at a place I'd been wanting to try for quite awhile. I've had their macs at various farmer's markets and they used to have a cafe downtown but it's now called Operacaffe. I don't think it's affiliated with this place.
We met early to beat the lunch rush and boy was I glad that we did because when we left, the cafe and the parking lot were packed...
It happened to be nearly 80F on this cold, winter's day, ha ha...
You order at the counter and they deliver your meal to you. We chose to eat outside that day...
But first, a look at their beautiful desserts...
What I liked about the Old Opera Cafe downtown was their portions. It was the same here. Perfect. Not ginormous glutton-sized Claim Jumper sized plates or dinky twee plates that leave you unsatisfied. Mary finally got her open faced grilled steak sandwiched with baked brie, caramelized onions, and fennel with a side of fries. I got the Croque Monsieur with a side salad.
Would you just look at this beauty? Luscious cheese over tender meat...
Mary was kind enough to share some of her fries as well...
Tasty these were.
As for my lunch, I was vacillating between this and mushroom quiche. Then, I had a brain fart and ordered this instead, but no worries, I liked my choice very much!
Ah yes...bubbly cheese...and ham...
while Mary's sandwich was beyond awesome...
Of course, we had to have dessert so we both got one each of these assortments, Mary with the Exotic assortment...
while I had the Chocolate assortment.
I loved that they have bite sized versions of their desserts, rather than committing to just one piece.
This looked too pretty to eat, but that feeling didn't last long, ha ha.
Mary and I divided up our mini's and enjoyed each and every bite!
If I had to pick which dessert assortment I liked better, it would be the Exotic one because of the fresh and light fruit flavors.
It was quite nice seeing and catching up with Mary once again. We also exchanged goodies (food blogger gifts post will be forthcoming). She had to go back to work, but since I was up here, I thought I would check out a few local ethnic markets for a few last minute ingredients for the upcoming New Year.
Opera Cafe & Patisserie
9254 Scranton Rd.
San Diego, CA 92121
(858) 458-9050
www.operapatisserie.com
Who else went to Opera Cafe & Patisserie?
Mary was here when they first opened five years ago...
Kirbie went here back in 2009 - Here's Part 1 and Part 2... (the dessert assortments were way cheaper back then), and Cathy had breakfast here in April the following year along with lunch a few months later.
Here's my ancient posts from their old downtown location:
June 2007 with Bert and TC...A box of a dozen macarons BACK THEN cost only $7.50! I think they're going for $10+ now. :(
July 2007 with TORC where we tried out Pappalecco later after hitching a ride from MFH's husband.
I'd like to come back here to have what Mary had! Oh...and maybe try more desserts, heh heh...
7 comments:
We've reviewed this place too. I think I need to do a revisit for their desserts though! For main courses, I like their open face seared ahi sandwich. Yummy.
I've managed to meet clients here a few times but alas, didn't blog those visits. Food is always very good quality, soups especially. I think the macarons were $12/doz last time; I always only want one or two and they don't seem to sell individuals.
hi lynn- try their desserts next time. :)
cathy - yeah, they only sell boxed macs instead of individual. the macs from opera were the first i've tasted since trying macs years ago in nyc (bouchon). opera's macs are pretty consistent.
That was funny that I hadn't been in 5 years and then I got what I wanted to get from 5 years ago (not that I had actually remembered that). Delicious stuff, man! I love that we ordered both of those little dessert plates. I mean, why not really. I agree with you, the exotic plate was a bit tastier than the chocolate one, not that either one was bad!
Hi Mary - how ironic. I read your post before linking it then cracked up because you ordered what you wanted to get "for the next time"....five years later!!!!
Thanks again for a nice time at lunch! :)
Canine, I worked in the office building next door before I was lucky enough to work from home full time. My co-workers and I used to devour their truffle fries. Affordable and tasty!!!!!
Supe, Bert told me that you used to work in that office complex. I remember when you worked at the other one up the hill. As for truffle flavored anything, I'm not a fan of it. Smells like dirt to me but I know lots of people love that truffle aroma/flavor.
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