LeBlanc's Restaurant | Neighborhood Cafe

Here's my article on LeBlanc's Restaurant that ran in the May issue of the West Bank Beacon.

LeBlanc’s Restaurant – Neighborhood Cafe

In 1973, Karen and Tommy LeBlanc opened LeBlanc’s Grocery at the corner of Lafayette and 3^rd Streets in Old Gretna. It was a quintessential neighborhood grocery store where you could buy everything you needed for the day. A limited menu of lunches was available, too. And Karen and Tommy were always there to greet you with a smile.

In 1992, they closed the grocery and opened a full service restaurant - LeBlanc’s Restaurant - a block away at the corner of Lafayette and 2^nd Streets. Sadly, Karen passed away in 1994 just as the restaurant started taking off. Tommy continued to work hard to fulfill the dreams he and Karen imagined for themselves and their children, Lynn and Tommy, Jr.

Throughout the years, Karen and Tommy generously gave back to the community. They were early benefactors of the Boys & Girls Club of Gretna. They were also active in the Gretna Business Association where Tommy served as president.

During its 19 years of operation, LeBlanc’s has become a touchstone in the community. The clientele has always been a melting pot. Judges, lawyers, and politicos meet there early for coffee. The Entergy and BellSouth crews stop in for breakfast. Workers from Zatarain’s, Stone Oil, Richard Tools, the Gretna courthouse, and Gretna City Hall come in for an early lunch. Old Gretna natives like my dad and his cousins convene there now and again to catch up over a home-cooked lunch. It really is a neighborhood meeting place where you are bound to run into someone you know.

In 1998, Tommy added a bar to the restaurant that was operated by his son, Tommy, Jr. At that time, Tommy, Jr. started learning the ropes of running the restaurant, too. It was Tommy’s dream for Tommy, Jr. to one day take over the day-to-day operations of the entire enterprise.

Tommy LeBlanc never met a stranger. His big, booming voice and gentle smile always made customers feel at home. You always felt Tommy was glad to see you. He was generous and kind. Unfortunately, Tommy died earlier this year after a long illness. Gretna lost a terrific citizen, and many of us lost a great friend.

Tommy’s planning 13 years ago paid off. Tommy, Jr. was a good student of his dad’s and has run the day-to-day operations for some time, well before his dad’s passing. The place is still as welcoming as ever and the menu mostly the same. To spice things up, Tommy, Jr. has added some new lunch items to the menu. He told me that he and his dad have been working on these recipes for some time but just didn’t get around to putting them on the menu until now.

Breakfast at LeBlanc’s starts at 6:30 a.m. and runs through 10:30 a.m. Monday – Friday. There are breakfast combos including 2 eggs, grits or hash browns, bacon, ham or sausage, and biscuit or toast ($4.39); 3 pancakes, bacon, ham or sausage ($4.39); and, a 3 egg omelet, bacon, ham or sausage, cheese, biscuit or toast ($4.99). There’s also a selection of breakfast sandwiches ranging in price from $1.69 - $5.49. On Saturdays, breakfast is served all day from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The Monday through Friday daily lunches are only $6.49, and the portions are huge. Mondays offer red beans & rice with either a breaded pork chop or smoked sausage, and a salad; beef tips & egg noodles or creamed potatoes, vegetables, and a salad; or beef liver & onions, creamed potatoes, and vegetable. On Tuesdays, choose from a hamburger steak, creamed potatoes, and vegetables; baked chicken, baked macaroni, vegetable, and salad; or pasta labella with a salad. Wednesdays its spaghetti & meatballs or Italian sausage, and beet salad; white beans & rice with a breaded pork chop or smothered rabbit; stuffed chicken breast with rice & gravy, vegetables, and a salad; baked lasagna and a beet salad; or veal parmesan with a beet salad. Thursdays is my favorite day at LeBlanc’s. The fried chicken with smothered cabbage and yams is excellent! Also offered are BBQ pork ribs, baked beans, and potato salad; or beef stew and potato salad. And Fridays offer lots of seafood: stuffed pepper with baked macaroni, potato salad, and vegetables; shrimp stew over rice (delicious!) and potato salad; fried catfish filet, baked macaroni, and potato salad; smothered okra with shrimp over rice with potato salad; and, seafood gumbo and potato salad.

Throughout the week, look for the new lunch items which include: seafood enchiladas – shrimp, crab and crawfish topped with butter garlic cream sauce ($7.49); pan-seared shrimp remoulade po’boy ($7.49); softshell crab po’boy ($7.99); and 2 crab cakes over angel hair pasta with crawfish cream sauce ($7.99).

In addition to the daily lunches, LeBlanc’s has an extensive selection of po’boys and sandwiches ($2.99 - $7.25). There are also several salads including a caesar salad ($5.25), chef salad ($5.99), grilled chicken salad ($5.99), tuna salad ($5.99), and shrimp salad ($6.59).

Good news for nearby businesses - LeBlanc’s is delivering again. Call in your delivery order early to beat the lunch rush. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

When they opened LeBlanc’s in 1992, Karen and Tommy LeBlanc envisioned a family-style, neighborhood restaurant where friends could gather over a reasonably-priced, home-cooked meal. Without a doubt, that vision was realized through their hard work, appreciation of their customers, and commitment to their community. Their children, Lynn LeBlanc Hamilton and Tommy, Jr., are determined to honor the tradition. Stop by for a visit soon.

LeBlanc’s Restaurant is located at 136 Lafayette Street, Gretna, LA. The phone number is 361-9216. The hours are: Monday – Friday: breakfast 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., lunch 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., breakfast all day and a selection of daily lunch specials.

Reprinted with permission of the West Bank Beacon.

One Smart Cookie Company

Here's my article on One Smart Cookie Company that ran in the April 2011 edition of The West Bank Beacon:

Meiko and Jimmie Ditta are both lifelong Westbankers. Meiko graduated from Immaculata High School and UNO. Jimmie graduated from L.W. Higgins High School and obtained a Bachelor’s and Masters degree from Loyola University. Meiko worked for the Copeland’s organization for 8 years and Jimmie worked in law enforcement, most recently for the Department of Homeland Security.

One of Meiko’s lifelong hobbies was baking cookies and pastries for family and friends. Her sugar cookies were particular favorites. Eventually Meiko began selling her baked goods to supplement the family’s income.

In May 2009, one of Meiko’s lifelong dreams was fulfilled when she and Jimmie opened the first One Smart Cookie Company at 1331 Barataria Boulevard in Marrero. The goal was to provide the community with a neighborhood bakery reminiscent of bygone family bakeries like DeSalvo’s and McKenzie’s. The business thrived and in November 2009, a second bakery was opened at 110 Belle Meade Boulevard in Gretna.

All along, Meiko and Jimmie envisioned a bakery and full service restaurant. In March 2011, that concept materialized with the opening of The Bistro at One Smart Cookie Company in the Physicians Center at West Jefferson Medical Center.

The menu at all 3 bakeries is extensive. You can choose from sugar cookies, turtles with fudge and pecans, mega fours, chocolate chip cookies, lemon cookies, wedding cake balls, and red velvet cake balls, just to name a few. Then there are the specialty pastries including: Bavarian cream-filled eclairs, Bavarian cream-filled cream puffs and cream cheese brownies. One Smart Cookie also offers cookie bouquets, king cakes, and cakes for all occasions. Special requests for specialty cakes for birthdays and showers are welcome.

The newly-opened Bistro menu offers 6 and 12-inch po’boys ($3.99-$9.49), club

sandwiches, and muffalettas ($8.99 for ½, $14.99 for whole). The spinach salad ($7.99) is a nice combo of baby spinach, fresh strawberries, bacon, and feta cheese topped with a vinaigrette dressing mix of sliced redonions, cashews, and sunflower seeds. The Bistro offers a limited breakfast of ham, cheese, and bacon croissants.

But it’s the chicken salad that the Dittas are most proud of. According to Jimmie, the 80-year-old family recipe originated with his grandmother and passed on to him by his mother, Jane Ditta. The family used to make 75 pounds of the chicken salad once a year at Christmas and give it out to family and friends. Now, that family recipe is available to the public as Granny’s Famous Chicken Salad on your choice of bread ($4.49-$9.99).

The Bistro at One Smart Cookie Company has a catering menu that includes finger sandwiches, mini-muffalettas, meat trays, bbq sausages and meatballs, artichoke balls, and vegetable trays.

One Smart Cookie Company’s hours are as follows: at 1331 Barataria Boulevard, Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., phone number is 301-9329; 110 Belle Meade Boulevard, Monday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., phone number is 304-6326. The Bistro hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., phone number is 309-9067.

Meiko and Jimmie are realizing a dream for themselves and their children Mia, age 8, and Colin, age 4. Accomplishing their goals would have been impossible without the help and support of family members including Jimmie’s mom Jane Ditta and brother Tony Ditta, along with Meiko’s sisters Kailey, Demi, and Lauren. And with the addition on the Bistro, they are thrilled to be part of the West Jefferson Medical Center family.

One Smart Cookie Company is a family-run bakery and restaurant. Meiko and Jimmie invite you to join them at any of their 3 locations for quality baked goods and food accompanied by personal service with a smile.

Reprinted with permission of The West Bank Beacon.

Sun Ray Grill Gretna | International Fare

Here's my article on Sun Ray Grill Gretna that appeared in the March 2011 issue of The West Bank Beacon.

As a young man, Dana Deutsch traveled extensively and sampled cuisines around the world. In 1996, he decided to duplicate many of the recipes he tasted and opened the first Sun Ray Grill at 2600 Belle Chasse Highway next to Meadowcrest Hospital in Gretna. The original location was small with a limited menu that included coffee, sandwiches, and daily specials. As business grew Dana expanded the menu. Dana opened his second location on Pink Street in Metairie in 1998, and his third in the Cotton Mill on Annunciation Street in the Warehouse District in 2000.

In 2000, Dana hired Tom Hinyup, a graduate of the Delgado Community College Culinary Arts program, to work at the Gretna location. In 2005, Tom became managing partner of Sun Ray Grill Gretna. The restaurant expanded in 2005, too.

The menu at Sun Ray has something to please everyone. As Dana describes it: “Our menus tell a story of past travels and adventures across our wonderful world. It is a story told using the senses, by an earnest food- loving beach bum.”

The appetizer list is extensive. Over the years, I have sampled many of them. The portabella fries are strips of fresh portabella mushrooms served with a creamy Caesar dressing ($6.75). The spinach & artichoke dip ($7.25) and the taqueria guacamole ($7.25) are delicious. Other appetizers categorized as “Social Dishes,” to be shared, include Siam ribs ($9.75), crispy spring rolls ($7.25), and one of my favorites - the goat cheese fritters that are pan-fried and topped with tasso and sweet onion marmalade & spicy toasted pecans. So good!

In addition to “typical” chicken, shrimp, or steak quesadillas ($9.75 - $11) – at Sun Ray you will find a crispy tortilla filled with sautéed portabella mushrooms, roasted garlic, tomato, onion and fresh basil with melted jack cheese ($10.50). And for the nacho lovers – try their “Penthouse Nachos” with your choice of either roasted duck ($10.50) or chicken ($9.50).

Sun Ray’s salads are very popular and for good reason. I am a big fan of the Sonoma salad (small $4.75, large $7.50) with baby spinach, shaved red onion, crushed pecan, smoky bacon, & Danish bleu cheese with a balsamic vinaigerette. The most popular salad is the pecan-crusted chicken salad ($11.50) – romaine lettuce, cabbage mix, tomato, onion and cheddar cheese with Creole honey mustard dressing topped with a sliced pecan-crusted chicken breast. One of the newest additions to the salad menu is the crab cakes (1 for $15; 2 for $22.50), jumbo lump crab cakes drizzled with green onion aioli, served over a spring mix salad tossed with fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. I have to try this one next time!

Sun Ray’s burgers are ½ pound of choice beef. You can choose from one of 6 different styles of burgers including the Mississippi Bleu ($10.50), the Big Easy with grilled onions, homemade pickled jalapenos, melted Swiss cheese and Russian dressing ($10.50), and the Smokey Mountain ($10.50) topped with bourbon BBQ sauce, melted jack and cheddar cheese, bacon and fried onions. All burgers are served on freshly-baked buns provided by the renowned Vietnamese bakery - Duong Phong Bakery in New Orleans East.

There is a choice of 4 sandwiches. The Cubano ($9.50) is hand-carved roasted pig, ham, melted Swiss, mustard, and a crunchy dill pickles on pressed bread. The Santa Fe Burrito with a choice of either chicken ($9) or steak fajita ($9.50). The Bangkok Roll ($8.75) is sliced grilled chicken, cucumbers, cilantro, purple cabbage, coconut rice and spicy peanut sauce wrapped in a tomato tortilla. Finally, the Maui Waui ($14) is grilled hoisin-glazed Ahi, charred pineapple, chopped pickled jalapenos, and cilantro on a toasted bun. All burgers and sandwiches are served with a choice of fries, fruit, or slaw. Add $1 for sweet potato fries.

The breadth of the entrée menu is impressive. All steaks are hand-cut on premises. I recently enjoyed the grilled filet mignon rubbed with sea salt, olive oil and freshly-ground black pepper served with a choice of mashed potatoes or fries, and either Tuscan spinach or asparagus ($24). The steak was tender and juicy! The spicy Siam ribs are popular (half slab $14.50; whole slab $21) – slow smoked baby back ribs brushed with Sun Ray’s in-house Thai BBQ glaze, served with sweet potato fries and sesame slaw.

The chicken Athena is a big hit as well: grilled chicken breasts topped with crumbled goat cheese and a sauté of artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and basil ($15). One of the staff’s favorites – and now one of my new favorites – is the Avery Island roast duck ($21) which is a roasted half of a duckling coated with house-made pepper jelly glaze served with a spinach & spicy tasso dressing. C’est si bon!

Don’t worry seafood lovers – there’s plenty available for you on the menu. The fish taco platter with a choice of either crispy fish ($14.75) or lobster ($20.50) is served with full sides of guacamole, rice and creamy black beans. The Ahi tuna with two sesames ($18.50) is served with sesame ponzu sauce, steamed coconut rice, cucumber salad, and pickled ginger. Other selections include: shrimp and grits ($19.25), grilled fish of the day (market price), gulf fish with BBQ shrimp (add $5.50 to the market price), and shrimp, crab and olive pasta ($16.50).

Sun Ray makes all of its desserts so make sure to ask for the day’s dessert menu. One seasonal dessert this year is the king cake crème brulee.

The restaurant has a full bar and a wine selection by the bottle and glass. On Wednesday nights diners get 20% off the bottled wine prices. Happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. where top shelf margaritas are only $5.

Sun Ray Grill Gretna takes reservations. They also have a private party room that seats up to 25. The restaurant is kid-friendly, offers a children’s menu, and provides crayons for doodling. This came in handy with my 3-year-old great-nephew in tow last week.

Sun Ray Grill Gretna prides itself on fresh ingredients and its broad appeal. The staff is made up of a team of longtime employees committed to consistency and a pleasant dining experience.

Sun Ray Grill Gretna’s address is 2600 Belle Chasse Highway (next to Ochsner West Bank). The phone number is 391-0053. They are open 7 days a week and the hours are 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Fridays; 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. Sundays. The web page is http://www.sunraygrill.com/ and you can “friend” Sun Ray Gretna on Facebook to follow the daily specials and deals.

At the Gretna location, Dana Deutsch began a group of neighborhood restaurants each with a subtly different menu and theme. Today all 3 locations are thriving. Sun Ray Grill Gretna’s menu is ambitious and innovative. In my experience, Sun Ray Grill Gretna achieves the lofty goals of its menu without being flashy. And, most importantly, our palates are dazzled without draining our wallets. Kudos to Tom Hinyup and his team!

Reprinted with permission of The West Bank Beacon.

Good Eats at French Quarter Festival

I've said it before, and I'll say it again - I love working in the French Quarter!

French Quarter Fest is in full swing. Some of New Orleans' finest restaurants are serving up their specialities. Yesterday and today a few of us from work spent our lunch hour grazing among them. Here's the list of what my group ate.

At Jackson Square:

Tujague's - Brisket with their signature horseradish sauce, $5. The brisket is tender and flavorful with the perfect amount of horseradish. It's one of my favorites at the Fest.

*Dickie Brennan's Bourbon House - BBQ shrimp po'boy, $6. The shrimp are sauteed in small batches with just the right amount of butter and spices then stuffed into a 5-inch "heel" of French bread. Highly recommended!

Mrs. Wheat's - Meat pie, $4. Turnover filled with steaming hot mixture of meat and spices. I love these meat pies at festivals.

Jacques Imo's - Slow-roasted Duck po'boy, $6. Tender duck topped with slaw. The meat not well-seasoned and a bit bland.

Crepes a la Cart - Strawberry & Nutella crepes, $5. Watch your crepe being made. Delicate crepes filled with just the right amount of Nutella and fresh Louisiana strawberries.

Woldenberg Park:

Love At First Bite - Cochon de lait po'boy, $7. Mounds of juicy pork topped with a little slaw and creole mustard. Same vendor as Jazz Fest. C'est si bon!

*GW Fins - Fish taco, $3. Chunks of perfectly grilled fresh fish on a small white corn tortilla with a little bit of fresh cilantro and slaw topped with Chef Flynn's house-made hot sauce. A must have!

Boucherie - Krispy Kreme bread pudding, $4. Yes, you read that right. Bread pudding made with doughnuts topped with a butter rum sauce. Lawd, gawd. Talk about rich ... and good!

Quintin's Ice Cream - Cafe au lait, $4. Creamy, not too sweet. Nice way to cool off.

So, there it is. My 2011 French Quarter Festival Graze Report. Bon appetit, y'all!!

(To read more about food at the Fest all weekend, check out Colleen Rush's reviews here.)

* = Don't miss.

It's Carnival Time & Everybody's ... Hungry!

Carnival is in full swing. Friends riding in parades are posting their float numbers and positions on Facebook. Family & friends are plotting and planning on who will secure the coveted spots on either the neutral ground or the sidewalk side. And everybody is talking about what they're going to cook/eat to sustain them from Friday at 5 p.m. through Tuesday evening!

Everybody has their personal favorites and traditions for the big Carnival weekend. Here are a few recipes for some traditional Carnival fare that is sure to please (and sustain) a house full of Mardi Gras revelers. Julia Reed likes John Besh's red beans & rice. Traditional grillades & grits is one of my all-time favorites. Add a good bananas foster bread pudding and the feast is complete.

Of course, a proper Mardi Gras food spread must include a selection of cocktails. Bloody Mary's are a universal favorite. For those who like some sugar with their wallop, here is the recipe for the famous Brandy Milk Punch from Commander's Palace:

BRANDY MILK PUNCH

Brandy Milk Punch is a smooth drink that helps soothe that morning-after feeling.

Ingredients

1 ½ cups milk

½ cup heavy cream

12 ounces Bourbon whiskey

1 egg white (optional)

½ cup sugar

½ cup ice cold water

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

nutmeg, to taste

Directions

Combine the milk, cream, bourbon, egg white, sugar, water, and vanilla in a large pitcher. Stir well, or, if you have a lid, shake. Serve in rocks glasses and sprinkle each cocktail with some nutmeg.

Explaining Carnival to those not from here presents its challenges. More often than not, Carnival gets lost in translation. For more on the fascinating history of Carnival, the Louisiana State Museum and the Historic New Orleans Collection are terrific resources.

K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen | Home-style Lunch

There are many perks to working in the middle of the French Quarter. One of my favorites is lunch at K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen. The menu changes weekly, but always available are the chicken and andouille gumbo, the shrimp po-boy, and the oyster po-boy. The sandwiches and plate lunches come with one side dish and range in price from $9 to $13.50. The oyster po-boy with a side of sweet potato fries is delicious! K-Paul's oyster mayonaisse makes this one special.

Other favorites include the gumbo, the shrimp enchilada, and Chef Paul’s butter beans “That make you Crazy!” So good!

The French bread for the po-boys and the rolls served with all plate lunches are baked in-house. The sides include sweet potato fries, cole slaw, thinly fried onion rings, potato salad, house salad, cheese grits, fruit salad, or veggie of the day.

I really look forward to a home-cooked lunch at K-Paul’s at least once a week. The staff is friendly & welcoming and the casual dining room makes you feel right at home.

K-Paul's serves a "deli-style" lunch Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Check out the deli lunch menu online.

Gabrielle Restaurant | Oh, How We've Missed Ya!

Were you a fan of Gabrielle Restaurant on Esplanade Avenue at Mystery Street? Are you tired of being denied your Slow Roasted Duck with Peppers, Mushrooms and Orange-Sherry Sauce at Gabrielle? How about the BBQ Shrimp Pie?? Mixed Sausage Grill? You are in luck! You can be part of 2 upcoming dining events at The Uptowner featuring the Sonniers' one-of-a-kind specialties.

First, on Thursday, Feburary 24th at 7 p.m., Vintage Orleans presents "Gabrielle in Purgatory." The five course menu features several of Chef Sonnier's signature dishes, including Oysters Gabbie, Mixed Sausage Kabob, Petit BBQ Shrimp Pie, Slow Roasted Duck, and Pontchatoula Strawberry Shortcake. Each course will be paired with wines to match. The cost is $85 per person inclusive of food, wines, tax, and tip. Reservations required, limited seating, contact vintageorleans@gmail.com.

Next, Mystery Street Productions, LLC is hosting their first tweetup cocktail reception on Friday, March 18th at the Uptowner featuring some of Gabrielle fans' favorites from Chef Greg! More details to come. Follow Mystery Street on twitter @MysteryStProd. Website is mysterystreetproductions.com.

The Uptowner is located at 438 Henry Clay Avenue. To stay updated on events at The Uptowner, "Like" their Facebook page at Gabrielle @ The Uptowner.