Foundry serving good eats

A towering building in the heart of the downtown Thibodaux area, The Foundry on the Bayou is hard to miss. In fact, the newly renovated expansive facility, home to an event hall, fountain lounge and patio, in addition to its Italian restaurant, beckons you to make a left at the traffic light for an unforgettable night out.

When The Foundry, once a steel-forging facility, reopened in 2011 after going unused for many years, my expectations of the food were high. Unfortunately, most of the menu fell completely flat. Hoping for a better experience after receiving word that a few new chefs had been added to the kitchen, I was eager to give the spot another try.

Upon arrival, we were graciously welcomed and seated in a private room that could accommodate our large party. One of my guests enjoyed the Mixed Greens House Salad ($7), a properly portioned bed of traditional ingredients and balsamic vinaigrette, while the rest of us enjoyed wine and cocktails. For the main event, we ordered Eggplant Lasagna ($21.50), Shrimp Linguini (19.50) and Duck Foundry (25.99). Although pricy in a city filled with more casual, budget-friendly options, the food was well worth the price tag.

The lasagna, a go-to for one of my guests, was deconstructed with the eggplant placed atop a generous helping of ground meat and Italian sausage. The linguini, my choice for the evening, was nothing short of perfect. The dish was filled with shrimp, a rarity at most upscale eateries, and the marinara sauce had just the right about of spice to leave you wanting another bowl. And the duck… no medallions or petite portions here. This restaurant gives you an entire half, juicy and savory with each bite, according to one of my guests. The selection is deglazed with a raspberry reduction, giving it just a hint of sweetness that put the dish battling for first place in my guest’s list of exceptional duck dishes.

For dessert, it was rich, creamy Tiramisu ($7) and a cup of coffee. Ask your waiter for a splash of Kahlua and Bailey’s Irish Cream ($9.25 with coffee), a suggestion he made that made for a satisfyingly sweet ending to a fine meal.

The Foundry on the Bayou seems to be headed in the right culinary direction and I’m eager to go back and try a few more selections from the menu. Save this spot for a special night out – it’ll be worth every penny.

The Foundry on the Bayou is located at 715 West 1st St., in Thibodaux. It can be contacted at (985)-387-4070.