BLEU BOHEME AN ELEGANT FRENCH DINING PLACE IN KENSINGTON
I discovered a real hidden gem in San Diego. While I used to live there and owned my own Italian restaurant this place was not one I had heard of. Well, my trip last week uncovered it and it is a jewel.
Situated on a corner in the Kensington district, Bleu Boheme has a ton of charm. Beautiful candles line the tables, fresh flowers, and backlit ice bins hold lovely wines; the staff is superb. The chef and restaurateur, Ken Irvine has made this the Best French Restaurant named by San Diego magazine from 2010-2017.
We started with two wines picked by our waiter, Ray Aguilar–a Jean Loron Gamay Noir 2016 and a Chamonix Bordeaux Blend 2014–and waited for the freshly baked bread to arrive. My friend Maria ordered a marvelous bowl of French onion soup, while I tried the Salade de Chèvre Chaud with artisan greens, goat
cheese three ways, mustard vinaigrette, grapes, and pears. As a shared appetizer the Épinard au Gratin spinach was large enough for four persons. It came with thick cut house-smoked bacon, golden balsamic glaze, white cheddar and fontina bechamel. I truly believe this was the best I have ever tried. The main course of Saumon Royale; King salmon, soubise, fingerling potato, haricot vert, sorrel, pistou crème and the Boeuf Bourguignon consisting of Angus beef cheeks in red wine, mushroom, house-smoked bacon, carrot, baby potatoes, and caramelized pearl was my friend’s dish.
Other items on the menu include Raviolis Maison–Shiitake and Oyster mushroom raviolis, sautéed fresh spinach, tomato relish, fines herbs sauce 25.95, Coquilles St. Jacques–diver sea scallops, broccolini, parsnip purée, sherry and port reduction 37.00, GF Entrecôte de Porc–curry-marinated Duroc bone-in pork chop, Brussels sprouts, pommes purée, port-fig sauce 28.50 GF Confit de Canard–Moulard duck leg confit, beluga lentils, smoked pork belly, white kale, apple balsamic reduction 29.95, GF Paillard de Poulet–Jidori chicken breast, Parisian gnocchi–white kale, parsnip purée, brandied mushrooms, chicken jus, $27.95.
Brioche aux Canneberge et Chocolat Blanc–brioche bread pudding, cranberries, white chocolate, caramel sauce, Gâteau au Trois Fromages–mascarpone, chèvre goat and cream cheeses with almond crust and raspberry sauce, Crème Brulée with rich vanilla French custard topped with a crunchy sugar crust are some of the desserts. Our waiter did miniature portions of three. If you wish to truly indulge, the Profiteroles choux pastry puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate sauce, Bohème Crème Glacée chef’s daily selection of house-made ice cream, or the Les Fromages. Les Fromages imported French cheeses with house-made accompaniments will certainly be the finishing touch.
Reservations may be made by calling 619.255.4167. Located at 4090 Adams Ave www.bleuboheme.com. Bleu Bohème is open from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Social hour is from 5 to 6 p.m. daily, serving specially-priced appetizers and drinks.
Facebook at www.facebook.com/bleuboheme and Twitter and Instagram @BleuBohemeSD.
