Table Conversation: I Dream of Beignets
on 22 November, 2007
Strange, I know. When most people dream sunny days at the beach, spending time with loved ones (living or otherwise) or flying, I dream of sugar-covered, french doughnuts. Go figure. Let me just say I have never been Cafe du Monde, the American home of these famous little pastries, let alone New Orleans. So I’m bit at a loss as to why I would be dreaming about them to begin with.
In my dream, I am sitting in some unfamiliar cafe waiting to be served. When out of nowhere, a waiter with a wide toothy smile places before me a plate of spherical, golden-brown, sugar-coated goodness. I pick one up. The powdered sugar cascades down to the table and then to my lap. As I am about to bite in, A appears and says, “Why bother? There is a perfectly good Krispy Kreme down the road.” I wake up. Denied a taste. Sadness.
I am not a person who quickly gives up. Thus, when an opportunity to have a meeting at Serendra arises, I take it as sign that I can go to the one place in Manila where my dream can find closure, the newly-revived New Orleans Restaurant.
I call to check if beignets are available. Intially, I am told that the beignets are on the menu but they are currently unavailable. Again, sadness. I ask to speak to the manager, Mike. After explaining to him my need to have an order of beignets (I left out the part about the dream), he graciously explains to me that their beignets moved rather quickly and are difficult to make. But if I can tell him when exactly I would coming over, he would have the kitchen cook me up a batch… I love New Orleans.
At the designated time, I arrive at New Orleans, mention my name to the host, take my seat and wait. I don’t even order. They know what I want. Twenty minutes later, my order arrives. My eyes widen and my mouth waters. It is everything that I dreamt it to be and more. Served with a freshly brewed cup of coffee, I dip a piece into my java and take a bite. Happiness at last.
I was a little bit late for my meeting. But I’m sure they didn’t mind too much.
New Orleans
Building 6
Bonifacio High Street
McKinley Parkway
Fort Bonfacio Global City
Taguig City, Metro Manila
Telephone: (02) 856 4326, (02) 856 4785
Many thanks to Mike and the gracious staff at New Orleans for fulfilling a sugar covered dream.
LABELS: Beignet, Manila, New Orleans, Table Conversation
7
comments
Post a commentNOVEMBER 22, 2007 2:32 PM
katrina said...
I've tried the beignets at Cafe du Monde, and yes, they're yummy -- light, sweet squares of sugary dough. Although, I must admit that if I had to, I'd pick a hot-off-the-line Krispy Kreme doughnut over a beignet. Still, I want to try New Orleans' version. I haven't yet tried a beignet in Manila that comes close to the ones from Cafe du Monde. Not sure why, really...they can't be THAT hard to make, can they? They're just square doughnuts, after all.
NOVEMBER 22, 2007 5:27 PM
wysgal said...
New Orleans? I totally remember them when they used to be in Shangri-la.
NOVEMBER 22, 2007 11:19 PM
mtan said...
I enjoyed reading how Mike and his crew went the extra mile to help you out. Service isn't dead in Manila!
Katrina, not square doughnuts, but think more of a poufy, cakey, dollop of dough, fried and smothered in sugar. Plus the coffee. Dark, toasty, smokey, and strong enough to wake up all the voodoo zombies in New Orleans (the one in Louisiana, not Serendra) hehehehe. So do we start calling for Mike and use your name Franco? Will that get us a plate of beignets, like right now?
NOVEMBER 23, 2007 2:37 AM
Franco said...
Hi Katrina,
I asked a baker friend of mine and she said they are not hard to make but they are difficult to keep fresh and puffy.
But since I don't bake (or deep fry pastries), I will never know.
Hi Wysgal,
Yes. They are back from the dead. I must be ancient. I remember New Orleans when they were located across from Greenbelt 1.
Hi Mila,
Actually, I didn't tell the staff I was blogging this. I really just asked...persistently. :)
I am glad to report that service is not dead. You just have to call ahead and talk to the right person.
NOVEMBER 23, 2007 10:44 AM
docchef said...
on eof the restuarants i miss.. gload its back havent gotten to try the place yet.. love the Beignets at Cafe Du Monde when i was in New orleans last october.. even blogged abt it...
DECEMBER 16, 2007 5:51 AM
hundredpoundfoodie said...
very interesting dream, franco. also enjoyed reading mtan's doughnut and coffee description here.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2014 5:23 PM
Rowena said...
Hi there! I'm Rowena of Cafe Beignet. If you are craving for original beignets, just give us a call or you may visit our website at www.cafebeignet.ph for more information on how to order or where to find us. Thank you.