It's rare that I'm speechless after a meal. Even rarer when that meal comes out of a take out box. But consider Ms. BiteClub stunned into a reverent silence for the now decimated container of Boeuf Bourguignon from Chloe's French Cafe. Je suis dans l'amour.
Tipped off by a reader (thank you! thank you!), Chloe's has been open for just a few weeks in the most unlikely of spots--the Landmark Executive building off Airway Drive in Santa Rosa. Both a sit-down cafe and take-away spot, there's no exterior signage to tip eaters off to this bonanza of French brasserie-style fare: homemade croissants, brioche, sandwiches (including a hearty Nicoise and zut alor, Croque Monsieur--Béchamel sauce, baked ham and Gruyere on bread) and soups.
But it's the weekly specials you're here for, the Bourguignon this week, and at the whim of the chef, things like Coq au Vin and more, usually under $10.
The Bourguignon, which is basically a long-simmered beef and vegetable stew with a heavy dose of red wine, is served on a square of gratin potatoes. I usually really dislike the stuff, because the meat can get tough and gamey and the veggies mushy. With chunks of still-intact mushroom and carrot comingling with beef that literally falls apart in your mouth, BiteClub has is rethinking Bourgogne altogether. The dish should be on the menu through the week and will hopefully reappear throughout the winter.
It should come as little surprise that behind the restaurant are two French brothers, Alain (the pastry chef) and Marc (the sommelier) Pisan whose family have been artisinal bakers for generations. Alain's wife, Renee (an American) heads up the café and catering kitchen, having immersed herself in the art of French cuisine.
With the remnants of a hazelnut crème puff still on my fingers, BiteClub can confidently report that desserts are Parisian-quality. Alain whips up feather-light éclairs, tarts and cakes each day, most under $3, and some under $2. Raspberry mousse tart? Please.
Marc is putting his wine skills to go use by offering up a happy hour each Friday evening from 4 to 6pm, featuring French and local wines. There are plans for cooking and wine pairing classes in the near future. Sign up for their newsletter at chloesco.com.
So okay, you have your marching orders, eaters. Get steppin' to Chloe's. Rapidement! I've still got some pastry-eating to do.
If you go: Take the Mendocino exit off 101 and head down Hopper Avenue (look for the Kohl's Department Store). Make a right on Airway Drive (you think you're headed for a dead-end) and turn left into the Landmark Executive Center. Go to the far parking lot and enter through the main entrance. Chloe's is on the left, just use your nose.
Chloe's French Café, 3883 Airway Dr., Suite 145, Santa Rosa, 707.528.3095. Open 7:30am to 5pm weekdays. Closed on weekends.
Do you have a favorite restuarant you'd like me to know about? Email me at biteclub@pressdemo.com
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: SMB (19/07/2009 2:48:41 PM)
Comment: I love this place! The sandwiches are amazing and outstanding. My favorite is the pastrami on rye that in no way bears any resemblance to the usual deli sandwich. The breads and baguettes that the sandwiches are made with cannot be beat; they are perfection, as are the desserts. The pickles and sauces that accompany many of the sandwiches are totally unique as well. Reasonable prices and an extremely pleasant staff round out the experience. I live to eat at Chloe's on my occasional Friday's off.
Posted By: Foodie 4 life (29/01/2009 1:05:56 PM)
Comment: OH MY GOSH!! I have been thinking about Chloe's ever since I tried the Nicoise (tuna) sandwich on a baguette. My co-workers salads and sandwiches looked to die for also. I am stunned by the affordability, but also the QUALITY, and the way the food is prepared. Such a wonderful place! I can't wait to go back. If you have not been, you will not be disappointed. My expecations were exceeded greatly. Enjoy!!!!
Posted By: Kathy (03/01/2009 9:19:05 AM)
Comment: I've been here twice now. Took my husband last night, Friday. They are open until 7pm on Fridays, he was so pleased with the food and especially the wine selection. We will be going back in the future. I used to work in that building, wish I still did, but at least, I only live walking distance away. Keep up the good work. Love the food.
Posted By: S (01/02/2008 6:42:01 PM)
Comment: I just went here this week and it was very good. The service was very friendly and fast. It was a full house and I waited no more than 5 minutes for my to go order. I ordered the Roast Beef sandwich which was great. I would like to go back and try the pastries and desserts as they looked delicious.
Posted By: Chief Grape (26/01/2008 5:31:04 PM)
Comment: We finally made it to Chloe's on Friday (1/25). It was a full house, despite the pouring rain. The service was friendly and very nice. Marc pointed us to an excellent Bordeaux and others in the group had a sparkling wine and the Russian River Red's Pinot Noir. All were good to very good and all were excellent value. Be sure to compare the bottle prices to the glass, depending on how much you want to drink or take home.
Although we had heard the food was good, it was even more than we expected. The main dish that evening was a pork dish and was really tasty. Others had the salads and the sandwiches. They were large, to say the least, and, again, tasted great.
We also had some of the deserts and can say emphatically that they are good! Renee and Alain have always impressed us with their offerings and these were no exceptions.
In short, this is an excellent place to enjoy a fun and tasty meal with good wines, all at a more than reasonable (dare I say too inexpensive?) price.
We will certainly be making this a regular event for us.
Posted By: Sarah (24/01/2008 2:33:43 PM)
Comment: I had a wonderful lunch at Cloe's Cafe today. I chose the chicken curry sandwich and a delicious potato soup. I was very pleased with both items. There were a lot of other patrons enjoying the food there as well. The service was excellent and I will be going back again soon.
Posted By: Pam (23/01/2008 4:29:40 PM)
Comment: we really enjoyed lunch there last Friday. They were out of the croque sandwiches, so I got the Boeuf Bourguignon--it beautifully presented, very flavorful---great pile of tasty mushrooms, carrots, with a layer of thinly sliced potatoes underneath. Wish they were open on the weekend.
Posted By: Jeff (18/01/2008 5:10:01 PM)
Comment: What a nice lunch we had today. My wife had the roast beef sandwich and I had the red pepper with olive salad. Both our sandwiches were on a baguette. My wife commented that she will order the roast beef sandwich heated next time. Thinking it will enhance the flavors. I liked the home made pickles. The French wines we tried were excellent. Chloe's will be a regular stop for us.
Posted By: Jay (15/01/2008 8:11:10 AM)
Comment: Speaking of, out of the way places... What happened to Brando's in Petaluma, did they move or close altogether ?
Posted By: kds (14/01/2008 10:27:21 AM)
Comment: Glad to see the hours are now updated.
Posted By: kds (14/01/2008 10:25:57 AM)
Comment: So daily actually means weekdays only?!? I always thought daily meant EVERY DAY. What a disappointing and futile trip we made out on Sat for lunch.
Posted By: shyloh2 (14/01/2008 10:23:49 AM)
Comment: This is a wonderful place. Food was amazing and all the owners very charming.
I plan to return often.
Posted By: Wojamo (13/01/2008 12:34:53 PM)
Comment: I'm with you, Deb. We learned that the hard way, too. Went all the way out there for nothin'. Very sad :(
Response: I'm really sorry guys. Mea culpa.
Posted By: deb (13/01/2008 10:29:38 AM)
Comment: note that it is not open daily - it is closed weekends, open only weekdays. Learned the hard way yesterday :)
Posted By: Miles & Janet Larson (11/01/2008 6:26:56 PM)
Comment: My wife and I first tasted the Pisan's food offerings at a wine dinner at a local Sonoma winery. The food was superb so when we heard they were opening a cafe we were determinedto give it a try. The foods was unbelievable. The cheese plate was absolutely wonderful. In fact the best we have ever had at any Sonoma, Napa or San Francisco restaurant. The portions were larger than the usual plates offered at your better restaurants and the cheese was of equal or better quality. We will return often to this cafe and have bookmarked it among our must go to places to eat.
Posted By: Iris (11/01/2008 12:05:03 PM)
Comment: I work across the hall from this food paradise and have been enjoying their food for many months prior to their official opening. I could live off of their Mediterranean sandwich. The Roast Beef comes in a close second. Today I tried the Croque Monsieur...HEAVEN! The owner's are absolutely wonderful and so is the food.
Posted By: Tony (10/01/2008 5:11:51 PM)
Comment: Good thing you tokd us where she is. How obscure. Teriffic for a cinc to sept :-)
Posted By: Bee Anderson (10/01/2008 3:20:35 PM)
Comment: I work in the Landmark Executive Center and have eaten at Chloe's many times. Their food is wonderful and the folks that run it are so talented, accommodating, and sweet. We have had some fun happy hours there already. I suppose the lucky tenants in the building will have to now share this wonderful little secret with the outside world. One more thing, their sandwiches are made on the best baguette I have ever tasted.
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