BO-Beau Kitchen + Garden Now Open in La Mesa Village | The Cohn Restaurant Group Expands to East County with its Popular French Comfort Concept

October 16, 2013

The Cohn Restaurant Group is proud to announce the opening of La Mesa’s BO-beau kitchen + garden at the space formerly occupied by Gingham. With this new expansion, Operating Partner Michelle Kveen and Partner Deborah Scott join David & Lesley Cohn to cater to the unique needs of the La Mesa neighborhood, while also presenting many of the same core values that led to success at the original location in Ocean Beach.

Cohn has once again enlisted the services of renowned interior vanguard Philippe Beltran, an avid world traveler who was born and raised in Paris, to present his worldly design aesthetic. Deftly combining elements both rustic and industrial, Beltran has created a bohemian-chic space to artfully implement an array of authentic antiques, which bolster the venue’s unpretentious atmosphere.

Executive Chef Benji Moore

With this new project, Cohn is also pleased to introduce Benjamin Moore as Executive Chef. Most recently serving as Chef de Cuisine of Barona Casino’s two restaurant properties, Moore is perhaps best known as Executive Chef of the award-winning Parallel 33 in Mission Hills. Incorporating the flavors and fare of numerous countries known for their deep culinary roots, Moore will develop a hand-crafted menu to foster an endearing eatery that’s as eclectic as it is charming.

As former residents of East County themselves, David & Lesley Cohn identified La Mesa as an area with huge potential for chef-driven dining options.

“We’ve been checking out La Mesa for quite some time,” says David Cohn.  “While there’s certainly no lack of restaurants in this part of San Diego, we’re bringing an entirely new type of experience to East County, and we think the neighborhood will fully embrace it.”

Presenting a handful of familiar items from the original Ocean Beach location—including the wildly popular Brussels sprouts, French onion soup and boeuf bourguignon—BO-beau La Mesa’s menu will also feature an entirely new selection of never-been-seen dishes, such as roasted jalapeno deviled eggs and tender pork belly flatbreads baked to perfection. Chef Moore’s menu has been deliberately designed to complement BO-beau’s seasonal craft cocktail program, which infuses fresh herbs grown on-site, in addition to extensive beer and wine lists. Craft beer fans will find more than 20 local brews on tap, while wine lovers are invited to browse through a selection of nearly 50 different options to choose from.

The restaurant is deliberate in its ability to supply an original experience—from various intimate dining options tucked away in each corner of the space to an inviting outdoor patio underneath the stars. Upon entering the restaurant, guests will be greeted by a wall adorned with custom chalkboard artwork, supplying quotes ranging from the philosopher Pythagoras to culinary icon Julia Child.  Adding to the appeal, Beltran has selected a whimsical collection of eclectic lighting fixtures that achieve the ideal union of form and function. An artfully-decorated casual bar area leads guests to the outdoor “garden” adorned with lush botanicals such as flowering bougainvillea and olive trees, offering both communal and traditional seating arrangements. Three large fire pits add warmth in the center of the garden patio, with dim tea lights laced from above to drive home a romantic undercurrent. Also promoting a family-friendly atmosphere, BO-beau provides a dedicated area for children in the form of a retrofitted school bus, allowing kids the chance to play without leaving their parents’ sight.

BO-beau La Mesa is located at 8384 La Mesa Blvd. For more information, check out the menu below.