The Cajun Foodie

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.

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.

Now, 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?