GET FIRED UP

John surprised me by getting in early last night from out of town so we decided to run down to Waterloo and try out the new restaurant hoping they wouldn't be as busy as they would probably be on the weekend. We were right, it wasn't too busy and we had a great experience. The restaurant is JFires' Market Bistro located at 725 N. Market Street where the Waterloo Winery use to be.

The chef is Jennifer Pensoneau. She grew up in Prairie du Rocher and has returned. She recieved her culinary degree and then worked at Brennan Restaurants in New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina she moved back here and worked at Terrene in St. Louis under Chef David Owens. She then moved back to New Orleans and worked under Chef Gerard Marais. In 2007 she moved back home and decided to start her own business. JFires' opened January 21st of this year. They are holding their grand opening celebration next weekend, Sat., March 21st. They are going to be having a variety of specials in addition to serving their regular menu.

John enjoyed a generous shrimp Po-Boy for $10. It came with Veggie Fries and the JFires' grilled salad. There was an amazing amount of food for $10. I relished a wood fired pizza of Gorgonzola and Fontina served with additional roasted garlic olive oil on the side. Yummy! They also served a good slightly toasted bread and butter before the meal. And we each sipped a $6 large glass of red wine. We both took dessert home to eat later. John had the bread pudding with traditional rum sauce and said it was good, but to be honest we both have tried other bread puddings, too and they have always just been good or ok. I'm thinking they are probably just not our favorite indulgence. I had the flourless chocolate cake with caramel mousse and toffee and it was quite enjoyable and a bit unique, which wins raves with me.

Other items on their dinner menu include Pasta, rib eye steak, chicken, Cheese Fondue, Gumbo and seasonal entrees currently include Boudin, BBQ shrimp and Duck Ragu w/ Corn Cakes. For lunch they have a pick a meal for $6 which includes your choice of a sub or sandwich with a side of veggie fries and a drink or a pasta w/garlic bread and a drink. Breakfast runs the gamut from continental breakfast offerings to Omelets to hearty full on breakfasts of eggs, meat and potatoes. I do have one question though, since she worked in New Orleans and that's "where's the Beignets????"

They have a dinner menu that they serve evenings and all day Saturday. They have a lunch menu that they serve Wed. - Fri. And a Brunch menu for Sunday. Their hours are Tues.-Thurs. from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with brunch served till 2 p.m. I think their outdoor patio opens in the next couple weeks and I'm looking forward to that. While there are places in Monroe County to eat al fresco there are few with a pretty setting. If you need further info you can call 618-939-7233 or visit their website at www.jfires.com. We plan on going back, maybe we'll see you there!