Coffee and Beignets

Let me share something with you. I don't "like" coffee. I LOVE coffee and anything with coffee in it I have to try. The moment I started to pack my bags before heading out to New Orleans, I was already thinking of getting my hands on a cup of their famous Café au lait and a beignet. I've always heard about "Cafe Du Monde" so as soon as we reached New Orleans, we pulled into the first Cafe Du Monde drive-thru that we saw. Yep, the drive-thru and I'm not even sorry. There are several Cafe Du Monde coffee houses with drive-thrus speckled around New Orleans and Metairie. Isn't that awesome? It was a nippy morning so my piping hot cup of café au lait was like a warm hug. As for the beignets...wow! Pillowy, doughy, soft and tender on the inside. It was a divine breakfast and we had powder sugar mustaches.

The iconic Cafe Du Monde location in the French Quarter is almost always packed with long lines of people waiting to be seated. It's not necessarily a bad thing but quite the contrary. 

We wanted to spend our free time taking in the sights so Instead we opted to try something that wasn't a big touristy attraction (and I say that respectfully). I heard about "Cafe Beignet". It's a little spot in a quiet corner on the French Quarter. 

When we got there we were disappointed at first because just as we walked up to their doors they were locking up early in the evening. Luckily there was a flyer attached to their window directing visitors to their second location that stays open later on weekend nights. I'm so glad that we decided to go there because it turned out to be one memorable experience.

The last minutes of daylight were dissolving into a delicious evening. Just as we were walking in the band began to play, "When the saints go marching in". It immediately got us very excited. That was the moment that I fully savored that unique flavor that makes New Orleans so enchanting. 

We found a little bistro table for two and sat down ready to take in the festive ambiance of the young evening. While we waited for our cafe au lait and fresh beignets a pigeon hurried across the paved brick patio floor pecking at any crumbs that were left behind.

We could barely hear each other speak over the lively music but our smiles said it all. Strings of old patio lights hung above us outshining the barely visible stars. I observed grassy weeds that clung between the cracks of the aging brick facade. Far from being undesirable, they added to the charm of the place. There was a warm gentle breeze that evening that carried the robust fragrance of chicory coffee, sweet beignet dough frying inside and diffused into that distinct aroma of the old streets of New Orleans. The melody, the smells, the crowd cheering, the twinkle of lights, and sitting next to my sweetheart is a vivid image that will stay in my heart until the next time we return.

I can't say that the cafe au lait and beingets are better at one place or the other. Each has their own delicious characteristic. The beignets at Cafe Du Monde were pillowy and tender while the ones from Cafe Beignet were a little bit larger and had a little crunch to it. Both equally dusted with about a pound of white snowy sugar but equally delightful. The cafe au lait was wonderful at both places but I enjoyed the one from Cafe Du Monde much more. I found it to be richer, creamier and fuller. I couldn't decide on only one place over the other. I would have to go to both places when I return. That evening at Cafe Beignet was an unforgettable one. By the way, Cafe Beignet serves much more than coffee and beinets. They have a variety of items on their menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

With all that said, take this post as a prelude to my ode to coffee. While I was on the road I found a way to make my own iced cafe au lait on the go without any special equipment. Be on the lookout for my next post coming up soon!

Have a fantastic week everyone!