Full Do's

I wanted something hot and spicy today for lunch to combat the penetrating cold. It popped into my head that this venue does a seafood picante on Friday. So off I went. As I have turned in the review for this place for publication next week and this meal was not on it I am going to give the full treatment on it. Eric Cormier's column this week, my review next week and the blog today constitutes an unintentional media blitz. However this establishment is well worth it. Below is a shrimp and crawfish picante with red sauce. It possessed a medium spice level but loads of flavor. I add a little hot sauce the at tail end and it brought it up to a nice burn. The green beans here always has a nice spice level and bacon. A deadly combo as far as I am concerned. A sure pick whenever it is offered. The mac & cheese had a wonderful cheesy flavor. As you can see by the color it is not the usually cheddar. I suspect they use a mix of some mild cheeses. It is smooth and creamy. Very satisfying and filling. Later this afternoon, weather permitting, I will be heading to Regalia for what's become a Friday afternoon ritual. Arabic coffee and conversation.

Bistro Lemonde

ABOUT AND BEYOND
Bistro Lemonde
3199 Dowlen Road
Beaumont TX
409-860-5805
www.bistrolemonde.com
Monday - Saturday 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM $3 to $17
Sunday 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Although several years old now, it was new construction built just for this establishment. Vinyl leather chairs surround mahogany colored wooden tables on a stained concrete floor. Curved concrete walls with plaster colored in varied pastel colors reach up twenty feet to an industrial ceiling. The feeling is ultra modern. When you sit down they bring a combo basket of Tortilla Chips and small Rolls with Salsa. Both times I was there it seemed to me as if it had been sitting around for awhile. Both chips and bread were stale. The salsa however proved excellent. It possessed roasted peppers in a pureed tomato base with just the right amount of spice
Our enthusiastic friend got an order of Vidalia Fried Onions for the table. They were in a seasoned tempura batter with a chipotle dipping sauce. The sweet and the smoky went well together. A side salad that came with my meal contained green leaf lettuces, tomatoes and croutons. I opted for Ginger dressing which had a nice clean ginger flavor and quite zippy. My sister's Baked Potato Soup was very smooth and creamy with a pronounced potato flavor but not too rich. My Shrimp Gumbo while tasty had a tomato based broth. I prefer mine sans tomato.
Our enthusiastic friend ordered a Bistro Burger. Grilled ground sirloin patty and Wisconsin Cheddar cheese with raw onion rings, tomato slice and lettuce on a whole-wheat bun. I would have thought it would be dry but my taste proved otherwise although the cheese tasted more like American. She enjoyed it. My sister opted for the lunch portion of Grace’s Power Plate Bistro Veggies. That overflowing plate contained fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, red and green bell peppers. Some items were steamed and others grilled. All had a light seasoning that made the most of the vegetables. My entree was Creole Grilled Tilapia. Nicely grilled with a moist interior and spicy laden exterior. I went with sweet potato fries (excellent) and grilled squash. It also had a garlic herb drawn butter for dipping that proved too salty. We all shared a Vahlrona Chocolate Pie for dessert. The Vahlrona chocolate had been transformed into a dense filling with a fudge brownie consistency, nice.
My next visit was solo. I went with a Green Chile Chicken Soup topped with multi-colored tortilla chips. It possessed deep chicken flavor with green chile kick and flavor. I then ordered the Baja Fish Tacos Crispy. I received two full-loaded tacos. Crispy fried tilapia, pico de gallo, romaine lettuce and shredded red cabbage drizzled with a creamy chipotle sauce on flour tortillas. This hit the spot. I do not care for grilled fish tacos. To me a crisp element is needed. This came close to my first fish taco. I also ordered a side of Four Cheese Macaroni, which proved velvety smooth and cheesearific. This venue is just down Dowlen from the Super HEB. A nice place to catch a meal after shopping and before getting on the road

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/18113797

Toucan's

OUT AND ABOUT
Toucans
1016 East Prien Lake Road
Lake Charles, LA
337-477-2224

$3-$10
This establishment is more a bar than a restaurant. The bar now a “Tiki Bar” with all the appropriate decorations advertised standard frozen drink and not the drinks I associate with Tiki Bars (Mai Tai, Fog Cutter, etc). They open the kitchen for lunch and then back again at night. It is pretty much bar food with such things as appetizers, salads, burgers and sandwiches. For the most part decent food and during lunch a quiet atmosphere, I am sure it livens up at night.
First foray was off the burger menu. An item they call the Volcano. It is their basic burger with additions. An 8-oz patty seasoned with the house blend cooked to order. On a sourdough wheat bun they stack the mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and red onions on the top part. The bottom is the patty. For the Volcano they sauté raw Jalapeno slices to put on the burger then top it with a slice of American cheese and in my case some bacon I ordered. Slap it together and enjoy. This burger combines heat, sweet, smoky, cheesy and beefy. It proved excellent with the heat building slowly but never overpowering the taste of the burger
Second time in was the Appetizer Platter. You pick 3 out of 5 items. I went with the Chicken Tenders, Hot Wings and Loaded French Fries. The tenders came out big with a crisp thick crust and not at all greasy. A moist succulent inside with good flavor enhanced by the honey mustard dipping sauce. The wings proved classic Buffalo style. Nice size but not too big fried drumettes and two bone portions tossed in a cayenne/vinegar/butter sauce, superb. The loaded fries were a wreck. Dry with just cheese slices layered on them with a bottle of Baco’s on top, not what I was expecting and truly not good in my book. Now if it had been ooey-gooey with cheese sauce and large pieces of their bacon, this would have been a trifecta.
Last foray I opted for the BBQ Bacon Chicken Sandwich. Served open face on the same bun as the hamburger you had the cold side stuff on one half. On the other half two of the fried chicken tenders topped with an excellent BBQ sauce and bacon (did I mention the killer bacon they have here). Flat out delicious and perfect for soaking up some alcohol. The only ting that could have made it better was a little more sauce.
Service was laid back but good. The times I ate here I was not in a hurry and appreciated the quietness. In my book there is nothing like good tasting food and that includes bar food. This menu shows that someone who loves food thought through it.

http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/21161535

Regalia Platter

I mainly did places that are going into reviews this week besides being out of town. Below is the no meat platter for Lent. You get 2 falaafel, 1 spanakopita, 1 spinach kibbie, hummus, Mejadra (lentils and rice) and pasta salad. The grape leaves (meatless) were a lagniappe for me to critique

Bonefish Grill

I was in Lafayette for a food show on Thursday. Since this establishment was literally just around the corner from the food show, I took the opportunity to try this venue again. Below is a shot from my booth into general sitting.



I started off with a white sangria. Must have been made with white zinfandel. I was not looking for fine wine but a refreshing drink and it was all of that.

The herb and oil dip was great. Had a nice balance of flavors. Wish I could say the same of the bread. While the crust was perfect the crumb was too moist and gummy. I struggled through

This was heaven. Mussels Josephine. PEIs sauteed with tomatoes, garlic, basil and lemon white wine sauce. The mussels were nice size and meaty. The acid of the tomatoes played off well on the slightly sweet sauce and the anise of the basil tied it all together. I have not had mussels in awhile and this was certainly a treat.

I added a Bonefish Side House salad to my entree. The description of "Farmed Greens", hearts of palm, Kalamata olives, tomatoes, pine nut and citrus herb vinaigrette had a few clinkers. I assumed "Farmed Greens" would be mescalin. Instead the salad consisted of a half dome of iceberg hidden by some baby greens and such. The heart of palm was a tough fibrous spear. As for the rest it was quite good. The vinaigrette was excellent as was the olives , pine nuts and tomatoes in combination. The whole salad would have been spectacular if not for the berg.

For my entree I got a small portion (after all I was going to a food show with tons of samples) of sea bass in a lemon caper butter sauce, the veggie of the day (succotash) and garlic sauce covered whipped potatoes. Everything excellent. The sweet perfectly cooked sea bass counterpointed by the acidic sauce. The succotash nicely seasoned and the potatoes muy garlicky. I practically licked the plate

As good as the entree the Creme Brule was heavenly except for the unnecessary addition of whipped cream which I quickly scraped off. Perfect sugar crust and super smooth decadent vanilla custard underneath. This alone was worth the trip

The location is 1912 Kaliste Saloom. It is in a shopping area on the north corner of Camellia Blvd and Kaliste. It is a petty straight shot. Come down Ambassdor Caffery until Guilbeau Rd. Guilbeau turns into Camellia which ends at Kaliste Saloom. Dinner only starting at 4 PM daily.

Regalia Again

She has ramped up her menu. Not only the platter now but a no meat platter with falafel, spanakopita, hummus, mefadra (lentils) and pasta salad. She has also added grilled sandwiches (panini) and a Meze platter (hummus, tzatkiki, tabbouleh, slice genoa salami, capicolla, serrano ham, oil cured olives, kalamata, artichoke, and assorted cheeses. Below is what you get with the sandwiches as a sideI opted for the Veggie Wrap which has hummus, tabbouleh, cheese and sauce

More Mrs Johnnies

Dropped by Friday and picked up an assortment. This is my second time eating their tea cake. My first impression was confirmed. I do not care for it. Virtually tasteless. The gingerbread excellent as usual. The Blackberry proved very good, the berry filling and crust good together. The Coconut filling was coconut cream which is not my favorite and I doubt I will buy anymore of those. A sweet spiced Peach filling was also excellent. Again the filling and crust made for each other