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We parked our car on the nearby street and walked around the neighborhood. The houses in Coronado are just beautiful. This city definitely got the beach city vibe. We found Chez Loma located on a resedential street. It looks just like a house from outside. We were seated on the outside patio area. This restaurant is indeed converted from a historical house.
We got to the restaurant at 5:30pm because we planned to have their prix fixe early dinner. The price is $24.95 for a 3 course meal.
The meal started with 3 different types of bread. Olive, rosemary, and baguette. My favorite was the rosemary one. No butter. Just olives and sun dried tomato in olive oil. I love the sun dried tomato olive oil.
We could order a glass of wine. But why only one when you can try three for the price of one? Chez Loma offers many different wine flights for people to try a variety of wine in one setting. Dr. P got the Cabernet flight. 2 were great and 1 (in the middle) was so-so. Dr. P knows I like white wine better and chose the chardonnay flights for me. The pour was very generous. I also thought 2 were great and 1 (in the middle) was so-so.
For our first course, Dr. P picked the French onion soup. You gotta have French onion soup when dining in a French restaurant. The soup was heavenly good. It was salty like most French onion soup I've had. There were tons of gooey cheese. The caramelized onion was sweet. This soup was too tasty and we wish they use a giant bowl to serve it.
I got the Caesar salad. This wasn't your typical Caesar salad. The romaine lettuce was served whole leaf style. You would need a knife to eat this salad. The Caesar dressing wasn't the creamy kind and it tasted so good. Dr. P loved the anchovies in the salad. I loved the Parmesan cheese. We were so pleased with the first course and couldn't wait to try the main entree.
Dr. P's main entree was braised Angus sirloin beef. Unfortunately, we didn't like this dish. The beef was tender, but it was salty, almost too salty to eat. The Apple Wood smoked bacon was too hard to chew. The potatoes were good without the super salty red wine sauce. It really was just too salty and we left this plate unfinished.
My main entree was roasted duck. The duck was amazingly good. Definitely one of the best duck dishes I've had. The meat was juicy and tender. We loved the cherry port wine sauce and the orange sauce. Portion was huge. We got half duck in the plate, but still just couldn't get enough of the delicious roasted duck!
He got the French vanilla custard, and yes, I ate most of it. The custard was silky smooth and on the light side. We like this dessert a whole lot.
I got the Two Chocolate Cheese Cake. It was really good, but a bit heavy. With the heavy main entree, I actually preferred a lighter dessert like the custard rather than cheesecake. But still, this was one good piece of cheesecake.
Cute little French bistro. Great service. Really like the atmosphere. Delicious food, except the beef of course. We would definitely return here again, but probably won't order the beef next time. If you are visiting San Diego, or live in the area, I highly recommend Chez Loma, especially the early dinner prix fixe menu. It is truly a bargain for the quality and the amount of food you get. Next time we visit San Diego, we will come back to have the roasted duck again!
I found Chez Loma after hours of searching for an affordable meal at a good restaurant. I realized Chez Loma fit this criterium when I stumbled upon their "Early Dinner Menu." This is an excellent prix fixe menu that is offered everyday from 5 to 6 and all-night on Tuesdays. Not being nearly old enough to begin eating at 5:30, I chose the Tuesday option.
As we walked up, we were instantly impressed by the old style friendliness of the building. Exactly what we were hoping for, the opposite of downtown trendiness!
We started with a bottle of the Rutherford Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, which the girlfriend enjoyed very much. This made me happy as she's the white aficionado, not myself. We coupled this with our prix-fix appetizers. First off, I must say how hard of a decision this was for me. I was forced to pick between the caesar salad and onion soup, two personal favorites of mine. I went with the Soupe á l'Oignon, as they call it. I like to eat onion soup whenever given the opportunity and this was no mistake. The cheese was draped around the edge of the crock just perfectly and the flavor was excellent.
The main course led me to uncharted waters, as I had never tasted duck before but was told that it was the house specialty and a can't miss selection. After these recommendations from fellow yelpers and our waitress I decided to go for it. It turned out amazing and had wonderful flavor with the cherry and orange flavors. Very delicious and I would recommend it to anyone, whether or not you've had duck before. The girl on the other had went with the salmon and neither her nor I can remember if she enjoyed it. Being a pescaterian, she eats a lot of salmon. So, try that knowing it wasn't memorable in a good way or bad.
Overall, this place is a VERY nice option for Coronado. Loved the feel, the service, and my duck. Although, it was weird when the chef came out and greeted every table but ours. Guess we weren't regal enough.
EAT UP!
bottom line: mediocre.
Service was bad. I have nothing fancy to add. It was plainly bad. Had to ask for each thing twice and from different people.
Two salads were ok, nothing special. I hate to rehearse one of my mother's most wearisome sentences, but this time around it fits perfectly: I could really do much better at home.
The worst of it was the mains - we had lamb and salmon and both dishes came with the exact same side and it wasn't even very good, (it's not like the chef thought he really had a strike there and felt the urge to slap it on each and every dish coming out of the kitchen).
And if you can avoid the deserts. Too sweet. Could hardly sense anything other than sugar.
Absolutely incredible french restaurant located in a charming converted Victorian home. The food is delightful and the service is nothing short of exceptional. I can't believe I don't remember our server's name (I was sick and had to run a marathon the next morning), but she had long blonde hair and was darling as can be. If you have her as your server there's not a chance you won't fall in love (with her, the food, or the restaurant). She is so incredibly attentive and absolutely made our experience.
It's a small operation - with no bartender and the servers preparing their own drinks. The home-made pate was exquisite and the lamb was some of the best I've ever tasted. It's a bit on the pricier side but it's worth every penny. I can't wait to return the next time that I'm in Coronado. This place is truly a gem!!!
My wife and I came here on a Tuesday night recently. One of us had the early evening 3-course prix fixe meal, which is only $25 all night on Tuesdays.
Appetizers:
The lobster bisque was more like a creamy French onion soup, without the cheese but with the croutons. It wasn't that great. The salad with bleu cheese, olives, and cherry tomatoes was great.
Entrees:
The filet was pretty good. It was a perfect medium rare and the red wine reduction sauce had a slight cherry flavor to it. The whipped potatoes were also good. Overall it was a great dish. The roast duck was a bit dry and the sauce was bland.
The service was perfect. Our server was knowledgeable and attentive without being annoying. She recommended a glass of Cotes de Rhone which turned out to be really good.
It was hot as bejesus in the dining room. I know it's an old Victorian house, but for a French gourmet restaurant, they should be able to afford to install some sort of air conditioning system. There was a ceiling fan cranked on max, but it still didn't come close to cutting it. The heat really did take away from the overall experience.
The dessert was a vanilla custard. It was just ok. Their only other two selections were gingerbread and cheesecake.
I might come back in the future, during a cooler season, but overall it wasn't good enough to where I'm in a rush to come back.
My boyfriend and I went here last night for our anniversary. I was so excited from all the reviews and Stylist from Rinse, she is amazing!)giving it rave reviews. And it fell nothing short, it went above and beyond my expectations.
First of all, the staff is wonderful! Since it was a Tuesday it wasn't that busy, so Josh(our waiter)gave us alot of attention and checked in often without being too pushy. He was a great server and so so nice!
The food, oye, what can I say! Delicious? Mouthwatering? Scrumptious? I don't think any of those words can sum it up. The bread with their roasted garlic, tomatoes and oil olive was so wonderful. The bread alone was a good enough meal for me. I started off with the lobster bisque, everyone was right about it. It was so tasty. The lobster and crab wasn't overbearing and left the most delicious after taste, I really could eat that for my whole meal there. My boyfriend got the Normandy onion soup, which was so sweet and perfect, and I'm not even that big of an onion soup fan but this was just so so good.
For the main course I got the "Oscar" Halibut, you don't even know how excited I was for this! The halibut was cooked beautifully, so moist. The crab cake on top of the halibut was a perfect touch! I cant even explain how in love I am with this halibut. I was talking to Josh about it for a few minutes and he said he believes its local halibut, but I knew there was no way San Diego could harvest halibut that good, and of course it was Alaskan. The mashed potatoes were so creamy and smooth, they melted in your mouth and complimented the whole dish. I would strongly recommend getting the halibut if you're a sea food fan. My boyfriend got the duck and couldn't stop moaning after every bite, he made that plate so clean after he was done. I had one bite and I agreed it was exquisite. The trio of sauces was unbelievable, so so so tasty.
For dessert I got the ginger bread and my boyfriend got the chocolate bread pudding. All the Yelpers were right, the gingerbread was amazing. It wasn't heavy at all but yet so rich and full of flavour, a great ending to my meal. I didn't have any of the bread pudding because I was so full. My boyfriend said it was so yummy.
Overall this place went above and beyond my expectations, it was so good that we are going back on Valentines day to treat his parents since they have been wanting to go for a while.
Good real French food! I will come back pretty soon!
I'm in love with Chez Loma. Not in a stalker kind of way, but in an adoring, mature love kind of way. This place is amazing for date nights, grown-up birthday dinners, group dinners (they have a private room for parties of 20 or more) or on a night when you just feel like splurging on some damn good food. The wine list is fun, extensive and has a little something from each price point. Speaking of wine, they most certainly have a beaujolais contrary to a previous review written by another. Now down to the food. I have yet to have anything I didn't like from here, but here is a list of my favorites.
Apps/Soups/Salads:
Crepe de Homard (Lobster crepe). This is amazing! Super rich but it dances on your tongue. I could seriously eat two of these for my entree. Maybe three if I felt like gaining 20 lbs in a night.
Soupe à l'Oignon (Onion Soup): This is served Normandy Style, which means cider is added to give it a little sweetness.
Chez Caesar (Caesar Salad): This place has the best caesar dressing EVER!!!!! They make it in house and I don't know what they do to it, but I swear it's like crack.
Entrees:
Fletan Grille "Oscar" (Halibut): This is served oscar style with a side of whipped potatoes. This is some serious perfection. The fish is always fresh and cooked to a delicate flakiness. I heart.
Canard Roti (Duck): I think this may be one of the specialties. It's served with three sauces-lingonberry, green peppercorn, and burnt orange. Here comes the drool....
Desserts:
GINGERBREAD!!!!!! GET THE DAMN GINGERBREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Like I said, I love this place. I actually love it so much I'm headed off to eat there again in about 20 minutes. You should definitely come here and love it too.
I've had better French food here in the Bay Area. I can't even remember what I ordered--then again, this was about 3 weeks ago.
I know I had the braised beef in red wine, I think. I'm not even sure.
I guess that tells you everything--not memorable.
However, the prix-fixe menu is worth getting. The decor was a bit outdated, but the service was great. We were seated in what was obviously the extension of the restaurant (which is a house), so it didn't feel too..."special."
Allow time for parking...
NOW this place is REALLY a five star place. Beautiful, romantic and EXCELLENT wait staff who are very professional and polite. I went here last night because I really wanted to try it out to see if it is as good as I was told by friends. I was not dressed very well, in fact I was wearing running clothes and a sweatshirt. I apologized immediately when I arrived there for the way I was dressed asking the server to sit me somewhere hidden from the rest of the crowd since everyone was dressed very, very nicely. They sat me in the corner next to a French couple who were having fun at my expense - :-D! They didn't much care for my attire. I didn't care though because my server was right there right away with water, bread and sparkling water I had ordered.
My food, was nothing short of spectacular: 10 tiger prawns with a basil tomato sauce lightly cooked on top of risotto. I cleaned my plate! I never do that, this is the first time I cleaned my plate! The flavors of this dish were very delicate and not over powering. The prawns were cooked to perfection and the risotto melted in my mouth. I asked my server to choose a pinot noir for me, which she did and it was delicious and full bodied.
The Creme Burlee was fantastic and orgasmic at best. I had to force myself to stop eating it... it was that good.
Good thing I logged an 8 mile walk jog that day, I was actually able to fit into my jeans this m orning.
Very, very romantic and I will DEFINITELY return to this place.
Thank you Chez Loma!
I've realized this may not be a foodie town so, I pushed this to a 3 star rather than a 2, but if you're looking for wow flavors ... based on my Valentine's day dinner here, you're not gonna find them here.
Okay service (uninspired for Valentine's day but I was there with a buddy not a date), wine was soso, say they have a full bar but options seemed pretty mediocre (they only have orange juice and cranberry juice), hostess wore a skirt that was waaaaay too short if Chez Loma is going for classy, menu was mediocre, but food was good enough, I suppose. Definitely have had better. Then again we had a pretty good price for what we got, considering.
Cute and quaint decor/interior. Bathroom could have been cleaner, neater, and drier. Water all over the floor, I didn't want to touch anything in there (downstairs bathroom).
No restaurant parking, had to circle the block a few times to fight for a spot.
It was a set menu, $65 pp. Okay pricing. Required to pick all dishes for the dinner in advance and then as we finished our second waiter came round to tell us they'd run out of the dessert (souffle) we'd ordered. You should have your count way in advance & not let someone order it if it's going to be out! They tried to get us to accept another dessert but after pushback we got them to comp our espressos.
Quaint as it was, the food was not moving enough to inspire me to return again.
This place was great! Very intimate and romantic. We sat on the "patio", which is more like an enclosed sun room. It's very intimate (ie. everyone can hear your conversation) but cute. The room indoors is a bit more lively, with dramatic red walls. There's a certain charm to both.
The service was very good. Our waiter didn't look a day over 21 and he wasn't fully versed in wines or French cuisine, but he was very attentive and tried his best.
We started with the lobster bisque and the salade d'epinards. The bisque was wonderful and the salad was very good. Next time I have to try the lobster crepe. My boyfriend ordered the Chateau sirloin, which comes with blue cheese butter and potatoes gratin. The sauce was lovely and the steak passed, although we'd hoped for more tender meat, especially at meduim rare. I ordered the canard rôti - duck with lingonberry cherry-port wine, green peppercorn and burnt orange sauces. The meat was soft, the sauce was rich and well balanced and I think my boyfriend was a little jealous. I would definitely repeat this dish! Mmm...
Boyfriend ordered a vanilla creme brulee, and loved every bite. We took our time sipping wine and enjoying the atmosphere before dragging our full bellies back to the Hotel Del, which is just a few blocks away. I will definitely return next time I'm on the island. Thanks for a lovely evening Chez Loma!
Coronado, city landmark and french cuisine all rolled into one? JACKPOT.
The restaurant is elegant yet simple. Its a historical landmark so you know its there is intrisic charm. Pontificating about the world's problems seems effortless here over a bottle of wine. A brilliant place to take a meaningful date.
I had the prix fixe menu 1. Onion soup / salmon / chocolate bread pudding.
I had to rate it a 4 stars because although each of my dishes were really good, they werent the best Ive had. Not to mention, they didnt offer Beaujolais as a wine choice. Sorta questions how 'authentic' this place is. Bummer!
I may not be a classy dude, necessarily, but there are times when the evening calls for a classy destination.
I love the old-school cabaret-Vegas-classy feel of places like the Red Fox Room, Albie's Beef Inn, etc, but in reality those are hipster bars masquerading as Joints Of Distinction.
Chez Loma, on the other hand, is the real deal. Classy without being stodgy, old school with out being geriatric. Its a fine line to walk, and its a fine establishment for a night out.
First off, from a date perspective, starting the night out with a drive over the bridge is a good start by anyones measure. The restaurant itself is in a beautiful old house of some historical significance. The service is really excellent, and the atmosphere can vary depending on what room you are seated in. They're all good, but I prefer the enclosed patio.
The lobster crepes are to die for, the fish dishes are consistently good, and the fillet looks and smells delicious. My wife and I actually have a pact...if we fall off the vegetarian wagon, this is where we do it.
Wine selection is killer and sometimes unusual (in a good way) and they also have a full bar.
It's not cheap, but it's not as spendy as you might assume, being one of the premier fine-dining establishments on Coronado.
In summation, sometimes you've gotta man up, put on your big boy clothes in a non-ironic way, and class up your date. This is the spot to do so.
I want to give this place 4 stars, but I just can't bring myself to it. My wife and I ate here after a coworker raved about the food and intimate setting. So I went in with expectations that were not met. The setting was quaint and romantic, but the food was not as great as I expected it to be.
Don't get me wrong it was good, but not great. We ordered the 5 - 6 pm dinner specials. I had the beef and my wife had the duck. I do not recommend the beef, it was a bit overcooked and dry. The duck was very well done and accompanied by some great sauces.
Considering all the great eating places San Diego has to offer, this place is near average. If you're looking for great food and a great dining experience, keep this place on your list, but keep looking as well.
My wife and I dined here with another couple on a Tuesday evening - they have a three course prix fixe dinner Tuesdays (and between 5:00 and 5:45 other evenigns) for $24.95 per person - considering the quality of the food we had this is a great deal!
The first course gives you a choice of a Caesar salad (large piece of lettuce with a nice dressing (not mixed at the table) and excellent bread crumbs), a house salad (nice, but nothing special) or French onion soup (my recommendation - the broth was sweet and rich, the onion flavor was there without being too strong, it was not drowned in cheese, and the bread managed to hold its consistency through a leisurely first course.)
The second course options were duck in a cherry sauce (Fabulous! I'd highly recommend this!), a salmon preparation (good, but the salmon wasn't of the high quality I'm used to in the Seattle area), and beef burgundy (which I didn't taste, but our dinner companion claimed it was quite wonderful).
Dessert options are more than they print on the menu - I believe they present you with three choices, but our waitress said we could have anything other than the cheese plate or the sampler plate. I had the fallen chocolate souffle with an espresso - the souffle was fabulous, but the espresso was barely warm. My wife tried the bread pudding and declared it delicious, and the other couple shared a creme brulee, which disappeared quickly enough that it must have been great!
Along with dinner we ordered two "flights" of wine, one of five whites (including a champagne) and one of five reds. This was a great opportunity to sample some wines we were unfamiliar with, and to taste how different wines went with duck, salmon or beef. The listing for the white flight included a wine we did know and were not fond of, and the waiter said they'd be happy to replace it with any other wine they serve by the glass. In fact he said they could put together a custom flight for the same price (24.95 for 5 3-ounce samples) of any of the reds or whites they serve by the glass, something to keep in mind if there are several wines you'd like to try other than those listed for the flights.
The service was wonderful - attentive and accomodating, without ever seeming pushy of over-friendly. We ate in the covered patio, and spent almost three hours there without feeling like they wanted to push us out to turn the table (on the other hand, there were plenty of empty tables this Tuesday, so there was no reason for that to be an issue.) The old house the restaurant is set in is charming and just enough off the main drag to keep traffic noises away.
Dinner for two, from the prix fixe menu, along with the wine flights and an espresso came to about $90, and I think we got more than we paid for. I would not hesitate to eat here again (actually, I'd look forward to it!), and would certainly recommend it!
Me and my girlfriend went here for our anniversary. We had patio seating, dim lighting with a candlelit table. It was quiet and romantic.
I ordered the duck with 3 sauces and my girlfriend had the seabass special. The duck was perfectly cooked and very tender, and the sauces were also very good. The burnt peppercorn orange sauce was delicious. The seabass was cooked very well and the portions were enough to fill us up. The food was good, but what literally put a smile on my face was the dessert. We had the gingerbread with molasses. Oh my god!!! It is to die for. It is not often you have a bite of food and grin, but this gingerbread did it to me and my girfriend. Simple, reminded me of X-mas day, and delicious. If you can, try it. Overall the food was a 4.25, but dessert is a 5.
Service was great and ambiance also great. i would give this place a 4.5 overall but i cant. A little pricey, but overall experience is worth it.
I've passed this place about a gazillion times walking around in the Coronado area "Awe, look what a cute little restaurant!" and I finally got the chance to check it out with a girlfriend over the weekend.
We both got the pre fixe menu and purposely ordered differently so that we could try everything and it was all amazingly perfect. The food was all just very fresh and well prepared:
Lobster Bisque: just rich enough without being heavy and with just enough seasoning to bring out the sweetness of the seafood.
Smoked Salmon Tartare: delicious with a wonderful fresh "bite" to the fish and accompanied with sweet/sour cucumbers.
Filet: perfectly cooked medium-rare with a beautiful red wine sauce on top of a bed of mashed potatoes.
Halibut "Oscar": a fantastically cooked piece of fish with sweet whole pieces of crab on top drizzled with Bearnaise all on top of mashed potatoes and accompanied by steamed asparagus.
Fallen Chocolate Souffle: A decadently rich chocolate wet dream.
Caramel Custard: Like a flan, but with a rich creamy, almost cheesecake like texture.
We honestly couldn't decide if anything was better than the other. It just would have depended on what you were in the mood for. Service was comfortable and surprisingly not stuffy. Couldn't say much for the rest of the dining room that night, however: "Ginger! Please tell Edmund about that absoluuutely deviiiiine little excuuuuursion we took to..." "Oh, Francis, that is the most iiiiinteresting thing I've heard in years!!!" Insert forced/fake laughter throughout and that's the conversation we heard all night.
Overall, it's quaint, but the inside is starting to see some wear. For two girls (one single) out for a night on the town, this wasn't the place to pick for any good eye candy. We were easily the youngest in the restaurant the entire night by at least 15 years, but I can see this as a pretty romantic place. The patio looked like it would have been nice if it weren't for the blustery, rainy night. But as far as service and food were concerned, this was probably some of the best french food I've had in San Diego. The serving sizes were very hearty too. Definitely recommended for small intimate parties and romantic evenings.
This place is wonderful. I came here with my fiance during the week and I do think it was one of the best dining experiences I've had in San Diego. Chez Loma isn't quite on the beach and not quite next to the Del. It's hidden away in its own awkward little bend off of Orange Ave, which is a good thing as the traffic from pedestrians and other diners coming in and out is low.
Our server was very friendly and helpful. After appetizers, a bottle of wine and three course meals we were stuffed full of delicious food and a large chunk of change down the hole, but it was worth it. :)
Try to get reservations on Tuesday night or between 5-7pm. They have two cheaper Prix Fixe options during these slots.
My very favorite restaurant on the island.
I love the Duck - it is just delicious. The wine flights are fun, and are excellent quality wines. A perfect afternoon starts with a bike ride on Coronado, Cocktails at the hotel Del, followed by dinner here.
It has classy atmosphere without being stuffy or pretentious.
The ginger bread dessert is also something that I love (and I am not a dessert girl) with its warm caramel goodness - yum.
Their $25 early dinner menu is terrific value.
What an absolute gem. Hidden away on a side street off busy Orange Avenue, it looks almost like one of the houses on the street. Fantastic food, great service, and good prices.
We all chose one of the Pre Fixe meals, which is the way to go if you don't have another entree you are particularly excited about trying. Between the six of us:
Appetizers:
spinach salad with duck bacon (exceedingly delicious, apparently)lobster bisque (which tasted just like lobster, not like it had "essence" of lobster)
salmon tartare (which was a lot of smoked salmon, good but would not recommend this over something else)
Entrees:
Salmon filet (perfectly cooked)
Halibut (also perfectly cooked)
Sirloin steak
I have to give it to them - they do fish extremely well. No over cooked fish here! And with just the right sides..
Dessert - this is where Cafe Loma REALLY shines
Creme Brulee - a little less creme, and little more brulee would have been nice. But perfectly passable
Fresh berries - fresh whipped cream! And with berries in season... couldn't go wrong with this
Chocolate mousse - Completely decadent. It is almost entirely chocolate. You won't be able to finish it.
Chocolate bread pudding - by far one of the best desserts I've ever had. Also completely decadent, but also completely excellent.
As I said, the service is great, and the atmosphere is also fantastic. I highly recommend this place.
Note: they have an early bird special pre fixe menu if you come between 5 and 5:45. Something like $25 for a three course meal.
Cute, nice, but not a wower. Way better than Rhinoceros around the corner.
I didn't like that my wine came in a carafe to be poured into my glass at the table...just bring me a glass of wine.
The lobster crepe was fabulous, and the cassoulet was yummy and plenty for two to share. Nice dining room atmosphere.
I really would've given this place 5 stars, but for some reason I didn't feel like I was fully satisfied. I came here for my anniversary dinner with my boyfriend, and it was either here or Old Venice.
So we were a little late for our reservation, so we lost our table inside and was seated in the patio. At least we still had a table right? But yes, the patio was not as romantic as it would have been in the house. Our anniversary was on a Tuesday so they had the early dinner specials, which we both had.
He had salad, salmon, and the cheesecake. I didn't get to try the Salmon, but he said it was good. I loved the salad and the cheescake. I had onion soup, beef, and custard. The onion soup was really interesting, and I noticed the same kind of taste in the beef. That's when I figured that both dishes had a good amount of wine in them. Some of he beef was cooked really well, and some were okay. Custard? Not as great as the cheesecake.
What bugged my boyfriend and I (and also a reason why this place doesn't get 5 stars), is that some of the servers were not up to par. We were seated right by the door in the patio, and a few of them would barge through the door, and unfortunately hitting my date. We didn't want that to ruin the night, but it surely gave me an idea of the rating I'd give this place. One other thing, a party that arrived after us was able to order and get their food before us. Not acceptable.
Overall, it was a good place, with some little flaws. Good for dates, but I highly don't recommend the patio. And don't be late for your reservation!
Wonderful French food in a charming converted Victorian-style house, good service. But for $200 for wine/dinner for four, I do expect to be more wowed. Portions were a bit small, and I've had equally good meals/ambiance a various places around town for quite a bit less $.
I love this place because few people know about it ... and the ones that do, tend to forget its there all tucked away among the other pretty houses on the island. Even still, make a reservation ... you'll need it.
I'd recommend the Prix Fixe Menu 2 ($45/pp ... if I recall, there is an earlier dinner time slot with a slightly reduced $/pp, same menu) - my favorite is the lobster bisque and the filet mignon ... I have tried the halibut and it is very good but doesn't beat the filet, in my opinion. For dessert, they do have a fantastic fromage (cheese for all you no france-talk people) plate that is spectacular. The wine list and service are both exceptional.
The atmosphere is intimately cozy, charming and romantically quaint. Its location is perfect - after dinner, I'd recommend a stroll thru Star Park and check out the house of Michael Patrick Hearn (author of Wizard of Oz) ... wow your date with useless trivia - all of his books were written from this house (1101 Star Park Circle) ... then head over to the ocean or the Hotel Del (where "some like it hot" w/ Marilyn Monroe was filmed ... more useless trivia) for an after dinner cocktail.
I absolutely adore Coronado ... and in my opinion, Chez Loma is one of the few restaurants that perfectly captivates that 'stepping back in time' feel, which you can't help but notice as you enter and observe the island.
p.s. for all of you useless trivia lovers - coronado is a self contained island, it has its own fire department, post office, government, etc. I could really go on for a long while about this place. There are only 2 houses on the island that look alike ... after these houses were constructed, a city ordinance came about to prohibit any future building of similar houses. All other houses on the island are exceptionally unique, as required by law. Oh, and the (hot) navy seals run along the beach in the early hours .... (sigh). I'll shut up now.
I went here when my girlfriends from LA visited and stayed the weekend in Coronado. So we got all dressed up to enjoy a nice dinner before partying it up downtown. However, when they asked for recommendations on where to eat, I wasn't sure where to take them. Being a north county girl, I don't frequent the Coronado area often and was at a loss. So of course, I yelped the restaurants in Coronado and stumbled upon Chez Loma. After reading the reviews and checking out the menu, I made reservations. Thanks fellow yelpers, you didn't let me down!
We were seated inside the restaurant in this romantic red room, but it was soo quiet and intimate we were almost afraid to talk louder than a whisper. We walked in laughing about something and were met with stares from the tables as if we were interrupting their conversations. Whatever. The tables were really close together, which bothered me but we got over that real quick and enjoyed ourselves and great conversation.
Our server was very nice and patient dealing with 4 very indecisive ladies. But he helped us make some decisions and my 3 friends ended up going with the prix fixe menus while I ordered off the menu. I had the crevettes aux tomates and the portion was huge. The shrimp was cooked to perfection and the tomato basil sauce with the risotto and goat cheese...so good. And while I usually love vegetables, I wasn't crazy about the undercooked broccolini on the dish. I also had a bite from each of the dishes my friends ordered off the prix fixe menus. The salmon from menu 1 was tasty and cooked well but it didn't blow me away, the filet mignon (menu 2) was also tasty, but the pan seared halibut (menu 2) was the favorite of the night...yum!
Since the prix fixe menus come with dessert, we tried 3 different things...chocolate soufflé, crème brulee, and chocolate bread pudding. They were all very rich but delicious. I think everyone's favorite was the soufflé with the crème brulee at a close second. There was so much food we couldn't finish everything, which is a shame because we couldn't box it up since we were headed for the clubs after.
Total crap. Worse words are more appropriate but unsuitable for younger viewers. Totally phony food with no substance at prices that would make a prince blush-- you must be joking! Find another way to waste $200.
St. Valentines Day could not be anymore perfect!! This place is located in Coronado in a cozy, romantic small venue. Our hostess sat us inside and gave us the best table in the house. The food is top notch from the french bread with olive oil and sun dried tomato, the appetizer crab cakes and crepe lobster with asparagus, the Filet Mignon and rack of lambs and desserts were also delicious. This place is wonderful! i will definitely go back for more. The place can have a better Customer service though, but they were not exactly unpleasant.....i would still go back for the food.
3/15/08: I came back for seconds. This time with six other people. This time, I had the scallops for appetizers, Canard Roti for entree and a glass of Grahams port for dessert. My friends had the prix fixed menu - the filet mignon, mostly. Darn beef eaters. Throughout the meal, we enjoyed a Chateau Preuillac ($65) and my personal bottle (Captain's Reserve Syrah from Rubicon Estate). They were impressed by great food and excellent service from Carolyn (co-owner) and William (our garcon). I am definitely returning with 8 people next time and adding 2 more stars.
7/11/07:
Closely situated near the corner of the street, the restaurant brings an air of intimacy for your dates. Charming and relaxing, it eases one into dinner. With a glass of red wine, it was perfect to celebrate my friend's birthday. As I took every bite of my Escargot Puff Pastry and Grilled Pork Chops with a Sherry sauce, my stomach wanted more. And, more wine. Towards the end of each dish, my tongue was parched from the saltiness. Yet, I enjoyed the butteriness of the Pastry and a bit of sweetness of the sherry sauce. I'm looking forward to tasting other dishes on the menu.
I ate here once for prom and i wasn't extremely impressed. It was good, don't get me wrong, but I expected more from all the hype. I ordered the filet which was perfectly cooked, but ive had better flavor wise. The actual building is charming, very cozy and romantic. The service was excellent and we had quite a large party. I love French food and would like to go back and try other dishes, but my first experience wasn't AMAZING.
An unbelieveable restaurant untouched by the oppressive tourist crowd.
Two words:
WOW and WOW.
Perfect date place. I went there for my birthday dinner with my significant other. What a hidden treasure. Given it was so long ago, I don't remember the exact dishes we ordered, but I remember them all being really good. I couldn't help but notice everyone came in pairs... so if you choose to go, do bring a date. I'm not sure what it was that made me fall in love with this place.. probably the atmosphere and services. I will definitely go back!
Now this is a pretty authentic French restaurant. If you want to contrast this with a fake French restaurant, read my review of La Vache. Chez Loma is a cute place which was originally a residential house converted into a restaurant. It's kinda tucked away off the main street (Orange) in Coronado. Great Prix Fixe menu - a little pricey at $45/person, but well worth it. You get soup, entree, and dessert. I usually get the Lobster Bisque (heavenly) with the Filet (med rare, and also one of the best steaks I've ever tasted). This is another once in a while treat, because of the price, but I always enjoy myself thoroughly when going here. The waitstaff is very friendly and attentive - no snobbery here - and it's nice to take a stroll along the beach afterward and work off some of those 3,000 calories I just consumed :) Enjoy!
This place is really adorable - definitely a good date place. Food is very expensive, but a great place to try at least once :)
A perfect spot for a romantic dinner. The quaint Victorian house venue is a great setting tucked in off Orange Ave in Coronado. I have dined here twice, both times off the Prix Fixe early dinner menu, which times perfectly for playgoers to the Lamb's Players Theater around the corner. The Boeuf Bourguignon is tender and flavorful. The early dinner menu features a choice of first course (2 salads or a soup), 3 choices of entree and 2 choices of dessert for $24.95 and all wines under $90 are half price. You can, of course also order off the full menu or 2 other Prix Fixe menus which look fabulous as well.
I have loved this restaurant for many years. The atmosphere is very intimate and romantic, and until recently, the food was great. I am sorry to say that I revisited Chez Loma recently and discovered that some of the menu items have changed for the worse. Although still very good, I would no longer characterize the Boeuf Bourguignon and Black tiger Shrimp as exceptional. The service, drinks and atmosphere remain great, as does their trademark Normandy style onion soup. Dessert was also very good. I will still go back, but probably will not be quite as excited about it. I hope I just caught the kitchen on a bad night.
If you don't mind spending a few bucks, this is the best restaurant in Coronado. French cuisine and a great wine list. Very charming and the food is fabulous. I might be a bit biased since I proposed to my wife at Chez Loma. Really the only place in Coronado that could compete in San Francisco if it had to.
Under. Whelming.
I had been so looking forward to eating at Loma. It had been recommended by a few folks, and spoken highly of. Some spoke of the quaint atmosphere and others gushed about the traditional cuisine. We found the food to be passable at best and the service to be less.
The Pate du Chef was dry and too cold...seemed fairly synonymous to something you could buy at your local food mart, and was served hard-packed in a very uninspired ramikin. The escargot was oversalted to the point of pain....no no no. The mussels, I must admit were wonderful - light, cooked perfectly and snapped clean with every bite.
The soups and salads were very standard. Even the overly hyped Lobster Bisque was oversalted - maybe to make up for the lack of Lobster flavor.
All of our entree's (2 Canard Roti, Filet Mignon, and Cotelette d'agneau) were overcooked. The Filet, prepared medium, (we all ordered meduim rare) would have been edible if not for the burnt reduction coating the outside of the meat. Black, sugared, syrup. I was stunned that it was served.
Our server, bless her heart, was way over her head with the menu. She had no idea what the entrees were, other than to re-read the menu and had even less knowledge about the wine list. Still, by the end of the night, we knew that our experience had nothing to do with her, but was more a overall failure in vision and performance of the restaurant.
I just don't know what to say about this place. My experience was dramatically different from what I expected. I am hoping for much more out of Tapenade and Pamplemousse....maybe I should have gone there 1st.
It is a very charming restaurant the tables in the house are very romantic, while the covered patio is a bit more prosaic. So for romance be sure to reserve an inside the HOUSE, since the covered patio is also considered inside by them. Ken Irvine established a superb reputation to which the new owner faces some challenges to live up to. It better to have lower expectations that are exceeded than very high expectations which are not met. If your date is not a harsh ctitic on food perfection, and you are tolerant,, the wonderful atmosphere and your positive attitude can make it a successful date ... It's not cheap and there are restaurants with better food in town, but the romantic intimacy of Chez Loma is quite unique and covers many flaws.
Its a cute little restaurant in the shape of a house about a block away from Hotel Del and the beach. You'd definitely have to make a reservation because I ended up staying for 3 hours since they spaced out the time between entrees. It has a romantic atmosphere and the food was delicious. I recommend the Saumon Fum appetizer and Canard Rti which is roasted duck with 3 different sauces to dip. I'm not much of a wine person but the Ultimate Red Flight is pretty good to try. 5 three ounce carafes of different types of red wine.
Neighborhood: Little Italy
Category: Venues & Event Spaces
Neighborhood: Roseville
Category: French
Neighborhood: Coronado
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: French
Neighborhood: Coronado
Category: Seafood
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
Some of my favorite dining destinations in the…
