Mimi’s Table makes dinner a special occasion

by Tallahassee Table

Executive chef/owner serves excellent fare in a friendly setting

When my husband took me to a surprise pre-birthday dinner recently, I was very happy to discover we were going to Mimi’s Table Tallahassee. Aside from ordering takeout, I hadn’t had dinner inside Mimi’s since the pandemic started.

William Lawson, executive chef/owner of Mimi’s Table on Miccosukee Road. Photo/ Tallahassee Democrat

The restaurant, owned by executive chef William Lawson, has been one of our favorites since it opened in 2018.

The setting is relaxing and friendly but it has a more intimate feel with white tablecloths, candlelight and fresh flowers (thanks to William’s wife Holly). Young servers are attentive and helpful, able to answer questions about the dishes.

A hand sanitizer at each table, filled with a mixture by William’s wife, Holly, offers a touch of safety without being intruding. Photo / Tallahassee Table

My husband and I were even impressed by the hand sanitizer William has put at each table. It’s in a sleek container filled with a jade green mixture that Holly makes, so it’s soft and smells good. It’s reassuring but not ugly.

This amuse-bouche features pulled barbecue pork with an Asian sesame slaw. Photo / Tallahassee Table

We took one bite of an amuse-bouche (French for mouth amuser) – pulled barbecue pork with an Asian sesame slaw – and I was reminded right away what I have been missing. On this recent visit, we dove into a basket of delicious bread and butter. (Our server asked if we wanted it and our answer was of course, ‘yes!’).

Mimi’s does a pretty wonderful appetizer of fried calamari with fried artichokes and peppers. Photo / Tallahassee Table

We love fried calamari but rarely order it because it’s usually a disappointment. Not at Mimi’s. Our appetizer brought a large plate of the lightly breaded squid, rings and tentacles, just the right amount of crispness, mixed with fried artichoke hearts and peppers. It’s served with a perky fra diavolo dipping sauce but you won’t feel bedeviled (sorry I couldn’t resist).

We could have licked the bowl after devouring Mimi’s potato soup. Photo / Tallahassee Table

There are lots of other tempting appetizer options such as wild sea scallops, smoked fish spread, charcuterie, salads and our other choice, the hearty potato soup. We savored the creamy, smooth purée of potatoes and vegetables (onion, celery, shallots) spiked with smoky pancetta and a hint of white truffle oil and garlic.

For a palate cleanser, we had a dollop of cooling mango sorbet with a bite of fried plantain, a flavorful combination.

We were nearly full by the time we dove into our terrific entrees of Tuscan chicken, which was always one of my husband’s top choices. It’s browned to a perfect golden crust with a fragrant lemon caper sauce, served with mashed potatoes and green beans.

I had the seafood grill, a huge serving with shrimp and sea scallops on a bed of grilled corn kernels, chopped onions, tomatoes, peppadew pepper and roasted red potatoes with arugula and a light white wine sauce. The dish was garnished with a hefty scattering of fresh lump blue crab.

Red or white Sangria is a refreshing choice but there’s also wine and beer. Photo / Tallahassee Table

Mimi’s has a good selection of wine, port and beer (including Proof Brewing Company‘s Eightfive-0 and La La Land) but we opted for the “I Need a Vacation” red Sangria with a blend of red wines and citrus juices. It was light and refreshing.

My husband surprised me with a birthday candle when we ordered Mimi’s perky sweet/tart Key lime pie. Photo / Tallahassee Table

I couldn’t figure out why my husband was insisting on dessert, but when our Key lime pie arrived, he brought out a candle and lit it to wish me Happy Birthday. I won’t wait until another birthday to dine at Mimi’s again but it sure helped make this one a special occasion.

Mimi’s has a few outdoor tables as well as inside dining. Photo / Tallahassee Table

Details: Mimi’s Table is at 1311 Miccosukee Rd.; 850-999-8406. Hours: 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. For more information about Mimi’s, also see our story/review at tallahasseetable.com/mimis-table-restaurant-review/

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