FACE Magazine Review

From the February 2010 issue of FACE Magazine, a great review by their Undercover Connoisseur:

Each month FACE highlights the best in dining in Lafayette with an unnamed foodie. To ensure we get the most authentic experiences about town, we’ve decided to keep our connoisseur under wraps. Read on to learn about the area’s can’t-miss delectable dishes.

JOLIE'S LOUISIANA BISTRO

I happened upon one of Lafayette’s newer restaurants a few evenings ago and, frankly, could not have been happier. Located at 507 West Pinhook in Lafayette is Jolie’s Louisiana Bistro. As I entered, the magnificent bar in the center of the restaurant immediately impressed me. I am told there are Happy Hour specials on Wednesday evenings that will necessitate my return soon.

Looking around I became quite intrigued by the décor. The rich taupe walls with their dark wood trim were punctuated throughout with George Rodrigue paintings. These incredible works of art (Louisiana governors, rustic scenes and the beautiful Jolie herself) created a wonderful mood for a restaurant that in every way captured the flavor of Louisiana.

Adding to aesthetic appeal were employees who were genuinely personable and attentive. This made the total experience feel special and, no doubt, would be an excellent venue for your Valentine’s dinner. I marveled at the menu and sipped a perfect martini. It was a tough choice, but I selected the New Orleans BBQ Shrimp with Charbroiled Herbed Crostini. The shrimp were huge, served heads on in a wonderfully spiced, buttered-based Abita beer sauce. The herbed crostini (and the freshly baked bread) were the ideal accoutrement for dipping. The dish was simply "out of this world" and is highly recommended.

I next opted for the soup du jour, which was corn and crab bisque. It too was delicious and a bit different than most, as both the corn and the crab were puréed, giving the fullness of all flavors with every mouth-watering spoonful. Though I didn't order it, I also got to taste the roux-based Turtle soup. It too had unique but fantastic flavor, as one usually encounters roux in a gumbo and not in turtle soup.

My main course was one of the chef’s specials that evening. I had the pleasure of a penne pasta served with a luxuriously rich poblano cream sauce in which shrimp, scallops and shelled lobster claws were prepared. The presentation was a work of art in itself and the contrasting seafood elements were positively tantalizing in the sauce.

I was tempted to skip dessert, but I had to try the Chocolate and Orange Mousse. The mousse was encased in a hardened ganache surface, which was garnished with a zesty raspberry glaze. The mousse within was a layer of shear decadence in the contrasts of a delicately sweet chocolate and the soft hint of citrus from the orange. To compliment the dessert I sipped a Grand Marnier with a cup of Jolie's full-bodied coffee. C’ est si bon!

This beautiful restaurant is a place where you can feel like royalty and treat yourself to something special. Experience this oasis of splendor for yourself… Jolie’s also has a well prepared website where you can get an even greater feel for what you will find:

www.jolieslouisianabistro.com

Oh, and as always when you get there, be sure to tell them that I piqued your interest.

Now Open for Lunch Wed-Fri

Jolie's Louisiana Bistro is pleased to announce that we will be open every Wednesday - Friday at 10:30-2:00 for Lunch from now on. Come and try our special Lunch Menu with some of our Dinner favorites and our special Lunch dishes.

Valentine's Weekend Drink Specials (Saturday & Sunday)

Join us for your Valentine's Dinner on Saturday or Sunday & enjoy our drink & dessert specials.

Our dessert special, created by Eli Shively, is X's & O's for two. From left to right is Key Lime Gelato, Banana Foster's Sticks with Chambord & White Chocolate Sauce followed by a Chocolate Cup with both Grand Marnier & Cayenne Truffles.

$5 King Cake Martinis (Blue Bell Mardi Gras ice cream with Ameretto, cinnamon spiced simple syrup and Stoli) & Kir Royals (Champagne & Chambord). Pommeroi Pops Champagne are $10 a split.

After dinner, enjoy a Amarula Aphrodisiac for $7. Amarula liqueur is made from the fruit of the marula tree found in Africa. Thought to be an aphrodisiac, Africans have long used the fruit and its products in marriage rituals and festivals. This cream liqueur is served on the rocks and is an exotic way to end dinner with your Valentine.

We are now taking Valentine's reservations for Saturday dinner as well as Sunday lunch & dinner.

Specials for the Week of February 9th - 14th

We are enjoying a great moment in time that I will always remember, and with Valentine's Day and Mardi Gras upon us, there is no reason to stop celebrating now. Come spend an evening with us this week, and enjoy a dining experience to remember.

Tuesday through Thursday evening we will start your visit with a complimentary "Crab Margarrita Shooter" created by Donovan Williams. Our soup special is a bumped up Beef& Vegetable featuring Sirloin, Turnip and Kale. From there it gets more adventurous...

Decadent comfort food is the only way to describe our seafood special for the week. Our Shrimp and Crabmeat Lasagna with a Spinach Bechamel is served with Garlic Chiabatta Bread, and it is pure bliss. If you want meat in our last pre-Lent week, we are featuring Squab marinated in Sloe gin, stuffed with Walnuts and Dates, and served with Kale & Mustard Greens sauteed with Bacon. Finish with one of our house made desserts. Or drink your dessert in a King Cake Martini!

We are excited to announce that beginning Ash Wednesday we will be serving Lunch every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday from now on. Please don't forget that Jolie's Events and Catering is available to provide just about anything you need for your next catered affair. I apologize for running long this week, but there is so much to write about. Have a great week!

Tastefully Yours,

Steve Santillo