Meauxbar Bistro closed last weekend. My last meal there was several months ago, when I took a client who'd flown in from Wisconsin. He loved it, as I knew he would. We had a table near the door; it was loud, and we had wonderful food and a great time.
Meauxbar was one of the first restaurants I covered for New Orleans Magazine. The picture that accompanies this piece was taken in March 2008, and I still remember pestering chef Guidry while I was taking the series of pictures of which that is one. He and his partner Jim Conte were gracious and patient with me. When I got to know them a little better, I realized it was their nature. I don't think I've met two more kind, calm and generous people. Jim, in particular.
I learned Meauxbar was closing from a piece Brett Anderson wrote, and when I read it, I thought his description of chef Guidry's cooking was apt. “Erudite,” he called it. I love words and I love food and I find the coincidence of the two delightful.
Guidry cooks some bad-ass French food with Cajun soul from the perspective of a man who'd spent some time in Thailand and came back smelling like kaffir lime, lemongrass and andouille. I'll miss Meauxbar for the food, the atmosphere and the company.
I haven't talked to Guidry or Conte, but I understand they're going to take some time to decide what they want to do next. They didn't close Meauxbar because of a lack of business; if they open another place tomorrow, I've got no doubt they'd keep it packed from day one. Hopefully that's what they'll do, eventually, and hopefully they'll do it here.
In other news, Cane & Table is opening for lunch starting this weekend. HEY HOWDY, HERE'S THE WORD:
The restaurant will begin to offer lunch this Saturday, February 15th and will be ongoing, every Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., followed by Happy Hour from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and then regular dinner service from 5:00 p.m. on.
Personally, I'd be happier if they were open for lunch during the week, but I'm old, I have kids and I work downtown. Your mileage may vary. I'm not sure when I'll get to sample Cane & Table's lunch menu, but when I do, I'll try to report on it. I mean, I'm pretty sure that if I eat at Cane & Table, I'll be able to report on it, even if the report is just, “I ate at Cane & Table.” That's not what I mean, really. What I mean is that I'll try to assess the food and drink. But I guess you probably knew that already. So… Yeah.
