By
Laura Berthelot
Bon Vivant
"You must remember this…A kiss is just a kiss…" But a meal isn't just a meal at Café Americain at 7521 Jefferson Highway. It is exquisite South Louisiana cuisine and atmosphere with a capital A.
Step into the small café and enjoy a quiet, neighborhood pub with music, laughter and a casual feeling of friendship in the air.
But dining at Café Americain is anything but casual. Years of experience and hard work have gone into the recipes and owners Brian and Glynn Blackledge are very serious about what they serve their customers. So serious that Brian can often be seen "taste-testing" entrees each day before he approves them for serving.
"A lot of our recipes came from my mother's kitchen, dishes I grew up with like our shrimp and corn soup. Others have been South Louisiana favorites for years and we just gave them our own twist. And some we invented ourselves like our shrimp pasta salad that's turned out to be a big success on our menu," said Brian.
This little restaurant is tucked away in a secluded corner of a small shopping center. When you enter you not only get away from the traffic and noise of the street, but you also get the feeling you've stepped into another era.
It's not just the magnificent antique bar built nearly a hundred years ago and not the pewter and brass trimmings. It's not just the movie posters and pictures of Bogart and Bergman lining the walls that Blackledge has collected from all over the world. It's not just the ceiling fans reminiscent of "Casablanca." It's more than all that, and you have to experience it to understand it.
Everything on the menu is prepared fresh everyday. Expect appetizers, entrees and desserts that are painstakingly prepared by Chef Blair Robertson, never frozen or made in volume far ahead of time.
Choose from crisp fried seafood appetizers served with tangy sauces and the best friend cheese sticks and mushrooms you can imagine.
Fresh soups are served daily and the crab and broccoli soup is TOO DIE FOR! There's a big variety of salads, sandwiches and poboys everyday, and be sure to ask about the daily specials starting at $3.50 and platters available for lunch or dinner starting at $5.25. Dinner specials are as low as $8.50 for red snapper filet sautéed in lemon butter.
Don't skip dessert at Café Americain. They're all homemade and are indescribably delicious. Catering is available too, so ask for more information before your next party.
At Café Americain you get more than you pay for. Prices are reasonable, the food is superb and the atmosphere is unique. It's open from 11 a.m. till midnight Monday through Saturday and food is served from 11 a.m. till 10 p.m.
Located at 7521 Jefferson Hwy., Café Americain is also a great place to meet friends for a quiet drink. But if you're in the mood for some life music try Rick's Café Americain on College Drive. Also owned by the Blackledges, this little jazz club is great for dancing. Sam doesn't work there anymore, but the music's still genuine and all American!
Call 924-9841 for more information.
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