Restaurant Review: The Chameleon Cafe

For Salman's birthday, I decided to keep him in the dark about where we were going to dinner...

I've been to The Chameleon Cafe (4341 Harford Rd) a couple previous times and have never been disappointed.  Far from it, in fact.  The chic graffitied facade of the small restaurant is located next to a Safeway, which gives it a very Baltimore-esque feel as a gem in the middle of a lesser-known neighborhood.

The cuisine is French meets American traditional.  We both ordered from their Prix Fixe Menu, which is currently being offered every Tuesday and Thursday Night.  For $30 you can purchase a 3-course meal, and for 4-courses, it's only an extra $5.  (The extra course is an additional appetizer.)

Salman ordered a grilled lettuce salad with parmesan, garlic dressing and walnuts.  I ordered the pumpkin and leek soup, which was quite possibly the most rich, creamy, bowl-licking soup I've ever tasted.  (Hence, the picture of an already-consumed dish.  sorry about that.)

For our entrees, Salman had a steak and potato dish.  This is not just your average "meat n' potatoes."  The potato gratin was flaky and crispy on the outside, with softer layers following as you sank your teeth into it.  I'm not a meat eater, but Salman claims that the steak was thick, yet very lean and was prepared well-done (you are able to choose the preparation, though.)  The last time he ate good steak was in the 6th grade, so I'm assuming it was divine.

My entree was basically an upscale version of a vegetable pot pie.  Think 10 notches up from the best pot pie you've ever had, with a flare of creamy deliciousness in every bite.  The crust was a fine french pastry.

Dessert consisted of a german cheesecake and a flourless dark chocolate walnut torte.  The cheesecake was different from any other New York cheesecake.  Not as rich and overpowering, it still had a thick and creamy consistency.  With a cookie-like crust at the base and cinnamon sprinkled on top with a raspberry sauce garnish, it melted in our mouths.

As a dark-chocolate lover and self-proclaimed aficionado of the stuff, I have to say that this was the best dark chocolate dessert I've ever had.  It may sound like I frequently praise the bittersweet delectable, but it is actually very rare to encounter such a dessert that stays true to the essence of dark chocolate.  The raspberry sauce and homemade whipped cream was the perfect compliment.    

To summarize:  The Chameleon Cafe's seasonal menu with local produce falls in with the elite restaurants of Chez Panisse and Woodberry Kitchen, while managing to stay true to its own culinary style.

Salman's rating:  5 stars

Jacqueline's rating: 4.75 stars (the hostess seemed to be having a slightly off night.  However, our Server, Josie, was delightful!  Very sweet and attentive.)

**Make sure to ask for a Birthday coupon!  $15 off your meal if you eat there on your birthday!  (Who I believe was) one of the owners (it's a couple who owns the restaurant) approached us after our meal and was kind enough to strike up a conversation and give us two coupons for our next visit. 

***Note: Just make sure to have enough cash on hand to grab a cab back home.  There aren't many taxis driving around Harford road, particularly late at night.  It's also best to keep their phone number in your cell...and spell "Harford" to the telephone operator...the first time I called they thought I said, "Hartford."  Woops.