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Food & Drink

Restaurant Review: Anchuca by Bethany Claire Johnson

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anchuka review vicksburg
(Photo by Bethany Claire Johnson)

I had a date night for the first time in forever with my soon-to-be husband this week. We wanted to go somewhere nice with good food, and we’d heard good things about Vicksburg’s Anchuca. We’d only heard good things, but nothing could’ve prepared us for what we experienced.

We made reservations for 6 pm. We get dressed up, we head into town.

Anchuca review vicksburg
(Photo by Bethany Claire Johnson)

First of all, Anchuca is beautiful. I’d love to rent a room one night just to see them because if the cafe is this nice I couldn’t imagine what the rooms look like. To get into the cafe you have to pass this beautiful patio area with a fountain and garden area. This area looks like a scene from a movie. It literally felt like we weren’t in Vicksburg.

We go inside Anchuca and get escorted to our seats. I’ve told y’all before, I am not a high-class, master of etiquette type lady. These folks had the CLOTH napkins folded all pristine-like. There were three different forks, fancy spoons, and big chalice-type glasses for water. The waitress came to our table and lit a tiny little candle. I was in awe.

Anchuca review vicksburg
The waitress came to our table and lit a tiny little candle. I was in awe. (Photo by Bethany Claire Johnson)

We started off by ordering two glasses of the Sauvignon Blanc, I believe it was the Scarborough. It was a nice beginning to the night. There was soft jazz playing, and it felt like Gregory Porter himself had hung the moon and the stars in that restaurant that night. I started off with the asparagus bisque, and my fiancé got the gumbo for our appetizers.

The asparagus bisque was asparagus-y and bisque-y. It definitely warmed me up. The gumbo was different because I’m used to a man named Bubba pulling crawfish out of the bayou by hand making my gumbo in the same pot that his family has had for 30 years. This gumbo was fancy gumbo. It was almost overflowing and jam-packed with seafood. It was delicious! The okra was thick and there was substance in every bite. I was very surprised.

For my main course, I ordered the chicken piccata, and my fiancé got seared Mahi over cheesy grits covered in seafood étouffée.

We had the pleasure of meeting our chef when she brought out our food. She was not only insanely talented, but she was kind and very attentive. My fiancé and I ordered cocktails with our meals. I had a cosmopolitan. He had the Manhattan. These drinks were so delicious and had such a classy presentation. It truly felt like we had stepped into Gusteau’s from Ratatouille. My chicken piccata was absolutely phenomenal. Hot, crispy, but lightly breaded chicken with a champagne caper sauce that made me melt. The lemon wasn’t overwhelming but the acidity balanced out the creaminess of the pasta. It was absolutely the best meal I’ve ever had in Vicksburg, MS. I only tasted my fiancé’s meal, but his Mahi was seared evenly and perfectly. The inside was so soft and tender, the etouffee was very thick and just slapped full of seafood. At the very least, I Can say these meals were inspiring.

We finished the night with a flourless brownie that had a creme filling and a chocolate mousse layer on top. It was topped with a brandy-based whipped cream and had a drizzle of caramel and chocolate. It was rich, moist, gooey, sweet, delicious, vivacious, etc. any positive adjective you could throw at this dessert  I can comfortably guarantee it will hit all marks. The entire meal was outstanding, the service was a caliber I haven’t experienced, and the scenery was nothing short of classy and romantic.

Anchuca review vicksburg
“,,,any positive adjective you could throw at this dessert  I can comfortably guarantee it will hit all marks.” (Photo by Bethany Claire Johnson)

After we settled up, we decided to finish our cocktails on the patio, under the ambient lighting with the fountain gently lapping behind us. Chef Ashley came outside to light our candle and inquire about our meals. It was the perfect way to end my night out.

I usually try to leave reviews with a sense of humor and a lighthearted attitude. If I would’ve done that with Anchuca, there’s no way I could have encapsulated just what a wonderful experience they gave me. Anchuca is truly the hidden gem of Vicksburg, MS.

Thank you, Anchuca, for the wonderful food and experience! I cannot wait to visit again.

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