Bleu Bohème, San Diego’s Best Hidden Gem Restaurant…For Nearly 15 Years

When I walked into Bleu Bohème for the first time, my first thought was, “Where have you been?!” – as if the spectacular French restaurant had somehow been hiding from me for the last seven years.

Which, of course, it was not. In fact, Bleu Bohème has made just about every ‘best restaurant’ list possible since it Chef/Owner Ken Irvine opened its doors in 2010, and based on the energetic crowd that filled the restaurant, it’s clear that I was just a slow learner.

After sharing my incredible experience at the restaurant with many friends over the next few weeks, it was clear that Bleu Bohème has somehow remained a ‘hidden gem’ – we speculate because Kensington is a little off the beaten path versus many of San Diego’s busier ‘hot spot’ neighborhoods – for much of the San Diego community.

So, if you’ve been asleep at the wheel, as I was, consider this your wake up call.

Your neighborhood French restaurant

What makes Bleu Bohème so special? There are many factors, from the great Kensington neighborhood that it sits in, to the sophisticated but warm design, to the friendly and knowledgable staff, and of course, the food and wine.

For me, it reminded me of the neighborhood restaurants I found in Paris that are a foundation of the community there, and that’s just about as high of a compliment as I can give.

Frequently named one of the best French restaurants and most romantic date spots in the city, Bleu Bohème serves traditional French fare influenced by Chef Ken Irvine’s experience cooking at Michelin starred Relais du Moujins in the South of France, and lightened by his Southern California roots.

A graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York, at twenty-six Irvine also became one of the city’s youngest Executive Chefs in London while working at the Plaza on Hyde Park Hotel.

All of his experience, and his commitment to keeping Bleu Bohème a friendly, neighborhood French restaurant that serves accessible, affordable and comforting cuisine, comes together in a way that will scratch the itch for those of us craving the kind of refined but relaxed dining experience we’ve found while traveling in France, but can’t get on a plane to enjoy nearly as often as we’d like!

That kind of experience is hard to find in San Diego, truly making Bleu Bohème a gem (hidden or not) of our community.

The Bleu Bohème menu

You’ll find the food in the menu traditional, incorporating influences from all regions of France. It reflects traditional and seasonal bistro food as well as country classics, prepared and served by a friendly staff.

Browse the extensive wine list, with more than 100 wines to choose from, spanning the sparkling and whites to the deeper Bordeauxs, Cabernet Sauvignons, Syrahs and more. Bleu Bohème’s ambiance is warm, with décor inspired by their Bohemian personality.

The Stone Room

The French restaurant has also opened the doors to the Stone Room to host your special events and private dinners. An intimate space, the Stone Room allows up to 16 guests to indulge in a six-course famille-style feast.

Guests may select dishes, cocktails and wines from a prix fixe menu with the opportunity to add or customize dishes and drinks. Chef Ken and General Manager Jasmine will help to personalize your menu and experience to suit your group’s tastes and needs. Click here for more info.

See you there

We hope to see you at our favorite French neighborhood restaurant frequently!

Bleu Bohème is located at 4090 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116.

For more info and updates, visit the website here and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

See you there, San Diego!