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Archive for category Acadiana restaurant

2Paul’s Radically Urban Barbeque

Jan 7

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | 7 Comments

brisket saladInspired by a recent article in Country Roads magazine, I decided to finally pull on over at 2Paul’s in Lafayette, Louisiana.  I’m a huge fan of BBQ (got my KCBS Certified Judge certificate on the wall), and my failing to eat barbecue every day is hindered only by belt selection and the fact that the Wife is still learning to appreciate all that is enrobed in the smoke ring.

Now the Wife was not with me, but my waistline was so I decided to be somewhat healthy and go for the brisket salad.  Country Roads opined that is was worth driving for, so that helped make the decision a little easier as well.

Lo and behold, first thing I see is the mound of brisket.  Awesome.

As you can see, they also made the thing almost… beautiful. Grilled asparagus criss-crossed over the top, slivers of orange and red grilled bell peppers, red apples and shaved parmesan made it quite the sight.

As always though, I’m after the flavor and 2Paul’s certainly did not disappoint.  I have often been accused of being a condiment freak, and so my flavor profile might have been a little muddied and different than most because I cheated and added some hot barbecue sauce to the homemade horseradish based dressing.

All I can say is, it’s radical man.

2Paul's Radically Urban Barbecue on Urbanspoon

Marcellos Wine Market Cafe in Lafayette

Aug 29

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | 2 Comments

Marcellos Wine Market Cafe in Lafayette
Marcello’s Wine Market Cafe is up there for some of the best food (not to mention one of the best concepts) in Lafayette.  Small(ish) eateries tucked into wine stores generally are of the panini and salad variety, and while I love me some paninis there is nothing really new to the idea.

Marcello’s takes it to another level, putting a semi-exposed kitchen with a full menu in amongst the wine racks, allowing people to peruse not only a full range of entrees but to pick their favorite wine at cost, and then subject it to a small corking fee rather than the tripled price found at your average restaurant.  I could extoll the virtues of the latter for some time, but as always, I’m in it for the food and at Marcello’s, that food is excellent.

First off, I highly suggest to anyone that goes to Marcello’s to look out for the words “marinara fresca” which translated means “eat me.” It’s one of two red sauces they feature there, and it is absolutely delectable.

The first thing on the menu featuring the marinara fresca is the thinly sliced fried eggplant, wheels of eggplant fried until almost chip-like, then doused with the aforementioned red gold.

Marcellos Wine Market Cafe in Lafayette

Next up, any of the parmigianas.  Highlighted by thinly sliced chicken or veal, smothered in high quality mozzarella and then covered in…marinara fresca.

Last but certainly not least, what I think to be the crown jewel in Marcello’s crown and not a dish that is really “typical” for me (it does not contain any form of pork), the “Molli.”  Coming in either the chicken or the veal, its a pan sauteed scallopini with basil oil roasted artichokes, garlic and capers and then finished with a lemon butter reduction, this is Marcello’s version of a picatta and it is unbelievable.

N Marcellos Wine Market Cafe in Lafayetteow, I normally go veal over chicken, and while choosing either version of the Molli is hardly a mistake, I advocate ordering the chicken.  Totally unbelievable…

If you noticed, the dishes in the pictures were all half-eaten by the time the shutter snapped. It is a testament to the fact that once these dishes hit the table, eating commences and there is little time to worry about capturing something for posterity. And isn’t that just how it should be?

Marcello's Wine Market Cafe on Urbanspoon

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The Filling Station in Lafayette

Aug 11

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | 1 Comment

The Filling Station in Lafayette The Wife and I recently went to The Filling Station in Lafayette, Louisiana with a group of friends to enjoy the beautiful (and slightly balmy) weather on their patio and grab some dinner.

With a nice mix of Tex-Mex inspired dishes punctuated with the occasional dish named after a loyal customer who first asked for something just a little bit different (ex. the Colleen McDaniel “Potaco” is a loaded baked potato with a taco crumbled on top), the Filling Station’s menu covers a nice range of items that in my experience have all been done well.

While I am usually a fan of their salads topped with pulled pork or grilled tenderloin, on this occasion I decided to go with the quesadilla, picking out the “Ben Roth” version: ground beef, shrimp and chicken all combined on one quesadilla.

I know you’re thinking “why even write about a quesadilla, you can’t mess that up,” and to an extent I agree with you.  You have to be pretty inept in the kitchen to crank out a bad quesadilla as it is generally meat and cheese pressed between a tortilla.  However, a great quesadilla can rise above the ranks of average by taking a few key steps:

  1. Season and properly cook the meat, relying on a fleck of salsa to season cubes of chicken breast is just a mistake.
  2. Use good cheese, and lots of it.  The cheese is the glue that holds the quesadilla together and tossing half a handful of grated “government cheese” does not count.
  3. Include a side of aforementioned salsa, guacamole, and/or sour cream.  In my book, condiments make all things better.

So how did The Filling Station’s version rank? It was one of the best.   I must have a kindred spirit in that kitchen because it is clear that the “rules for quesadillas” are followed to a tee.  While slightly thicker than most quesadillas, the proper cheese/meat/tortilla ratio was maintained and resulted in something spectacular.

So here’s to you Ben Roth for the inspiration for this combination and here’s to The Filling Station for pulling off rather nicely!

By the way, sorry for the slightly blurry pic, my iPhone got glazed over just like my eyes when seeing this beauty of a quesadilla!

Filling Station on Urbanspoon

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Cafe Breen in Opelousas

Aug 2

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | 1 Comment

Cafe Breen in OpelousasCafe Breen is tucked away in the back of a massive antique store in a strip mall, and its location belies it’s stature as one of the best places to grab a bite to eat in Opelousas.

Outside the world of fried food, heavy sauces, and fatty sausages for which Opelousas is famous (and Lord knows I love it all), there is the occasional time when I decide I should maybe be putting something a little different down the ol’ gullet.

On one of those fleeting moments, I walked into Cafe Breen, and the grilled chicken salad that was presented to me was quite tasty. This post is not about salads however, as I know you’re thinking  “dude that picture is a wrap stuffed with meat up there.”

Read the rest of this entry »

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BIG AL’S – Where It’s At for Seafood in Houma

Jun 30

Posted by ellclare in Acadiana restaurant, Cajun recipes, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Big Al'sLocated on the East side of Houma, Big Al’s Seafood is my favorite place to go for boiled seafood around town.

Many people know that I’m indecisive about lots of things in life, but when it comes to food and when I’m hungry, there is absolutely no hope for a decision to be made.  I want a little of everything.  Everything looks and smells so good.  So many choices… it’s just hopeless.

Well – at Big Al’s, we had the most fabulous waitress who saved me from anguish and let me have a little bit of everything!  You can basically customize your own boiled seafood platter! How cool is this? We ordered 2 lbs of boiled shrimp, 1 lb of boiled crawfish, 2 crabs, and the sides of course (potatoes, corn, and sausage).

We were able to order a crab at a time and a pound of crawfish at a time after that when we still just hadn’t had enough.  It was perfect!  Everything was boiled to perfection: easy to peel, juicy, and spicy enough to feel the kick in your mouth, but not too spicy.

I’ve been a loyal fan of Big Al’s for years now, and every visit leaves me 110% satisfied.  They’re never off.  The menu offers a wonderful selection of fried and boiled seafood along with savory sides to compliment the seafood, and they have just about any style pasta and poboy you can imagine.  There’s also a kid-friendly menu.

Everything about Big Al’s makes you feel right at home: the booths and picnic tables, the Cajun ’decor’, the genuine Southern hospitality from the staff, and the always ice cold Abita beer.  (They DO serve Abita Strawberry, which is also a plus!)

Big Al’s original location can be found at 1226 Grand Caillou Road in Houma.  Their second location is on the Westside of Houma at 1377 West Tunnel Blvd.  For those folks in and around New Orleans, check out Big Al’s location on Annunciation Street in Uptown New Orleans.

Big Al's Seafood Market on Urbanspoon

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The Maesone Noodle House in Lafayette

Jun 25

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | No Comments

IMG 0250 225x300 The Maesone Noodle House in LafayetteThe Wife and I have a distinct love for south Asian cuisine.   In fact, when we first met, I was in an “Asian phase,” adding soy sauce, ginger and hot peppers to everything I cooked.  I even grew some lemongrass out in the yard that did quite well until a roommate ran a push mower over my little grove.

Nonetheless, we are always on the lookout for the next place to get our fix.  When living in Baton Rouge, Rama was our standby.  Great pad thai, killer soups (coconut curry and lemongrass being the top two), and the best dessert in the state (tempura fried banana with coconut ice cream covered in a buttery rum sauce).

Wait…where were we?

So we’re always looking for a new place to some some Thai or Vietnamese food, and tt wasn’t long after my sister-in-law suggested the Noodle House that we were at the door, bottle in hand.  You read correctly, it’s another BYOB, which puts it near the top of my list for that fact alone.

Settling down and perusing the menu, it’s rather easy to get overwhelmed so let me help you out:IMG 0253 150x150 The Maesone Noodle House in Lafayette

  • The fried wontons: stuffed with various meats and veggies, these were the best wontons I’ve come across in LA
  • The spring rolls: light, fresh, totally delicious, a true winner
  • The pho: get the one with a little bit of everything in it and a massive bowl of goodness arrives at your table; easily can feed two or more people and while I am not a “soup for dinner” kind of guy, this could be my dinner any day
  • The pad thai: excellent and just as it should be with clear rice noodles, a good bit of chicken, and peanuts galore

Besides the individual dishes, one of the aspects I love most about the Noodle House is the number of condiments they bring for each course.  I would hate to be the dishwasher here because every selection comes with two or more sides of something to dip, top, or alter the dish.  With the pho for instance, you get a lime, some crisp cold lettuce, and a sprig of fresh cilantro that is not only straight off the vine, it is ON THE VINE.  You also get one of those little rotating condiment assortments with a hot pepper spread, a roasted garlic oil, and some other hard to describe but delectable concoction that can make each bite taste like something completely different.

Everything is fresh, delicious, and often beautiful at the Noodle House.  Combine that with great service, good prices and the ability to bring your finest bottle of white from the Albertson’s down the road and you have a true winner here.

If you have trouble finding it, look behind the Baskin Robbins!
Maesone Noodle House Incorporated on Urbanspoon

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Eat Lafayette 2009

Jun 24

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | No Comments

Eat Lafayette kicked off yesterday and continues until August 15.  Basically, the event is a celebration of the great restaurants in the Lafayette area, with participating restaurants offering specials to further entice customers new and old to come and eat.

Check out the list of restaurants participating and the specials they are running and get out there to Eat Lafayette!

And you thought your po boy was overstuffed…

Jun 16

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | 1 Comment

The Decadent Cuban A friend of mine from law school suggested that I get myself to Crawfish Corner in Opelousas for one of their Cuban sandwiches (I know, you’re thinking there is no WAY that thing to the left is a Cuban) so I finally mustered up the courage and the room in my belly for their “Decadent Cuban.”

Let me tell you, I was forewarned, but it still did not fully prepare me for this beast. Roasted stuffed pork, smoked ham, bacon, Swiss cheese, mustard, and FRIED dill pickles.

When I finally stopped laughing at the ridiculousness of the po boy and got down to eating it, I only made it halfway through before calling it quits. What a glorious half it was though!

By the way, my diet started today…again.

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La Fonda’s fried rabbit with queso

Jun 10

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | 5 Comments

la-fonda-fried rabbit and quesoThe bar at La Fonda in Lafayette is known for being the place to be in the hours following the end of any given work day.  Their margaritas are quite tasty and potent enough to make the preceding hours seem as if they went by a little smoother than they probably had.

However, I’d like to spotlight what I believe to be one of the best appetizers in South Louisiana: fried rabbit with queso.  The dish is comprised of a pile of tender marinated rabbit, deboned and fried up chicken tender style and served alongside a bowl of the restaurant’s excellent queso dip.

Original…creative… deep fried, what else do you need?

LA Fonda on Urbanspoon

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Olde Tyme Grocery po boys in Lafayette

Jun 8

Posted by Tommy in Acadiana restaurant | 2 Comments

shrimp po boyWe recently ordered a couple po boys from Olde Tyme Grocery in Lafayette, an institution in the “Saint’s street” area of town.  Well loved by locals and passers through alike, Olde Tyme is currently ranked number two in our poll for the fried shrimp po boy and the Olde Tyme Special (”OTS”) also deserves being up at the top of anyone’s list in its own right.

Luckily, the Wife (and much of the rest of my family) is amenable to planning out who is going to get what to make sure that we get a little taste of as many dishes as possible, so despite the fact that we both wanted the shrimp po boy, we decided to get one shrimp and one OTS.

The fried shrimp po boy is comprised of a pile of golden fried shrimp, a couple slices of ripe tomato, mayo and lettuce.Olde Tyme Special Stuffed into fresh Langlinais bread with a pillowy interior and crackly crust, this po boy truly could be the definitive example of what this sandwich should be.

The OTS is similar to the “special” that can be found at many other shops (ham, roast beef, turkey and cheese) with Olde Tyme using Swiss as the standard.  Their version stands above many others in that each of the meats is delicious and flavorful in zapps-sweet-potato chipstheir own right and do not seem stuck into the sandwich just to provide a little extra protein.  Indeed, this po boy generally comes with nearly a pound of meat on each foot of delicious goodness.

Coupled with a bag of Zapp’s absolutely outstanding Sweet Potato chips or an order of Olde Tyme’s amazing fries and a couple of ice cold Cokes, this is truly the meal that Cajun daydreams are made of.

Olde Tyme Grocery on Urbanspoon

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