Carolyn S.
Yelp
This was my last stop for my New Orleans trip, and I was very sad to have to go.
I had been looking forward to coming here since planning my trip to New Orleans, and reading how packed this place can be, I made sure I put in a reservation for when I want to show up. Wow, was that smart. It's a quaint, beautiful simple cafe located in the heart of the French Quarter, and looking at the menu, screams New Orleans cuisine all over it. So, I knew I had to make it a point to come here. And I'm glad I did.
Of course, the place was packed and buzzing with activity, most of the tables full. The set-up is gorgeous, reminding of a cute tea house like what you would see in London. I greeted right away upon my entrance, and shown to a nice, small little table right next to the window, which was EXACTLY what I wanted. I was able to survey the dining area, decorated with Mardi Gras masks, boas, and beads, as apparently Mardi Gras kicks off in Jan 6, so it was the season and I was certainly in luck. I also got to watch the neighborhood go by on Royal Street, seeing all the people coming and going.
My waitress showed up right away with my menu and a glass of water allowing me time to peruse the menu. I had a good idea of what I wanted, but due to being pretty full already (the last two days I've had beignets, which are HUGE, so yeah, my stomach was already bloated and distended before I've even had breakfast) I had to pick wisely as I didn't need to rip out of my jeans before making it back home, or let alone carrying several extra pounds on my flight back.
Although it's not something I would have picked on my own at home, because it's a Louisiana specialty dish, I went with gumbo, only after confirming that the portion was not a large, massive bowl. I also ordered their signature sandwich, the Muffaletta sandwich (to our Tampa Cubans), and because I love anything and everything rose flavored, their signature House Rose Latte.
The latte came first. The size wasn't too big, and it was nice and foamy, more like a cappuccino. It was beautifully displayed with flowers (which I ate). It's was light, frothy, with just a pinch of sweetness and the floral note of the rose.
The gumbo came next. Mercifully, there was only a spoonful of rice (i'm not a fan of rice, really, but I'm agreeing to suffer it only because...New Orleans cuisine). I stirred the rice into the rest of the broth which consisted of shredded chicken, andoulle sausage, and okra. It was spicy, but not overpowering, and the rice did help cut the acidity of the broth, which made the gumbo warm me up on that freezing afternoon, and it really hit the spot.
Well, I was near full when the sandwich arrived, but nonetheless, was very pleased that it wasn't a gargantuan size and was paired quite nicely with some mixed salad greens, which made me think I was eating a little healthier.
But the sandwich was DELICIOUS. The right amount of meats and cheeses blended together with the olive spread right between two pieces of soft and crispy bread, making it such a joy to eat, and making me realize just how much I really like ham. I took my time eating my meal, wanting to savor my last food in New Orleans, and glad it fueled me up and settled my stomach before I braved the rest of the day.