New Orleans, Louisiana is known for many
things. On a trip to NOLA one might partake in a mardi gras festival, enjoy
some jazz music, be exposed to a melting pot of culture, or eat a world famous
beignet. On my first trip to The Big
Easy I was unprepared for the immense love I would develop for the city. Numerous
friends told me that I absolutely had to stop at the world famous Café du Monde
and have some beignets. The oldest and most well know beignet spot lacked
luster for me. I was astonished that I wasn’t as impressed by the beignet’s as
others seemed to be. On my second venture to NOLA I stumbled upon a little gem
of a café. This gem was Café Beignet and by far the best beignets I experienced
in New Orleans. Not only are the beignets at Café Beignet the best I have
ever had, the atmosphere, pricing, and other menu options place Café Beignet in
a league of its own. The best beignets in New Orleans are made to order, and
served up in a picturesque atmosphere where the world can be forgotten, and
Café Beignet gets it right.
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| Delicious |
Café
Beignet’s website states:
“Café
Beignet is a cup full of New Orleans' best European traditions. For two hundred
years, New Orleanians have savored every sip of their rich coffee accompanied
by delicate, crisp beignets (ben-yays). These golden squares, usually dusted
with powdered confectioner's sugar, can best be described as a cross between a
French pastry and an American doughnut. In New Orleans, beignets are enjoyed at
a breakfast, for dessert, or any time for a special treat.”
As I
walked down Royal Street I heard a saxophone playing and followed the sound
into Café Beignet. There was a one-man jazz band playing in the courtyard of
the restaurant. As I entered the café, the smell of baking beignet overtook me.
I was immediately hooked. I was reliving a child hood memory of my grandmother
baking in the kitchen. It smelled of sweet vanilla, mixed with a pancake aroma.
After, I took in the captivating smell of the beignets; I was overwhelmed by
the beauty of the courtyard with wrought iron chairs and brick wrapped in ivy and
greenery everywhere. The live soft jazz was a welcome change from the hustle
and bustle of the street and the music was soft enough that one could still carry on
a conversation. Menu items are for the most part under $10 iced and hot coffee
varieties and additional beverages are available, including bar service at the
Bourbon Street address. There are online coupons monthly.
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| Bourbon Street Courtyard |
Cafe
Beignet has two prime locations; one on Royal Street, and also a Bourbon Street location. The Bourbon Street location has an
excellent live jazz band during the day. They also serve lunch items at both
locations including sandwiches, salads, and alcohol. The Royal
Street location is off the bustling Bourbon Street path, and New Orleans Online states,
“It is no wonder tourists and locals alike flock to Royal Street when they want
a real New Orleans experience. Some of the most picturesque and most frequently
photographed buildings and iron lace balconies – many of which date back to the
18th and 19th centuries."
In
researching Cafe Beignet in New Orleans, LA for my travel blog I came across
some interesting facts. My criteria on evaluating the cafe were related to my
senses (taste, smell, hearing, and sight). I wanted to express the smell of the
chicory coffee and the exceptional taste of the beignets. Sitting in the cafe
listening to the jazz music along Royal Street takes a person out of the real
world and into some slow paced old movie setting. There are birds hopping along
the floor, glass chandeliers, and murals lace the walls. When researching I
realized Alton Brown rated Cafe Beignet as having the "best beignet's he
has ever tasted" (2011 2:24).There was a plethora of resources I found helping
to describe the tastes, look, feel, and ambiance of this lovely cafe. Exceptional
live jazz, a decent affordable menu, and prime French quarter locations are all
elements where Cafe Beignet has an edge.
Cafe Beignet's beignets are larger than Cafe du Monde's, and I
found them to be denser beignets, with a lot more powdered sugar on them. It
took longer at Café Beignet to get my order, but it was well worth the wait. The
beignets came out hot, fluffy, and smothered in powdered sugar although not overly
fried like Café Du Monde’s. A blog on epinions had this to say about Café
Beignet, "You could certainly say that you get more for your money
with Cafe Beignet" (June 2012). It seems silly to pay for 3 smaller beignets
when you can pay the same price and get 3 large beignets with the added benefit
of atmosphere. The epinions blog also had this tidbit to add:
“While street performers can often be found
outside Cafe Du Monde, the outside seating
at
Cafe Beignet comes complete with professional talent. Music starts at 10
AM. From 6
PM
until closing (10 PM), Cafe Beignet features the gravely voice of Steamboat
Willie and his Jazz band, tappin feet. This 1920s inspired band is among
the best entertainment you are going to find on Bourbon Street and there
is no cover charge (they do take tips,
and
you are expected to purchase something if you sit down).”
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| Royal Street Interior |
What
sets Cafe Beignet apart from other café’s in New Orleans is the fact that it's New Orleans' Beignets
without the commercialization. The ambiance, the smell, the look, the
taste of the beignets and coffee, the service, the location, and the price all
give testament as to Café Beignets appeal. The ambiance provides an attraction
to welcome cafe goers and keep them coming back. The smell of the baking beignets
and the chicory coffee fill the cafe with a sweet and inviting aroma. The
pricing is comparable to other cafes, and for the taste and size of the
beignets it’s worth the money. The coffee is out of this world and the beignets
are made fresh to order not premade like others. The service is stellar and
everyone has a smile. There is no rush here, just sit and enjoy. The Royal
Street location is a welcomed respite undiscovered by tourist, and the Bourbon
Street location serves up their famous beignets with a jazz sound and options
for those in need of an alcoholic alternative. This gem should be added to your
to-do list while exploring The Big Easy.
References
Brown, A. Best Beignets in New Orleans with Alton
Brown - Food Network Nov 15, 2011
John. (2012, June 27).
Café du Monde verses Café Beignet. Retrieved from
New Orleans Online. Retreived from
