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Small Plate “American Bistro Dinner” with Eclipse Chocolat:

Saturday, February 19th, 2011

We’ve had a few exciting milestones with Eclipse in the past month, and now that Vday has come and gone, I can find some time to catch up and tell you all about it!

First off, let this post be the first official “welcome” to our new site! Previously, we were using both a flash-based site as well as an externally hosted blog to announce our special events. Now that we’ve upgraded, I’m proud to say we have both a social media-compatible site AND an internalized blog. Please note that the original content of our Blogger site has been imported, but all new content will be posted only here. There are also new offerings in our online storefront including small chocolate bars and large gift sets. Check em out!

Second, with brunch officially established every Sunday, we have decided to open our doors at 9am instead of 10! We hope this will appeal to folks who wake up at 8am dreaming of chocolate-glazed bacon and chile-burnt caramel potatoes. After all, who else can fulfill your cocoa-crazy-cravings?

Lastly, we have our next Small Plate dinner to announce! Take a look at the deliciousness we have in store this time:

Exclusively March 19th with seatings at 4, 6, and 8pm, guests can enjoy three courses of Eclipse-inspired goodness for just $30 a person. Our theme for this dinner is “American Bistro” and is one I’ve looked forward to for some time. Here’s the line-up:

Chocolate-Caramel Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders (optional appetizer)

Wild Mushroom Soup with White Chocolate Blood Orange Olive Oil Brioche

Choice of Entree:

Espresso Braised Beef Short Rib with Roasted Fennel -or-

Roasted Root Veggie Mac & Cheese with Panko Chive Crust

both served with Waldorf Salad with Green Apple, Chile Candied Walnut, & Smoked Chardonnay Oak Sea Salt

Black-bottomed Banana Cream Pie with Bruleed Crust

As always, we expect our dinners to sell out, so call the cafe directly to save your spot: 619.578.2984. Until then, take a look at the deliciousness from our recent Vday dinner!

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5-Course Valentine’s Day Dinner

Friday, February 11th, 2011

We’ve been cooking up a storm in the last few days finishing the last of our recipe tests for next weekend’s Valentine’s Dinner. One of the more exciting aspects of running these special event dinners is that each month is a new theme and therefore new food! That means lots and lots of recipe testing and lots of eating. Rest assured, no one seems to have a problem with the eating part! Take a look at two of the shots we’ve prepared… and prepare yourself for salivation:

We’ve still got some space, but don’t wait as all good things come to and end… Call the cafe to make an RSVP at 619.578.2984.

Small Plate, Valentine’s Dinner with Eclipse Chocolat

Exclusively, February 12th & 13th, seatings at 4, 6, and 8pm

$95.00 a couple, rsvp required

Enjoy 5 plates of chocolate, vanilla, and caramel-infused savory food perfect for the romantic couple.

Guests will enjoy:

Baked Crab Dib with Bacon & Herbed Flatbread (optional appetizer)

Amuse Bouche of Two Exclusive Savory Chocolate Truffles, including:

72% dark chocolate raspberry-mustard & 31% white chocolate lemon-thyme

Roasted Beet & Green Apple Salad with Goat Cheese and Candied Cocoa Nib

French Onion Soup with White Chocolate Lemon-Thyme Croute

Choice of Entree: Beef Bourguignon or Baked Brie en Croute

both served with blackberry-mustard jus & hasselback potato

Rose Petal-Burnt Caramel Creme Caramel

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Latin Tamale Dinner

Saturday, December 18th, 2010

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!

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Sunday Brunch with Eclipse Chocolat!!!

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

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:

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Autumn Harvest Dinner

Friday, October 22nd, 2010

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

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Brunch for Dinner Dinner!

Friday, August 27th, 2010

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

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Father’s Day Chocolate Bar-B-Que!

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

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

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May Chocolate Prix Fixe Dinner

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

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.

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First Annual Mother’s Day Dessert Decadence

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

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!

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Indian Delight Dinner

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

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

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.

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Saint Patrick’s Day Beer Dinner

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

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.

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Southern Fried Christmas

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

Mmm… Just a quick jaunt around any mall these days reminds me that the holidays are already here! The smells of pumpkin lattes, roasted nuts, and peppermint candies are ripe around every corner and I, for one, am in full holidays cooking mode. And had you joined us for dinner at the cafe this past weekend, you would have been treated to a full holiday feast. Yes, friends… we celebrated T-day a full week and a half early this year and 95 of you joined us! If you missed all the tasty vittles, don’t fret, you’ve got one more chance!

Join us Saturday, December 12th at 4.5, 6.5 or 8.5pm for an Xmas feast from the deep South. For just $30, you can enjoy 3 courses of seasonal faire two weeks before the big day. Make a reservation today and help us bring in the holiday with our Southern Fried Christmas dinner! Guests to enjoy:

Cheddar and Chive Biscuit Bites with Sawmill Sausage Gravy (optional starter)

Wilted Greens with Candied Cocoa Nibs

Fried Coconut Shrimp -or- Fried Green Tomatoes

with Cocoa Butter Grits, Coddled Egg, & Chile Burnt Caramel Peanut Sauce

White Chocolate Cranberry Cobbler with Vanilla Bean-Peppercorn Cream

Space is limited so RSVP today at 619.578.2984! Until then, check out the deliciousness from the last dinner:

Starter- Fried Bacon, Mac, & Cheese with Bacon Fat Drizzle

First Course- Roasted Veggies with Frisse & White Chocolate-Lemon Dressing

Entree- Rosemary & Lavender Sea Salt Crusted Cornish Game Hen with Cocoa Butter-Smashed Potatoes & Savory Bread Pudding with Cocoa-Brown Sugar Gravy.

Dessert- Ginger Pumpkin Cheesecake with Brownie Crumb Crust & Vanilla Bean Ginger Cream

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Autumn Harvest Dinner

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

We finished up this last weekend with one of our biggest Three Course Prix Fixe dinners yet! If you missed it… well shame on you, as I don’t repeat menu items. You’ll just have to live with the chocolately shame.

This last one sold out pretty fast so we added a 2.5pm seating, but that’s not typical for us. We’re back to 4.5, 6.5, and 8.5 seatings this time around so don’t hold off to make reservations. Here’s what we’re cookin’:

Join us Saturday, November 14th to indulge in the three courses of a chocolate-Thanksgiving feast at our Autumn Harvest Prix Fixe Dinner: Menu includes:

Fried Mac & Cheese with Smoked Bacon (0ptional appetiser)

Salade Frisee with Roasted Root Veggies and White Chocolate-Balsamic Drizzle

Rosemary and Lavender Sea-salted Roasted Cornish Game Hen

or Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage Sauce

both served with

Cocoa-Brown Sugar Gravy, Cocoa Butter Smashed Potatoes, & Savory Bread Pudding

Ginger-Pumpkin Cheesecake with Dark Chocolate Brownie Crumb Crust

To make an RSVP, call the cafe at 619.578.2984. Space is limited! Until then, get your mouth watery with the pics from this past weekend. Check it: