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Fallbrook has cultivated a name for being an art town, especially since it is the home to so many artists that have received critics’ praise from all around the world. However, not all of the artists create masterpieces using the usual mediums of paint, clay, canvas, or metal. Some create their masterpieces on a plate.

Michael Calvanese, owner of Café des Artistes, is such an artist. With nearly 10 years of serving freshly prepared, flavorful dishes, Calvanese has crafted a menu that does not merely satisfy; it enriches one’s palate with flavors that have not been hampered by harsh chemicals and pesticides.

“We offer a lot of organic products,” said Calvanese. “If an item is not organic, then it is at least chemical-free. I try to avoid chemicals, unless I absolutely have to use them.”

Calvanese’s conscious effort to provide healthy options carries through in the way the food at Café des Artistes is prepared as well.

“When we sauté vegetables, we do so in organic vegetable broth,” said Calvanese. “We sauté our chicken in organic broth as well, not in extra virgin olive oil. We use that in our salads and soups, but other than that, we prefer not to.”

“We make the best panini in town. We make our own bread,” said Calvanese. “One of the ultimate compliments we received was from a man from New York who has visited. He said that he could taste everything in the sandwich.”

If not hungry enough for a meal, guests can also stop in for a fresh cup of one of the 23 loose-leaf tea options, or they can try one of the sodas from the soda fountain, which is only one of two remaining in San Diego County. The café has elements of the old soda counter, with the tables created with repurposed pieces of wood.

“It takes more time to make the drink, but it goes back to the thought of no chemicals,” said Calvanese. “We make our own soda water here, and people can have ice cream sodas, malts, or milkshakes. I would recommend that people try any of the 36 Italian flavors we have. We have everything from almond to vanilla, including pomegranate.”

The Café des Artistes staff uses only chicken breasts in the dishes, or the best tuna possible, albacore, for its cuisine.

“It’s a simple philosophy; use really good ingredients and pay attention to what you are doing, and you will have a good product.”

Café des Artistes uses local produce for its dishes whenever possible, something that Calvanese is proud of.

“I have very strong feelings about keeping the business in town,” he said.

In November, Café des Artistes will have been in business 10 years. Calvanese, who is Italian, believes that it is his passion for food that has allowed him to enjoy such success.

“I remember growing up, and even today, that I’ll have breakfast and already be thinking about what to have for dinner,” he laughed.

In order to serve more people, Calvanese will be teaming up with Ron LaRocca, another ex-New Yorker, to add a catering branch to his restaurant operation, which will be called MR Cater.

“We can put together a menu that is not necessarily standard for 25 to 100 people. If someone has a specialty theme, we can put something together that is truly unique,” said Calvanese. “You can have something custom and with a nice presentation that does not cost a lot of money.”

In addition to food service, MR Cater will also help individuals with more than just quality food.

“We can accommodate with music and provide bartenders,” said Calvanese. “We can go to a person’s house and organize all the products that are required.”

The facilities at Café des Artistes can also be used for special events, seating approximately 75 people.

“It’s deceiving. People think this is a cute little place, but it is one of the larger restaurants in Fallbrook, when you include the patio,” said Calvanese.

Because the café is in the same building as the Fallbrook Art Center, Calvanese has fun creating enticing menus that tie into the special events held at the Center.

For example, for the “Wise Women of a Small Village” event, which will be open to the public at the center on Aug. 18 and 19, Calvanese will host a “Wise Guy and Gal” dinner.

“For the Galaxy of Glass show, I will have dishes using glass noodles,” said Calvanese. “It adds to the experience.”

When Calvanese opened the café, he knew he wanted it to be named Café des Artistes for the fact that it was adjacent to the art center, but also because his favorite restaurant in New York City, where he is originally from, is also named Café des Artistes.

“Being next to the center, I wanted our culinary art to be an extension of the center,” he said.

Indeed, the presentation of meals served at the café is beautiful.

“We go out of our way for presentation,” said Calvanese. “People are spending a fair amount of money, so we want them to have the best service and food.”

According to Calvanese, there are three things that are needed for people to have an extraordinary dining experience: atmosphere, service, and great food.

“You only have to have good food for it to be a good experience, but if you have really good food, you want to share that with your friends,” he explained.

Café des Artistes is located at 103 South Main Ave., Fallbrook, and is open from Monday through Saturday, serving lunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To find out the dinner schedule, call (760) 728-3350 or go to http://www.cafedesartistes.us.