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 -
By partner, he means daughter. Loved the Miti Cana. Goat cheese with roasted, toasted, marinated tomatoes. Truffle oil. Fresh Greens. MMMMMMMMMM.
Posted by: emma | March 08, 2010 at 10:53 PM