Bacchanal, an unassuming bungalow
Finally, after an incredibly long, hot Summer, Fall is around the corner. By the end of September, I can begin to hope for some cool evenings peppered amongst the hot days. Hopefully, some of those evenings will fall on Sundays because that is the best time for Bacchanal.
Though there are many places to take in the Big Easy, few experiences come close to the uniqueness of Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits. Whether you are looking for a low-key night of drinking or a relaxing place to have a small business meeting, Bacchanal comes close to perfection – food, booze, and music.
Cooking up some good eats
I love this place: a winery, a deli, a music venue, and a casual restaurant all rolled into one rather unassuming Bywater bungalow. Every night of the week you can get cheese, wine, and music from the likes of Mark Weliky, Jon Freilich, The Jazz Lab, Andrew Duhon, and Hellen Gillet. Five nights a week there is amazing food provided by in-house Chef Joaquin Rodas.
Enjoying the back patio
The real draw of Bacchanal, though, is the patio, a stripped-down, dimly lit makeshift courtyard where you can drink, eat, and take in the sounds from arguably the best emerging jazz and roots artist in the Crescent City. When the sky is clear and the temperature is cool (or moderate), there is no place I would rather be than in the backyard of Bacchanal eating an alligator taco and pouring a glass of red wine as recommended by the excellent staff. Admittedly, I don’t know my wines, but that’s no reason for trepidation here.
And, of course, there are the Sunday evenings, of which I have already alluded. Every Sunday, Bacchanal features a guest chef from around town. The result often involves one of the finest meals ever served on a paper plate and eaten with a spork. In essence, the experience of going to Bacchanal is analagous to attending a backyard barbecue at a good friend’s house, except said friend is a fine wine connoisseur, a five-star chef, and knows some great musicians who don’t mind stopping by.
Bacchanal
600 Poland Ave.
Taylor Gray // Groovescapes
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