Cafes & Wineries

My daughter raved about Dante′s Kitchen all summer long - "when you come visit me at school - we have to go" -

Asked a New York based friend with a second house in the Garden District about Dante’s - "I wanted to have my engagement party there" -

In NOLA to help "set up" for the new school year - parents of college
students can translate "set up" for non college student parents - mentioned brunch at Dante’s to her roommate - she lit up -

Sunday morning - we were there - exceeding its pre-press - amazing !!!!

Rain threatened - a couple sat on the porch swing outside - everyone else - crowded  the hostess station - waiting for tables  - "grab a drink" was the suggestion - exotic cocktails abounded - Bloody Mary’s were the choice - our table was ready just as the bartender put the pickled green bean and okra into the glass -

Five small dining rooms - akin to someones converted house - ours was at the top of a six step landing - behind the hostess stand -

What to order -

Daughter totally at home - she ordered Homemade Corn Beef Hash and Poached Eggs over toast with Creole mustard sauce - only to be told that the man seated at the table directly behind us had gotten the last serving for the day - thought she was going to kill him - in a nice way -

Second choice - she settled for Debris and Poached Eggs on a caramelized onion biscuit and topped with a demi-glace hollandaise - as I’ve written before - Debris is the chunks and bits of meat left in pan after whatever it is you′re cookin as a main course - in this case - dark - caramelized - overwhelming flavor intensity - one immediately wants to pick up a "tidbit" - never stopping until not a morsel is left on the plate - if this made her happy - can only image reaction to the dish that was 86′d -

Wife ordered  - Dante’s Eggs Benedict - roasted rosemary rubbed pork loin, sliced, and served over a caramelized onion biscuit with honey, poached eggs, and hollandaise - major improvement of Columbus Avenue version - consumed with a smile -

For me - Gulf Fish and lump Crabmeat Cakes grilled and served with poached (subbed scrambled) eggs and sauce Charon - perhaps heavy on paper - sensual and delicious - without weighing you down -&nbsp perfect wedding of tastes and textures -&nbsp

Another pre-press "rave" - Caramelized Onion Biscuits - as good as they sounded-

Dessert ?? - a plate of Homemade Bread - orange and cranberry bread, mocha bread, banana pecan bread, CHOCOLATE BREAD !!! - to die for -

Second round of Bloody Mary’s augmented by Vodka Lemonade with Watermelon Juice - what a kicker -

Finished late brunch - asked - "what shall we do this afternoon?" - unanimous response - "let’s take a nap" - who am I to argue -