My favorite local (for me, anyway) spot to enjoy really excellent music in an intimate setting. Owned by Joe and Margi Michini, this secret spot..."it's not the end of the world, but you can see it from here"...offers some great delta blues hosted by Gary Cogdell on the last weekend of the month.
Not sure why they call them the "blues" since I always feel like dancing and stompin' my feet to them.
But here at the Cafe, they do them well by any standards.
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| A typical drop-in line up at the Cafe |
You never know who will show up for the sessions, but this is where the musicians come to play. Real musicians. The kind who can drop in with other musicians and you'd think they have played together for years.
It's never disappointing. If you see the band having fun, you can't help but have fun yourself.
Besides the fact that the Cafe is practically in my backyard (and who doesn't like that after a glass of merlot?) and I'm always a party girl when it comes to good music, the food keeps me coming back.
If Joe Michini isn't from The Big Easy, I'm sure fooled. Well, I could be, since I've never actually BEEN to NOLA (bucket list!), BUT IF I HAD, I would imagine this is what the food would taste like. Seasonings just right, not too overpowering. Sometimes I find that if a restaurant offers a certain type of cuisine, the thinking is "You want Creole (Mexican/Chinese, etc)? We'll GIVE you Creole (Mexican/Chinese, etc)!" And then all you can taste is an over abundance of a couple of native seasonings. Not here.
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| Chicken bites with Creole mustard. My D4GU partner-in-crime's favorite dip. |
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| Feta and walnut salad. OMG this was so good. NOT SKIMPY with the feta, feta fans! |
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| Tuna bites with remoulade sauce. Tuna done MY way! |
Now, a warning. You'd better start calling now to get reservations. This place is INTIMATE. Sometimes the dinner crowd thins out and you can get a seat after 9PM, but it's risky. I took the risk this last weekend and lost. No one, and I mean no one, was giving up their seats.
Here's where being an old time band chick helps out. And one mighty fine waitress, shout out to Wendi! And to Ron "Roadkill" Smith for waving me over to the "band table" so I could get some food. The plan had been to have full meals, but by the time we sat, it was late and I wanted fast! Next time, I will get that reservation. Lesson learned. Although I do believe I have a standing reservation at that band table from here on out. Right???
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| Drums.... |
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| ...GUITARS. |
I've never been disappointed in any food choices. Try the bread pudding. Just try it. It'll make a believer out of you.
Check the website for menu, directions to where you can see the end of the world (or at least from above the canal) and phone numbers for RESERVATIONS! |
Sounds like a great place for anyone with a love of friendly places with fine wine, music, and food, what could be better.
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