A reader tips us off that Les Bons Temps has closed. It is rumored the space has been sold to a Borgata chef and will reopen as an Italian restaurant.

With the strange saga that between John Mims and former partner Howard Taylor we can’t say we’re overly surprised. But we love that space and sure would like to see it be successful.

UPDATE: Michael Klein has more details. Chef Luke Palladino, who oversees a handful of Borgata spots is leasing the spot for an Italian wine bar and restaurant. [The Insider]

Victor Fiorillo has a follow-up to the John Mims and the mysterious “Carol” episode.

“This Carol person, I don’t know who she is, but she certainly knows what she’s talking about. There were some problems, and some things went missing.”

John Mims Update: The Trash-Talking Begins [Philadelphia Magazine]

“Carol,” commented on our story about John Mims being out at Carmine’s and Les Bons Temps. We put her name in quotes because who knows if there really is a Carol out there. This “Carol” also posted at PhillyMag.com on the original post as well as on the Main Line Restaurant Guide.

“Carol’s” email address is also invalid and bounced when we attempted to contact her.

Also, a comment from “Mysterio” came from the exact same IP address as “Carol’s” comment indicating it could be the same person.

“Carol” seems to has an axe to grind here, whether it is legit or not, remains to be seen.

Let’s not forget the Arbol Cafe fiasco.

According to Philadelphia Magazine, John Mims, chef and owner of Carmine’s in Bryn Mawr and of Les Bons Temps in Center City is out at both places.

Philadelphia attorney Howard Taylor, confirmed the split, saying, “He’s not with us anymore, but otherwise, the staff remains intact.”

Reached this morning on his cell phone, Mims declined to get into specifics, as did Taylor, but made it pretty clear that things aren’t exactly civil: “The lawyers are involved. It’s going to be a really ugly divorce.”

And if you believe our commenter, Mims hasn’t been in the kitchen much at Les Bons Temps.

Exclusive: John Mims Out at Les Bons Temps and Carmine’s [Philadelphia Magazine]
Carmine’s Creole Cafe [Offical Site]
Les Bons Temps [Official Site]

Being the former New Olreans Times-Picayune food critic, Craig LaBan isn’t exactly forgiving when it comes to Cajun food, so Les Bons Temps has to be grateful to pry a two bell rating from LaBan.

It is a shame that the inconsistencies seem to strike the high-priced entrees, a fact that put this two-bell rating in jeopardy. But I still found plenty to remind me why I’m a Mims fan to begin with – in particular with the opening plates.

In addition to his spot-on classics of gumbo and eggplant beignets, there were worthy standards from the Carmine’s canon. There was creamy crab cheesecake with an undertone of smoked gouda. Sea scallops crusted with crispy couscous came over a tangy balsamic-currant reduction. The rich wild mushroom bisque, tinged with spice and fistfuls of crab, was as addictive as the gumbo.

As in any good New Orleans kitchen, “deep fried” is a major food group. The croquettes of smoky jambalaya studded with duck confit were among the best bets. The gingery crawfish spring rolls were a surprisingly tasty example of the Cajun-Asian fusion that Mims explored further with his “Casian” tuna tartare. Even the fresh flavors here, like the sweet crab salad mounded over slow-roasted tomatoes, weren’t complete without a fried tidbit, like the crab-and-rice boulet that added crunch to the creamy salad.

Two Bells – Very Good

Les Bons Temps [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Tonight have a taste of New Orleans as Les Bons Temps offers 1/2 price appetizers, $5 martinis and $5 glasses of wine tonight and every Monday night.

Despite a few missteps Trey Popp says Les Bons Temps is off to “an admirable start.”

The food is right out of Louisiana Creole country — think jambalaya and étouffée — but 23-year-old chef Brett Naylor has deftly carved out some room to inject a few ideas of his own. A fried catfish special made for a perfect example. A crisp, lightly battered fillet rode atop a superbly fluffy pillow of vegetable-studded couscous, and a quenching watermelon and pineapple salsa surrounded cool clumps of crabmeat in an inspired stab at cutting through the record-setting heat of early June.

I’ll Stand Bayou [City Paper]
Les Bons Temps [Official Site]

The Daily News checks out Les Bons Temps and gives the newish Creole spot 2 1/2 forks, that means they like it.

A taste of New Orleans: Les Bons Temps puts a twist on tradition [Philadelphia Daily News]

Adam Erace visits the recently opened Les Bons Temps and finds fine Cajun and Creole fare that manages to be light, not leaden.

With 23-year-old chef de cuisine Brett Naylor, [owner John] Mims is lightening the Cajun and Creole recipes of his youth in the shrimping town of Jean Lafitte, La. The result: food that possesses all the big, bold, in-your-face flavor you expect from New Orleans, with much less of the cuisine’s does-puking-after-eating-once-make-you-bulimic conflict.

Les Bons Temps [Philadelphia Weekly]
Les Bons Temps [Official Site]

Today in the Metro the Bite spills the beans on a speakeasy coming to town and highlights some Mother’s Day brunch spots (Les Bons Temps, Memphis Taproom, Tinto) that may have been overlooked because they just started serving everyone’s favorite weekend meal.

The Bite: Mom-proof meals [Metro Philadelphia]