Executive classroom honors area car dealer
July 1, 2008
Robert Edwin Crane Jr.
July 3, 2008
A great thing about this restaurant review gig is that it allows me the opportunity – even forces me at times – to expand my horizons and try places that I normally wouldn’t think about.
Many of you over the last few months have noticed that my reviews have generally been favorable. Yes, I enjoy all types of food and my palate is perhaps broader than most – bottom line, there isn’t much I don’t like when it comes to food.
My role thus far has been to direct you, the readers, into dining establishments that you otherwise might overlook. Accordingly, I’ve tried to locate and inform you about those little gems and “off the main track” delights. I think I have found another one that, at least to me, was unknown or not properly appreciated by me until recently.
The find for July is Bare Essentials, a fun, multifaceted business in the heart of Houma.
This place is a combination tanning salon and café. Personally, I would have never put the two together, but like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, the combo works.
In fact, I’ve seen the sign for Bare Essentials (“BE”) as I passed by the original Houma McDonald’s – trying to decide between a Big Mac and Daiquiris, depending upon whether I had my kids in tow.
About a year ago, one of my friends told me that she often takes her girls to eat at Bare Essentials as a treat or for a change of pace. I resisted her entreaties to venture into the all-too-clean and all-too-quirky world of a health food restaurant, especially when the king of fast food waits across the street. After nine months, I finally succumbed and only now can admit that I should not have been so hardheaded.
Perhaps after you read this review, you too may choose to turn left instead of right the next time you venture onto the 6200 block of Park Avenue.
On my first trip, my aim was getting my 7- and 8-year-old to accept this new “healthy” place. At Bare Essentials, this was not difficult.
Blue corn chips and homemade salsa made an immediate hit. My 8-year-old did enjoy the hamburger, but my 7-year-old was more adventurous, opting for a lasagna Panini wrap. The wrap is apparently one of Bare Essentials’ specialties, and consists of a thick tortilla wrapping rolled over the ingredients and the exterior grilled. I can tell you it was a hit and I now have a family with a Panini wrap addiction.
The restaurant is also well appointed with reading material and space for drawing, which is a must for the under 10 crowd. Also, there are two phenomenal “pay by the minute” electric massage chairs, beckoning visitors. A few minutes in those chairs and my kids were hooked. Actually, I was hooked after a few minutes in those chairs.
On our next trip, we tried additional Panini grill wraps and two salads. We’d been told the South of the Border wrap is a favorite. We now know why. This concoction is filled with your choice of beef or chicken, jalapenos (actually, just a hint and not overbearing at all), Colby jack cheese, grilled onions and roasted peppers.
We also tried the muffalini, another wrap that is basically a muffaletta (smoked ham slices, salami, pepperoni, provolone and mozzarella cheese, olive salad and BE’s homemade dressing) in a wrap. I tried the muffalini first and thought I was in heaven. After tasting the South of the Border, I realized the muffalini was merely purgatory.
Other Panini grill wraps include the Philly (roast beef, mozzarella cheese and grilled onions), BBQ (beef or chicken, grilled onions, roasted peppers and fat-free barbeque sauce), Basil Pesto (chicken, basil pesto, mozzarella cheese, black olives and roasted peppers), Just like Saturday (chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, grilled onions, roasted peppers and balsamic vinaigrette), Pizza (pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, black olives, mushrooms, onions and pizza sauces) and Hamlet (smoked ham, provolone cheese and asparagus). Each costs $5.49 and is made to order.
For those not in a Panini mood, BE does offer a traditional hamburger, turkey burger, roast beef, ham and/or turkey sandwich. The sandwiches come served on either a croissant or wheat bread.
BE also offers various “as a meal” salads, either small ($4.99) or large ($6.99), including Classic Caesar, pasta chicken, spinach, BLT chicken, garden chicken, taco or a tropical salad.
We tried both the spinach and the taco salad. Both had fresh ingredients and were not heavy at all.
I didn’t think I had sampled enough of the menu, so I felt compelled to make one final visit and I am glad I did as I learned firsthand that BE also makes some very good soups. I tried the Jewish Mama Soup, which consists of chicken, carrots and celery. It was the perfect selection for that particular rainy day, and provided a good lift. I also tried the tomato basil soup, which was a thick and warm, lightly seasoned selection.
BE actually has several soups, including potato, depending on the day. What I appreciated learning is that all of their soups are homemade. Extra attention is readily apparent in the final product. I wanted more and was directed to the Basil Pesto wrap. Off the three wraps I tried, it was the best for my palate.
BE’s atmosphere is decidedly laid back and low key. The service is very good. The owner and staff each had a good command of the selections. Each person I dealt with was helpful in assisting us with selections, depending on our respective tastes and moods.
The staff was good at offering “off the menu” selections, too. As I understand, BE tinkers with new selections. They described with anticipation a new chicken Parmesan wrap, created by one of the employees “Sam,” which is still an off-the-menu item and not available every day. That will be my selection on my next trip if it is available.
We didn’t have the opportunity to sample the smoothies on our ventures, which consist of both fruit and protein concoctions. That may be a reason for another trip.
What impressed me most about BE is that I enjoyed the food and service more with each trip. The staff is helpful and most selections are homemade. Who knows, on my next trip I may choose to take a quick tan or aqua massage between placing my order and savoring my food. I already feel the stress leaving my body. This is an alternative that may work for you as well.
