myra myra

Myra Myra on the Wall is a semi-regular column written by a hip, Rainier Valley 20-something who seeks to uncover all after-hours happenings in Southeast Seattle for those of us who don’t always equate going downtown with having a good time. Email Myra with your favorite south-of-I-90 hang-outs, upcoming events or random observations about hidden South End spots.

It’s 10:55 am on a Saturday morning and I’m starting to get restless. Jemil’s Creole Café at the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) opens it’s doors at 11 am. and as I peer inside, I can see the owner of the café preparing for yet another day of authentic New Orleans cuisine.

At 11 am sharp, owner and chef Jemil Johnson opens the doors dressed in a neatly pressed chef’s uniform. Finally, I can eat what has had me peering in the windows like a crazy person: Shrimp Po Boys from the place that makes them so good you wonder why didn’t hear about this place sooner.

The distance from the Rainier Valley to New Orleans is close to 2,700 miles. Gratefully, Chef Jemil was able to take some of New Orleans’s best food and bring it right to our doorsteps. Opened in November of 2008, Jemil’s Creole Café is NAAM’s sole eating spot. Jemil used to run La Louisiana before it closed its doors in 2007. Back on the restaurant scene, he brings extra soul to the Rainier Valley with his use of Cajun cooking techniques.

Walking into the Creole Café is well… let’s just say the ambiance is not quite up to par with the food. The florescent lights and meeting room chairs do not do a southern-style restaurant justice. It would be a warm welcome to hear music from Cajun zydeco bands as well as music of famous New Orleans alums like Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton.

Since the restaurant is still very new, the Creole Café is working on building its clientele. Most of the people who come into the restaurant have just finished touring the museum  and are looking for some fare to complete their experience.

Chef Jemil does all of the food preparation himself; so while you’re waiting for your meal, start with a cup of Café Au Lait, a New Orleans coffee tradition that is half coffee and half milk and chicory. This savory treat will make you wonder if a trip to New Orleans is necessary to experience more sweet, southern delights.

Many items, such as the gumbo and collard greens will keep you coming back for more, but none are better than the po boys served only on Fridays. Po boys are Louisiana submarine sandwiches that are named after poor New Orleans streetcar workers (poor boys). Jemil uses crispy soft Louisiana French bread and adds lettuce, tomatoes, dill mayonnaise and fried shrimp to complete this sandwich. As an added flavor boost, he also adds a little ketchup to the sandwich. If the sandwiches weren’t 10 bucks a pop I would order two more to eat throughout the day. Trust me, they’re that good.

The Creole Café is good, but cheap it is not. Po Boys are 10 dollars and items such as gumbo and jambalaya can cost up to $12 dollars. I sincerely hope that down the road he offers some mid-range items to attract those who want to eat good and inexpensive.

Chef Jemil believes that good food is a spiritual process that wakes up the mind body and soul. His southern upbringing taught him that good food is the best way to build community. Conversations are started and bonds are formed over delicious foods. If southern food is what you desire, come in and build a new food relationship with the Creole Cafe.

Bring ‘em here because…
This café serves bangin authentic New Orleans Cuisine. Also Chef Jemil serves up his cheerful and courteous personality with each meal.

Keep in mind…
The prices are bit expensive and the menu differs from each day.

Jemil’s Creole Café – located at 2300 South Massachusetts Street at the Northwest African American Museum – is closed Monday & Tuesday, open 11 am-4:30 pm on Wednesday, 11 am-7 pm on Thursday and 11 am-4 pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

More from Myra:

• Myra’s Back With Amorcito Lounge on Beacon Hill; Just in Time for the Weekend (2/27/09)
• Myra Tries Vince’s & Loves Everything but the Cranky Bartender (10/4/09)
• New RVP Night-Life Columnist Reviews Angie’s Tavern: “a Diamond in the Rough” (9/22/08)

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Myra Myra on the Wall is a semi-regular column written by a hip, Rainier Valley 20-something who seeks to uncover all after-hours happenings in Southeast Seattle for those of us who don’t always equate going downtown with having a good time. Email Myra with your favorite south-of-I-90 hang-outs, upcoming events or random observations about hidden South End spots.

There are many reasons why people go to bars. A friend is in town, first date, or maybe you just need a good vodka tonic to take the sting out of the day. I can name about 100 bars in the Seattle area that will all give you what you came for… a drink. Margarita… check… nachos… maybe… great service… not all the time. Sure you can find the liquor you crave, but some of us want a little more with our rum & Cokes.

We want a place that feels like it’s one of those tucked away spots in a corner of your town. A spot that not everyone and their mama frequents. A spot where you’re on a first name basis with the bartender, and you laugh when he uses a book to make the drink you requested.

As a lifelong resident of the Rainier Valley, I crave for those places. A place I can fall into wearing short shorts and tank top and still feel comfortable enough to order a Greyhound.

Yes, as cliché as it sounds, I want a place where the bartender knows my name. I’m not asking for much in the midst of the new of condos and classy eateries, I just ask for a place that puts a little “oomph” in the real Rainier Valley experience.

And I’ve found it at Amorcito Lounge on North Beacon Hill, my new nesting ground.

Amorcito – part of Baja Bistro and Java Love Café at Beacon Avenue and 14th Avenue South – is a baby on the south-end nightlife scene having opened not quite one year ago.

When you walk in you’ll see the coffee area surrounded by about a dozen tables. If you peek a little to the left you can see the kitchen straight ahead where they actually make their own chips (no Tostinos here!). This place looks like your typical Mexican cantina – in Seattle! The bar area is small, but so what.

Meet Luis and Oscar, two brothers who manage the Amorcito lounge – very friendly with loads of personality. It was Luis who brought out the drink book and asked everyone what a Greyhound was. I won’t even lie; I thought he was talking about the dog. To my surprise, a Greyhound is grape juice and gin (who knew?).

Next meet Tim the bartender – a former residential architect who is taking a turn at bartending.  He may not know how to make a Tarantula, but that’s nothing that a recipe book can’t fix.

More importent than Tim’s drink mixing abilities are his conversation skills. There are no indifferent bartenders here.  Tim really wants to know who you hooked up with or how you feel about Ken Griffey Jr. coming back to the Mariners.

Oh, and did I mention the happy hour?

Seven days week from 3-6 you will be treated to a delicious happy hour. I suggest a pomegranate  margarita ($4.50) and steak tacos ($2 a piece). Happy hour in Southeast Seattle?! Yes, folks it’s true.

Now, I usually end my posts with “bring a friend, date, yadda yadda,” and I always mean it. But this is not  a suggestion, it’s a must. Bring your first date here to break the ice ( Luis will provide lots of laughs to ease the jitters) or bring a large party and really get it poppin’. While the bar is small, don’t worry about space, because after 10 pm they close the dining room and use it as overflow for the bar.

Let everyone else have the crowded downtown bars while you have your Spanish escape right here in the ‘hood.

And tell them Myra sent you…

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