cravings

Mimi’s Cafe Introduces a Newly Imagined Entrée for Fall

Mimi's Cafe Honey Lavender Pork Chop

It’s not every day your taste buds get whisked away to experience delicious French-inspired food. So when the opportunity presents itself to try a newly imagined entrée, you do what any foodie with a flair for French cuisine would do… Pack up your taste buds and head over to Mimi’s Cafe.

Located in 97 cities around the country, Mimi’s Cafe is a French-American neighborhood-style eatery that captures the vibe of a French country cottage with splashes of New Orleans-inspired decor. Already known for it’s hearty portions of great-tasting, fresh food, Mimi’s recently asked guests to help develop it’s next great entrée to be featured in Mimi’s menus this fall. Ellise Pierce, author of “COWGIRL CHEF” and CowgirlChef.com, took the lead as guest judge in choosing the winning dish of more than 175 finalist submitted recipes.

So, what was the winning dish?

An original recipe for Honey Lavender Pork Chop, as imagined by Michael Watz of Evanston, Illinois. For the winning recipe, Watz and his wife won a trip to France, where the Mimi’s parent company, Groupe Le Duff, is based. (Trying to contain my jealousy.) 🙂

Mimi's Cafe Honey Lavender Pork Chop

I was invited to sample this new-to-the-menu entrée and I was totally blown away! The succulent center-cut pork chop is lightly glazed with honey, and seasoned with lavender and herbs de Province providing an excellent balance of flavors that serenaded my palate like a Jazz saxophonist. The entrée is perfectly paired with a mixed green salad with green apples, cranberries, goat cheese, toasted walnuts and roasted potato croutons tossed with balsamic dressing. Oh sooo tasty!!!

Mimi's Cafe Honey Lavender Pork Chop

“This one-of-a-kind dish brings the lavender of the French countryside to America’s beloved grilled thick-cut pork chop,” says Pierce, cookbook author and chef. “We went looking for an original French-inspired, American comfort food recipe to feature at Mimi’s cafes and we found dozens. In the end, the light honey and herb glaze with the smoky grilled pork won us over.”

And, win me over it did! During my Mimi’s experience, hubby and I met with Don, the General Manager at Mimi’s Cafe in Perimeter Place in Atlanta, who gave us an exclusive tour of the restaurant’s eclectic vibe along with several other offerings from their equally diverse menu. First up were two fresh takes on a common cocktail. The Mango Mimosa (Korbel champagne with fresh-squeezed OJ and mango),and the Triple Berry Mimosa (Korbel champagne, fresh-squeezed OJ, strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry) that is by far the best Mimosa I have ever tasted!

Mimi's Cafe Mimi's Cafe Mimi's Cafe Mimi's CafeMimi's CafeMimi's CafeMimi's Cafe

We also got some VIP treatment from the very friendly head chef, Nigel who served us two more dishes: the signature Jambalaya and the Simmered Meat Sauce Pasta. Is it proper etiquette to kiss your plate before or after you eat? 😛 To say the entire meal was delicious would be an understatement. We finished our tasting tour de France with a palate pleasing Pumpkin Cheesecake Slab Pie that sang a sweet serenade to my sweet tooth.

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I’m so thankful that I was chosen to taste the yummy new Honey Lavender Pork Chop dish among the other fantastic Mimi’s offerings. Now that my tasting tour was complete, all that remains is a trip to fabulous France to seal the deal! 😉 Hey, a girl can dream, right?

Mimi's Cafe

Hey, if you want to take your taste buds on a tasting adventure to the French countryside, be sure to stop by Mimi’s Cafe. And while you’re there you’ve got to experience their new Honey Lavender Pork Chop which debuts on menus today! I’m definitely heading back for another bite… Or two, or three… 😉

Mimi’s Cafe is located inside Perimeter Place at 1221 Ashford Crossing in Atlanta, Ga.

Nikka Shae The Undercover Socialite

I was compensated a tasty meal in exchange for my opinion, but all drooling is my own. 😉

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31 Comments

  • Reply Anitra | The Mom on the Move September 19, 2016 at 7:40 am

    How do you go to Mimi’s and not get muffins? This may be our next date night stop. That salad sounds delish!

  • Reply Kemkem September 19, 2016 at 7:50 am

    I am so drooling right now. It’s lunch time here and should have eaten before reading this. Everything looks so delicious. The drinks look so yummy! I would love to try Mimi’s 🙂

  • Reply Alli Smith September 19, 2016 at 7:56 am

    I can see why the honey lavender pork chop won! It looks amazing! The pork chop looks tender and the honey and lavender glaze is a winner in my book.

  • Reply Shirley Wood September 19, 2016 at 8:10 am

    Mercy, that Honey Lavender Pork Chop looks amazing. I checked the site and there is a Mimis Cafe at the Mall of Georgia so I’m making plans now and I already know what I’ll be ordering!

  • Reply Mitch September 19, 2016 at 9:36 am

    Since there are multiple locations I have will have to look for this! We are looking for all things French since that is what my son is studying for language!

  • Reply Jenn @ EngineerMommy September 19, 2016 at 12:02 pm

    This looks like such a beautiful restaurant to dine in. That lavender pork chop sounds amazing. If I’m ever in this area, I’d love to stop by this place.

  • Reply Angelic Sinova September 19, 2016 at 1:28 pm

    Everything looks so delicious! I’ll definitely have to check and see if there’s a Mimi’s Cafe near me because I have got to try out that Honey Lavender Pork Chop!

  • Reply Christy Maurer September 19, 2016 at 2:32 pm

    Wow, that looks so good! I only like pork chops when they’re really moist and tasty and those look like they are! I wish they had those by me!

  • Reply Gwendolyn Mulholland September 19, 2016 at 3:23 pm

    Everything looks so tasty and making me hungry since I didn’t have lunch. I will be checking out Mimi’s Cafe if I ever get down that way.

  • Reply Sarah September 19, 2016 at 5:21 pm

    What a perfect Fall meal idea, I love it. During Fall I truly do think of these types of pasta meals to warm the bones!

  • Reply Liz Mays September 19, 2016 at 7:29 pm

    Oh what a lovely experience. Their new pork chop does look good! I’d love to try some of their other meals too.

  • Reply Jenn September 19, 2016 at 7:32 pm

    What beautiful decor. I love the colors and fun feel of this place. Plus, the food, oh my goodness your photos look delicious.

  • Reply Latoya @ Life and a Budget September 19, 2016 at 8:34 pm

    I think we have one of those in Greenville, SC. If so, I’ll have to check them out because that pork chop looks good!

  • Reply Tamika @ TamikaHall.com September 19, 2016 at 11:33 pm

    All of the food looked delish. I can see why the pork chops. They looked amazing!

  • Reply CourtneyLynne September 20, 2016 at 12:57 am

    Omg now we say yum?!?! Every last dish looks absolutely amazing!!!! I need to check this place out!

  • Reply Rebecca Swenor September 20, 2016 at 8:47 am

    Mimi’s Cafe sounds indeed an amazing place to dine. The place looks gorgeous along with the food looking delicious. I would love to try the honey lavender pork chop. Thanks for sharing your Paris like experience.

  • Reply michele dickerson September 20, 2016 at 10:38 am

    Wow! This Cafe is a place that I would love to visit. The food looks outstanding!

  • Reply Donna Shana September 20, 2016 at 11:25 am

    That pork chop looks absolutely amazing! I’ve got to look into Mimi’s. Always down for a great bite to eat.

  • Reply Ty September 20, 2016 at 11:54 am

    I have only likes Mimi’s for breakfast but now, I’m rethinking that. Everything looks so good. I willing to try them for dinner now.

  • Reply Ramona from Addicted to Fries September 20, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    Great post. I haven’t eaten at Mimi’s Cafe in a long time. I will definitely stop by and try the new dish. Your description and photos make it sound so delicious.

    Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply Mimi Green September 20, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    That meal looks delicious, just hold the walnuts. That prize though, I’m jealous too.

  • Reply Tiffany H. September 20, 2016 at 1:59 pm

    Wow I’ve never tasted lavender in food but it sounds delicious! I like Mimi’s but have only been there for breakfast, I love the muffins( they are so think, warm and fluffy! The other food looks great as well. I’m over salivating over the food. LOL

  • Reply Joanna September 20, 2016 at 4:30 pm

    Sounds like a really cool place to eat. I definitely want to try the mango mimosa. Putting this on my list for when I visit Atlanta

  • Reply Robin Rue September 20, 2016 at 6:03 pm

    That Honey Lavender Porkchp sounds interesting. I would love to give that dish a try!

  • Reply Tia September 20, 2016 at 9:31 pm

    I love porkchops! That dish looks so delicious. Too bad I don’t live closer to try it for myself.

  • Reply Bonnie @wemake7 September 20, 2016 at 11:21 pm

    What a beautiful place to go eat at. The food there looks really tasty.

  • Reply Elle September 21, 2016 at 5:36 am

    OMG, the pictures made all of the food and the restaurant decor look absolutely amazing. I definitely can see myself dining their one day.

  • Reply Elle September 21, 2016 at 5:37 am

    Yummy! The pictures made all of the food and the restaurant decor look absolutely amazing. I definitely can see myself dining their one day.

  • Reply Sara-Jayne September 22, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    Honey lavender pork chop – it even sounds beautiful. I wish I could dine there!

  • Reply Adeola Naomi September 23, 2016 at 8:42 am

    Beautiful post with yummy images!

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  • Reply T. Espinoza September 29, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    OMG! I don’t eat pork but… Honey Lavender Pork Chop? Holy cow! That looks delicious. We used to have a Mimi’s near us but they closed it 🙁

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