As spring inspires refrigerators and pantries to leave their homes to roll around in fields of flowers, hungry humans must seek food elsewhere. For $20, today's Groupon provides $45 worth of bistro fare and libations at Chouquet's. West Coast ingredients pepper French lineups of lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner.
While bouquets please the eyes, Chouquet's pleases the taste receptors with savory bites presented in a chic, modern setting. Heated outdoor seating leads the way to an interior punctuated by fetchingly smooth wooden tables, small candles, and a stylish wine bar featuring glasses of lesser-known vintages bottled in small batches. Expansive flavors come together in a dinner menu of inspired small plates and entrees, enticing curious appetites with goat-cheese and roasted-tomato tartlettes drizzled with balsamic ($13) and natural ribs dressed in a lavender-honey and balsamic syrup with pommes maxim and pistachio nougatine ($11/$13).
A culinary roll in the garden yields the likes of veggie gnocchi with asparagus, peas, baby leeks, clamshell mushrooms, and sage under a sage and lime infusion ($15), while oceanic eyes bring forth seared ahi tuna coated in sesame seeds joined by a mizuna and cucumber salad ($16/$24). Weekend snoozers are rewarded by Chouquet's brunching menu, featuring eggs Benedict ($12); eggs Florentine ($12); omelettes du jardin with fresh spinach, tomatoes, and mushrooms ($12); and grilled Niman Ranch burgers with a side of pommes frites ($11).
Reviews
Gayot gives Chouquet's a good rating:
- By day, this casual-yet-sleek Euro bistro is filled with light from big pane windows, and its outdoor seating draws a number of diners happy for the opportunity to have lunch alfresco. In the evening, the lights dim and candlelight dances off the cozy rows of couples seated in cool modern chairs over contemporary wood tables. The cuisine is hearty and straightforward, primarily French by way of California. An unexpected treasure is an exciting wine list comprised of smaller-quantity and lesser-known labels... – Gayot
More than 215 Yelpers give Chouquet's 3.5 stars. OpenTable diners hover over three, 71% of Urbanspooners give approval, and Zagat users love the ambience:
- The food was presented well and tasted even better. They have some vegetarian friendly dishes and the food was freshly prepared with FRESH ingredients. DELICIOUS. – OpenTable user who dined on 2/28/2010
- What a neighborhood gem...Phenomenal and creative flavors. – Shannon M., Yelp
- With tables on the sidewalk and a nearly all French-speaking staff, you really feel like you're in a quiet part of the 16th arrondissement in Paris. The food matches, too, with really great, traditional French brasserie fare at reasonable prices. Look for the croque monsieur anytime and... the fresh, buttery croissants on the weekends. – sjranker, Zagat
Groupon Says
Schools of Attraction
The romantic atmosphere at Chouquet's makes it a great place to bring a first date. But if you are one of those "shy people" who has trouble finding a date, here are some tips:
- Approach the most attractive barista/baristo in the joint. Tell him/her that you also enjoy coffee and green aprons. If he/she isn't interested yet, play him/her that song you wrote on the tuba at Achievement Camp.
- Attractive people love things that shine as bright as their metaphorical beauty, so while your crush is in bed, playfully set his/her car on fire and shriek "You had me at hello" until you are acknowledged.
- Make eyes at your prospective date and tell him/her that you are so into the way he/she holds the NFL record for most career sacks. This only works if you are courting former defensive end Bruce Smith or Toledo's Tabitha Primly, who vehemently believes that she is former defensive end Bruce Smith.
- Just relax and be yourself or Tom Selleck doing yard work with your shirt off.
Comment on our feelings board
