Bourbon Street Grille
6308 Metropolitan Lane, Monona 222-4410
www.bourbonstreetgrille.com
Mon-Fri 11AM to close, Sat & Sun 8am to close
Dinner entrees $10-$20. Parking, Wheelchair access.
Smoking and nonsmoking sections. Major credit cards accepted.

Find a Little “Bourbon Street" in Monona
50 Plus Lifestyles Magazine
January, 2006

Jazz great Louis Armstrong sang “You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans.” Many people are singing that tune this year after the devastating results of hurricane Katrina and Rita. Those looking for a little of that French Quarter lagniappe will find a home at the Bourbon Street Grille, located at 6308 Metropolitan Lane, off of Bridge Road in Monona. The location, which has had several incarnations (most recently as Muskie’s) has been remodeled. The small, tastefully decorated dining room was moderately full on the Tuesday night that my spousal unit (a.k.a Rick) and I drove over for some good homemade food. As an appetizer, we sprang for the bayou Trio, a group of deep-fried shrimp, crab puffs and calamari that came with three dipping sauces: marinara, cocktail and ranch. While the appetizer wouldn’t be on a heart-healthy diet, it was tasty.

The menu was extensive, offering both traditional New Orleans dishes as well as some tamer fare. All dinners come with choice of soup or salad. Rick chose his usual, French Onion, and I went with the salad. The soup was hearty and had no shortage of onions. The lettuce was dressed up with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions. Homemade parmesan peppercorn dressing topped the crisp veggies.

We both decided to dive into the traditional New Orleans dishes – after all, when in Rome. I had a spicy jambalaya with andouille sausage, chicken and shrimp simmering in a lively tomato base. That tomato-based tanginess didn’t take away from the seafood and sausage. And when I reheated my leftovers the next day, the flavor was just as fresh as it was the night before. Rick chose the New Orleans stuffed chicken, a heavenly mixture of a chicken breast stuffed with mushrooms, Monterey Jack cheese and lightly breaded, wrapped in bacon and drizzled with an alfredo sauce.

Each entrée came with a choice of sides: various types of potatoes, rice or sautéed vegetables. I usually use the vegetables to judge a restaurant’s quality. If they’re mushy and overcooked, everything else is likely to be overdone. These did not disappoint. Onions, red peppers, mushrooms, yellow squash and zucchinis were lightly sautéed in a flavorful butter sauce. Rick chose the garlic mashed potatoes, which were a little light on the garlic, I thought. But then, after a few spoonfuls of the jambalaya, my taste buds might have still been in shock.

Portions are quite generous and prices are reasonable. Most of the entrees fell between $9.95 and $13.95. Besides the full dinners, the menu includes salads, burgers and wraps. There’s also a senior menu and the building is handicapped accessible. During the warm weather, Bourbon Street grille features outdoor dining overlooking the Yahara River.