Restaurant: Baker's Street Pub

Baker's Street Pub
http://www.bakerstreetpub.com/

This is one of my favorite Katy, quick meal places. My son asks to go there ever so often during the summer and pictured below is our "usual". I know what you're asking, "Why would you take your son to a Pub?" During the day it's really just a restaurant, the “Pub" activity does not begin until around 5 PM. We slip in well before the end of the work day for a dose of ESPN and a quick bite.

The Food
It has all of the typical pub fare that you've come to expect (i.e. Bangers and mash, Shepard’s pie, fish and chips etc.) It also has a few surprises like a hummus plate, phenomenal fish tacos and my personal favorite, the crispy cod sandwich. It’s perfectly fried (yes I said fried) and served with sweet potato fries. Rhys’ favorite is the sliders which are larger than most and according to him, wonderful.  

The Atmosphere
An air of mystery abounds any first-timer—you can spend five minutes or so just looking for the restroom. No worries, becasue after the first time, "It's elementary my dear watson!". I would tell you the trick, but I know the barkeeps and patrons like to watch you search. Far be it for me to intrude on anyone’s dinner and a show. What I love most about Baker’s street is its simplicity—it’s like a blue collar worker in a sea of white collars. It does what it does well and has no aspirations of luxury. A big screen television and pool table offer the opportunity to let off a little steam while you wait for your bangers. The friendly, although usually preoccupied, wait staff can offer you suggestions if you cannot narrow down your choice.  The prices are very affordable, especially for lunch. If you haven’t experienced it already,  treat yourself and have a little pub fun.  

-Astrya

Restaurant Blitz--Baton Rouge

Drusilla, Ralph & Kacoo’s, Bonefish Grill & Chimes

Last week I explored my home town of Baton Rouge, LA. Like a tourist on steroids and I had a blast! Here is a brief synopsis of my culinary exploits in the capital city.

Drusilla

http://drusillaplace.com/ds_index.php

Drusilla is a sentimental favorite for me.  My father and I used to seek refuge there when my mother was pregnant with my brother—our boisterous behavior was not amusing to her at that time and we just needed to get away. I arrived there in a fit it nostalgia to find that my sacred ground, the oyster bar was occupied by a large group. I didn’t feel comfortable taking pictures on another family’s event. So I snapped these few shots and moved on to the next childhood favorite restaurant on my list---most kids liked McDonald’s, right? Not in Louisiana.  My favorite restaurants as a child were, The Village (now closed), Drusilla’s, Ralph & Kacoo’s, Don’s Seafood and if you really wanted to get fancy and look down on others, The Camelot Club (it is located on the top floor of one of few skyscrapers in downtown baton rouge and is somewhat famous as the restaurant where several scenes from Richard Pryor’s “The Toy” were filmed). Each of these restaurants holds a unique memory for me. The Village is where my date and I dined before our prom. I discussed Drusilla’s in my first post. Ralph and Kacoo’s was owned by family friends and was a family gathering place before they sold it to the Piccadilly franchise. The Camelot Club is where every very special occasion has been celebrated in my family for as long as I can remember. It’s where I celebrated my college graduation and where my fiancée and I stole away for a private dinner the night before our wedding.  

http://www.camelotclubbr.com/

Ralph & Kacoo's

http://www.ralphandkacoos.com/

I really hate to say this but I was utterly disappointed with this hometown favorite. Don’t let the pictures fool you, it looked good but tasted processed and uninspired. A far cry from this restaurant in its hayday. It disgraced my nostalgia and the hard work of Ralph and Kacoo that built the brand of that restaurant for decades. As a rule, I do not like talking about bad dining experiences, but this one so shocked me that I felt compelled to warn others. This is not your father’s Ralph and Kacoo’s, you would do better going directly to Piccadilly. Then you wouldn't be surprised. At least the food photographed well (most of it ended up in a box that was disposed of in haste).  

 



Bread Basket/Huspuppies





Crawfish Etoufee and Fried Crawfish. 



Bonefish Grill

http://www.bonefishgrill.com/

By now everyone knows that I am a seafood kind of lady, greatly affected by my southern Louisiana upbringing. At Bonefish I decided to take a detour from my usual seafood fare and take the suggestion of my waitress. She recommended “Lily's Chicken”. It was robust and creamy with wonderful flavor--a welcomed departure from my usual plates.



Lilly's Chicken



My sister's pork chop dish. She loved it.



Chimes

http://www.thechimes.com/

This restaurant is set just outside the gates of Louisiana State University (LSU--Geaux Tigers!) and has been a favorite of students from both colleges in the city for decades. Chimes boasts an impressively unique beer selection and menu to match, all neatly packaged within the atmosphere of an Irish pub.  I stepped out on a ledge at chimes and went with another wait staff suggestion. This time the dish was brand new to the menu, the seafood lasagna. It was fantastic. So much so, that I took it with me as I headed out of town and back to Texas. I pulled over to eat it several hours later—and it was still wonderful.

 



My Sister's Red Beans & Rice.



My Grandmother's Chicken



My Seafood Lasagna

-Astrya