La Place

La Place Restaurant Review:

Named after a small town outside New Orleans, La Place occupies a historic downtown Hillsborough building that once housed James Pharmacy. The Creole and Cajun cuisine equals that found in similar southern Louisiana cafés but is rarely seen in North Carolina. Chef Jeremy Blankenship grew up in North Carolina, but his knock-out seafood gumbo, fried oyster po’ boys with crunchy French bread, crawfish etouffée, and the best red beans and rice (with tasso ham or shrimp) we’ve tasted this side of the Mississippi prove his authority in this genre. Dinner specials sometimes include dressier dishes, such as rack of lamb with mint sauce. Winning appetizers are boudin balls and the chef’s irresistible smoked jalapeño-and-corn fritters. Brunch continues the theme with bananas Foster pain perdu and a shrimp sausage Benedict, the perfect foil for La Place’s signature Bloody Mary. The small daily changing wine list supplies boutique selections and rarely seen varietals, along with local craft beers and familiar and/or creative cocktails: coffee Negroni and spiced pear Collins. House-made desserts could include bread pudding with bourbon sauce or a pie made with local apples. The tile-floored café is small and loud. For conversation, choose a sidewalk table or order takeout.