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.