Restaurant Review: Okra’s Louisiana Bistro

"Lagniappe" (lahn-YAHP) is a Louisiana term that means "a little bonus or a little something extra."

Lagniappe is widespread throughout the South and it aptly describes the feeling at Okra's Louisiana Bistro in the heart of Old Town Manassas.

"We're in the hospitality industry," said Executive Chef Matthew Bennettwood, better known as "Chef Wood." "I grew up in the South and I believe in that. Whatever I can do to please my guests, I will."

The camaraderie between chef and its confident, enthusiastic owner Charles Gilliam is evident and refreshing.

Bennettwood was born in Vicksburg, Miss., but raised in New Orleans from the age of 2.

He began his cooking career at the famous Antoine's Restaurant in the French Quarter. The self-taught Bennettwood credits Tom Cowman, executive chef of Restaurant Jonathan, with his real break in the industry. Despite having limited experience, Cowman hired Bennettwood as his sous chef because he sensed his passion for cooking.

"He opened the door inside me. He took a chance" and "he taught me to be humble," Bennettwood said.

With over 1,800 original recipes under his chef's cap, Bennettwood boasts the most authentic Cajun and creole fare in the area, and even the U.S.

He "keeps the hometown-feel" at Okra's and stays true to his roots, using only the freshest ingredients, from locally-grown produce to freshly-squeezed juices.

Bennettwood showcases his beignets—traditional New Orleans deep-fried pastries served hot and smothered in powdered sugar—on his Sunday brunch menu, and says he will "put them up against New Orleans' Café Du Monde's anytime."

Jambalaya, one of the menu's best sellers, is made in true Cajun fashion, with NO tomato. Genuine dirty rice is distinctively moist and flavorful, with a blend of ground beef and chicken livers, lots of onion and seasoning.

Another menu favorite is the "Tabasco Mixed Grill." This medley includes grilled marinated pork loin, Cajun-spiced chicken breast and a tower of shrimp drizzled with andouille gravy.

If I haven't aroused your taste buds yet, let's take this review to the next level and talk about Foundation Restaurant.

Northern Virginia Magazine named this fine-dining venue one of the area's top 25 restau-rants.

Owned and operated by Okra's, and located right next door, Foundation leaves you "feeling like you just had the best meal of your life," says the Washington Post.

This is where "Chef Wood" can really dazzle you with his blend of worldly cuisine.

Foundation's menu, unique and exciting on the food scene, impresses you with dishes influenced by Central American, Spanish, Asian, Thai and French cuisine.

Fresh chargrilled Hawaiian yellow-tail (Kona Kampachi) topped with tequila honey shrimp, ginger-shrimp-stuffed duck breast with orange garlic glaze and filet of beef with gorgonzola crust and dried cherry demi-glaze are just a few offerings.

An evening at the chef's bar is an intimate, five-star experience with this congenial host, as he shares his love of food and zeal for cooking.

Bennettwood shares techniques for balancing flavors of carefully-selected ingredients in dishes like "Duck Breast Chambord" with fresh berries, and "Chocolate Deca-dence" with Grand Marnier-laced strawberries and crème fraiche.

He uses minimal seasonings, which allows each ingredient to shine through in its own way.

Reservations are required for the chef's bar special event, as seating is limited. Whether you're hankering for the down-home taste of the bayou or looking for an elegant, new din-ing scene, visit Center Street in Old Town Manassas and experience the hospitality.

Mary Ann Kauchak lives in Lake Ridge. Her third cookbook, "SHORTCUTS, TOO," is now available at Salt & Pepper Books in Occoquan or at the Potomac News office in Woodbridge. Send questions or comments in care of this paper at P.O.Box 2470, Woodbridge, VA. 22195.

WANT TO GO?

» OKRA'S LOUISIANA BISTRO, 9110 Center St., Manassa

Call: 703-330-2729

Visit: okras.com

Hours:

Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

» FOUNDATION

Call: 703-368-3427

Visit: foundationmanassas.com

Hours: Thursday through Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m.

Sunday, 10:45 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 to 9 p.m.