By Céline Alis
Last Wednesday, we were invited to the open house of 1868, TABASCO's new restaurant located right next to the country store on Avery Island.
You could smell the new furniture from the doorsteps, where Facility Manager Linda Clause and Brand Manager Angie Schaubert greeted us with a smile. They said the restaurant will be open Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Inside, Iberia Parish elected officials and tourism professionals enjoyed a delicious dinner straight from the restaurant's new menu concocted by Head Chef Lionel Robin. All the items incorporated the famous sauce, from appetizer to dessert.
The house salad was served with a pinkish, sweet pepper jelly dressing.
Then, smiling servers gave us a generous helping of pepper barrel crawfish etouffée (flavorful, yet not too spicy), garlic corn maque choux and bacon green beans (my favorite!)
Finally, Katey Stanford, TABASCO's Visitor Center Coordinator, navigated from table to table to hand out tiny china cups of Raspberry Azalea Ice Cream, which, of course, had a TABASCO twist (we suspect they used a drizzle of Raspberry Chipotle sauce, but the recipe is top secret...)
We enjoyed the simple, homey, country vibe of the place which features the famous sauce on its wall decor.
We can't wait to come back and sit on the wrap-around porch or back patio when the weather cools down this Fall!
Will you join us?
