Cafe Bleu, located in the heart of historic Mission Hills, is a charmingly intimate neighborhood bistro & wine bar featuring casually-affordable French Contemporary cuisine and exceptional boutique wines.
Chef Manny Vargas showcases his culinary talents with innovative French-influenced dishes as well as French bistro classics – Coq au Vin, Bouillabaisse and Steak Frites. Sommelier Deyna Libiran, offers an ever-changing unique wine list all available by the glass and 1/2 glass allowing you to create your own wine and food tasting experience.
Fine food and wine matched with a friendly and knowledgeable staff, Café Bleu truly offers a contemporary dining experience while always remaining comfortably casual and classy. Café Bleu promises to be the perfect place for an intimate dinner for two or a wonderful get-together with good friends.
Thank you and we look forward to serving you soon.
"We started with very high quality appetizer and were impressed to being offered an amuse buche but entrees were ok. Coq eu vin listed as the signature dish was far from high quality dish. Seasoning was inconsistent. Good enought to give it a second try"
Dined on 5/15/2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, neighborhood gem
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"A small, casual French bistro serving generous portions of very good food at exceptionally attractive prices. Selected wines at $5 per glass and discounted regular appetizers before 6 pm, as well as the any-time 3 course prix-fixe dinner at $17 are incredibly good values. Our food was nicely prepared and portions were very generous. Appetizers were generally tastier and more interesting than main courses. Service was friendly, attentive and unhurried. We spent 2 1/2 hours at dinner and the bill was $40 per person including wine and tip. Everyone was stuffed and took half their dinners home. Although this restaurant offers incredible value for price, the food (while quite good) was not gourmet fare. Were will certainly return."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"The 3-course Sunday evening prix-fixe dinner is a great food buy at $17.95! The soup of the day last Sunday, leek/tomato with an infusion of spicy oil and parmesan cheese, was outstanding. The bread pudding was not the usual preparation of torn bread but was also delicious with the vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce. The steak frites entree was tasty but the steak was a bit chewy. The frites were good as was the asparagus that accompanied it. I will go back again to try another entree. The service was attentive but not overbearing."
Dined on 5/05/2013
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"I went there with 6 of my friends for Brunch on Sunday. We were greeted warmly and seated quickly. Within 2 minutes our server was filling our bottomless mimosas. The food was fantastic, the service was attentive and we had a lovely time."
Dined on 04/28/2013
2011
Special Features: great for brunch, neighborhood gem
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"Thoroughly enjoyed our evening, excellent value and awesome wine list - everything by the glass meant we got to sample a lot of wine! The canapés of the day were phenomenal."
Dined on 04/24/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"I chose Cafe Bleu for my 60th birthday celebration for myself, husband son and his girlfriend. I had previously lived in Mission Hills and heard there were some new dining spots. I picked the best. The appetizers were amazing, the wait staff superb. The wait staff was very attentive and I was surprised to have them change the silverware after every course, and clean the table in between. The scallops were succulent, the steak frites excellent, the pork to die for it could not have been better. Then to top it all off the chocolate cake wa amazing and the creme brulee almost as good as my own.
Thank you and we will be back.
Claudia"
Dined on 04/13/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"Cafe Bleu never disappoints in terms of quality, service or overall experience. It's our favorite planned or spur of the moment restaurant. Incredibly well priced and great presentation. So glad to have this in the metro area!"
Dined on 04/07/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"We are fans of this wonderful spot! This was a return visit and everything was just as good as the first time. A lot of restaurants struggle with consistency but Cafe Bleu hits the mark every time. We enjoyed items from the happy hour menu (a true bargain) including the cheese board and the mussels as well as a nightly lamb shank special which was tender and lovely. The owners and employees of this special place really go out of their way to make sure everyone is happy and full--don't hesitate to come here!"
Dined on 04/06/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"A special occasion (birthday) made more special by Cafe Bleu. They welcomed my granddaughters' homemade birthday cake and served it with flair. The food and service, as always, were fantastic."
Dined on 04/01/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Food was of high quality and wonderfully prepared. The waiter was friendly, knowledable and we found out later was one of the owners. We were made to feel welcome and relaxed. I have found a new place to go to with friends and family."
Dined on 03/26/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch
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"Amazing Food. This place is absolutely fantastic. I've now had dinner and brunch here. I would say dinner was more noteworthy, but brunch was fantastic as well. Unlimited mimosas for $8 was pretty excellent, too!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"The appetizers were wonderful. The best were the wrapped dates and nuts. Also the baked brie and mushroom in pastry were excellent. The crab dip was ok. The entrees for scallops, seafood bouillabaisse, and steak were good. I was disappointed in the Coq au vin which had very dried out chicken. The restaurant décor and service was excellent. It was a bit noisy which made it difficult to hear others speaking. Overall, the experience was pleasant."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"This was our fourth time dining at Cafe Bleu, and it was as good as ever! The Crab Florentine Eggs Benedict is out of this world. Service is fantastic."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"The food and service were excellent! We went on a Friday evening. There was a large group at a table near us and the noise level was so great that we could not carry on a conversation. We loved the food and the service. We'll return but not on a weekend."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2008
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"For people who live nearby Cafe Bleu, they are indeed very lucky! This is a cozy intimate place, and the chef here raises the bar on French cuisine. Some items on the menu I haven't seen in any other French restaurants in town, which entices me to return many times to sample them all! Reasonably priced, good wine list, great service."
Dined on 03/21/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch
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"I truly find Cafe Bleu to be a wonderful addition to the SD dining scene. It has a warm neighborhood feel as well as welcoming those of us from other "hoods"!! The service is comfortable, friendly and well paced, at the diner's request. I love the food and the changing menu makes dining an adventure each time. I hope Cafe Bleu continues this warm ambiance, good food and friendly service. Keep up the good work."
Dined on 03/15/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, great for lunch
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"This is our second time here. Last time for dinner and this time for brunch. Food and service continue to be outstanding, the tastes they create are just amazing. the only challenge was the noise level, it was very loud, and the sound reverberates... but worth it because of the food and service."
Dined on 03/10/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"Met a friend for a mid afternoon snack and beverage. Delicious food and wine, reasonably priced, and super friendly owner. Would definitely recommend this place!"
Dined on 03/04/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Cafe Bleu is a hidden gem in Mission Hills. We have been there twice and each time it seems to get better. The French onion soup is to die for, on this occasion we celebrated a birthday and we had five people in our party. We started with the canapés that were absolutely delicious. Everybody ordered a different dish and at the end we were completely silent just savoring the food we had eaten. Then came desert and OMG. They were superb. We plan on being a regular there"
Dined on 03/01/2013
2006
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Incredible food and service... must try the new menu... desserts are incredible and the new curry chicken salad is a winner!!!"
Dined on 02/27/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"I was very impressed with the food, service and overall ambiance of Cafe Bleu. It was recommended to me and I was not disappointed. The food was incredible and the staff treated us so well! I will definitely be back!"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"Dessert was Creme Brulee - Excellent. Rest of food was good, not great. Ambiance, service, wine all great. I'd go back anytime because everything else made the experience enjoyable. Inexpensive too!"
Dined on 02/21/2013
2011
Special Features: neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"The service was exceptional and the food was incredibly tasty! Overall the pricing is very reasonable, but I do recommend arriving during happy hour since many glasses of their wonderful wines are just $5!"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Wonderful neighborhood gem in mission hills. Service was outstanding. Food was terrific. Onion soup was thick and hearty and just the right taste. We split the pork dish with cranberries and loved every bite. The chocolate dessert was to die for. We savor end every bite. Overall a fantastic fing. It was our first time there. The owner is a delight and takes great pride in hs restaurant, and that was evident in the food and service."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We went to celebrate a birthday. Being from out of town we had no idea what to expect except from the Open Table reviews which were glowing. We were not disappointed. The chef started us off with a little bite of his choosing - some type of beef wrapped in a pastry puff with a touch of some sort of delicious sauce. We had the mussels and the almond/stuffed date/olive plate for appetizers. Along with our happy hour wine we were very happy. Then one of us had the salmon which looked delectable and I shared the special which was a seared ahi tuna over some wonderfully prepared greens and a dark, thick sauce which just made the dish. Creme brulee for dessert and we were done. It was a terrific way to celebrate. Next time in SD will go back."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2004
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, special occasion
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"We have eaten here twice in the past month and I have been impressed both times. From the time we stepped through the door until the time we left, we felt as if the staff truly cared about our experience. The ambience is warm and inviting, the menu is well priced and the servers are attentive. We have tried a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts and every dish has been well prepared and delicious. The seafood pasta special tonight was particularly good--the mussels were cooked perfectly.
We will be back!!"
Dined on 02/04/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We were delighted with our first experience at Cafe Bleu and we intend to return. Great food, service, atmosphere and creative menu. We left very happy that we had gone to Mission Hills from Coronado to try this restaurant."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"We'll be back. Food was outstanding and an even better value. It's one big open room which make the acoustics poor (it was very noisy but the owner said it was a post work party group, which seemed true). Don't let the space discourage you from dining at this great local find."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"A wonderful, local gem. Superior food, an attentive and dedicated staff, nice ambiance and very fair pricing. We will return again and again, and would recommend it to anyone and everyone!"
Dined on 01/27/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"Quaint restaurant, wonderful find. Service is on the slow side, but on purpose because the philosophy is obviously to allow guests time to relax and unwind. Not a place for those in a hurry. We had dinner - 4 of us - all the food was delicious and the price point was right on target. The prices were so great that we will return sooner rather than later. Without question we will be back. Make reservations tho - this place is small (only about 10 or 12 tables). You will not regret dining at Cafe Blue!!"
Dined on 01/26/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"It is always a pleasure to dine, take guests on special occasions, meet friends or celebrate family events at Cafe Bleu. The parking in the back is a wonderful convenience. The management and staff make the experience one you look forward to repeating."
Dined on 01/20/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Cafe Bleu Bistro & Wine Bar