While we nibbled on Joe’s Focaccia bread and sipped our wine, we decided to order Steamed Atlantic Mussels to start, along with Pad Thai Chicken Sates. Practically meals in themselves, the two appetizers were fabulous. The mussels were cooked with white wine, tomatoes, fennel, onions, fresh coriander, and cumin, the spices giving a wonderful aromatic sweetness. The Chicken Sates were grilled with sweet ginger currant glaze and served over a couscous salad with cucumbers, peppers, sesame seeds, and scallions in a spicy peanut sauce. We both agreed that the peanut sauce was remarkable, one of the best we’ve tasted.

Our salad selection, Roasted Peppers and Onions, piled on a bed of mixed greens with fresh mozzarella and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette, was just wonderful. The peppers and onions were smoky and succulently sweet and paired well with the creamy mozzarella. I love any dish that mixes hot and cold elements together, and this salad is a shining example of that.

Normally, when I eat at Joe’s, I order the Linguini with Shrimp and Scallops—it is just divine. But this evening I decided to try Sautéed Veal and Shrimp with sherry wine sauce, roasted shallots, and fontina cheese. Melinda requested Grilled Leg of Lamb rubbed with black pepper, garlic, and fresh herbs. A nearby couple was feasting on a special offering, Red Snapper Francaise in an orange caper buerre blanc. We all couldn’t help but talk about our dishes.

My veal dish was out of this world. The sauce was what really made it special, the roasted shallots especially. Melinda’s lamb was extraordinary, as well, served medium rare and paired with a tomato mint chutney, mashed potatoes, and fried onions. The chutney was a nice change from the usual mint jelly. Our fellow diners simply raved about the red snapper. They loved the combination of the sweet oranges and salty capers in the butter sauce.

For dessert, we tried Joe’s Poached Pear in and Almond Tuile Flower. It was beautifully presented, as well as delicious, served with crème anglais, a fragrant wine syrup, and creamy vanilla ice cream. Fortunately, it was enormous, so we didn’t mind sharing.

Joe’s 2nd Street Bistro is located in a restored early-1900’s home that boasts a charming New Orleans-inspired courtyard with a fountain and beautiful sunset views from its front porch. Truly, a top-notch restaurant that satisfies even the most discerning guests!