San Diego Reader

NOTE:

This establishment has closed. This page remains for historical records.

• Restaurant | Café | Dessert | University Heights

Eclipse Chocolat

• 2121 El Cajon Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92104 | Directions
• 619-578-2984 | Website

There are so many ways to enjoy the specialty of the house at Eclipse Chocolat. The tiny, comfy café offers dessert platters combining unexpected flavors, like the chocolate olive oil fondue, a vegan-friendly combo with 72 percent chocolate, blood orange olive oil, fresh fruit, candied mango, and a sugared torta; or the tasting platter, a collection of four petite chocolate desserts featuring seasonal ingredients that changes every six weeks.

Crème fraîche cupcakes, in dark chocolate or vanilla butter cake, feature an exotic caramel or cream filling and a rich ganache glaze in an assortment of 24 rotating flavors.

Decadent drinking chocolates and mochas mingle dark, milk, or white chocolate and infusions of rosemary/mint, chilies/burnt caramel, or vanilla/orange peel. Two pillowy-soft house-made vanilla-bean marshmallows come on the side.

On weekends, a Chocolate Brunch showcases savory small plates infused with caramel, chocolate, or vanilla bean, available à la carte or in three- or four-course combos. Crispy rosemary potatoes, roasted golden brown, sprinkled with serrano sea salt and chili-burnt caramel hollandaise, are a standout, as is the chocolate-glazed bacon waffle or the three & three scramble — three eggs plus three add-ins (sub egg whites at no extra charge). Brunch standbys, the mimosa and bloody Mary, are tweaked Eclipse style as well. My favorite is made with KARMA champagne and their deservedly popular lavender vanilla-bean lemonade.

A small selection of wines is available (by the glass or half bottle), as is bottled beer, excellent espresso drinks, and a nice variety of regular and herbal teas.