From the Table at the Cloverfield

From the Table at the Cloverfield, the sun was shining and a cool breeze washed over me. It was a gorgeous day in a gorgeous restaurant.

The Cloverfield is an easy type of elegance. The wine glass stems are slim and the tablescape is simple. White linen napkins and clay plates lay in perfect lines on rustic wooden tables. The sounds of kids playing at the park across the street blend into the quiet music playing from invisible speakers to enhance the comfortable atmosphere. Fresh ground espresso fills the air only occasionally interrupted by the wonderful aroma of the passing brunch plates.

The Cloverfield’s ingredient-driven menu changes weekly, offering seasonal specials and classic favorites, so you are sure to find something to satisfy. Classic California cuisine is proudly on display as the menu is sprinkled with interesting salads, sandwiches made with fresh ingredients, and farm-fresh eggs on the weekend brunch. If you are looking to indulge in an ice-cold drink you will have no trouble finding something to quench your thirst. The bar serves an ever-changing list of beers, limited edition wines, and an original cocktail list.

After a lengthy internal debate between breakfast and lunch, I settled on the salmon burger with sweet potato fries (no upcharge!) and a cappuccino. I basked in the sunshine and enjoyed my book as I waited. The vibe was wonderful, and the atmosphere was leisurely despite a busy brunch service. The cappuccino arrived quickly, flavorful espresso melded with rich, steamed milk, topped with a thick layer of foam.

The salmon burger was fresh and flavorful. To my surprise, the thick patty is made with Faroe Island salmon. Faroe Island salmon is known to be some of the best-farmed salmon on the market. When diners are choosing between wild and farmed salmon most will lean towards the obvious choice of wild salmon but if you see salmon from Faroe Island be prepared to be delighted. Why is this farmed salmon considered to be some of the best salmon? The answer is simple. These fish farms located in the pristine waters of the North Sea and the Atlantic allow the salmon to live in their natural habitat, with sizable contained environments where they can roam free and feast on a natural diet. The diet and healthy lifestyle of these salmon lead to salmon that naturally have the desirable pink hue (most other salmon you buy in the grocery store is naturally gray and dyed pink) and a rich, silky mouthfeel. Okay, I’m done with the salmon lesson no one asked for.

The salmon burger is topped with lemon aioli, capers, and arugula. All of this is sandwiched between a fluffy potato bun.

“The creme brulee” the server advised without hesitation when I asked her what the best dessert was. A few short minutes later a perfect little dish sits in front of me. The creme brulee is topped with a few berries and a light tap of the back of the spoon cracks the caramelized sugar topping. The creamy, vanilla-flavored custard melted in your mouth while the top gave a slight crunch. The dessert was the perfect amount of sweet. I would change nothing.

Next time you’re looking for a casual brunch with a slightly elevated feel, I highly recommend The Cloverfield.

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