Kris K.
Yelp
The Big Easy, Nawlins, NOLA, Whatever you want to call it, if you've been there you know food is a language. Each cook speaks their own variation, but the words come straight from the soul. We were lucky to have wandered Bourbon Street the July just before Katrina punched her way past the retaining walls. Anyone who knows our family, knows excursions always center on finding amazing places to eat, so Bill and I gorged on and fell in love with authentic Cajun, no matter the idiom of the cook.
So when Bill told me he had downloaded a Groupon (something we haven't done for a long while) for Le Bontempes off of MLK, Just across the street from the Nike store, I told him I'd be up for it when it was colder.
That was tonight. It's one of the corner spaces with older architecture. It's a simple joint that embraces you with its realness. The owner is present and the various family members make you feel like you belong. We ordered at the counter, keeping the tab open to add dessert later. Wisdom. My selection- Elisha's Fried Chicken Platter ($16.50). Bill nodded to the New Orleans Sampler. While waiting, the chef had to make more rice. How sad that we were given some of the best huspuppies we've had. Sized perfectly (about a big gumball), they were outer crunchy and inner corn bready with a savory blend of spice. Dunk one into the honey and you immediately start talking about when you're going to come back and who you're going to bring with you.
The chicken wings. Good lord, I wanted to eat the 4th one, but dessert. These wings were the big ones. They arrived piping hot. The coating was barley there so you bit into a crisp, thin shell comprised of some grain, lickable spices, and glorious skin. Immediately, succulent, juicy meat combines with the crunch, and suddenly sharing becomes a serious inner struggle. And that honey for the puppies? Yeah. On the wing. Nirvana. My Mac N Cheese boasted unabashed garlic. The red beans n rice comforted on this rainy night. We added Tabasco and all the yums.
Bill's NOLA tour included the red beans and rice, crawfish etouffee creamy, craw fishy deliciousness, righteous collard greens, and jambalaya with a cavalcade of flavors.
We both needed boxes. Translation: portions are generous.
So, that open tab for dessert. We puffed into Austin's beignets and a piece of buttermilk pie. The beignets were light and just sweet enough. They are not beignets in the language of Cafe du Monde, but they still please in their own way.
The pie was new to us. It's served from the fridge, a nice contrast to the hearty heat of the meal. I'd say this was like a silky flan and a vanilla custard with a touch of lemon had a baby and poured it into a buttery crust bassinet.
The banana pudding is on the list for next time.
Bottom line: Le Bontemps' place and food is a language of heart, family, soul, authenticity, and comfort. You need to go and listen to it.
