Toulouse Petit Kitchen & Lounge

Reviews 3

AN

Andrew Lee

Im sick and tired of trying to write a review for this place, and every freaking time I try to write a review, I want to say something interesting, that hasnt been said about this place, but damn it, I am stuck saying... "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" BAM! I stole the quote that you get when you Yelp a 5 star. Thats pretty creative, YES? Well, this place isnt copying anyone, because its what you would call -- Confident. Sure, this place is Bi-Polar, and you are thinking, REALLY? And this deserves a 5 Yelpie review? Its an amazing breakfast place and GUESS WHAT? Drinks and Dinner, yes that deserves something special. So maybe you are a breakfast lover, guess what, this is the place that makes you want to cry a little, because the food here is just that delicious. This like the Beignets, and their Eggs Benedicts are literally worth waiting any amount of your important time. The eggs are cooked perfectly, and the hollandaise is delicious, oh hell, the English muffin is good to eat too, its like a great sponge that sucks up that goodness so you are not putting your face against the place in hopes of getting ever molecule of flavor off the place. Oh hell, I dont think anyone would blame you if you did that, however, this place is pretty classy, so maybe you should avoid that. That said; Creole is on the menu (NO that is NOT a spice blend, its a style of cooking; still taking breakfast here.) Breakfast isnt complete unless you have your Spicy Shrimp and Eggs over Creamy Grits. Of all things you dare put on your menu -- *face Slap* this is over the top mouth-water-eat-and-cry-good of a dish... you have to trust me, I have eaten grits in over 30 of these United States. Did I mention... Breakfast Happy Hour! Every Item on their Breakfast Menu is only $8.00 every Monday - Friday from 8 am - 11 am.... *WHHHHHAAAAAATTTTT?* I havent had Lunch here, but there are pretty awesome, well written and serious reviews about it, please read those. Okay, back to silly... Dinner. -- there is a period there because even though there are amazing cocktails, drinks and booze; I think the food here is under-rated-beyond-belief-and-you-should-know-it-just-.Super-cali-fragi-lis-tic-ex-pi-ali-do-cious. Ha..HA! I like steak! I love a great piece of well cooked meat. Its something of a wonder, how fire + meat = deliciousness. I dare not boggle my mind, because for a price cheaper than Daniels, you get a beautiful tasting lovingly well put out plate of meat (gold). I mean really, Center Cut Prime Filet, is just amazing, I would have rudely taken a photo of it, but the flash alone would have put me into that "NOT-classy foodie," so no pic, but you should imagine in your mind Lamb Chops, which come with Asparagus, and Tomato Confit (whatever Tomato Confit is), the lamb was incredibly tender, the seasoning was there, but just enough to make it rock. If you are getting the steak, get the Center Cut Prime Filet with Oyster Mushrooms, Onions and Tasso. This review has gone long enough, back to the beginning of the review, I wrote something... this place is really "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" I would say, get a reservation, because unless you want to hang out in the bar, which isnt that bad either, because the drinks are strong and delicious... a booth/table is perfect to relax and enjoy a great meal.

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Mark Guzman

Easily one of my favorite restaurants in the city! Located on the alive-and-kickin corner of Queen Anne Ave and Mercer, Tolouse Petit is a definite hotspot in the shadow of the Space Needle and Seattle Center. It is decorated with attention paid to the most intimate of details, including hundreds of candles on the interior perimeter walls that are lit by hand before dinner service starts. Their menu reads like a book. A scrumptious, savory book. The dinner portions are generous, the drinks are creative and theme-appropriate, plus the nighttime atmosphere is hard to beat. They run breakfast specials M-F and have live music once a month or so from a great Spanish guitarist. Everyone Ive recommended this place to has really liked it and said they would be back. My parents even spent New Years Eve here! I have asked a few friends what they thought of this place, and most had nothing but positive things to say. There was one negative thing that did ring semi-true with me as well: the food can take a little while. But then I thought... the restaurant is always packed! Im sure they are doing the best they can. Their menu is HUGE and doesnt have a lot of ingredient overlap. Also, perfection takes time! :) My one bone to pick is that they dont have any beers on draft! They do, however, have some tasty beers from craft breweries in New Orleans. That scores them some cool points, but I hate that one of my favorite restaurants doesnt serve Mack & Jacks or Mannys. I m sure Im not alone on this front, but their brews arent half bad. I finally made it here for breakfast after several failed attempts (45+ min wait times after a night out and I would just walk to Pesos next door) BUT I showed up at 10 with a total party of 4 and we were seated right away. I was stoked! Our server came by and took our drink order quickly, then returned with our drinks and asked if we had any questions on the menu. She was very knowledgeable and helped me reach my decision of the Pork Cheek Confit Hash. It was featured on the Food Network, and rightfully so because it was amazeballs. But not enough for my insatiable appetite. By no means was it a small plate, I was just ravenous. I nibbled on my friends plates until I was satisfied. Everyone enjoyed their meals and drink concoctions. We actually lingered for quite a while after the meal talking and were never pressured to leave... very courteous approach despite people waiting to be seated. Sorry to whoever was waiting for our table! Coming here for late night happy hour is a hobby of mine. Their happy hour(s) was/were voted among the best in the country, and I dont disagree. The food specials are killer and their mixed drinks are $7.50. My HH recommendations: BBQ Shrimp Fried Chicken Gumbo (salty and spicy!) Sliders! (Lamb is my favorite, but the beef is equally incredible) Feeling adventurous? The helix snails are great! TL;DR: I could literally put a blindfold on, point at a random page on the menu, and be pleased with my choice. So much fantastic food! Just be ready for salt and spice (which is hopefully what you signed up for when you walked in to this place.) A destination-worthy breakfast, dinner, or late-night happy hour. Make a dinner res well ahead of time!

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Amy Dyess

They encourage racism against Cajuns, a minority race in America. If you want real Louisiana Cajun and Creole food then do yourself a favor and skip this imposter. Their "French Quarter Standards" section of the menu is a joke. They serve Idaho catfish and actually boast about that on the menu. The "Bayou Fishermans Breakfast" is $20, but a real bayou fisherman would spend less than that on food in an entire day, and they sure as heck wouldnt eat Pacific seafood! A Louisiana themed restaurant shouldnt use dungeoness crab, just our Gulf blue crab. Toulouse, we dont call shrimp "prawns;" we call our big shrimp "jumbo shrimp," and oftentimes theres one in a Bloody Mary. A gumbo should be $6 or less, and Ive never heard of frying the chicken. Theres chicken and sausage gumbo, and then theres seafood gumbo; do some homework. Toulouses po boys are actually rich boys at the $15 price; the best po boy in New Orleans is under $9, and mini street po boys are $2.99. This "restaurant" doesnt understand the concept of a po boy, and none of the rich boys they make are even what youd find in NOLA, BR, the Laffy Taffy, etc. By the way, red beans and rice should always be a Monday special, and they should be sold for daily $6 to $9, depending on the portion. I made a joke about rich boys to the robotic staff, and it either went over their heads or they have no personalities. If youre running a Southern restaurant then hospitality is just as important as the food. If you know a Southerner is dining in your restaurant then make them feel like royalty and listen to their advice, criticism, and stories (the Lost Pelican in Belltown, which is LSU alum owned, understands this). Everything else I havent mentioned from their "menu" isnt what youll find in Southern Louisiana; they made up a bunch of pretentious, overpriced dishes. Usually owners of restaurants ask me my opinion out here, but Toulouse doesnt care about bad press because they dont understand the food theyre attempting to impersonate. Lagniappe ("extra") Advice: Roux is too expensive but at least their food is good; I just cant go there out of principle. Revolver has good Cajun food and authentic prices, and the owner cares that the food is up to this Cajuns standards. The Kingfish Cafe was pretty good, but its permanently closed now; too bad! I havent tried Marcelas yet but plan to do so, and Sazerac is also on my radar. The best Cajun/Creole Louisiana food in Seattle is found at The Lost Pelican. I recommend hush puppies as an appetizer, and you cant go wrong with the crawfish pasta or red beans and rice (with ribs instead of sausage).