and was cooked to perfection.  This offering is another real winner, and any shellfish fan should love it.

For dessert we both had the house made Derby Pie.

This Kentucky specialty, named after the famous derby, is a chocolate nut pie.  It arrived in a po ol of Devonshire c re am. Though I do not profess to be an expert on this famous pie, I can tell you that Cafe Eleven's made in house version is delicious.

Cafe Eleven is a strong entry in the San Diego fine dining arena.  They are not exactly re-inventing the wheel, but I don't think that is their goal either.  Ultra innovative restaurants like WD-50 in NYC are fun once in a while, but I feel like I could eat at Cafe Eleven every night.  Their classic French fare featured fresh, high quality ingredients, flawless execution, and delicious sauces.  As I wrote this article, I realized I want to return for dinner soon.  Cafe Eleven may fly under some people's radar, but don't let them fly under yours.

Hours:

Dinner Tu-Sa 5pm to close, Su 4pm to close.

Sunday Brunch 10am

Note of Interest:

The owners regularly hold receptions for the local artists featured in the restaurant.  The next reception is Sunday December 3rd from 2-4pm, and features the works of Edwin H. & Marie C. Wordell.  For more information call and ask for David.

San Diego Restaurant Reviews

Comments

[Chubbypanda]

Ahoy Cap'n!

Your capacity for consumption never fails to astound me. Thankfully, you use your awesome powers for good instead of evil. This place seems a bit pasty-centric, but I love pastry, so it works well for me.

Rock on!

- Chubbypanda

[Captain Jack]

Hi CP,
I say go big, or don't go at all. The pastry dishes do well at Cafe Eleven.

[Liz]

Woah! You guys ate all that food? Looks good!

[Captain Jack]

Hi Liz,
Heh heh, yup, oops I did it again.

[arlene]

Cafe Eleven has been a favorite of ours for 20 yrs! You didn't mention that they also have a special menu Su-Th for only $12.95. A great bargain which includes soup or salad!

[Captain Jack]

Hi arlene,
Wow that is a great deal. Thanks for stopping by and giving us a heads up.