One thing we never expected in Northern California was to get a taste of New Orleans in Healdsburg CA!
Welcome to The Parish Café, A Taste of New Orleans in Healdsburg CA
Back patio view of The Parish Café
As you know, if you have been reading my blog posts for a while, we LOVE New Orleans. By the time we reached Northern California we had been away from NOLA for about three months, after spending six weeks there in Autumn. At that point we were really craving the foods that remind us most of our home away from home.
What made us even hungrier for a taste of New Orleans was that our friend Trish told us about a place called The Parish Café in Healdsburg. She had hoped that we could have lunch there when we spent the day together. Unfortunately, due to Covid restrictions, they were open on a very limited schedule.
A few days later we learned they were open and headed there immediately for lunch.
Even the floor mat made us feel like we were in New Orleans!
The menu and open kitchen at The Parish Café
Who dat say they gonna beat dem Saints?
As soon as we walked inside we felt like we were in New Orleans. There were Fleur de Lis all over as well as football jerseys from three members of the New Orleans Saints hanging above the doors that led out to the patio. The chalkboard menu rang true with items like Muffaletta and Po’ Boys. Hubby and I made our choices easily. We decided to share a half a Muffaletta and a whole Fried Oyster Po’ Boy fully dressed.
Lunch is a beautiful thing at The Parish Café!
I went out to the patio to snag a table for us, while Steve waited for our order. When I saw him come out with our sandwiches I knew immediately that they were the real deal. Everything about them sang out that the Chef/Owner Rob Lippincott and his wife Karla were from New Orleans and knew what Cajun and Creole food should taste like.
Lunch is a beautiful thing at The Parish Café!
I could not really choose which sandwich was better or more authentic. The Muffaletta was on the perfect bread complete with sesame seeds. The Italian meats and cheese were in the perfect proportion to the olive salad. The Po’ Boy was also on that lovely French bread that we are used to in Louisiana. The fried oysters were plump, crisp, juicy and plentiful. We devoured our sandwiches and rolled off the patio stuffed, very happy and in need of a good long walk to burn off some calories.
Rockpile Vineyards Tasting Room was diagonally opposite from The Parish Café
Loved seeing this Humane Society’s friendly puppy sculpture on our drive back to Ladybug.
We came for a taste of New Orleans in Healdsburg CA and we left missing NOLA just a little less. Thank you Rob and Karla for creating this wonderful spot for us to come to when we feel a bit homesick for our favorite city.
