Bon Jour, everyone! Mademoiselle Nouvelle Orleans here, giving you the best reviews for the restaurant Bayona, Susan Spicer's specialty. Madame La Bouffe and I drove to Dauphine St. in the French Quarter, decked out in our semi-formal attire, and walked up the little alleyway that led to the restaurant. We were welcomed graciously by a smiling lady sitting at the front desk. We were led into the cozy little lounge to wait for our table, and were served Brut champagne and sparkling water in tall glasses. It was wonderful! We were led to the table and served our meal.
First we started with an intriguing little bowl of pickled garlic, carrot slices, and cauliflower, which was delicious and the perfect way to begin a meal. Then out came a little wooden tray with a choice of warm breads and a little bowl of whipped butter. We then had the soup course. I had the legendary Cream of Garlic, while Madame La Bouffe savored an interesting over the top delicious Red Lentil Soup, which had little bits of crisp bacon on the bottom. The Cream of Garlic was so delicious, I can hardly describe it. Smooth, silky, creamy, and absolutely singing with garlic flavor, I devoured it in about 45 seconds.
Then we fell upon the next course. My grilled shrimp, black bean cake, and coriander sauce really left me speechless. The shrimp was so tender and flavorful and so perfectly cooked, and the black bean cake was so wonderfully hearty, spicy, and just darn amazing. It was topped with a dollop of creme fraiche and a single coriander leaf, which I scooped up with my fork before eating the whole bean cake. Absolutely amazing!
Madame La Bouffe and I then shared a delectable grilled plum and homemade cheese salad, and a plate of pastrami spiced scallops atop a bed of mouthwatering Dijon shaved onions and Brussels sprouts. The chef then brought out a showstopping peanut butter, banana, and dark chocolate mousse, enrobed in a thick, crunchy, dark chocolate shell, and sitting on a slab of almond shortbread. An artistic drizzle of caramel sauce and candied peanuts topped the whole thing off. Finally, I had a bowl of delicious rich, creamy, vanilla bean ice cream with a crunchy sugar cookie.
Despite being a fancy, high end restaurant, Bayona is not at all stuffy or stiff. When we were seated at our table, Madame La Bouffe's chin was grazing the table because her seat was so low. The staff gladly brought her a fluffy pillow to sit on and all was well. The warm terra cotta red walls made for a cozy feel, and you felt like you could settle in and enjoy the food to the fullest.
So if you're looking for a meal to remember, then come to Bayona. It has my eternal approval. Au revoir!
