The Demitasse

My travels this month take me to Thibodaux, on St. Mary Road (aka La. Hwy 1). Some friends from “down the bayou,” who recently moved up the bayou to Thibodaux, mentioned a quaint coffee shop near their house that they enjoyed. Being the inquisitive bloke that I am, I seized onto the recommendation.

The Demitasse Coffee & Tea House Café is well nestled into and intertwined with Debbie’s Antiques – a very inviting antique and gift mall just next to the Jean Lafitte Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center. Many cities have similar setups, where antique stores offer food services or team up with food vendors. But Demitasse appears to offer a little bit more, as it is a destination in and of itself. It is a place to dine and relax even for those not in the mood to go “antiquing.” Demitasse also offers an internet café with free wi-fi connections to customers who have their own notebook computers or, for a small fee, a fully equipped computer room for those who do not.

Demitasse has three dining areas, plus an additional outdoor dining area. The surroundings are homey, with comfortable, cushioned Queen Anne replica chairs, fans swirling overhead and the hint of java percolating throughout. It is an appropriate location for the family, as there is ample area for the kids, who can read various books, surf the internet, do homework or even play a game of chess or checkers. It is also the type of place where you can order your food at the counter and then browse the antique mall while you wait.

On our first trip, my friend and I decided to try dinner at Demitasse. The dinner board listed lasagna ($8.95) as a dinner special, so we felt compelled to order it. My friend was drawn to the Tuxedo Pesto with Portobello mushrooms ($12.95). The tuxedo pesto consisted of bowtie pasta, green and sun-dried tomato pesto, Portobello mushrooms (or chicken if you prefer) and parmesan cheese, dripping in olive oil. The meal also came with bread sticks and a fresh side salad. The lasagna was a Texas-sized square, ample enough to satisfy the hunger man.

We enjoyed both selections, after which I felt compelled to try one of their milkshakes – a chocolate chip cookie dough milkshake. It was an excellent choice.

Demitasse’s pasta menu includes Shrimp Ya ya, Crawfish Zydeco, Amore Meatball Marina, Fettuccine Alfredo and Artichoke Florentine. Their extensive sandwich menu includes the Panini sandwich – a classic Italian grilled pressed sandwich made with freshly baked French bread and surrounded with the ingredients of your choice.

My next visit to Demitasse was for a Sunday breakfast “read the newspaper” event. They have a complete breakfast menu, which is served until 11 a.m. I tried the house blend coffee with free refills until 9 a.m. (65 cents thereafter) and a made-to-order omelet. I choose to add Swiss cheese, Portobello mushrooms, avocado, shrimp and tomato to my omelet. Your choices may differ, but rest assured, Demitasse has enough ingredients to satisfy most – salsa, sausage, bacon, ham, onions, green peppers and more.

The eatery also serves homemade biscuits and breakfast sandwiches on toast, grilled Panini bread, bagels or croissants. Belgian waffles, pancakes, and classic egg platters are also on the menu.

If you are in the Thibodaux area and the family doesn’t want to endure the wait and/or commercialization of IHOP or The Waffle House, breakfast at Demitasse is a sound alternative.

As for service, customers order at a walk-up counter and sometimes face lengthy waits while their food is prepared. Demitasse is not ‘fast food.’ However, you can enjoy coffee while you wait as there this is a coffee house. There is a comprehensive selection of coffees, cappuccinos, lattes and espressos. Coffee beans line one wall in the rear and are available to purchase for home use.

Overall, Demitasse isn’t your ordinary dining destination but is worth a visit.

Demitasse Hours Monday – 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday – 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. Saturday – 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sunday – 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Reservations not required plenty of parking Credit Cards Accepted Attire: casual