Chat Noirsimilar businesses >

714-557-6647
Picture for Chat Noir
City's Best

655 Anton Blvd.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Average Rating 3 (23 Ratings)

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Find this business under: Restaurants

  • Credit Cards Accepted: American Express, Cash, Debit Card, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Travelers Check, Visa

David Wilhelm's Chat Noir (pronounced "shaht-nwar") brings the combination of a sophisticated Parisian bistro, jazz lounge, pre- and post-dinner theater spot and late night acid jazz club to draw an eclectic and upper class South Coast Metro theater district crowd. Both the food and the decor are designed to evoke a casual Parisian brasserie feel, with warm red tones, sophisticated black accents, oversized leather booths, displayed wine cellars, cozy dining corners and fireplace. The tres California trendy and European-style exhibition kitchen adds verve to the otherwise mellow ambience. Parisians can still light up that apres-dinner Gauloise in their corner bistro, but California's smoking ban makes a covered patio with covered banquettes a SoCal necessity. Traditional French casual fare is served such as steak frites, mussels, crepes and French onion soup. For OC's jet set, there's also a more luxe menu of foie gras, caviar and delicate souffles.

While the decor and food are more traditional, the Chat Noir's entertainment is more diverse. Wilhelm envisions his jazz lounge as a place to enjoy an apres-theatre cocktail or light supper in a spot reminiscent of Paris' le jazz hot age of the '20s. As baby boomers go home, Gen-Xers arrive in BMWs to casually hang out to a DJ playing the latest acid jazz and Verve remixes. If you love to live it up on the most special nights of the year, ask about the Chat's New Year's Eve dinner, as well as other go-all-out events.

23 Ratings and Reviews

  • CLOSED

    Review rating : 5out of 5   gemini86chic - 02/12/2008

    This place closed in Fall 2007. Savannah Supper Club is there now. Too bad. I loved that restaurant.

  • Here Here on the Bartenders

    Review rating : 4out of 5   gypsyagogo468468 - 12/31/2007

    The food and food service staff are terrific, management needs to work on the bartending staff.

  • .

    Review rating : 5out of 5   lydiachou - 07/10/2005

    Wonderful food and great service. Nice music but so so bar tender.

  • Favorite Late Nite Hangout

    Review rating : 4out of 5   chris4arts - 11/02/2004

    I have been coming to Chat Noir at least once a week since they opened, either for dinner, lunch or drinks after a show. I have never had a bad experience here. The food is always great, the service friendly, the jazz music always good. I am hooked on the French 75 cocktails and the ambiance, I have taken a lot of people here and they have all loved it. I will keep coming back.

  • WOW!

    Review rating : 5out of 5   lovethefoodbiz - 10/15/2004

    It has been a long time since having a dining experience of this caliber. It’s hard to imagine dining at Chat Noir and not going all out. We were seated in a lovely booth, which was requested ahead of time for our special occasion(anniversary). Since this was our first visit to Chat Noir, we ordered exactly what our server suggested. We started with the butter lettuce salad and continued with the flat iron steak and rack of lamb. We sipped apple martinis with the salad and main course. The meal concluded with Riesling and chocolate soufflé. Our server cut the soufflé(tableside) and scooped on some magical whipped cream. We enjoyed every aspect of this meal and look forward to returning for special occasions.

  • Wonderful

    Review rating : 4out of 5   twinortiz - 10/06/2004

    Very romantic, from the moment my girlfriend and I walked in the entrance to the moment we left, everything was amazing. Very romantic restaurant, dimly lit good music and amazing food. Romantic seating next to each other at a table for two and not across from each other, service was very fast and very professional- not just anybody who would work at a local casual restaurant. As for the restrooms, one review said something negative about it. Maybe it's a male thing because the male restroom was unusual and I loved that it was different. Thank you to the friendly manager, hostess and wonderful waitress.

  • srevice

    Review rating : 2out of 5   dphham - 09/14/2004

    the food was cold and the service was slow.the menu was way over prices 50$ for a burger. god help us

  • BE CAREFUL

    Review rating : 2out of 5   riceelec - 07/09/2004

    I went to this restaurant with a couple of friends. We had a great time and an excellant meal, but I accidentally left my camera there. I have called several times and no has seen it. The cleaning people probably have a nice, new digital camera now.
    Don't leave anything on accident or you'll never see it again and no one will call you from the restaurant with their apologies.
    I was very disappointed. I felt a nice restaurant like this one would at least have honest employees and a rep. cleaning service.
    Thank you
    Susan

  • a taste of paris and more

    Review rating : 5out of 5   astr8strand - 06/28/2004

    AS BIRTHDAYS COME AND GO
    THIS WAS THE PLACE I
    CHOOSE TO RENT A LIMO
    AND TAKE MY HUSBAND AND
    FRIENDS TO. NOT
    DISSAPOINTED AT ALL,
    ROBIN OUR SERVER, WAS
    FANTASTIC, EVEN TO HELP
    US SEE THE MENU IN A DIM
    LY LIGHTED ROOM, THE
    JAZZ COMBO WAS SO GOOD
    THAT I DID NOT WANT TO
    GO TO SEE MY FAVORITE
    ARTIST AT SALT CREEK
    GRILLE. SO IT GOES, 2
    BOTTLES OF JUSTIN
    OCCOLES AND SCRIMP IN A
    LOVELY SAUCE TO DIE FOR
    AND THE NITE WAS AS
    SPECIAL AS I HAD HOPED
    AND MORE.. YOU BET I
    WILL BE BACK, AND I WILL
    TELL MANY PEOPLE ABOUT
    IT.. AFTER ALL I AM A
    HAIRDRESSER FOR ALOT OF
    IMPORTANT
    PE

  • a taste of paris and more

    Review rating : 5out of 5   thebldkid - 06/28/2004

    AS BIRTHDAYS COME AND GO
    THIS WAS THE PLACE I
    CHOOSE TO RENT A LIMO
    AND TAKE MY HUSBAND AND
    FRIENDS TO. NOT
    DISSAPOINTED AT ALL,
    ROBIN OUR SERVER, WAS
    FANTASTIC, EVEN TO HELP
    US SEE THE MENU IN A DIM
    LY LIGHTED ROOM, THE
    JAZZ COMBO WAS SO GOOD
    THAT I DID NOT WANT TO
    GO TO SEE MY FAVORITE
    ARTIST AT SALT CREEK
    GRILLE. SO IT GOES, 2
    BOTTLES OF JUSTIN
    OCCOLES AND SCRIMP IN A
    LOVELY SAUCE TO DIE FOR
    AND THE NITE WAS AS
    SPECIAL AS I HAD HOPED
    AND MORE.. YOU BET I
    WILL BE BACK, AND I WILL
    TELL MANY PEOPLE ABOUT
    IT.. AFTER ALL I AM A
    HAIRDRESSER FOR ALOT OF
    IMPORTANT
    PE

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