Bayou Bakery brings back memories

 There's a new restaurant in Arlington.  The Bayou Bakery has been open about 3 weeks now, near the Arlington County Courthouse.  The wonderful thing about this place is that it serves New Orleans style food.  The chef grew up in New Orleans, and knows what makes authenticity.  The website's opening page brought back such memories:  It shows fresh beignets.  http://bayoubakeryva.com/index.html

Joe and I, many years back, had headed for New Orleans.   He knew the city well. I'd never been south of the Potomac River in Maryland.   We left Chicago in March on the night train - there was snow and ice on the sidewalk along with an ace of spades playing card as we walked to the train station.  The following morning we entered Mississippi, where the sun shone and flowers bloomed.  We arrived in New Orleans in mid-afternoon, in what felt like summer weather.  I thought we'd landed in heaven.  Azaleas and exotic-looking greenery everywhere.  Warm and humid air surrounded us. 

We left our baggage in the French Quarter apartment of a firend of Joe's and went to the Cafe du Monde for coffee and - - what else?  Beignets. 



 I'd never heard of them.  Was dubious of all that sugar - - and as if there wasn't enough coating the pastries, each little table held a shaker full of more powered sugar.   (Wearing black wool dress in Chicago made sense, but here was unwise - not just hot & humid weather, a lap sprinkled with white was unappealing).  Three puffy squares of fried dough covered with a thick layer of powdered sugar.  I was an instant fan.  And I still am.  I've made beignets here at home.  Not often, though.  It's a time-consuming process.



I was not so attracted by the chicory coffee.  I drink my coffee black, which isn't wise in New Orleans.  Way, way too bitter and strong.  I learned to add water when I was out.   And at home I'd use just half as much New Orleans-style coffee.

Bayou Bakery gets it right with both the beignets and the coffee (which I still drink black).  Here's a link to Joe's initial blog about the place: http://joeb-tallyho.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-orleans-comes-to-arlington-virginia.html.  And a follow-up, continuing to rave. http://joeb-tallyho.blogspot.com/search/label/Bayou%20Bakery



Next thing is to try the Bayou Bakery's muffaletta sandwich and compare with the ones we go at Central Grocery on Decatur Street.