Cafe La Rue Makes Its Grand Debut at La Valencia

Grid View

The new owners of La Jolla's iconic La Valencia Hotel have completed the latest phase in their update of the property, opening Cafe La Rue in the former Whaling Bar space.

Open at 6 a.m. with coffee and pastries, the cafe's all-day menu kicks in at 11 a.m. La Valencia's new executive chef, Daniel Barron, has developed a bistro menu that he says is defined by "simple cooking with complex taste at a very affordable price point". Barron's favorites include a pork belly confit poutine with cheddar cheese curds and La Rue's burger, a custom grind of brisket, chuck, and short rib. The chef is a big proponent of whole animal cookery and his house made charcuterie is showcased throughout.

Cafe La Rue's bar features six taps of craft beer, a fresh list of classic and craft cocktails, and includes a nod to its drinking past, "The Whaler", a boozy milkshake that was a Whaling Bar favorite. Starting Monday, a happy hour they're calling "The Appointment" will offer $6 bites and 50% off cocktails from 4 to 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. until close.
Cafe La Rue Menu

In addition to the 55 seats inside and at the bar, diners can also access a side patio; in two months, bistro tables should be planted on a new Prospect Street sidewalk patio.

Next up for La V is a refurbishment of The Med, the hotel's signature restaurant, and changes for some of the other public spaces; hotel reps says that the entire transformation should be complete by Easter.

· Cafe La Rue [Official Site]
· All Eater Inside Coverage [~ESD~]