Eats: Savor the flavors and sounds of Orleans Bistro and Grill
By DAVE SMALLEY FOR THE FREE LANCE–STAR Apr 18, 2018
It’s early yet, but I’ll put Orleans Bistro and Grill as one of my top contenders for favorite restaurant of 2018.
Great Cajun and Southern cuisine. Cool layout. Amazing tunes. Friendly service.
There is not much here that isn’t very nicely done.
We got scared for a minute when we walked in, though. You enter into what looks like a nice bar, with a few tables and a square bar in the middle of the room.
And really, really loud music. Good music, but loud.
We started to consider eating outside (they have a few tables on the sidewalk), until the host led us through the bar area into the dining room.
It was a whole new world. Different vibe. Lots of tables. A few jazz instruments on the walls.
And just enough of the great soul and R&B tunes to make it a pleasure.
Yes, I am getting old and complaining about loud music.
Our server, Meka, was awesome. Friendly, attentive without hovering, and thankfully never once asked, “You still working on that?” (The most non-relaxed, generic, uncaring dining expression of all time. Thank you for being above that, Meka.)
She took time to explain the menu items, and her recommendations were good.
We were a mixed bunch this time, with a toddler, Former Tween, Cool Stafford Chick and your faithful reviewer.
If they could please this mixed bunch, it would be a miracle.
Well, miracles happen. Everyone was happy. Even the littlest one. True, she just had the kid’s meal of chicken tenders ($6) with fries, but still.
Former Tween was suspicious of the whole cuisine, and ordered accordingly: He got the Southern Fried Chicken ($15) with french fries and mac and cheese for his sides.
They brought the lad some serious quantity and quality fried chicken. Plentiful, flavorful and not dry.
Of course, I stole some bites of the mac and cheese. Mmmm. Baked goodness cheese crust on top, with piping hot and delicious cheesy noodles beneath.
Top notch.
Yours truly went traditional Orleans on this trip, and got the Louisiana Style Jambalaya (large portion, $15). This was a perfectly sized bowl of heartiness, including shrimp, andouille (nicely spiced sausage), bits of ham and chicken, and rice, slowly sautéed.
Yes, I finished it. It was darn good. I have had this dish in New Orleans before, and them cats ain’t got nothing on Orleans Bistro.
Cool Stafford Chick won the food lottery on this day, however. She got the Gregoire Blackened Chicken ($15), described as: “Blackened chicken breast served over penne with peppers and cream sauce with a blend of Creole flavor.”
That’s one way to put it. Another, equally accurate version would be: food heaven. This is a melt in your mouth, tender, bursting with flavor yet delicate dish that deserves to be sampled by anyone who appreciates really great food.
Before you go get into the car to race to this great spot, two additional items: fried okra appetizer ($7.50) with a very tasty and spicy aioli sauce; and beignets ($6). The former were OK in my mind, but Cool Stafford Chick loved them. I guess okra is ... an acquired taste.
The beignets? Those warm, delicate, covered with sugar, rich-man’s version of doughnuts? Divine.
Last but not least: the music. One of the best meal soundtracks I’ve ever heard. George Benson. Gladys Knight. The Temptations. Michael Jackson. Earth, Wind & Fire.
You get the idea. Awesomeness.
OK. Now, you may get in the car and go to Orleans Bistro.
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Thank you to the Freelance Star for your review. Orleans Bistro & Grill opened October 14, 2017 with the idea to have a positive impact on the community. Good food was important but our focus was working with local non profits and giving back to the community. The outpour of support from the community has been amazing and we are grateful to the community for having us. Every month we highlight a charity of the month that we donate all of our juke box proceeds to and $1 for every bottle of wine purchased on Wine Down Wednesday. We feed the homeless on Thanksgiving in our dining area, we have a special club called Bourbon Street Friends where a portion of the membership goes to the non profit of the month and each employee is required to donate 40 hours annually to the charity of their choice. Our Orleans Cuisine was inspired by the owner taking a trip to New Orleans and the rest is history. So come down and support "It's A Party In Your Mouth" as we continue to support our local community. Thank you again for this AMAZING review!