Café Di Blasi (1801 Stumpf Blvd, Gretna)

We felt like some Eyetalian food again for the sake of St. Joseph. It was about time we tried Café Di Blasi. We heard things about it from many people, so we went for it.

It is a nice white-tablecloth-paper-top table kind of place. Very kid-friendly, though. Don't have to be concerned about giving the kids crackers and stuff to crumble on the floor. Down-to-earth, friendly atmosphere. I even met a guy who thought I was Shelley-somebody. Told him I was very happy to meet him, but I wasn't Shelley (poor Shelley).

Algerine started out with seafood okra gumbo (yeah, for the sake of St. Joseph, we'll call it "gumba"). I didn't get any, but it looked so good, I wheedled a spoonful. Yi! It was good. Second only to Restaurant des Familles.

I got the calamari. More heavily breaded than I was used to, but it was wonderful. Didn't want to fill up before the entrée, so I got the Algerine to "taste" it a few times.

Entrée: We both got the Misto Italiano. Combo plate with meatball, Italian sausage, veal daube, panée veal, fried artichoke heart, angel hair pasta, and red gravy. Woooooeeeeee! I swear I must have Italian blood somewhere, especially since the Algerine had to comment about my liking a little food with my parmesan.

Wonderful, crusty, Italian bread with real garlic butter. Good butter makes the meal for me.

They still had their St. Joseph Altar out (don't know for how much longer). Got a fava bean, but it is the first time I ever got one that was painted gold! Am I a novice, or is this usual? Every one I ever got before was a plain old brown fava bean. Also got a St. Joseph prayer card. Had to grumble under my breath 'cause they had the fig cookies all wrapped up in glass bowls. Must be saving them for something. Sure looked good.

We will go back again. Lots of other things on the menu to investigate.