Backstreet's Back . . .

Work lunch today with Twist, Boss Lady, and herbivore co-worker I will dub Veggie Tales. Lunch was an interview with potential hire at Backstreet Cafe off Shepard in River Oaks. Never been there before. Now, I am in love.

Darling patio and charming sun room that opens out to patio made for very pleasant atmosphere. Day before Twist and I had done a menu breakdown both zeroing in on the jambalaya as potential lunch choice. I did, however, say that if there were any seasonal crawfish specials I would have to go that route. Indeed, today's menu included the seasonal crawfish cheesecake. How gross does that sound? Totally, right? I thought so too but my curiosity got the better of me. Even the waiter was like, "wha?" when I ordered. It came with a nice little green side salad that I sucked up. The cheesecake was really more like a quiche but not as eggy. Very light and fluffy. And very freaking AWESOME. I can't even really articulate the symphony of flavors and the execution of this dish other than to just say it was really damn good. Really. The crust was light and flaky. I ate the whole slice and wasn't too stuffed or full. Just the perfect amount. The red pepper sauce it was in was even good and I believe my distaste of red pepper has been well documented here.  It was simply, The Shit.

Twist did in fact follow through on the shrimp and ham jambalaya.  I didn't hear him raving about so will assume that it was ok but not the best until I hear otherwise from him.  Veggie Tales got the lump crab salad.  I toyed with getting that but I just kept thinking it was an actual salad and picturing lots of mayo.  Oh how wrong I was.  Behold:

crab salad

No lettuce and mayo there.  Looks pretty pretty pretty good if you ask me.  I cleaned my plate and felt so good that I decided I would be ordering dessert (by the way, I'm back at aquatic bootcamp so figure I can have dessert if I want to, especially b/c I swam about a mile last night and did umpity-ump push ups and jumping jacks).

bye-bye crawfish cheesecake

I have a pecan pie thing--Backstreet had it on the menu. Boom. Done.  Everyone else was a loser and got no dessert and I didn't offer to share.  Get your own damn pie.  You see it wasn't a slice either.  It was a cute little tart-y pecan pie.  Again- wow.  Perfect toasty pecans!  Good pecan to filling ratio and good filling.  Now, I am a purist and don't like chocolate in my pecan pie.  This did have some stray bits of chocolate so those bites were kind of a bummer, but it wasn't enough to render the whole thing bad or to be too noticeable, which I appreciate.  And, before I forget, may I give my compliments to the pastry chef at Backstreet?  Or whomever makes the pies.  This is far and away some of the best crust I have ever had the pleasure of eating.  Light and flaky, not too rich.  Nice body and set off the filling well.  My personal preference would have been to have a dollop of some vanilla cream or homemade whipped cream on the pie rather than ice cream. but then I don't like ice cream on my pie.  Don't really get it.  Those 2 items should just go separately.  Maybe that's just me.

Pecan pie

All in all I would say the lunch was a rousing success.  Food was awesome, the weather was awesome, the sun room was awesome.  I gave Twist some Wendy's coupons and think I am finally out of the doghouse with him-also awesome.  and it's Friday-awesome!  Oh, and my daughter, Precious Perfect is 3 today.  Not quite as awesome but still pretty cool.  She is my greatest joy and my greatest challenge on a daily basis.  Go listen to Sting's "All Four Seasons in One Day"  that is my kid.  God help us all.  Happy Birthday baby!

I give Backstreet Cafe a 5 and a Hellz yes! Recommended.