Inside: MiMi's Cafe

(Credit: Kara Markley)

Photos:

Mimi's Café, just outside Polaris Fashion Place, offers something for everyone in a large, comfortable dining area with a full bar and excellent service. The menu and décor contain elements of New Orleans festivity, French finery, and Mardi Gras flair. With an extensive menu of American classics, Cajun and seafood, Mimi's will serve a tasty take on your favorite dish.

Food: Mimi's is known for hearty comfort food with the perfect finishing touches. Start with Mimi's Trio appetizer, a combination of zucchini parmesan, chicken tenders and spinach & artichoke dip. If you're in the mood for a bit of spice, try the grilled pork pot stickers with sweet and sour sauce. From there, you can find nearly any entrée imaginable on the menu. If you love seafood, you'll be in heaven.

The Cajun dishes are fairly authentic, as well. There are even salads, soups, quiche and sandwiches for those with smaller appetites. You really can't go wrong here, but if you're looking for customer favorites, try the French onion soup, parmesan-crusted chicken, citrus broiled shrimp or oven fresh pot roast.

Try all of the desserts if you can, because they are amazing. It's impossible to pick just one.

Libations: Mimi's has a full bar with a decent selection of wine and domestic beer. There is also an Espresso Bar with both standard and dessert coffees. The mocha latte is very good, but it's sweet enough to be a dessert on its own. You can also order standard fountain beverages and iced tea.

Décor: The dining room consists of comfortable booths and tables with an appealing red and black color theme. Keeping with the New Orleans style, soothing jazz music and old standards play in the background. The walls are covered with interesting art and old photographs, hand-picked and arranged by the restaurant's designer. Here and there, a crystal chandelier hangs over a booth and casts a soft light. Although this probably isn't the most romantic restaurant you'll ever go to, it's very nice for a casual diner. Plus, you always have the option of sitting in the bar area as well.

Crowd: Lunch hours are not very busy, but evenings (and especially weekends) bring in more people and sometimes require a reservation or some waiting time at the bar. If you plan to arrive after 6pm on a Saturday, call ahead.

Service: Servers are friendly, charismatic and engaging. Feel free to inquire about the menu or ask for recommendations. Drinks and appetizers are served promptly, but expect a short wait for your entrée on busy nights.

Insider Tip: If it's your first time at Mimi's, you can expect to receive a complimentary box of their fabulous muffins to take home after your meal. Each box contains 3 or 4 full-sized muffins that are positively addicting.

Bottom Line: If you want to relax in a nice atmosphere and enjoy true comfort food like Grandma used to make, Mimi's is the place to go.

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