Month of Salads: Nino's Italian

by Blair "B-Rex" Loup

Unlike my two counterparts, I embrace the Month of Salads with open arms. I am a long-time lover of vegetables, and I can go to town on a salad.

The Grilled Heart salad at Nino's Italian in Baton Rouge, LA

Maybe I just haven't lived enough life, but this is the only time someone's brought a steak knife to the table for my salad.

Nino's Italian is known for its fresh, in-house pastas and Chef/Owner Elton Hyndman's dedication to the local slow food movement, but when I think of Nino's, their Grilled Heart salad is the first thing on my mind.

Grilling the heart of Romaine gives it that grill taste: not charred, but charred-esque. Drizzled with a local honey and goat cheese dressing, salted with the hearty Pancetta, and topped with sharp Parmesan cheese, the warm Grilled Heart salad is worthy of love, even for the salad skeptic who considers greens to be rabbit food (looking at you Jay Ducote).

The Nightingale Room's Old-Fashioned: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

by Blair "B-Rex" Loup

There are some that believe in drinking only pure Old-Fashioneds. I'll admit, these days it can be hard to find a straight up Angostura bitter soaked sugar cube engulfed in rye whiskey Old Fashioned, but I grew up with a crotchety grandpa and don't intend to be the same.

The Old-Fashioned at The Nightingale Room in Houston, TX

Sometimes it's nice to shake things up and be creative while giving a tip of the cap to the classics and while I love Baton Rouge, I often find myself thirsty for a different kind of bar serving libations that inspire me.

About a month ago, Jay and I took to the streets of downtown Houston to check out some of their cocktail bars. You know, just another day in the office.

I stepped into The Nightingale room, eyes adjusting from the blazing surface of the sun to the dimly lit, cozy spot. Once I climbed onto my bar stool (I'm short) I found myself looking at a wall covered in vinyl and saw that the new Alabama Shakes album, Sound and Color, would be spinning next. 

At this point, you've got to understand that I am in the happiest of places: a cool bar, rad records coming my way, and a uniquely delicious Old-Fashioned in my hand with champagne drinks to follow.

Did I mention we were there for Happy Hour? Half off all cocktails, which means I was sipping on a $4.50 harmonious blend of bourbon, cognac, turbinado, and bitters.

This version of the classic cocktail called for a similar make-up, but subbed the white sugar cube for a lesser-refined sugar-in-the-raw that looks like brown sugar, but a little lighter in color and has tasting notes of molasses. It's not outlandish to use bourbon instead of rye whiskey, but that makes the cocktail feel warmer. 

I don't know why, but for me, bourbon is like a warm fire a couple of weeks before Christmas.

With the added cognac, this Old-Fashioned tasted warm, velvety, with the occasional crunch of turbinado sugar. The Nightingale Room is a win.

For more takes on the Old Fashioned, make sure to check out Lock & Key in Baton Rouge!

Between Two Shells: Chargrilled Oysters with Gnarly Barley's Catahoula Common

by Blair "B-Rex" Loup

There are few things in this world better than things cooked in butter. We’ve all blasted Paula Deen about her obsession with the stuff, but in our heart of hearts we know she knows what’s up.

While the list of tasty things cooked in butter goes on and on, I’d like to narrow the discussion to chargrilled oysters. Envision this: plump, juicy Gulf oysters sizzling in a small pool of buttery, garlic-y goodness at Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar.

A pint of Gnarly Barley Brewing's Catahoula Common with a chargrilled oyster at Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar in Baton Rouge

All of the flavor gods assemble to make this dreamy, classic bite happen. The flavor profile is super simple and allows for another element to really set things off.

Enter Gnarly Barley’s Catahoula Common. My obsession with Gnarly Barley Brewing is no secret. They are my craft beer spirit animal, but that’s beside the point.

The creaminess of the chargrilled oyster pairs perfectly with the crispy brew. The beer kind of lifts all of those strong flavors off of the tongue and is light and refreshing making it perfect for this warm Louisiana weather.

A match made in heaven, I’d say. Trust me, I’m a professional.

Below are some of the other pairings we suggest at Jolie Pearl:

Raw Gulf Oysters with Fresh Margaritas
Oysters Rockefellar and the Louisiana Mule
Raw Gulf Oysters topped with Cucumber Mignonette and Fresh Grapefruit Margaritas
Asian Style Chargrilled Oysters with Tin Roof Turnrow Harvest Ale

Month of Salads: Barefoot's at the Hilton Sandestin

Blackened Grouper Salad at Barefoot's

by Jay D. Ducote

Sometimes I just need to eat a salad, and thus, two years ago I created the Month of Salads on Bite and Booze. The idea is two-fold: first, I need to eat more salads and this seemed like a good way to trick myself into feasting like a rabbit. Secondly, salads CAN be good, and we here at Bite and Booze need to focus a little more on them. So now every August on the blog that's what we do.

Recently on a trip to Destin for the Beer Industry League of Louisiana's annual convention, I enjoyed several meals with beach views at Barefoot's, a poolside bar and grill at the Hilton Sandestin. For one of those meals, as the Month of Salads is designed to encourage me to do, I ordered a salad.

I went with a blackened grouper salad, served with an adequately spiced fish over a bed of organic mixed greens with spiced pecans, roma tomatoes, carrot strings, and a citrus vinaigrette. The tartness from the lemon added a nice balance to the blackening spices on the fish. The rest of the salad did its job as the pecans added a delightful textural balance. And the other good news: I felt pretty light and chipper for the rest of my day at the beach!

Blood and Sand: Whisk(e)y Wednesday presented by Lock & Key

by Sydney "Brown Nose" Blanchard

Blood and Sand at Lock & Key

Fruity, sweet, and dark are words that can safely be used to describe the Blood and Sand at Lock & Key Whiskey Bar. 

For anyone venturing into the world of whiskey cocktails, this combination of Monkey Shoulder scotch, orange juice, and cherry brandy blend together perfectly, making for a smooth taste well-suited for the novice whiskey drinker. 

It's almost like a more refined version of a screwdriver, except it's made with scotch and has a distinct cherry flavor to it, but it's not so sweet that it could be a drink featured on Sex & the City.

To me, that's a perfect balance.