Page 24 - Indulge June/July 2016
P. 24
ing out in the valley OutdOOr dining,BIG EASYSTYLE
By Patrick O'Donnell
24 | indulge • june/july 2016 There’s something universally appealing about eating (and to fill. It was warm and sunny, and ceiling fans cast
drinking) outdoors. lazily rotating shadows across the tables and back wall.
Maybe it’s a throwback to our time as hunter-gatherers, Although the patio isn’t far from busy Broad Street, you
when we’d roast mammoth steaks and congratulate ourselves can’t hear the sound of traffic here. Seating is spread out
on making it through another day without becoming saber- far enough so you’re not backed up against someone else,
tooth tiger hors d’oeuvres. and conversations, too, are muted. “We could probably
Or maybe it’s because we spend so much of our lives squeeze more tables on here,” Taylor says, “but it’s not
inside something — be it an office, a car or our home. meant to be cramped … we want to keep it cozy.”
Whatever the reason, it’s always amazing to find an
alfresco eatery where you can unwind and forget about the From our spot near the door, it’s easy to overhear
workweek; a place where you can comfort your spirit as well people’s reactions as they’re led outside. They’re all
as your stomach. similar: “Now we’re talkin’!” “Perfect,” “This is lovely!”
The Bayou in Bethlehem, one of the Valley’s hottest
restaurants, is one of those places. It’s not huge — seating Dixieland jazz played softly over speakers — just
about 100 inside — but it’s consistently packed. What loud enough to be heard without being overwhelming.
visitors might not notice at first, though, is the little patio Fresh mint, used by the bartenders, grows in a planter
tucked out back. box along one wall. Ivy climbs another and Taylor
Outdoor dining can be hit or miss. While sidewalk seating says more plants will be added as the weather warms.
has its charm, most of us would rather not dive into a plateful They’ve just installed new tables and chairs and spruced
of food while every passerby examines what’s on our plate or up the mulch along the edges of the patio space. A
smacks us in the head with a shopping bag. Ambiance is also pair of wall-mounted gas lanterns lends ambiance for
important. Who wants to stare at — or try to shout over — nighttime diners; lights strung along the wooden rafters
traffic during their meal? add a bit of twinkling magic. It’s the perfect place to
The Bayou has both problems solved. The New Orleans- enjoy a glass of wine, beer or a cocktail and leave the
inspired restaurant has an intimate, enclosed patio that — workweek behind. If there’s a gentle rain, Taylor says,
bonus — has a roof in case Mother Nature doesn’t approve diners love the sound of it on the roof.
of your plans. You’ve got to get there early, or get lucky, if you
want a table, though — restaurant co-owner Mo Taylor says You can choose from full-on, traditional NOLA menu
they decided early on not to take reservations for the 30- items — like Crispy Cornmeal Catfish served with red
some outside seats, in order to preserve spontaneity. beans and rice, pickled shallot salad and red eye gravy
“It has that backyard feel,” he says, and they want to keep — or the ever-popular small plates, including Ty’s Mac-
it that way, allowing people to walk up off the street and join n-Cheese, Johnny Cakes or Charred Shrimp. The small
friends, or just hang out and have a drink if they don’t want a plates seem to be the way most diners go. “It gives
full meal. people a chance to try a little of everything,” Taylor says,
At 4:30 on a recent Friday afternoon just a few people and keeps the price point for a night out reasonable.
were sitting outside, but it didn’t take long for the space
N’awlins may be more than 1,000 miles away,
but you can get a taste of it right here — and never
leave the back yard. Now, would you mind passing
the cornbread?
By Patrick O'Donnell
24 | indulge • june/july 2016 There’s something universally appealing about eating (and to fill. It was warm and sunny, and ceiling fans cast
drinking) outdoors. lazily rotating shadows across the tables and back wall.
Maybe it’s a throwback to our time as hunter-gatherers, Although the patio isn’t far from busy Broad Street, you
when we’d roast mammoth steaks and congratulate ourselves can’t hear the sound of traffic here. Seating is spread out
on making it through another day without becoming saber- far enough so you’re not backed up against someone else,
tooth tiger hors d’oeuvres. and conversations, too, are muted. “We could probably
Or maybe it’s because we spend so much of our lives squeeze more tables on here,” Taylor says, “but it’s not
inside something — be it an office, a car or our home. meant to be cramped … we want to keep it cozy.”
Whatever the reason, it’s always amazing to find an
alfresco eatery where you can unwind and forget about the From our spot near the door, it’s easy to overhear
workweek; a place where you can comfort your spirit as well people’s reactions as they’re led outside. They’re all
as your stomach. similar: “Now we’re talkin’!” “Perfect,” “This is lovely!”
The Bayou in Bethlehem, one of the Valley’s hottest
restaurants, is one of those places. It’s not huge — seating Dixieland jazz played softly over speakers — just
about 100 inside — but it’s consistently packed. What loud enough to be heard without being overwhelming.
visitors might not notice at first, though, is the little patio Fresh mint, used by the bartenders, grows in a planter
tucked out back. box along one wall. Ivy climbs another and Taylor
Outdoor dining can be hit or miss. While sidewalk seating says more plants will be added as the weather warms.
has its charm, most of us would rather not dive into a plateful They’ve just installed new tables and chairs and spruced
of food while every passerby examines what’s on our plate or up the mulch along the edges of the patio space. A
smacks us in the head with a shopping bag. Ambiance is also pair of wall-mounted gas lanterns lends ambiance for
important. Who wants to stare at — or try to shout over — nighttime diners; lights strung along the wooden rafters
traffic during their meal? add a bit of twinkling magic. It’s the perfect place to
The Bayou has both problems solved. The New Orleans- enjoy a glass of wine, beer or a cocktail and leave the
inspired restaurant has an intimate, enclosed patio that — workweek behind. If there’s a gentle rain, Taylor says,
bonus — has a roof in case Mother Nature doesn’t approve diners love the sound of it on the roof.
of your plans. You’ve got to get there early, or get lucky, if you
want a table, though — restaurant co-owner Mo Taylor says You can choose from full-on, traditional NOLA menu
they decided early on not to take reservations for the 30- items — like Crispy Cornmeal Catfish served with red
some outside seats, in order to preserve spontaneity. beans and rice, pickled shallot salad and red eye gravy
“It has that backyard feel,” he says, and they want to keep — or the ever-popular small plates, including Ty’s Mac-
it that way, allowing people to walk up off the street and join n-Cheese, Johnny Cakes or Charred Shrimp. The small
friends, or just hang out and have a drink if they don’t want a plates seem to be the way most diners go. “It gives
full meal. people a chance to try a little of everything,” Taylor says,
At 4:30 on a recent Friday afternoon just a few people and keeps the price point for a night out reasonable.
were sitting outside, but it didn’t take long for the space
N’awlins may be more than 1,000 miles away,
but you can get a taste of it right here — and never
leave the back yard. Now, would you mind passing
the cornbread?
