Blog: Bacon Infused Bourbon Anyone?
In the Commercial District, my favorite place is still Herbsaint. It's small, with a vest-pocket-sized bar, but survived Hurricane Katrina along with most of its well-loved offerings, and some darned good new ones. My favorite meal? Shrimp and grits with Tasso ham, any of the pork dishes (the menu changes seasonally), and, for dessert, the brown butter banana tart with fleur de sel caramel (701 St. Charles Ave.; 504-524-4114).
If you want to venture uptown, Brigtsen's is a great bet. Housed in a charming turn-of-the century wooden home, it serves up Creole classics with a little modern twist. Anything with pork, quail or rabbit is a can't miss (especially the paneed rabbit and spinach with the Creole mustard sauce). The "Shell Beach Diet" gives you six different little seafood jewels, for $32. And what's not to like about banana bread pudding with banana custard sauce? (723 Dante St.; 504-861-7610).
For a local's take on food, I turned to my colleague Alicia Ault, who has a long-standing love affair and virtual residency with NOLA. Here's what she had to say.
Dick & Jenny's has become somewhat well known over the years, and a big plus is that they are open on Mondays. There are few fine dining establishments open on either Sunday or Monday in New Orleans (4501 Tchoupitoulas St.; 504-894-9880).
Three Muses is a newer dining establishment on Frenchmen Street. It is very small, has good chef, and sometimes live music. The restaurant offers small plates of yummy treasures. It's getting a lot of hipster buzz (536 Frenchmen St.; 504-298-TRIO).
Patois is an old New Orleans place, too, and is also uptown. It has fabulous food, but is almost impossible to get into. Alicia, are you challenging us? (6078 Laurel St.; 504-895-9441).
Boucherie is in the Carrollton area and features very highly-rated New American/New Orleans food: farm-to-table stuff. "I can never get in here, partly because it's small. And I'm talking even when there's nothing special going on in town," Alicia said (8115 Jeanette St.; 504-862-5514).
Coquette has fabulous cocktails (try the bacon-infused bourbon). There are some outside tables, a nice atmosphere, and very good food (2800 Magazine St.; 504-265-0421).
Ralph's on the Park A Brennan's restaurant, Ralph's is a locals-type, special-occasion place on City Park. Service and food are great. A $35 three-course pre-theater menu and a $19 two-course lunch are on offer (900 City Park Ave; 504-488-1000).
Ye Olde College Inn offers very solid New Orleans food with a noisy, party-type atmosphere. "Locals love this place, and I end up eating here a lot because it's easy and not too expensive," said Alicia (3000 S. Carrollton Ave.; 504-866-3683). Also it's right next to the Rock 'n Bowl so you can eat and then stumble over for music.
Well, that's it. And now I'm calling Skin & Allergy News Editor, Amy Pfeiffer, to complain because I'm going to a stroke meeting in L.A. next week instead of beloved NOLA.
- Michele G. Sullivan
