by: RefChef
Thanks to reader RefChef for this submission. He does a good job outlining some of the great restaurants of Baton Rouge from the past. Enjoy.
Old Skool BR restaurants from Back in the Day located on Airline Hwy:
Europe's was one of the best restaurants in BR. The Chicken Livers Marsala was to DIE!
Another Airline Hwy restaurant was the Mirror Steakhouse. Great steaks at particularly great prices. It was the first place I ever saw a live lobster in a tank.
Jack Sabin's was a classic in many ways -- the clubby bar, the vaguely Mafia-ish atmosphere, the Distefano heritage... They invented Oysters 2-2-2 (Bienville, Rockefeller & Sabin)
The Village -- Flagship of the Distefano culinary empire. I've never eaten in a better Italian restaurant anywhere (including Italy). The cannelloni was perfect.
Other popular restaurants around town 30/40 years ago:
Two Jacks
Bob & Jake's -- inventors of the Sensation Salad
Mike & Tony's
Mickey's Gold Nugget
Giamanco's
"Novelty" restaurant that should never have closed: The Dizzy Dog! The Dizzy Dog was up on Scenic Hwy. All they served was hotdogs -- the best hotdogs ever! Footlongs and regulars. We used to go every Saturday. My personal fave was the BBQ dog with hashbrowns (BBQ sauce, mustard, onions and hashbrowns). Chicago Al ain't got nothin' on the Dizzy Dog.
Another near LSU: Uncle Ben's Fried Chicken on Nicholson Drive just outside the North gates. They had great fried chicken and wonderful milkshakes.
And let us not forget the Library Restaurant on Chimes St. (original version owned and operated by Joe Anselmo). The Library Special was the BEST roast beef poboy outside of NOLA. Other shining examples of great Library food: the BlueBoy (RB fully dressed with chunky blue cheese dressing) -- back in the 70s this was food innovation!; the Joe's Special (RB, olive mix, melted cheese on muffaletta bread); the hot sausage poboy. You know what made the Library's poboys so good? They melted the mayo into the bread. You never got a sandwich there with a smear of mayo -- not even a cold RB. All bread was spread with mayo and them stuck under the broiler until the mayo melted in to greasy goodness. All time best Library snack: sliced hot sausage, yellow mustard, saltines, & cheese on a paper plate w/ a cold draft beer in a paper cup. YUM!!
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Showing posts with label Mmmemories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mmmemories. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Mmmemories - Roma Deli
In the spot that currently houses Taste of Asia, there was once a great little Italian deli/restaurant called Roma Deli. One might say that it would be easy to forget given the quantity of Italian restaurants in this city, but this place was special. From the cozy atmosphere to the great food, it was a favorite spot for many, especially at lunch time. I'm sure most of the food there was good, but I was never able to get past the calzone. I just couldn't seem to bring myself to order anything but that. Made to order, you could count on a bit of wait if you ordered one, but it was well worth it. You can get a tasty calzone at many spots in town, but this one still stands out to me as the best I've had.
Sadly it didn't make it, and for whatever reason closed its doors for good. If you're craving the calzone, check out DeAngelos, Johnny D's, Mellow Mushroom, or the newest addition to the restaurant scene in Prairieville, Rotollos. All offer a good experience, and for me it brings back the memories of those times at Roma waiting patiently for the kitchen to turn out my delicious homemade lunch selection.
What places do you miss? Send in your restaurant memories and you could be featured on the website, and win a cool Cuisine Rouge t-shirt! Email them to - cuisinerouge225@gmail.com
Sadly it didn't make it, and for whatever reason closed its doors for good. If you're craving the calzone, check out DeAngelos, Johnny D's, Mellow Mushroom, or the newest addition to the restaurant scene in Prairieville, Rotollos. All offer a good experience, and for me it brings back the memories of those times at Roma waiting patiently for the kitchen to turn out my delicious homemade lunch selection.
What places do you miss? Send in your restaurant memories and you could be featured on the website, and win a cool Cuisine Rouge t-shirt! Email them to - cuisinerouge225@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Mmmemories - The Harlequin
by: Ginger
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I strode confidently into La Madeleine on Jefferson Hwy., eager to get my fix. I stepped up the dessert counter and announced my choice without hesitation. "One harlequin please." The response was like a slap in the face. "We don't carry the harlequin anymore." "WHAT?!?" Much to my surprise, I shouted the word and the waitress stared at me dumbfounded. My shouting was followed by a barely audible "oh." I slowly backed away from the counter and left the restaurant devastated. My beloved dessert was gone.
For those of you who never had the pleasure of enjoying a harlequin, allow me to clue you in. The words clouds, puppies and sunshine all come to mind, but why don't I just describe it for you? The harlequin was a fabulous layered dessert akin to a parfait. It was a vision in black and white - hence the name. The bottom layer was a decadent and rich chocolate mousse. Slightly nestled in that mousse was a small piece of rum-soaked pound cake that was so moist and delicious it took your breath away. Covering the layers of chocolate mousse and moistened cake was a light, velvety layer of white chocolate mousse. The white chocolate mousse was quite fluffy and had an almost marshmallow quality to it. The dessert was topped with chocolate ganache, playfully swirled and a chocolate dipped strawberry. It was a magnificent creation. It was relatively small so it satiated you perfectly and was just enough. I loved it very much and miss it much. At one point, I even petitioned La Madeleine on its comment card to bring the dessert back but have yet to see it again. I can only hope to one day drum up the courage to try and recreate it in my own kitchen.
We are still looking for your entries! Those chosen to be featured on the site will win a stylish Cuisine Rouge t-shirt! Click on the "Be a Part of Cuisine Rouge" link at the top of the page to learn how to submit your entries!
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I strode confidently into La Madeleine on Jefferson Hwy., eager to get my fix. I stepped up the dessert counter and announced my choice without hesitation. "One harlequin please." The response was like a slap in the face. "We don't carry the harlequin anymore." "WHAT?!?" Much to my surprise, I shouted the word and the waitress stared at me dumbfounded. My shouting was followed by a barely audible "oh." I slowly backed away from the counter and left the restaurant devastated. My beloved dessert was gone.
For those of you who never had the pleasure of enjoying a harlequin, allow me to clue you in. The words clouds, puppies and sunshine all come to mind, but why don't I just describe it for you? The harlequin was a fabulous layered dessert akin to a parfait. It was a vision in black and white - hence the name. The bottom layer was a decadent and rich chocolate mousse. Slightly nestled in that mousse was a small piece of rum-soaked pound cake that was so moist and delicious it took your breath away. Covering the layers of chocolate mousse and moistened cake was a light, velvety layer of white chocolate mousse. The white chocolate mousse was quite fluffy and had an almost marshmallow quality to it. The dessert was topped with chocolate ganache, playfully swirled and a chocolate dipped strawberry. It was a magnificent creation. It was relatively small so it satiated you perfectly and was just enough. I loved it very much and miss it much. At one point, I even petitioned La Madeleine on its comment card to bring the dessert back but have yet to see it again. I can only hope to one day drum up the courage to try and recreate it in my own kitchen.
We are still looking for your entries! Those chosen to be featured on the site will win a stylish Cuisine Rouge t-shirt! Click on the "Be a Part of Cuisine Rouge" link at the top of the page to learn how to submit your entries!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Mmmemories - China Express
by: Chad
The original China Express was opened on Coursey Blvd nearly 30 years ago by Nelson Lew. It was the first Chinese establishment in that part of Baton Rouge, and quickly became a popular place for good, fresh Chinese cuisine. Unlike the typical Chinese buffets found everywhere, everything was made to order, nothing sat in bins over boiling water for hours. This resulted in quality and flavor unlike any other Chinese food I have found.
To give you an idea of just how good it was, there were a number of people who ate there daily. Yes, every day they would visit for a meal, sometimes even twice a day. Often, I would be dining there and see people venture back into the kitchen so that they could clean off their plates and silverware. Since it was primarily a takeout place, and prices were so cheap, food consumed in the restaurant was served on disposable tableware. However, die hard customers would actually bring in their own plates and silverware from their homes to keep there for when they visited. That’s how often they were there, and how much they loved the place. How many places can you say that about?
Sadly, as with all good things, they must come to an end and Mr. Nelson decided that he had reached an age where he needed to devote less of his time to running a busy restaurant. He sold the place and it remains open today under the same name, but unfortunately falls into the category of the picture menu based, run of the mill Chinese fare.
I would like to end this on a positive note, and tell you of another location in town where you can find Chinese as good as China Express, but I have yet to find it. While it’s true that some Chinese restaurants and buffets are better than others, I can’t find the quality or taste I experienced there. If you know of a great Chinese spot hidden somewhere in this town, please let me know, because I would love to give it a shot.
Submit your own Mmmemory and you could win a very stylish free Cuisine Rouge t-shirt, and be featured on the website. http://cuisinerouge.com/be-a-part-of-cuisine-rouge/
The original China Express was opened on Coursey Blvd nearly 30 years ago by Nelson Lew. It was the first Chinese establishment in that part of Baton Rouge, and quickly became a popular place for good, fresh Chinese cuisine. Unlike the typical Chinese buffets found everywhere, everything was made to order, nothing sat in bins over boiling water for hours. This resulted in quality and flavor unlike any other Chinese food I have found.
To give you an idea of just how good it was, there were a number of people who ate there daily. Yes, every day they would visit for a meal, sometimes even twice a day. Often, I would be dining there and see people venture back into the kitchen so that they could clean off their plates and silverware. Since it was primarily a takeout place, and prices were so cheap, food consumed in the restaurant was served on disposable tableware. However, die hard customers would actually bring in their own plates and silverware from their homes to keep there for when they visited. That’s how often they were there, and how much they loved the place. How many places can you say that about?
Sadly, as with all good things, they must come to an end and Mr. Nelson decided that he had reached an age where he needed to devote less of his time to running a busy restaurant. He sold the place and it remains open today under the same name, but unfortunately falls into the category of the picture menu based, run of the mill Chinese fare.
I would like to end this on a positive note, and tell you of another location in town where you can find Chinese as good as China Express, but I have yet to find it. While it’s true that some Chinese restaurants and buffets are better than others, I can’t find the quality or taste I experienced there. If you know of a great Chinese spot hidden somewhere in this town, please let me know, because I would love to give it a shot.
Submit your own Mmmemory and you could win a very stylish free Cuisine Rouge t-shirt, and be featured on the website. http://cuisinerouge.com/be-a-part-of-cuisine-rouge/
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Mmmemories - Semolina Restaurant
by: Ginger
Even though I sincerely love the restaurant that has taken its place (Dingo's), I am still missing one of my old favorite pasta places - Semolina. Semolina, which was wildly popular in Baton Rouge in the 90s, closed its two locations about 2 years ago and now I'm left with a hankering for their version of eggplant parmesan which will go forever unfulfilled, sadly. (Unless of course I take a drive to Metairie to visit the only remaining location).
Semolina was the first place I'd ever tried the eggplant dish, which could be why it's my favorite. Crisply fried eggplant medallions lay on a bed of perfectly cooked angel hair pasta, smothered in their delicious marinara and topped with melted provolone. It was a magnificent dish and I ordered it regularly. They was also known for a myriad of other wonderful pasta dishes and one of my other favorites was their Chicken Enchilada Pasta - tender chicken breast sautéed with onions, green peppers and black beans in a tortilla cheese sauce tossed with penne pasta and topped with shredded cheddar cheese, jalapenos, sour cream and crunchy tortilla strips. It was a carb-lovers delight. My third favorite dish was the Marinara Quattro Formaggio which featured both alfredo and marinara sauces over penne pasta with four cheeses - parmesan, fontina, provolone and bleu. It was creamy, zesty, cheesy and wonderful. Of course they also featured the ultimate in comfort food - the macaroni and cheese cake. It was a large wedge of macaroni and cheese, served cake-style, smothered in a creamy cheese sauce. It was unbelievably good and could always cure what ailed you. Interestingly enough - Dingo's serves a similar dish as a side - a macaroni and cheese wedge that my son is in love with.
Semolina also introduced me to another Italian favorite that I'd first heard of about in the movie Sleepless in Seattle and was anxious to try - tiramisu. They started serving it in a traditional square slice format but in later years began serving it scooped into a large martini glass, the inside of which was drizzled with chocolate syrup. The moist espresso-soaked lady fingers were fabulous next to layers of sweet mascarpone cheese and of course, the classic dusting of cocoa. It was rich, decadent and the best tiramisu I think Baton Rouge had to offer.
Since saying goodbye to Semolina, I have discovered another great place to get my Italian fix that I must admit I think I like even better. That place is Monjuni's. Monjuni's has incredible Italian food and a delicious sweet marinara that I crave on a regular basis. Their meatball sub is easily the best sandwich in town. There are now two Monjuni's in Baton Rouge and I strongly suggest you give the little Italian Cafe and Grocery a try. Look for a full review, coming soon to Cuisine Rouge.
Do you have a mmmemory of a Baton Rouge eatery that you'd like to share?? We would love to hear from you. Go to the link below to find out how to submit your entries. You could be featured on our website, and win a cool t-shirt!
http://cuisinerouge.com/be-a-part-of-cuisine-rouge/
Even though I sincerely love the restaurant that has taken its place (Dingo's), I am still missing one of my old favorite pasta places - Semolina. Semolina, which was wildly popular in Baton Rouge in the 90s, closed its two locations about 2 years ago and now I'm left with a hankering for their version of eggplant parmesan which will go forever unfulfilled, sadly. (Unless of course I take a drive to Metairie to visit the only remaining location).
Semolina was the first place I'd ever tried the eggplant dish, which could be why it's my favorite. Crisply fried eggplant medallions lay on a bed of perfectly cooked angel hair pasta, smothered in their delicious marinara and topped with melted provolone. It was a magnificent dish and I ordered it regularly. They was also known for a myriad of other wonderful pasta dishes and one of my other favorites was their Chicken Enchilada Pasta - tender chicken breast sautéed with onions, green peppers and black beans in a tortilla cheese sauce tossed with penne pasta and topped with shredded cheddar cheese, jalapenos, sour cream and crunchy tortilla strips. It was a carb-lovers delight. My third favorite dish was the Marinara Quattro Formaggio which featured both alfredo and marinara sauces over penne pasta with four cheeses - parmesan, fontina, provolone and bleu. It was creamy, zesty, cheesy and wonderful. Of course they also featured the ultimate in comfort food - the macaroni and cheese cake. It was a large wedge of macaroni and cheese, served cake-style, smothered in a creamy cheese sauce. It was unbelievably good and could always cure what ailed you. Interestingly enough - Dingo's serves a similar dish as a side - a macaroni and cheese wedge that my son is in love with.
Semolina also introduced me to another Italian favorite that I'd first heard of about in the movie Sleepless in Seattle and was anxious to try - tiramisu. They started serving it in a traditional square slice format but in later years began serving it scooped into a large martini glass, the inside of which was drizzled with chocolate syrup. The moist espresso-soaked lady fingers were fabulous next to layers of sweet mascarpone cheese and of course, the classic dusting of cocoa. It was rich, decadent and the best tiramisu I think Baton Rouge had to offer.
Since saying goodbye to Semolina, I have discovered another great place to get my Italian fix that I must admit I think I like even better. That place is Monjuni's. Monjuni's has incredible Italian food and a delicious sweet marinara that I crave on a regular basis. Their meatball sub is easily the best sandwich in town. There are now two Monjuni's in Baton Rouge and I strongly suggest you give the little Italian Cafe and Grocery a try. Look for a full review, coming soon to Cuisine Rouge.
Do you have a mmmemory of a Baton Rouge eatery that you'd like to share?? We would love to hear from you. Go to the link below to find out how to submit your entries. You could be featured on our website, and win a cool t-shirt!
http://cuisinerouge.com/be-a-part-of-cuisine-rouge/
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