Cabaret royalty Mike Schmid is venturing into the restaurant biz. The owner of the Halifamous Reflections Cabaret, (5184 Sackville Street) and his partner Kathy Hatfield, are opening Louisiana Bayou Cajun Grill & Little New Orleans Bar at 5171 Salter Street (a location that’s seen a long string of openings and closings, most recently Kababji Lebanese Cuisine).The plan, which has been in the works for some time, was inspired by Schmid’s Florida vacations, and the good food that goes along with them.
With a French Quarter vibe, Louisiana Creole and Cajun eats—like catfish, gumbo, gator, jambalaya, po’ boy sandwiches and more— and live music, Schmid hopes the Bayou will offer a place for both the lunch and later dinner crowds. A Louisiana Music Festival is one of the plans he has in mind for the space.
“I don’t want to compete with Reflections for entertainment, but I do want to feed my Reflections crowd,” says Schmid, adding that he finds nightlife options for the 30-plus in town are lacking. “I think the space has had its challenges, but I’ve been in the cabaret business for 15 or 16 years. I think if you manage it well, it can work.”
And an October 15 opening date for his latest venture isn’t the only news from Schmid. Reflections has just officially been approved to move into the former TAO location, coincidentally across the street from the soon-to-be Bayou at 5187 Salter Street. He says that big switch will likely happen in January.
This article appears in Oct 3-9, 2013.
The name is certainly a mouthful!
Also, most who are familiar with southern cuisine know that ‘Cajun’ does not equal ‘New Orleans’. New Orleans is primarily known for Creole cuisine, not Cajun. Cajun is anything west of the Atchafalaya River. I’ll probably give it a shot (but I won’t be telling my in-laws in Lafayette where I ate)
How fresh is the “gator”? Like, seriously.
So, you fixin’ to serve Oyster po’boys with some Balfa Bros tunes, or whaaa?
I guess the & sign would be the tip-off and leave room for both varieties of cuisine.As they say, it’s all good.
Oh this sounds like an excellent idea.. Haven’t had a good oyster po boy since I left Edmonton. This has FUN written all over it. Sign me up.
I’ve been there and ate there and found it excellent. The place is beautiful and they are just getting started. Watch and see in a month or less. It will be probably the best corner
in Halifax and Halifax needs it.