Cotton – Monroe, LA

I love watching Chopped on the Food Network. Whether I am watching it on a plane or at home after a long day of work, seeing the chefs create wonderful and unique dishes is inspiring. So I was thrilled to learn that a Chopped Champion has a restaurant in Monroe, Louisiana. Chef Cory Bahr opened a wonderful place called Cotton.

The restaurant is in a beautifully restored building in downtown Monroe. There are elegant wooden tables, brick walls, and pictures of Louisiana’s rich history decorating the walls. When I walked in I knew I was going to experience something really special.

I started off with a Moscow mule while I looked over the menu. They made a great one with all fresh ingredients, and of course a copper mug!

There were two appetizers that were ordered for the table. The deviled eggs were one of their specialties. They were served with Louisiana caviar on top and placed upon a dill pickle. That caviar added extra saltiness to the egg that I have never had before. It was the perfect food teaser.

Out next was the duck fat fries. These fries were addicting. The duck fat actually makes the fries crispier than traditional fries. I also noticed that they do not seem to feel greasy as other fries. Topping them off with salt was the perfect accompaniment. For me, duck fries do not need ketchup. These came with a wonderful truffle aioli but I still liked them plain.

For dinner I ordered the chef’s special for the night. It was a white fish, similar to a red snapper, and came on top of a risotto and drizzled with a tomato sauce. It was a beautiful presentation on the plate. The fish was flakey and seasoned well. The tomato sauce was more like a broth. Dipping the fish in the sauce added a sweetness to the fish.

The risotto was creamy and had the right amount of garlic mixed in. It did not have the texture of traditional Italian risotto. It reminded me more of a couscous. It was the perfect complement to the fish.

Dessert was a must try. Keeping with the southern feel, their desserts were served in mason jars. We ordered two for the table to share: chocolate mousse and caramel apple pie.

They were layered in the jar for a pretty presentation. I would dip my spoon in making sure to go through each layer, this way I would get each component. One person could easily eat a whole jar but it was much more fun to share.

If you want to check out a unique restaurant of a Chopped Champion, then head to Cotton. Make sure you have reservations, because they get busy. You will not be disappointed. Check out their menu at www.restaurantcotton.com Check back often because it changes based on ingredients available to the chef.

Enjoy!

T