Downtown Dish

It’s already been a great afternoon, sitting at the Carr Winery’s bar, enjoying a 2016 Carr sauvignon blanc, made from grapes grown in Santa Ynez vineyards. This is a light, beautiful wine with citrus overtones and a hint of apple. All the Carr wines are made with local fruit, and it’s real treat to drink the wine in the same room where the grapes are processed and the wine barrels are aging.

From Carr Winery we amble up to the “Big Easy.” In case you didn’t know, The Palace Grill is the place to do as they say in New Orleans and “let the good times roll.” We’re met with lively jazz and the friendliest staff around. Straight away, a Hurricane margarita arrives, and it has to be the prettiest beverage ever poured into a mason jar, bursting with mango, pineapple, tequila, and one little secret ingredient. I ponder what that ingredient might be until the arrival of the entrees. Jambalaya for my friend and crawfish pasta Lafitte for me. Tender crawfish tails, caramelized onions, and penne pasta swim in creamy Cajun goodness. Add a signature mini muffin of jalapeno cheddar and I’m possibly the fullest I’ve ever been.

The Palace is buzzing with happy diners, and after dallying a little longer, my friend and I share the Palace swan and Louisiana bread pudding souffle. Straight from the oven, the steamy souffle is cracked open by forks and doused in whiskey cream sauce. Even the desserts at the Palace can get you a little tipsy! We finish with a glorious swan made of éclair pastry, filled with vanilla ice cream and floating on melted chocolate. The good times are rolling and so are we, back out onto the town, completely satiated.

The Palace Grill, 8 East Cota Street, 805-963-5000, Carr Vineyards & Winery, 414 N. Salsipuedes Street, 805-965-7985

By Angela Borda