It's in Tulsa.  It took us a moment to realize that we were coming in on the
tail end of a <em>really big</em> birthday party.  Two long rows of several tables
pushed together each.  Essentially two-thirds of the restaurant's capacity
was devoted to this loud (but not riotous) party winding down.  Despite
this, service was punctual and the food was served piping hot.

<p>
Pati started with a lobster bisque, which she said was good.  I tried it
and, while it wasn't on a par with Wally's (what is?!), it was okay.  I
tried the "Louisiana dark gumbo" which was the best impersonation of
Francoise's black roux gumbo that I've ever had in a restaurant, seriously.

<p>
Crusty bread was fresh and good.

<p>
Pati had the "crawfish creole," which was crawfish simmered in the Holy
Trinity (Pati points out that the Holy Trinity was called exactly that in
the menu) along with some tomatoes.  The tomatoes weren't rendered down too
hard, so it was much more than a mere marinara; so says Texture Man.  Pati
liked it.

<p>
I had my fave, shrimp etouffée which had <em>slightly</em> overdone shrimp but a
wonderfully green Holy Trinity and a perfectly paced slow burn that didn't
quit.  The celery was rendered just right.  The concoction was better than
Mom's (don't tell her that I said that).

<p>
Good beer list.

<p>
The menu offered beignets, but they were out :( .  We had a perfectly
respectable bread pudding and an unimpressive pecan pie a la mode.

<p>
The restaurant is in an old business front that was expanded and then
subdivided (semi-detached long bar) with extremely well-matched brickwork
that lent a very natural look to the place.  Dark, narrow, deep, high
ceiling, no hokey overdone decor.

<p>
Friendly service.  We found a real winner that night in the Bourbon Street
Café, near the downtown Cherry Street district, 1542 East 15th.

I'm dying to go back to try their breakfast menu; check it out!
<br><a href="http://www.bourbonstreetcafe.com" ALT="Bourbon Street Cafe">http://www.bourbonstreetcafe.com</a>