People were not talking in the dining room. It was quiet in that calm, good, comfortable way. I saw a guy staring at a large plate of buffet style BBQ, then looked left to see where he had gotten it from. I made my plate, as Cajun music played in the background. I sat down at the booth and heard “yummm…” coming from a five year old boy sitting with his family.
All in all, people were just not talking that much. They were eating and meditating on some fine BBQ. OF the three home-made sauces made there, I like the vinegar base best, but then, the sweet sauce is really good no, wait the mustard base is quite nice as well. Why pick favorites? They taste pretty good all mixed together and absorbed into the bottom of some corn bread.
On the buffet that evening was loose chop pork, green beans, mac and cheese, boudin balls, and Carolina dirty rice, and some hash and gravy. There could have been more, but I saw these items and began to make my plate. Ok, let me back up here. Boudin balls are a spicy rice, pork dressing formed into balls and deep fried. The Dirty rice was cooked in chicken and gumbo stock, which makes it super flavorful. I was not expecting such care over rice, and I got mad respect for that. The first forkful of rice, I had to stop and ask myself, wow, I have never tasted a story like this before!!! So I had to ask all about the rice, being a person that loves to care over rice.
I did not have time to take pictures of the food, because I was too busy worshiping this fine BBQ. AND, I am not usually a dessert person, but I had never seen a peach cobbler quite like this. It smelled so good that I just had to try some! There was just a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon on top- YUM!
The set-up is super cool for playing music and hanging outdoors. Fire pits, outdoor bar, oyster tables, and a tiny handmade stage! Just check out my photos!!! Note, deer antlers on the tin roof are not optional.
Any restaurant that has (all those sacred things mentioned above) plus TWO kitchens, a woodpile and it’s own garden is pretty cool in my book. The artwork is also quite amazing. I mean really, just look at the logo, and well, any sign that says bluegrass, oysters and welcome Danielle on it, pretty much rocks. That little fellow in the photo is Thomas. He was the kid who said “YUMMMMM” right when I walked into the dining room of Smoke, ready to make my plate. It was nice that he hung out at the gig with his Dad. Good food, and people are what I found playing and hanging at Smoke. For an Authentic, intentional, fun and full of love dining and hanging out to hear music experience, go to Smoke- go right now and tell me all about it!. I can’t wait to go back again. See you there! D
