San Diego’s Slice of Paris

Like a tiny slice of Paris set in San Diego’s up-and-coming East Village neighborhood, Cafe Chloe is a charming corner setting for both locals and visitors, some of whom stop by before or after a baseball game at nearby Petco Park.
Among the restaurant’s spot-on French-inspired dishes: moules belgique with leeks, garlic and cream simmered in Belgian ale paired with oh-so-delicious pommes frites and Dijon aioli; an elegant smoked-trout salad with apple, fingerling potatoes, almonds and apple vinaigrette; and a substantial lamb cassoulet combining a house sausage, braised lamb, pork-belly confit, white beans and squash. And don’t forget to sample the homemade lemon sorbet.
Service is professional yet Southern California cool and the wine list, while small, is well crafted. The restaurant is open all day nearly every day, so you can stop in for coffee and fresh pastry, amazing French toast, a bite for lunch or a languorous, memorable dinner. Happy hour runs from 3:30 to 5:30 on weekdays, and you’ll find a popular brunch menu on weekends.

CAFE CHLOE, 721 Ninth Ave., San Diego, California, (619) 232-3242, cafechloe.com