Abby Singer’s offers up one-of-a-kind dishes
ABBY SINGER’S BISTRO
AT THE ROBINSON FILM CENTER
617 Texas St. in downtown Shreveport 459-4125
Lunch: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday
Dinner: 5-9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday;5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
At 710 Texas St. in downtown Shreveport sits one of the city’s most impressive cultural assets, The Robinson Film Center. This jewel of a facility presents firstrun quality films, independent films, classics, foreign films, world-class documentaries and assorted shorts and animation.
The second floor of the facility also offers one of the most impressive restaurants in the area: Abby Singer’s Bistro, open for lunch or dinner.
At lunch, this charming bistro is packed with an eclectic crowd of film-lovers and lovers of good yet affordable food. At
night, it is filled with patrons going to or coming from a cinema experience unlike anything else the area has to offer.
The food is fantastic and affordable for either lunch or dinner.
Start lunch with a soup du jour that, no matter the days offering, I have always found to be flawless.
Across the board, the soups are wellexecuted with creative combinations of ingredients that will please your palate. The gumbo is also an exceptional rendition of a Louisiana standard that will satisfy even the most devout Cajun.
Among the salad selections, you should not miss the Tuna Tower Salad, a combination of mixed greens, red bell pepper, sesame seeds on wonton chips with seared tuna steak tossed in a sesame vinaigrette. The fresh crunch of the wonton chips gives a textural contrast to the tender chunks of tuna and the rest of the ingredients blend together seamlessly caressed by the subtle vinaigrette.
Among the Bistro’s signature entrees, do not miss the fish tacos. Two fresh corn tortillas are filled with cabbage slaw, cilantro, avocado and jalapeños with a side of pineapple salsa. The fish itself is a delicate and flaky cod fillet that can be ordered grilled or fried. Either way, this popular item is a fresh and innovative dish you will order time and time again.
Burgers at Abby Singer’s are always a house favorite, particularly the irresistible Royale With Cheese. This is an 8-ounce quality beef patty with lettuce, tomato and red onion with your choice of cheese (bleu, cheddar, goat, pepperjack, provolone or Swiss) and bun (multi-grain, sourdough or whole wheat). The Kraken Burger evens up the ante by being made with a 10-ounce serving of prime Kobe beef topped with Swiss cheese, Kraken BBQ sauce and an onion ring. It is served with an order of onion rings.
I can never pass up a portobello mushroom no matter how it is prepared, and on the Portobello Mushroom Sandwich, the meaty ’shroom is roasted and served with spinach, roasted red pepper and caramelized onion with pesto aioli. This is a really outstanding creation that should produce a round of “bravos” for the chef. On the dinner menu, the appetizers include
Abby’s cheeseboard (three gourmet cheeses with hummus, fresh fruit and honey served with crackers); crab stuffed avocado, fresh avocado stuffed with crabmeat and wrapped in bacon and breaded with panko crumbs; and the outstanding fried green tomatoes, buttermilk-battered and topped with feta cheese and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Duck nachos are a must-have with tender, succulent duck braised in chipotle and adobo sauce with caramelized onions, sage, cilantro and goat cheese served on crispy wonton chips. Also, don’t miss the Singer Rolls – four shrimp egg rolls with garlic and cilantro served with an unforgettable sweet and sour chili sauce. Make the egg rolls a meal by adding fried rice.
If willpower will allow, save room for dessert. Choose from a great selection of some of the best sweet treats around: peerless crème brulee (a favorite) and tiramisu.
Abby Singer’s also offers an impressive selection of wines that can complement any of your menu selections.
– Karl Hasten
