Latin Tamale Dinner

It's been a long time since my last post... in fact, its been a long time since I've posted anything other than upcoming dinners. Once upon a time when I first opened the cafe, I clocked in at 9am six days a week and staffed my own cafe and made all my own chocolate until I was relieved each evening by 6pm by my only barista. Oh... those were the days:) Plenty of time for blogging those days.

Ignorance is bliss, no? Don't get me wrong, I'm still very happy and very proud of my career, but with 11 employees and counting now there is so much chocolate flying around here these days that my life seems more comical than ever (or dramatic if you know me well!). With Xmas only a few days away, things around here are busier than ever!

If you were disappointed about not seeing a dinner in December, well those are the times. Xmas is all consuming! But don't fret, my cocoa-crazed friends... January and a brand new year is just around the corner! Take a look at our first special event of the new year:

Join us on January 15th, with seatings at 2, 4, 6, and 8pm for a full-service chocolate-infused dinner featuring the best of Latin America! For just $30 a person, guests will enjoy three courses of chocolatey-goodness including:

Shrimp Quesadilla with Serano Sea-salt Guacamole (optional appetiser)

Black Been Soup with Caramelized Shallot, White Chocolate Crema, & Poached Egg

Choice of Two Pollo Asado or Green Chile-Cotija Tamales (or one of each!)

served with House-made Dark Chocolate Mole & Herbed Rice

Milk Chocolate Empanada with Vanilla Bean Gelato, Chile Hazelnut, & Smoked Sea Salt

This will be the second time we've featured a house-made mole. If you're not familiar, it is undeniably the most famous application of chocolate in savory food. And mine is not to miss! Traditionally, mole is made from roasting a variety of chiles with various herbs, seeds, spices, and even toasted corn and peanut... all with cacao of course. But we can never leave "good enough" alone here at Eclipse, so other surprises are in the works. This one is not to miss!

Heads up on this one, cocoa-kids, our Latin Dinner sold out faster than any other last year and we expect the same response this time. Make your reservation by calling the cafe at 619.578.2984!

Sunday Brunch with Eclipse Chocolat!!!

So this weekend is our Third Year Anniversary Party and while we are all very excited to begin another year of deliciousness, there is one other tiny thing that is capitalizing on our enthusiasm. You may have heard already, but if not prepared to be excited! Starting on Sunday November 7th, we will be serving an Eclipse-style brunch complete with various options for only $12!!!

For those of you who attend our monthly dinners, you will know the extremes of the foodie-foods that we like to serve. Our brunch concept is certainly no exception, but in honor of affordability, we are toning down the service size: hence the new name for our dining concept" Small Plate". For just $12, guests can choose three small plate from a selection of over 15! Creating your own three course brunch for only $12??? What more can you ask for?

Many of you have asked for a copy of the menu, so I'm finally posting it here (if its too small to read on your screen, right click and save it as a picture and you can zoom in on it on your desktop).Commence salivation:

Autumn Harvest Dinner

Its just around the corner, folks... my favorite time of year... Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away! While Tday isn't as busy as its other holiday counterparts (Xmas, Vday, and Mday), its certainly still a busy time for us. After all, what food spread would be complete without our famous Pumpkin Muscavado??? Its pure deliciousness in holiday format.

But myself and the rest of the Eclipse Chocolat Team and beginning early this year. How else can you get enough gluttony packed into the holiday season? Check what we've got goin' next:

Join us Saturday, November 13th, at 4, 6, or 8pm for four courses of holiday deliciousness... and all for just $35 a person. Guests will enjoy:

Caramelized Shallot Tartletts with Goat Cheese Brulee (optional appetiser)

Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Candied Cocoa Nib and Lavender Sea Salt

Savory Root Vegetable Bread Pudding with Cocoa-Brown Sugar Gravy

Open-faced Brioche Sandwich with Rosemary Turkey & Parmesan Mornay Sauce -OR-

Butternut, Ricotta, & Chile Burnt Caramel Hazelnut Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Sauce

both served with Sweet Potato Souffle with Bruleed Vanilla Bean Marshmallow

White Chocolate-Cranberry Creme Brulee

Call the cafe ASAP to reserve your space: 619.5778.2984

Eclipse Third Annual Anniversary Partee

Its that time again, cocoa babies! In just one week, we will be one more year older!!! And that means one thing... lotsa chocolate-covered celebration. Strangely enough, the big date for this year happens to fall on Halloween. Even more fun for everyone!

Join us Sunday, October 31st, from 3-6pm to celebrate another year of everything chocolate. And since its a holiday already, show up in costume and we will treat you to a free small chocolate bar of your choice. We have a few more goodies in mind including:

Samples of our upcoming holiday truffles including: Goat Cheese & Fig, Pomegranate Sage, and Pumpkin Muscavado... AND samples of our upcoming Chocolate Brunch including: Grilled Fruit Skewers with Milk Chocolate Curry Sauce, and Sausage Gravy Biscuit Bites.

We're even extending our Happy Hour (enjoy a free truffle with every wine or beer purchase) in case you havent had enough yet.

ALSO... have you seen the new Salty Dulce De Leche bar? Its delicious, but only available in a small size until Xmas. But in honor of the happy occasion, we will be previewing it for sale in the large size... but only for the day, so stock up!

Looking forward to seeing you all then,

Will & the Eclipse Chocolat Team.

Eclipse and Oktoberfest!

The temperatures are falling here in San Diego which means its almost that time again! The past few days my German roots have been showing as Susan, Autumn, and myself have been pondering the chocolatey possibilities of our next dinner: Chocolate Oktoberfest!

This will be our third year in a row we've celebrated all things Kraut, and we're up to more delicious beer-related dishes again. If you joined us last year, we featured a house-made cocoa nib-infused sauerkraut, but this time around we're taking a different route. As it turns out (and this was new to even me!) Germans are famous for their fetish with everyone's favorit

e albino vegetable the white asparagus! They have even been known to devote entire dinners to it! Well, we're happy to feature our version of a multicourse Oktoberfest dinner, but white

asparagus is only one of our guests stars. Here's the whole line up:

Join us Saturday, October 16th, at 4, 6, and 8pm for a three course celebration of delicious beer & chocolate! For just $30 a guest, you can enjoy:

Soft Baked Pretzel Bites with Beer Cheese-Bacon Dip (optional appetizer)

Root Vegetable Soup with Cream Cambozola Cheese & Cocoa Crouton

Cheesy Bake Spaetzel with Caramelized Shallot -or-

Smoked Gouda-Stuffed Brautwurst with White Chocolate Mustard

both served with

Roasted White Asparagus & Chile Burnt Caramel Hollandaise

White Chocolate Apple Struedel with Whipped Creme Fraiche

Sounds good, eh? Well don't wait, because these babies sell out. Make an RSVP by calling the cafe at 619.578.2984. Until then, here's the yum-yums from our last event:

Starter: Cheddar and Chive Biscuits with Maple Sausage Gravy

First Course: Cocoa Buckwheat Crepes with Caramelized Shallot-Creme Fraiche Filling and Mushroom Marsala Sauce.

Entree: Spinach-Parmesan Quiche -or- Chocolate Glazed Bacon and Chive Waffle with Rosemary Potatoes and Chile-burnt Caramel Hollendaise Sauce.

Dessert: Blackberry Merlot White Chocolate Shortcakes with Vanilla Bean Creme Fraiche.

Brunch for Dinner Dinner!

Another dinner came and went, and if you missed it... well that means you're a sucker. Why? Because we never repeat dishes! So shame on you. How are you going to explain that to your taste buds???

Fret no more, we do one every month! So while you may have missed out on the past deliciousnesses... you need not miss more. Take a look at what we're dishin' up next:

Join us Saturday, September 18th, at 4, 6, and 8pm for a Three Course Prix Fixe featuring everyone's favorite meal for dinner: Brunch! Guests will enjoy:

Sausage Gravy & White Truffle Biscuit Bites (optional appetizer)

Cocoa-Buckwheat Crepe with Mushroom Marsala Sauce

Spinach-Parmesan Quiche with Caramelized Shallot -OR-

Chocolate-Glazed Bacon & Chive Waffle with Chile Maple Syrup

both served with Roasted Rosemary Potato & Chile Burnt Caramel Hollandaise

White Chocolate Blackberry Shortcake with Whipped Vanilla Bean Creme Fraiche

This menu is epic! I don't think we've served so many delicious carbs in one meal before! While its still 3 weeks away, don't wait because we sell these babies out! Call the cafe for reservations: 619.578.2984. Until then, check out the plates from our last date!

Appetizer: Chocolate-glazed Bacon-wrapped Dates

First Course: Heirloom Tomato and Goat Cheese Brulee with White Chocolate Balsamic Sauce

Entree: Heirloom Veggie Ratatouille with White Chocolate Bechamel

Entree: Hickory Smoked Chicken Salad with Cocoa Nib and Kiojo Grape

Dessert: Grilled Stonefruit Cobbler with Cocoa Nib Crust and Whipped Creme Fraiche

Summer Garden Feast

We've got another Prix Fixe Chocolate Tasting Dinner comin' at ya... and its only two weeks away! Tuck in cocoa kiddies, this one's all deliciousness, because we're celebrating the bounties of heirloom vegetables grown here in our own Golden State. Take a look:

Join us on Saturday, August 21st, at 4, 6, or 8pm, for a bounty of chocolate-infused vegetarian faire! For just $25, guests may join us to enjoy:

Cocoa-glazed Bacon-wrapped Dates (optional appetizer)

Heirloom Tomato & Goat Cheese Brulee with White Chocolate-Balsamic Drizzle

Heirloom Vegetable Ratatouille Timballo with White Chocolate Bechamel -or-

Kyoho Grape and Herb Roasted Chicken Salad over Grilled Brioche with Candied Cocoa Nib

Seasonal Stonefruit Cobbler with Lavender-Vanilla Bean & Cocoa Nib Crust and Whipped Creme Fraiche

And if you missed the last dinner, well you missed out! Take a look at these yum-yums:

Starter: Beef Albondigas with White Wine-Tomato Sauce

First Course: Roasted Tomato Gazpacho with Green Apple and White Chocolate-Olive Oil Crostini

Entree: Smoked Gouda Sausage and Shrimp Paella with Burnt Caramel-Paprika Sauce

Dessert: Blood Orange Olive Oil & Almond Torte with Dark Chocolate Olive Oil Sauce

2pm Seating Added for Spanish Saffron Dinner!

Our 4, 6, and 8pm seatings are sold out! So we've added a 2pm seating. Call the cafe quickly (619.578.2984) to make reservations or forever be without the deliciousness. BTW, we did a recipe test on the entree and MAN OH MAN... this one is definitely in the top five entrees we've ever made!

In case your scrolling finger is broken, here's the link to the original post about our July dinner.

Check it!

Third Annual Cupcake Extravaganza Weekend

Its just over a week before our Third Annual Cupcake Extravaganza Weekend and I've got some exciting updates to share! Tuck in cocoa-kiddies and listen up...

In case you're new to San Diego (because why else would you have missed the big event from the previous two years) our big Cupcake Extravaganza Weekend is July 3rd, 4th, and 5th! We will be featuring 28 exotic flavors of cupcakes in a wide array of fantastical flavors and conceptions! To celebrate the holiday weekend, a Box of Nine is discounted to just $20 (normally $27). Nine cupcakes, eh? I hear you say... perfect for 4th of July picnics and bar-b-ques, no?

Well it gets better, because every Box of Nine purchased is a raffle entry to win the Eclipse VIP Pass, which two lucky people will win. Even better, one more lucky cupcake will contain a Golden Medallion tucked under the cupcake lining that will be instant winners for another pass!

But what's an Eclipse VIP Pass good for? Why... how does a Box of Nine every week for two months sound? That's enough cupcakes to share with everyone you know for the rest of the summer! That's three passes we're giving out altogether and if you're doing the math, $800 dollars in fabulous cupcake prizes!

The past two years were great fun, but nothing is forever... alas we have retired some previous flavors. But only to make room for more! This year we will be debuting 9 new exotic cupcake flavors:

Maple Bacon Caramel

Salty Dulce de Leche

Roasted Banana Butterscotch

Cherry Cheesecake

Rosemary-Cashew Caramel

Vanilla Bean Lemon

Apricot Peach

Roasted Corn & Caramel

Blueberry Lemon

And of course, filling out the remaining 28 flavors, we will be featuring the return of some of our all-time favorites:

Marshmallow Almond

Bergamot Orange Peel

Strawberry Rhubarb

Kentucky Bourbon Caramel

Lavender Vanilla Bean

Goat Cheese & Fig

Burnt Caramel Marshmallow

Sea Salted Caramel

Muscavado Caramel

Salty Smores

Peanut Butter and Banana

Toasted Coconut Caramel

Double Espresso

Raspberry Pink Peppercorn

But don't wait!!! We are baking away on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings... but flavors will disappear as quickly as people buy them. Cya all then!

Spanish Saffron Dinner

We hosted our third annual Father's Day Chocolat Bar-B-Que dinner last weekend here at the cafe, and much deliciousness was enjoyed by all who could attend! The beginning of summer denotes the beginning of our slow season (since most chocolate is enjoyed at Xmas, Vday, and Mday) and the timing is ripe to delve deeper and deeper into savory chocolate exploration. Not that I don't enjoy our Prix Fixe Chocolate Tasting Dinners during our high-holiday months, but somehow mid summer they always seem to be more exciting to me!

And since each new month brings another opportunity to explore a new theme, there are always exciting variations around corner. Next up is a cuisine I've been hungry to do for months, but have never gotten around to it until now: Spanish!

No, not New-World Spanish, but authentic Castillian Spanish... or rather, as authentic as Spanish cuisine can be after mutilating centuries of culinary tradition by chalking it full of chocolate! But, hey... where's the fun without it? So here we go cocoa-babies... check it:

Join us July 31st, with seatings at 4, 6, and 8pm for our three course Spanish Saffron Dinner. For only $25, guests will enjoy:

Roasted Tomato Gazpacho with White Chocolate-Oil Crostinti.

Saffron Paella with Smoked Sausage & Shrimp

or Roasted Veggie and Crispy Potato Fritata

both served with Smoke Paprika-Saffron Burnt Caramel Sauce.

Blood Orange Olive Oil & Almond Torte with Dark Chocolate-Citrus Drizzle

There is also an optional appetizer of

Beef Albondigas with White Wine-Tomato Sauce!

Call the cafe early to save your space as our dinners usually sell out! 619.578.2984. Until then, check out the yum-yums from our last menu:

Starter: Smoked Gouda-Stuffed Bratwurst with Mustard Dipping Sauces

First Course: Chile Maple Lime Corn on the Cob with Cocoa Nib-infused Butter

Entree: Beef Sloppy Joes over Grilled Rosemary-Buttermilk Focaccia, Twice-baked Potato with Panko Chive Crust, and Chocolate Bar-B-Que Sauce.

Dessert: Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with White Chocolate Lemon-Thyme Sauce.

Father's Day Chocolate Bar-B-Que!

Summer is upon us and the first thing that comes to my mind is all of the delicious glory of a roaring bar-b-que. And what's better than that... Why, a chocolate bar-b-que, of course! In case your mind skipped a beat, trust me when I say this is among my favorite times of year to be experimental with my cocoa-companion. This will be the third year in a row that we have served up a chocolate bar-b-que dinner, and on Father's Day Weekend, nonetheless, and the vittles will once again be tasty! Last year, we amused our guests with the Chocolate-Caramel Cheeseburger and this year I have racked my mind as best I could to come up with the next greatest summertime treat apropos for all the Dads out there.

So you heard it here first, kids... anyone and everyone joining us this time will be mawing down on an Open-faced Beef Sloppy Joe nestled atop a slab of Grilled Rosemary Brioche, complete with our house-made Bourbon-Chocolate Bar-b-que Sauce. Make your RSVPs early to get the best seats! Here are all the details:

Saturday June 19th, with seatings at 4, 6, & 8pm, guests may join us for $25 each and enjoy:

Smoked Gouda-stuffed Brautwurst with Champagne-Garlic Mustard (optional appetizer)

Chile-lime Grilled Cord on the Cobb with Cocoa Nib-infused Butter

Open-faced Beef Sloppy Joe -or- Blue Cheese-Stuffed Quinoa Veggie Burger

both served with Bourbon-Chocolate Bar-b-que Sauce and Twice-baked Potato with Caramelized Shallot & Crunchy Panko-Chive Crust

Vanilla Bean Cheesecake with White Chocolate Lemon-Thyme Sauce

This dinner is not to miss! Personally, I think this is among one of my best menus yet! Call the cafe direct at 619.578.2984 to make an RSVP.

Until then, here are pics from our last dinner, courtesy of Nino Camilo, guest photographer and Musubi aficionado (that's Hawaiian for yumminess). Check out his blog here!

Appetizer- Chocolate-glazed Bacon-wrapped Water Chestnuts

First Course- Wakame Seaweed Salad with Green Apple, Enoki, and Candied Cocoa nibs

Entree- Coconut-Fried Shrimp with Miso-Buckwheat Noodles and Chile Burnt Caramel Peanut Sauce

Dessert-Grilled Pineapple-Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding with Milk Chocolate Curry Sauce

May Chocolate Prix Fixe Dinner

I usually start a blog post with a quirky joke or quip, but I've been pondering over this one for a few days and apparently I'm all fresh out of hilarity. May 15th is our Hawaiian Chocolate Luau Dinner and at the moment my mind is filled to capacity playing the Mele Kilikimaka song over and over again. You know, the funny one from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation? Yep... that's all I got. Should have planned a Xmas Hawaiian Dinner, I guess.

I promise to find something more entertaining with which to promote the June dinner, but at the moment my mind is occupied with the upcoming Mother's Day DessertDecadence. Haven't made your reservations? I'd hurry... it's sellin' out!

But I digress! I'm here to announce the details of the next monthly chocolate dinner. And two weeks ago at our monthly chocolate pow-wow, the team decided on a Polynesian theme. I think mostly because we all love shrimp and pineapple! Take a look:

Join us May 15th at 4, 6, or 8pm for a full service chocolate-infused meal from the Pacific Islands! For just $25 a person, guests will enjoy the following:

Cocoa-glazed Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts (optional appetizer)

Seaweed-Green Apple Salad with Candied Sesame and Cocoa Nib

Fried Skewers of Coconut Shrimp & Snow Peas

-or-

Grilled Veggie Skewers of Maui Onion, Tri-Color Bell Peppers, & Cheese Curds

both served with

Miso-Buckwheat Noodles & Chile Burnt Caramel Peanut Sauce

Grilled Pineapple Bread Pudding with Milk Chocolate Curry Sauce

RSVP required. Call the cafe at 619.578.2984 to reserve your space!

Until then cocoa-kiddies, take a look at what we served last month. Open wide... cause here's your yum-yums:

Appetiser: Cripsy Fried Creamy Crab Samosa's with Mango Chutney.

First Course: Curried Carrot Ginger Soup with White Chocolate Creme Fraiche and Garlic Flatbread.

Entree: Duo of Curries: Creamy Spinach with Cheese Curds & Spicy Potato-Tomato with Toasted Cashews. Served with Candied Cocoa Nib & Pumpkin Seed Basmati Rice.

Dessert: Toasted Indian Pudding with Cocoa, Chile Burnt Caramel Hazelnuts, Bruleed Banana, & Vanilla Bean Gelato.

First Annual Mother's Day Dessert Decadence

Mmm... freshly baked scones. And Lavender-Blueberry Scones with Cocoa-nib Butter at that! Who doesn't want a mouth-full of that kinda goodness? Come on... just take a look:

Well, cocoa babies, you'll be missin' out unless you join us for our first annual Mother's Day Dessert Decadence! That's right, on May 9th, we're pullin' out all the stops and treating all who dream to a tasting experience perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon. For $20, guests will enjoy a tasting flight of 10 different petit fours that every mom unlucky enough to live away from San Diego will envy. And if that's not enough, participants may even requests seconds on any dessert they desire (dine-in only, of course).

But wait... we're not done! Since the day is dedicated to her, we're even including a complimentary Rose-Nectar and Champagne Bellini to everyone beautiful enough to have graced the world with her maternity (that is, all Mothers, of course).

Reservations are required, with seating available at any time between 11 am and 5pm on Sunday, May 9th. Call to cafe to save your space 619.578.2984. Wanna see the whole menu? Take a look:

Warm Lavender-Blueberry Scones with Cocoa-nib Butter

Chocolate-stuffed Balsamic Strawberries

Burnt Creme Caramel

Rich Brioche Coffee Cake

Meyer Lemon & Vanilla Bean Curd Crepes

Brute Cocoa Macaroons

Dark Chocolate Whiskey Torte

Cabernet Poached D'anjou Pear

Rose-Almond Tea Cake

Vanilla Bean Gelato Croquembouche

Nice, eh? Seriously... what are you waiting for. Mom or no, mom... call us and reserve your space today!

Indian Delight Dinner

We just completed our 18th dinner (with a unique menu each month) and the time has come to pass the reigns to my assistant (if only for the next thirty days). Autumn, decade-long vegetarian and life-long foodie, has been encouraging me to consider an Indian-themed dinner for some time now. Well... quickly stated, while I love Indian cuisine, I haven't the slightest clue on how to begin making it, let alone adding chocolate to it! But thankfully this is where she fits in. Having had her India food many times in the past, I feel quite comfortable switching roles this time around. You heard it here first, kids... young grasshopper has become the master. Well, at least for the moment.

And sometimes you gotta go all the way, no? Well check it... an Eclipse first... four delicious chocolate-stuffed platings designed by our very own assistant chocolatier, Autumn Teemsma. Don't forget to place your reservations early... she's got a lotta friends:)

Exclusively for Saturday, April 17th with seatings at 4, 6, and 8pm, join us for three courses of chocolate-infused Indian Fare for only $25 per person. You heard me right! Take a look:

Creamy Crab-filled Samosas with Mango Chutney (optional appetizer)

Ginger Carrot Soup with White Chocolate Creme Fraiche and Indian Flat Bread

Choice of Either Entree or Both:

Spiced Creamy Spinach Curry with Pan Fried Cheese Curds

or

Tomato, Potato, & Zucchini Curry with Toasted Cashew

Each served with Cocoa Nib and Pumpking Seed Basmati Rice

Sweet India Pudding with Cocoa, Roasted Hazelnut, and Vanilla Bean Gelato

To make a reservation, call the cafe at 619.578.2984. Until then, as always, drool over what you served last time:

Starter: Mussels with Smoked Bacon, Roasted Garlic, and Stout.

First Course: Roasted Leek and Potato Soup with Pale Ale, Cocoa-glazed Bacon, and Creme Fraiche.

Entree: Beef and Lamb Shepard's Pie with Potato-Parsnip Crust, Cocoa Brown Sugar Gravy, and White Chocolate Soda Bread.

Dessert: Chocolate-Stout Torte with Ginger and Vanilla Bean Cream.

Saint Patrick's Day Beer Dinner

Valentine's Day has come and gone and I, for one, and enjoying a much-needed vacay. Well, if you can call sitting around at home catching up on my personal life a vacation, then that is exactly what I am happiest doing at the moment! And for all of you who tried to get ahold of me during the big week, try again now... I'm fresh outta excuses as to why I can't answer the phone.

Rest assured, in between my long-overdue cat naps things are still on the up and up around the chocolate shop. Post Vday is one of my favorite times of year as it is both a time to look back on a completed season and look forward to the next one, and I promise there are great things a comin'!

But a girl has to keep some of her secrets, right? At the moment I'm only divulging one: the March Chocolate Tasting Dinner!

That's right... move over Saint Valentine, its time for Saint Patrick to wiggle his bum, because comin' up next is the Saint Patrick's Day Beer and Chocolate Dinner!

Leave the shamrock sweaters and metallic necklaces at home and join us to indulge in all things indulgent. And who needs virtue when you've got vice, cause we're servin' up all the chocolate and beer you can take. Take a look:

Exclusively March 13th at 2, 4, 6, and 8pm, for $30 a person, we're showcasing 3 courses of Irish faire drenched in chocolatey brew. Guests to enjoy:

Mussels with Garlic and Stout (optional starter)

Potato-Leek & Beer Cheese Soup with Cocoa-glazed Bacon Crumble

Shepard's Pie (beef and lamb OR all veggie), with Roasted Root Veggies & Mashed Potato-Parsnip Crust, served with Cocoa-Brown Sugar Gravy and White Chocolate-Chive Irish Soda Bread

Chocolate-Stout Torte with Ginger Vanilla Bean Cream

Meal comes complete drenched in plenty of beer, but if thats not enough (and when is enough, enough?) we will be featuring an optional 3-course beer flight matched with the dinner for an extra $12.

RSVP ASAP by calling the cafe at 619.578.2984. Space is limited!

Until then, here's what we enjoyed last time for Vday:

Appetizer: Baked Bacon and Crab Dip with Herbed Flatbreads.

First Course: Roasted Beet and Green Apple Salad with Candied Cocoa Nibs and Lavender-herbed Grey Sea Salt.

Soup Course: Charred Tomato Bisque with White Chocolate Poached Lobster and Tarragon.

Entree: Beef Wellington with Cocoa-Mushroom Pate and Cocoa-Balsamic Jus served with Rosemary Fingerling Potatoes.

Dessert Course: Tasting Flight of Four Limited Edition Truffles Infused with Artisan Cheeses- Salted Gjetost, Gorgonzola Cherry, Apricot and Brie, Tarragon Goat Cheese.

Xmas, San Francisco, and Beyond

Well cocoa-babies... the holidays have come and gone and though it's my fifth season with Eclipse, I am time and time again surprised by the lingering excitement of it all! I believe it was sometime mid-month, while I was half-covered in couverture in the kitchen with chocolates comin' outta my ears, I said to myself: "This has GOT TO BE the last batch to truffles before the holiday". If only! My staff found me in the same scenario four more times before December 24th. No complaints here, though.... Ray, Dan, Autumn, August, Susan, Nicole, Jess, and I all had a lovely holiday season filled with lots and lots of excitement... thanks to you all!

So today is January 6th and I am finally catching my breath. But only just long enough to prepare for my national launch of the Eclipse brand! That's right kids, we're leaving on a jet plane in a week bound for SFO and the International Fancy Food Show! Hooray! And if you're reading this, you can rest assured that you got in on the ground floor, baby. Get ready with all those "I knew him when"s. And as exciting as our lives may become, we promise there will always be a place in our chocolate-covered hearts for you all. You always remember your first:)

But just in case international fame isn't knocking on my door before my retirement age, we're conducting business as usual. And I am sure you're wondering why I have yet to post pics from the last dinner or tell anyone what's comin' up next. Well, historically January is my month off from dinners and I have just enough time to pull out all the stops for the next dinner on February 13th and 14th! That's right, next up is our annual Valentine's Sweetheart Dinner. Take a look at the details... because there are many:

Exclusively Saturday February 13th (at 4, 6, & 8pm) and Sunday February 14th (at 11, 1, 4, 6, & 8pm join us for a romantic dinner for two with all the flair. For $95 per couple, our guests will enjoy Four Courses of Surf & Turf accompanied by a Live Violinist! What a deal, eh? All you need do it place your reservation, show up, and we will do the rest.

Menu includes (full vegetarian options available):

Salade Frisee with Roasted Beet Trio, Garlic Croutons, and Candied Cocoa Nibs

Charred Tomato Bisque with White Chocolate-Poached Lobster

Beef Wellington or Brie Wellington Baked En Croute with Cocoa-Mushroom Pate

served with

Rosemary Fingerling Potatoes and Cocoa-Balsamic Jus

and for the finale, a first ever exclusive (!), a tasting flight of

Four Limited Edition Truffles

each infused with an artisan cheese including:

Chevre, Camembert, Gjetost, & Gorganzola Dolce.

We will also be featuring an optional starter plate for $12 of:

 Artisan Cheeses and Dried Fruits with Violet Blossom Confit

or

Baked Parmesan and Crab Dip with Roasted Garlic Flatbreads

AND! Am optional tasting flight of three wines for $15 paired specifically with the dinner!

Now while your eyes are rolling to the back of your head and your open maw is dripping with salivation, now is the time to get yourself together and call us before its too late. Last year our Valentine's Sweetheart Dinner sold out a full two weeks in advance. Don't wait! Call us now at 619.578.2984 and reserve your table with a credit card. We will do the rest! 

And if you haven't heard of our dinners before... well get out from your cave and join the rest of the world! Here's what we enjoyed last time:

Starter: Sawmill Sausage-Peppercorn Gravy over Buttermilk Chive Biscuits.

First Course: Wilted Greens with Lavender Sea Salt and Candied Cocoa Nibs.

Entree: Fried Green Tomatoes or Coconut Fried Shrimp with Cocoa Butter Grits and Chile Burnt Caramel Peanut Sauce.

Dessert: Baked Cranberry Cobbler with White Chocolate Biscuit Topping and Whipping Creme Fraiche.