137203 Mon Feb 23 06:13:45 -0800 2004 12 11 South 0 735702 Visited on a Sunday so quite a few places I had hoped to visit were closed. This included a place I will definitely check out another time. Mohawk Tavern Seafood Restaurant 704 Louisville Avenue, Monroe, LA 71202, 318-322-9275 We drove past it. You know how some places you just know are good eats? ... from the look and upkeep. This was one. A tidy shuttered eclectic-looking gray-blue building with hand-painted "Oysters on the half shell" letters. To turn around out back we drove through their back yard. Paved in oyster shells. Another "virtual "report is Cormier's Cajun Catering & Restaurant 1205 Forsythe Avenue, Monroe, LA 71202, Monroe's Retail District, 318-322-0414 which was also closed Sunday. This is like a crawfish-cooking shed, with an awning covered eating area beside it. (A good idea for crawfish houses as the entire premises can be fire-hosed down each evening.) Again, it looked great, but was closed. So where was open in Monroe? We ate lunch at Cypress Inn at 7805 DeSiard Street 345-0202. It was a nice location on a large bayou with the back porch (including outdoor dining and "bayou feeding station") overlooking the water. Extensive place, with good boiled crawfish at reasonable price. Not seasoned (either salt or spice) quite aggressively enough for me, but pleasant surroundings. Seafood platter included good catfish and fried shrimp. Fried oysters were OK. Seafood gumbo included sausage which is not usually my taste, but on its own terms it was a sprightly little gumbo. We also had beef po-boys from Ray's Pe-Ge 8209 DeSiard Street, Monroe, LA 71202, 318-343-0710. Don't ask me how you pronounce it? Maybe like the French letters P & G.(?) Ray's was slow on the service but the po-boys were fine when they arrived. A "clean" flavor to them with real slices of (non processed "real") beef and not gunked up with dressing. A very nice sandwich. Lard-fried fries and heavenly gravy for dunking. The most interesting thing though about Ray's Pe-Ge was that Ray (I presume) had a bank of security surveillance monitors beside him as he cooked burgers. I don't think even CIA HQ or any Las Vegas casino could have more cameras installed than Ray's. He keeps twiddling the knobs on his monitor to zoom in on all the frying and toasting and varied activities of his small empire. It was a little bizarre but interesting. And the only other thing I saw in Monroe that was amusing (to me) was an Italian restaurant which advertized itself as "Semi-Fine Dining" ~ a concept whose time probably has not come. Thanks for reading. Mike Mon Feb 23 06:13:45 -0800 2004 0 Mike 1 735713 As a Monroe girl, nothing beats Pe Ge's. Pronounced just like it is spelled. Mon Feb 23 18:15:15 -0800 2004 735702 0 Becca Porter 2 735715 Becca, So *is* Ray a member of the covert black op's CIA fraternity? Also what great places in Monroe did we miss? Was my hunch about Mohawk Seafood correct?? Thanks Mike Mon Feb 23 19:26:05 -0800 2004 735713 0 Mike 3 735722 I'm not Rebecca, but I can tell you that you were absolutely correct about the Mohawk Seafood Tavern. It's been around "forever". My father-in-law (former WWII vet)took my mother-in-law out to eat there when they were young and dating. The food is really good. My favorite is the fried shrimp, but they also have good gumbo, and a "Seafood Delight" salad that is popular. Steaks are also good, as is just about everything else. I am happy that after all these years they are finally going to open a second location in West Monroe. (If they ever get it built!) Oh, and btw, you were correct about Cormier's, as well. Probably just about the best crawfish you will find in this area. I don't know about the cameras at Ray's. Haven't been there in a while, but his establishment is another one of those "Monroe Legends", which has been around for quite some time. I would also like to recommend for you a new restaurant, which I think you would like - La Bella Vita Italian Grill. Nothing average about that place, IMO. I would hate to think you based your opinion on Monroe's food as a result of eating at Cypress Inn. If there's a next time, please try to come on Tuesday through Saturday! Tue Feb 24 01:03:32 -0800 2004 735715 0 Ally 4 739077 I apologize in advance, but I have to disagree completely with your assessment of La Bella Vita. It's a chain restaurant, nothing more, nothing less. I ate there tonight, and while the meal was edible, it certainly wasn't what I expected based on what I'd read on this board. Anyway, I will make an attempt to ask for recommendations prior to actually travelling to Monroe next time. :) Link: http://www.appetites.us Sun Sep 19 20:21:59 -0700 2004 735722 0 Robert Peyton 5 3065837 you are correct about La Bella Vita, nothing special. and that is why it is no longer in business. another one bites the dust Thu Oct 25 07:30:13 -0700 2007 739077 136824 travelinsam 3 738441 On your next trip through, I'd recommend the "Kitchen" which is downtown. After living in Lafayette, LA for 5 years, I haven't been impressed with the food in Monroe. As the others have mentioned, bella vita is good for italian. I know the owner fairly well. IF you're in town during crawfish season, which is really late Feb to May, go to Crawfish City in West Monroe. It's much better than Cormier's. Crawfish City bugs are more true cajun. If you really want great food, head 200 miles south to Lafayette. There's more great restarants there than fire hydrants in Monroe. After spending a few days there, you'll struggle getting your plane back in the air. Good luck - Ryan Sat Aug 14 17:23:39 -0700 2004 735715 0 Ryan 1 735728 Ha! Ray seems like a really interesting man. He is always there. He is getting on up there in years and I heard that he was going to leave it to his daughter to run for him. Then she had some sort of accident and it was all up in the air if it would close down. It seems he didn't want to leave it to a stranger, But I haven't heard anything for a while. My inlaws are huge raw oyster fans, they love Mohawks. It's very good. As for La Bella Vita, I keep going there hoping to like it and I'm not impressed. Though our waiter Kurt was a looker. He kept calling me baby, my husband loved him. If you are into bbq, over the river in West Monroe, BBQ West is incredible! The owner used to manage Danken Trail. Its by far the best bbq around. I hardly ever check this board because there is never anything about NE La here. It's good to hear there are at least a couple chowhounds passing through. If you ever go a little north of here, in Spearsville La they have the BEST seafood buffet. People drive hours to get there just for the food.(Theres nothing else in the town!)Well it was really good talkin to ya! Becca Tue Feb 24 10:31:49 -0800 2004 735702 0 Becca Porter 2 735737 I somehow knew Monroe had chow . . . it seems in good hands from these posts. I thank you for your recommendations especially the seafood buffet---we'll try that. (Any others?? in the vicinity??) We *will* be back for Mohawk---glad my nose for good places was up to snuff. Good oyster places are just not to be found on every corner. I live in Tulsa but happily can fly down to Monroe (2 hours) as a private pilot and plan to do so. Was wondering if there was much Mardi Gras activity but did not see any evidence in Monroe. I guess more of a thing "way down yonder" in S La(?) Thanks again, Mike Tue Feb 24 18:47:33 -0800 2004 735728 0 Mike 3 735745 I just realized I never gave you the name of the seafood restaurant. It's Hollis seafood buffet. Another good restaurant is in Ruston, La. It's called Monjuni's Italian Restaurant. I heard they were putting one in Shreveport as well, but I'm not sure. Ruston is within 30-40 miles west of monroe. I'm envious of your traveling abilities. The ultimate means for a hound! Wed Feb 25 11:16:45 -0800 2004 735737 0 Becca Porter 4 3294582 Monjuni's is absolutely the best...and now they also have a Monroe location! Mon Jan 14 13:32:29 -0800 2008 735745 157030 iluvtennis 4 3295319 I have been going to Monjuni's in Shreveport for at least 7 years. Decent food. Mon Jan 14 16:45:50 -0800 2008 735745 29164 tiomano 1 736026 I seem to be in Monroe a lot for work and get stuck at the same places. I have not been to the Mohawk in a while. I find that the best food is at this restaurant on the Bayou which name escapes me, perhaps the Wharf? The Wharehouse is not bad but nothing too wonderful. Although, just for the ambience alone rather than the food, one must at least once walk into The Chateau. This place is just not to be believed! I mean, honestly, standard poodle statues, Venus di Milos, blue lights, orange pumpkin lights, sconces with cascading grapes, red vinyl chairs booths, tiki style booths, and much much more. The crawfish enchiladas are actually good. The flamboyant maitre'd is actually named Bubba. Have you ever? Tue Mar 16 15:49:20 -0800 2004 735702 0 Margaret