Archived Article By Tom Fitzmorris Originally published October , 2007 Patois Opens Uptown, In Former Nardo's A new French-leaning bistro has opened on the corner of Webster and Laurel Streets, featuring the food of the chef who used to be at The Bank Cafe in Marigny. Aaron Burgau was cooking great stuff over there, but the location was too obscure for the market. Patois, on the other hand, is in a familiar restaurant neighborhood. It's a block away from Clancy's, and Patois's building was the home of the legendary poor-boy jjoint Norby's for decades. Three years ago, it was renovated into Nardo's, a pretty good. mostly Italian restaurant that never quite figured out what exactly it was.  (We could also note that Patois is a block away from where Gabrielle almost was, but that battle has ended.) I have Patois's menu in front of me, and note the following: Gnocchi with arugula and walnut pesto Sweetbreads with beluga lentils Mussels and fries (a real specialty at The Bank) Foie-gras-stuffed rabbit tenderloin Crabmeat and golden beet salad Garbure (a fine old French vegetable soup, little seen since Maylie's closed) Boudin-stuffed double-cut pork chop Fennel and lemon-crusted chicken Almond-crusted flounder Hanger steak with herb spaetzle Sounds promising. When I get there in a few months, I'll let you know more. Patois. 6078 Laurel. 895-9441. © 2007 Tom Fitzmorris. All rights reserved. news@nomenu.com