Cuisine Rouge

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.

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October 20, 2009
Categories: Mmmemories . Tags: Baton Rouge, Italian, Restaurant . Author: chadleblanc . Comments: 2 Comments

Pinetta’s European Restaurant

3056 Perkins Rd.
225.387.9174
<no website>

by: Chad

As exciting and impressive as some new BR restaurants are, sometimes you just want to find a nice, quiet, cozy place where you can enjoy a simple meal. That’s what Pinetta’s is all about. Opened in 1962 by the Bubola family from Eastern Europe, this tiny inconspicuous bistro has been a favorite of many locals for many years.

From the moment you walk through the door, you get the impression that nothing has been touched since that opening day some 47 years ago. The atmosphere creates the feeling of another time and place, with old artwork adorning the walls, and a variety of beer steins and empty Chianti bottles hanging from the ceilings. To say this place is romantic would be an understatement. It has the classic “romantic Italian restaurant” theme down pat, complete with red checked tablecloths and candles on every table. It’s definitely has the appeal of a date night spot but is also suitable for families and groups of friends.

The menu is an interesting one, featuring a mixture of dishes from Italy, Turkey, and Germany. The majority of the items are Italian, and all the dishes are very simple and rustic. The menu features two Turkish dishes which we did not sample, Musaca potatoes and the Shish-Ka-Bob. The German selections are four; Sauerbraten, Thuringen Bratwurst, Schnitzel Holstein, and Weiner Schnitzel. Despite this being a very small selection, it’s the only German food you’ll find anywhere in this area.

We did order the Weiner Schnitzel, and it was okay. The breaded veal was tender but dry, and not very flavorful. The riced potatoes served as a side were over-seasoned and could not be finished. However, on a positive note, the apples in the sauerkraut were an interesting touch, and added a good flavor and texture. We tasted several of the Italian dishes, starting with the polenta appetizer. This was a bit different than polenta I have had before, it being in a more solid form, cut into slices and served with their signature red sauce. The entrée I sampled was the lasagna, also served with the same red sauce. The sauce shares the same old world, rustic quality that the whole restaurant showcases. It tastes like something your grandmother would make, very rich and hearty, with chunks of vegetables and a great flavor.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the meal was the dessert. The chocolate tiramisu was not only the best tiramisu dish that I have had, but overall one of the best desserts period. The portion was large, easily enough to share with at least two people, and the flavor and texture of it was just perfect. Not overly sweet, and with a great chocolate taste that wasn’t overly bitter or chalky.

I would highly recommend Pinetta’s to someone looking for a romantic, quiet, intimate setting for a meal. You won’t have the vast menu options of a larger restaurant, but you also won’t have the noise and chaos that often goes with it. In fact, I’ll go a step further and say that unless you are looking for a nice, relaxed meal, you shouldn’t go there. The service isn’t the fastest, and some would even say it borders on bad, but it’s part of the experience. The idea here is that you are taking your time, and I think a waiter that is running back and forth from the kitchen would take away from the atmosphere and the experience.

Pinetta's Polenta appetizer

Pinetta's Chocolate Tiramisu

October 15, 2009
Categories: Italian, Restaurant Reviews . Tags: Baton Rouge, Dining, european, german, Italian, Restaurant . Author: chadleblanc . Comments: 1 Comment

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.

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October 13, 2009
Categories: Mmmemories . Tags: Baton Rouge, dessert, dishes . Author: chadleblanc . Comments: Leave a Comment

Coyote Blues – Fresh Mexican Grill

By: Chad

3014 S. Acadian Thruway
225-329-2055
http://www.coyotebluesrest.com

Lafayette based Coyote Blues has taken over the former spot occupied by Lone Star steakhouse off Acadian Thruway near I-10, and has done so in a huge way. The new building is quite spacious, brightly decorated and features an interesting array of menu options, starting with their selection of 300 tequilas. Everything from your typical brands you can find at any bar up to the $40 per shot varieties like Herradura Suprema and Gran Patron Platinum.

We started out with drinks, sampling the house margarita and the Cosmopolitan, both of which were on a happy hour (4-7 daily) type special, priced at only $4. One nice touch I liked about the drink selection was the addition of mocktails to the menu. This offers those who don’t partake of alcohol the opportunity to join the party with some tasty drinks. Of course we were also presented with the standard Mexican restaurant greeting of chips and salsa, with the addition of another dip, an interesting combination of creamy avocado and cilantro that was quite tasty – almost like a guacamole blended with sour cream.

The food offerings are quite interesting with the menu showing a Cajun flair applied to many dishes. One that stands out is the appetizer, Fried Oysters on the Half Chip. Oysters crusted with ground corn, served atop nacho chips with a chipotle aioli. For our visit, we opted for the exotic sounding Mayan Pyramid, a pork tamale shaped like a pyramid, sitting on a bed of two sauces, black bean puree and roasted corn sauce. It was quite tasty, but also quite rich (a little too much for an app), and quite expensive for what was a relatively small portion ($7.29).

For entrees, we tried the Chicken Chimichanga and the Nuevo Crab Enchiladas. The chimichanga was straightforward and nothing outside of what you would expect out of the dish. It was well prepared, not overly greasy, and with good flavor. The enchiladas were very good, a nice twist on the traditional enchilada, featuring roasted corn crepes in place of the typical tortilla. They were filled with a flavorful crab stuffing and topped with a mango and red pepper salsa. They were placed atop two cream sauces, a roasted Poblano, and a red pepper Ancho. This was served with the sides of Poblano rice and cheese corn grits. While this is a very good dish, to call it rich is an understatement. The cream sauces provide a nice flavor and add to the quality of the dish, but be prepared to feel stuffed.

While we were not physically able to really enjoy dessert, we ordered one for the sake of our review, and tried the Tres Leches cake. It was served in an interesting presentation, cubes of the milk-soaked cake served in a margarita glass with the milk sauce and topped with whipped cream, toasted coconut and fresh fruit. It fell in line with our other items, tasty, but over the top with creamy richness.

Coyote Blues is a fun, indulgent restaurant. On the plus side, there’s great food, good service, and a fun environment. On the down side, it is quite loud, rather expensive for Mexican fare, and the food will leave you feeling like you’ve consumed a million calories. Overall, it’s a good restaurant worth giving a shot.