LEO/LHB: Les bon temps roux-lez at J. Gumbo's

[Robin Garr]

<table border="0" align="right" width="290"><tr><td><img src="http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/gumboplate.jpg" border="1" align="right"></td></tr><tr><td>To help you get into the Mardi Gras spirit, J. Gumbo’s offers a hint of Carnival flavor with its delicious Cajun-style gumbo, Louisiana beer and beads. Lots of beads. LEO Photo by Sara Havens.</td></tr></table>LEO's Eats with Louisville HotBytes
We laissez les bon temps roux-lez at J. Gumbo's
(J. Gumbo's in Clifton; Sala Thai's City Wok)

Want some "lagniappe," an extra treat, a little freebie like the 13th donut in a baker's dozen? Say "Lan-yop," as Louisiana's French-accented Creoles and Cajuns do, and you'll be right in the spirit of Carnival, the month-long time of fun, festivity and wretched excess in Latin countries - and, of course, in old New Orleans and the Cajun bayous.

Carnival rules from Twelfth Night, the 12th day of Christmas, until Mardi Gras, "Fat Tuesday," slams the door on deliciously sinful fun as the gloomy and repentant Lenten season begins.

If all this sounds a little bit like Derby time in Louisville, that's more than coincidental, right down to the 24-hour party that ends the festivities with a bang.

In New Orleans, and throughout the watery arc of bayou country that extends south and west of the city past Baton Rouge to Lafayette, Carnival is an endless round of parties, costumes and fun, with noisy parades that wind through streets filled with people doing a fair impression of the Derby Infield scene. Revelers on floats are armed with trinkets and colorful beads in the Mardi Gras colors of green, gold and purple, called "throws" because they're tossed out in response to the traditional cry, "Th'o me somethin', Mista!" Now, that's lagniappe.

We don't get much of that in Louisville, especially in bleak January and February. But there's at least a hint of Carnival flavor as close as your nearest Cajun-style eatery. This year, with Mardi Gras coming up on Tuesday, let's take a look at J. Gumbo's, the restaurant formerly known as Gumbo A Go-Go.

<b>J. Gumbo's</b>
2109 Frankfort Ave.
896-4046
http://www.jgumbos.com
Robin Garr's rating: 85 points

<b>Sala Thai City Wok</b>
526 W. Main St.
583-7238
Robin Garr's rating: 68 points

Full reports in LEO and on LouisvilleHotBytes.

why do I always log in to this site when I'm starving? Now, I'm positively drooling.

In regards to the Frankfort Ave. location, you know how poorly I think of the food. But...I'll pass along last week's comment from my co-workers (who actually like J's food): "There's no flavor. It's just hot!"

[Robin Garr]

In regards to the Frankfort Ave. location, you know how poorly I think of the food.

I do, and frankly, it was your commentary - which I respected - that sent me back for a few fresh J. Gumbo's experiences for analytical observation. On that basis, I'll stand by my original remarks: I believe there is a clear and distinct difference between Clifton and the other (commissary-suppled) outlets. Of course you have every right to a different opinion, but I can only report what I taste, and the difference in portioning and food quality - and, frankly, overall atmosphere - was apparent to me.

It's difficult to disagree with that. Atmosphere-wise on Frankfort Ave., it can't be beat. I'd go there just to drink Abita and listen to good music. Speaking of, there's an Abita IPA now out titled "Jockamo" after the Mardi Gras Indians.