VALDOSTA — Valdosta’s newest cafe has a unique atmosphere to match its unique name — The Bleu Cafe. It has a modern design with affordable urban cuisine, an interesting combination that is quickly winning over the lunchtime diners of this fast growing city.

Owner Deidra White describes it as “an upscale but casual, everybody-knows-your-name type of restaurant that offers casual, urban cuisine.” There isn’t really a better way to put it.

The location is relatively small, creating an intimate, yet casual atmosphere. Decor is very urban with tile floors, the original high volume tile ceiling and lots of brown with red accents. The food is made from high quality ingredients into unique dishes, many of which are served with a “bleuberry” muffin.

Dishes range from specialty tacos to “Bleu” plates and unique pizzas. Tacos include the “Savannah” made from freshly breaded chicken, jalapeno sour cream sauce, lettuce and roma tomatoes; the “South Beach” made from freshly breaded tilapia, chipotle tartar sauce, lettuce and pickled jalapenos and many others.

Hand-tossed pizzas can be topped with turkey, sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, pesto, a variety of cheeses and much more. “Bleu” plates offer a more entree type of meal with a choice of fresh-cut oven-roasted turkey, sliced beef brisket or pork roast and sides of parmesan mashed potatoes, English peas, red cabbage and a “bleuberry” muffin. There is even a kid’s menu that is sure to please.

There are many more unique dishes to try at The Bleu Cafe, and each is very affordable with an $8.99 pizza being the most expensive dish on the menu.

White said she opened the cafe to fill a void in Valdosta. While there are many impressive restaurants, there are few that offer high quality, great presentation and low prices. She wanted to appeal to the “middle-of-the-road” food lovers who wanted fun, exquisite dishes at prices even college students could afford.

She has found her niche. While the theme is urban, the service is as friendly as if it were a small town cafe. The restaurant is inviting, comfortable and interesting, and the food is sure to have people talking about how perfectly “bleu” Valdosta’s newest restaurant is.



Q: What flavor does your cuisine have?



A: Very urban with high quality ingredients. We focus on quality, presentation and providing a great overall package.



Q: Fine or casual dining?



A: High quality but casual.



Q: Do you serve large parties?



A: Yes, it is suggested that large parties call ahead for availability, but it is not required.



Q: What is your specialty?

A: Filling a void. I like good food in an appropriate portion that is made from high quality ingredients. I like eating in a fun atmosphere. This restaurant does those things and in doing so fills a void that Valdosta previously had.



Q: Why did you open it?



A: It is my creative outlet and I wanted to provide something different for Valdosta.



Q: Why downtown?



A: Because I love downtown and it exemplifies the purpose of the restaurant — to be something different and unique. I love how downtown has one food in the past and one foot in the present. It gives the area a great atmosphere.



Q: How is business?



A: It has been phenomenal. We’ve been full and very lucky.



Q: Any plans to change?



A: Come fall, we will be open for dinner with a full bar.



Q: What are your expectations?



A: I hope it fills the need it is intended to fill. We may not be perfect, but we want everyone to have a great experience with food, service and atmosphere.



Q: What should people know?



A: There is something really worthwhile to see downtown. The Bleu Cafe is only one of the many new businesses on the horizon. They will add, improve and give people something to see that is different and unique. They will make downtown a destination.