PICKY PEACHES ON THE ROAD #3: Louis, Louis, Oh Baby, You Gotta Go!

Save room for dessert. It’s so incredibly delicious that it would be a shame to skip it! That may seem like a strange way to start a blog, but the entrees are generously portioned, and we want you to be prepared so you can experience a dessert that is actually worth the calories. Where can you enjoy such divine decadence? At the third stop in Peaches on the Road, Louis Louis in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.

From the moment you get out of the car, it’s very clear that this is no ordinary dining experience. The outside of Louis, Louis is charming with its twinkling white lights, ample seating and cozy fire pit for chilly evenings.

 

There may be a long wait, but they’ve made a commendable effort to make the wait as enjoyable as possible. Check in with the hostess, grab a drink at the bar, and head back outside to savor the twilight. Since they’re only open from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m., we encourage you to get there early.

The specialty drinks, at the bar, actually are special in that they aren’t the same things you find at every beach bar. The mojitos at Louis, Louis are tasty, but they’ve kicked it up a notch by offering other flavors, in addition to the traditional lime. We found the Pineapple Mojito particularly refreshing. If you like your alcoholic beverages a little on the sweeter side, this one’s for you. The iced tea is crisp and fresh, with just enough sweetness.

Speaking of the bar, we noticed that locals, especially couples, tend to take advantage of the first-come-first-served seating in order to bypass the long wait for a table so they can start eating some of the wonderful food faster. If this suits you, grab a couple of seats, order a drink and then enjoy dinner at the bar.

If you prefer a table, once your name is called and you’ve been seated, the friendly server will present you with a large chalkboard menu and go over the selections. That’s it. There’s no additional menu. Louis, Louis has perfected the idea of doing only a few things and doing them beautifully as opposed to doing a lot of things and only doing them ok. The five or six entrées on the menu are mainly seafood based and focus on quality and flavor. It’s a good idea to read the menu online before going, especially if anyone in your party has dietary restrictions or is a picky eater.

If something seems vaguely familiar about the menu, it may be because Louis, Louis is sort of a sister property to The Red Bar in Grayton Beach. Both are owned by Louis Petit and/or his sons and share a similar menu and eclectic, New Orleans-inspired decor. Try not to get a crick in your neck as you look around the interesting walls.

Shortly after being seated, piping hot olive rolls arrive at the table. Served with real butter, this artisan bread is too yummy to miss! Have one while it’s hot!

Louis Petit is a native of Belgium, who moved to the United States in the 1970s. He’s been in the restaurant business over 50 years and really seems to relish providing his patrons with an enjoyable dining experience. So, if a dapper gentleman approaches your table, don’t worry! It’s Louis himself. He’s not being nosy, but just making sure you’re happy.

Enjoying an appetizer is an ideal way to begin what’s sure to be a memorable dining experience. Having trouble deciding what to get? Order a couple of appetizers instead of an entree. The choices include a Crab Cake topped with citrus buerre blanc, Smoked Tuna Dip with chipotle mayo and saltines, Pork and Shrimp Egg Rolls with chili dipping sauce, a satisfying cup or bowl of house-made Seafood Gumbo, just to name a few. Decisions, decisions. . .

However, the entrees are so outstanding, that we wouldn’t want you to miss trying at least a bite of one from your generous friend’s plate.

We highly recommend:

The Crab Cakes, topped with citrus buerre blanc, are served with mashed potatoes and house salad. What makes these so melt-in-your mouth perfect is the fresh crab meat and no-filler recipe. So good!

Blackened Grouper topped with brown butter sauce and served with a bacon cheddar grit cake, sautéed spinach and house salad is amazing! The tiny bit of bacon adds just the right flavor to the grit cake. The entire meal is a delectable blend of spices and flavors.

If seafood isn’t your thing, try the Grilled Pork Tenderloin served with mushroom red wine gravy. It was so tender. It’s also accompanied by mashed potatoes and house salad.

Now to the grand finale: The Belgian Chocolate Creme Brûlée is so outstanding that we’d bet that engagement rings have probably been found in it! Creamy chocolate is smoothly balanced and not too sweet, making it taste more like chocolate than sugar, which is a very, very good thing. When Louis stopped by our table, he made a point of telling us that the chocolate is actually from Belgium. This is adult chocolate at its finest. The crunchy caramelized sugar on top gives it yet another superb taste as well as textural interest. Freshly made whipped cream is the perfect end note. Spray can whipped topping on such a stellar dessert would have been a crime.

Note: They do have a kids’ menu but the choices are half orders of the items from the regular menu or chicken fingers. Prices $6.50 – $14. We didn’t see very many children on our visit. It was mostly groups of adults and couples.

Psst! The restrooms are clean and just as eclectic as the rest of the building.

Louis Louis, 35 Musset Bayou Road, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459.
Hours: Open 7 days 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. louislouis.net

Join us next week for a tribute to the most important event in history.

Until next time, love and peaches!

1 thought on “PICKY PEACHES ON THE ROAD #3: Louis, Louis, Oh Baby, You Gotta Go!”

  1. I’m sorry, but I’m still drooling over the blackened grouper and the Belgian chocolate creme brulee. Did I miss anything important? Heehee! Thanks again, sweet friends!

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