Bacchanal Wine

Three years ago - listened to VaVaVoom at The Spotted Cat on Frenchman - new take on Gypsy Jazz - shades of Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhart - next trip - caught the group again at Mimi's - headed back to NOLA - checked on-line to see where they were playing - the group had disbanded -

Fast forward - Pierre Pichon - one of the lead guitarists - does Facebook -

• Are you still playing -
• Yes
• Are you playing this weekend -
• Yes - at Bachannal
• What time -
• 8 to 10 - (followed by a personal note) - remember its outside -

Booked it into my weekend - but what was - where was - Bacchanal -

Turns out Bacchanal is a wine store with a bar license - that sells food - and -  has one of the greatest "back yards" - this side of the Mississippi (take either side) - filled with a world-class collection of outdoor tables and seating - scatted amongst the tree - 

Off to the side of the main building - beneath a tent - outdoor cooking - potato crostini - pork shoulder - 11/12 bucks a serving - inside - a panini press serving up "Bad Ass Grilled Cheeses On Chibatta" -

• Talleggio(Runny, Stinky Italian Cheese) with Grilled Portobellos - 
• Quickies English Cheddar with Sliced Cornichons & Fresh Tomatoes - 
• Miti Cana(Intense Spanish Goat Cheese) with Pancetta - 
• French Comte with Fresh Jalapenos - French Comte with Fresh Jalapenos

Plus cheese plates - salads - sandwiches - 

Up front - a modest wine store - California and northwestern pinots - lots of burgundy - nice assortment of whites - bottled beers - soda - 

Pay for everything at the counter - Visa/MC - Cash - no AMEX or Discover - sandwiches are called out - in about ten or fifteen minutes - not NOLA celebrity chef quality - but delicious just the same - bottles of wine come with as many glasses as you ask for - pull up seats around the table of your choice - relaxed - as friends rolled in - ended with four bottles - inhale-able crostini - pork shoulder (a hit) - assorted sandwiches - loved Talleggio - partner an instant fan of Miti Cana - 

Off on the raised corner platform - the musicians' stage - Pierre and his partner Raphael Bas played guitar - The Gypsy Swing Club -  fiery - driven - magical - as only the two of them can - 30 years together brings forth an amazing sound - two becomes one - a very unique sound - 

Can't wait to go back - with weather warmer - the crowd bigger - music/ jazz - seven nights a week - and - I am sure - the menu enlarged and refined - 

Comments

[emma]

By partner, he means daughter. Loved the Miti Cana. Goat cheese with roasted, toasted, marinated tomatoes. Truffle oil. Fresh Greens. MMMMMMMMMM.