Restaurants

Palm and Pine
308 N. Rampart St
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 814-6200
https://www.palmandpinenola.com/

Palm and Pine opened its doors mid-summer 2019 on the outskirts of the French Quarter in what seems to be the up and coming neighborhood for new and exciting culinary ventures. The chef/owners, Amarys and Jordan Herndon, were previous sous chefs at Bayona and Ralph’s on the Park, respectively and well-known for their pop-up, Old Portage. The focus is on providing patrons with cuisines of the south and “south of that” to include the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. The restaurant resides in what was previously a town home that’s been transformed into a welcoming, brick-walled venue with Caribbean colored accents, a wide-opened kitchen and full-service bar focused on agave and cane spirits, unique cocktails, new world wines, and craft/Latin American beers. The fare is prepared with preciseness and creativity, using the freshest of ingredients and carefully plated to create that “wow” factor. Recommendations: The Preservation Plate, BBQ Shrimp, Paneed Pork Chop, Louisiana Wagyu, Fried Yuca Torta. Also, I highly recommend one of the most unique cocktails I’ve ever had the pleasure of sipping on: Like Water for Chocolate!

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While strolling around the French Quarter, we wandered into Sylvain to grab a bite to eat. Unfortunately, the kitchen had closed for the afternoon. Fortunately, the hostess recommended trying one of their sister restaurants, Longway Tavern, located within walking distance in the Quarter on Toulouse St. Longway Tavern, along with Cavan, Sylvain, Meauxbar and Barrel Proof, is owned and operated by the parent company, Leblanc + Smith. They opened their doors in May 2018 in a space previously occupied by the Italian eatery, Little Vic’s.

Upon entering the rather unassuming establishment, the bar sits front and center, surrounded by various seating options, including leather-clad booths, metal chairs, and bar stools. A beautiful courtyard, with available seating, is in the rear of the restaurant. The atmosphere gives off a relaxed and welcoming vibe as you’re diligently waited on by a wonderfully eclectic group of people. What keeps us going back for more is the uniqueness of the menu options. Executive chef, Cesar Nunez, who worked under the likes of Sue Zemanick (Zasu) and Adolfo Garcia (La Boca), creates dishes that continually awaken the palate. The ingredients are always fresh, masterfully combined and beautifully presented (which makes for awesome food pics!!).

Several of our favorite menu items include White Anchovies (grew up eating anchovies—love this dish), Chop Salad, Watermelon Salad with Pork Belly (savory and sweet deliciousness), Fried Calamari (best I’ve ever consumed!) and the Chicken Cutlet Sandwich (I can’t even begin to appropriately describe the goodness….). The bar offers an array of traditional, as well as, specialty cocktails, wine and beer. Highly recommend stopping in for a drink (or two) and some delicious eats during your jaunt about the French Quarter!

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Grand Isle Restaurant
575 Convention Center Blvd.
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 520-8530
https://grandislerestaurant.com/

Located along the Fulton Street Development, near Harrah’s Hotel and Casino, Grand Isle Restaurant serves up fresh seafood, salads, po-boys and yummy desserts in a casual, inviting setting.  The namesake, Grand Isle, Louisiana, is an island located in Jefferson Parish at the mouth of Barrataria Bay, known for its world-class fishing and bird habitats. The physical space, decorated in rich, earthy tones (with accents of green), beautiful wooden floors, with a semi-circular oyster bar, is open and airy with an abundance of seating options.  During our numerous visits, the food has always been fresh and delicious with price tags to fit most budgets.  Some of our favorite dishes include the Hot Crab Dip, Fisherman’s Stew (small plate was a generous portion), Redfish on the Half Shell (when available), Smoked fried Oysters, Chargrilled Oysters, Catfish and Greens (generous portion of catfish), and the Shrimp Caminada-Po Boy. We took our son here for his 16^th birthday.  He was in chargrilled oyster heaven, managing to consume 24 chargrilled oysters in a matter of 15 minutes! Make a reservation or just pop in!  Free parking (a valued amenity in the city) is available at the Harrah’s Casino garage with a food purchase.  **Follow them on Instagram @grandislerestaurant.  Whoever manages their IG account frequently posts fabulous food pics!

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514 City Park Ave Suite F
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 482-6845
https://www.mophonola.com/

Sometimes you get lucky and hit a restaurant whose food is so incredible you have trouble finding the words to adequately describe it.  MoPho would be one of those restaurants.  Given that Maypop is another one of our favorite restaurants, we weren’t surprised MoPho exceeded our expectations.  Both restaurants are owned by the Gulotta brothers, Jeffrey and Michael.   In 2014, MoPho opened its doors in a Mid-City building, which previously housed a bookstore. The building is quite unassuming given the level of culinary excellence residing within its walls. Serving up Asian fusion with a creole twist, the kitchen pumps out a multitude of palate-pleasing options.

For appetizers, we settled on the Crispy Vindaloo Bites with coconut ranch sauce and Hand-Rolled Fresh Spring Rolls (Marinated Tofu and Fried Gulf Shrimp) with house-made peanut sauce.  The Vindaloo consists of small chicken bites coated in a delicious rich and spicy Vindaloo sauce.  The Spring Rolls come two to an order, which you can mix and match among 5 different options (marinated tofu, fried gulf shrimp, griddled pork, chicken vindaloo, and roasted eggplant). They are twice the size of a normal spring roll and the freshest, tastiest spring rolls I’ve ever put in my mouth. As an entrée, I chose the Corn and Crab Laksa.  Laksa is a Malaysian spicy coconut noodle soup. The chefs at MoPho insert a bit of Louisiana flare by adding lumps of Louisiana Blue Crab, bacon, and corn to the dish to create a bowl full of flavorful goodness you are certain to enjoy! My husband ordered the Slow Roast Lamb in Green Curry. Another top-notch entrée!! The dish includes smoked tofu, roasted beet, and toasted cashew, along with warm roti bread to soak up every last morsel of the creamy green curry sauce.  I’m not sure how they do it, but the kitchen manages to pair the perfect combination of ingredients to create a burst of culinary exceptionalism in every bite!!  We’re already planning our next visit!

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Situated on the corner of Annunciation St and Webster St, in what was once a grocery store, Clancy’s is a local fan favorite for traditional creole cuisine. Chef Brian Larson serves up delicious culinary options guaranteed to satisfy your palate. The dining rooms are bustling with waiters dressed in tuxedos and patrons merrily winding down from a busy work week. The ambience of the interior of Clancy’s reminds us of a smaller version of Galatoire’s.

Our menu selections included Sweetbreads Facon du Chef (seriously one of the best preparations of sweetbreads we’ve experienced), a cup of the Soup du Jour (Cream of Garlic Bisque, topped with two perfectly crispy fried oysters), Kale/Shaved Brussel Sprout/ Roasted Beet/Candied Pecans Salad, Pannee Veal Annunciation (atop a bed of creamy pasta alfredo, accompanied by sautéed vegetables) and the evening’s special, which consisted of a filet of Pompano, prepared to perfection with skin on one side. Our meal was accompanied by the sinfully delicious, hard to reject, perfectly crispy loaves of traditional New Orleans French bread. One other side note: we’re told that the softshell crab preparation is a must. Unfortunately, it was not offered during our visit.

If you’re looking to experience what we as locals label a true New Orleans culinary experience, this is your place! Reservations are a must (call at least a few weeks in advance for prime-time seating) unless you’re able to grab a couple of first come-first serve spots at the bar.

Put this French brasserie, in the heart of the CBD (Central Business District), on your bucket list of restaurants to visit! Located in the stunning Hyatt Brand boutique hotel, The Eliza Jane Hotel, it boasts a gorgeous interior, attentive staff, and fabulous food. You enter through a curtain-adorned entrance to a French-inspired culinary extravaganza. Although the restaurant is currently seeking a new executive chef (Chef Brad McDonald left to pursue an opportunity with the Ace Hotel), the kitchen hasn’t skipped a beat. The restaurant has been open since August 2018, serving breakfast (7am-11am), lunch (11:30am-3pm), and dinner (6pm-close).

We went all out, ordered WAY too much food, but managed to finish every last morsel!! Post round of cocktails, we began our meal with a dozen oysters from the raw bar, the Verrine of Chicken Liver Mousse and the Grand Aioli, all beautifully presented and flavorful. Moving on to the First Course options, we dined on the Burgundy Escargot and Steak Tartare. The escargot was prepared in a classic six portion Staub escargot dish with individual snails immersed in a delicious parsley-garlic butter sauce—perfect for soaking up all those scrumptious calories with slices of crispy French baguettes. The Steak Tartare was simply presented but flavorful, topped with a raw egg yolk and served with a side of Pommes Gaufrettes (lattice-shaped potato chips).

Our main course consisted of the classic French preparation of Skate Wing (Ail de Rai ‘a la Grenobloise), Mussels and Fries (Moules Frites), and the roasted bone-in veal chop (Cote de Veau Roit). Have you ever tried Skate?? Skate is a cartilaginous fish in the shark family. It looks very similar to a stingray. When cooked properly, the meat is buttery, flaky and delicious. Some people compare the flavor to that of a fresh scallop. It’s a must try when available at Couvant. The mussels were plentiful, tender and soaked in a delicious butter garlic broth. Last but not least, the bone in veal chop, topped with a rich and creamy bone marrow bordelaise, was cooked to perfection. The veal chop is a large portion fit for a king!

On your next visit to the city, seriously consider booking a room at The Eliza Jane Hotel, with dinner reservations at Couvant. Have a pre-dinner drink at the beautiful bar in the lobby of the hotel. I’m loving this wonderful addition to the Central Business District!

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Paying homage to Sophia Loren, the space is filled with artwork and TV screens with projectors depicting various black and whites of the iconic Italian film actress. The décor is clean and crisp with hues of white, black and red, amid tall ceilings with several seating options—standard table, counter and high-top (you can’t go wrong with any of these choices) and hip-hop music playing in the background.  At the entrance of the kitchen, sits a massive concrete pizza oven where pizza dough is being tossed for your viewing pleasure. Serving Italian-inspired dishes cooked to perfection under the direction of Executive Chef Talia Diele and Chef Max MacKissock, who were both previously working their culinary magic in Colorado. Proprietor, Billy Blatty (of Barcadia), has partnered with Culinary Creative Group to bring us this fresh, new, magnificent Sicilian concept. You will witness teamwork at its best with this fun-loving, engaging staff.

During our first visit, we began our meal with an order of the Brassica and Carne Crudo, both were delicious and provided a light start to our meal. Our main course consisted of Osso Bocu, Pollo al Limone, and a side of the eggplant. The Osso Buco was fall-off-the-bone tender, served in a delicious brown sauce atop a creamy polenta, completely different than my mother’s red gravy preparation, but just as flavorful. The Pollo la Limone was perfectly cooked, juicy and lightly seasoned, sitting atop a lemony chicken butter sauce. We were provided with a complimentary digestif of house made orangecello, the perfect after dinner treat.

We were so impressed that we decided to grace them with our presence (just kidding!!!) once again to kick off my birthday celebration weekend. Our friends, Tami and Rob, joined us, which gave us an opportunity to try more dishes. We had such a great time, especially after a round of cocktails, wine, more wine and (knock your socks off) lime limoncello! We dined on Crispy Potatoes, Meatballs, Gulf Squid, Insalata, Risotto (full of sweet gulf blue crab), Gulf Shrimp Scampi, Gulf Snapper (very fresh), Pollo al Limone, and a one-candle birthday dessert of sugar-coated donut holes (not sure of the exact name).  We just love the relaxed, playful feel of this restaurant. I see a promising future for this new venture in the heart of the Warehouse District! Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Located in a 19^th century Garden District mansion, Cavan possesses the warmth and feel of a partially refurbished old home with the preservation of the tarnishing (otherwise known as patina) that occurred on the crown molding near the ceilings. As you enter through the front door, a gorgeous staircase greets you, surrounded by a beautiful parlor filled with 19^th century seating, gorgeous chandeliers and a downstairs bar. If you listen closely, you can still hear the conversations that took place years ago in those very rooms, adorned with various pieces of artwork and 19^th century furnishings.

Executive chef, Nathan Richard, a native of Thibodeaux, LA, and former chef at Kingfish does a superb job executing dishes that are flavorful, properly portioned and beautifully presented. While enjoying a “Corn” Old Fashioned and a Gin Martini, we began our meal with two appetizers: the Lima Bean Risotto (creamy, full-bodied deliciousness) and Salmon Poke Tacos (perfectly crispy wontons filled with buttery poke salmon/seaweed salad atop an avocado puree). We then shared a Sweet Pea Salad (one of the specials for the evening), which tasted as if the chef had gone out back and picked the ingredients right out of the garden.  Our main course consisted of the Creole Spiced Shrimp (atop creamy sweet corn grits accompanied by roasted poblano peppers, onions and a spiced rum butter), the special of the evening, Fried Rabbit and a side of the Crab Fat Fried Rice (heaven in a ramekin!!) To add just a few more calories, we couldn’t resist finishing up our meal with the Strawberry Tres Leches (perfect portion for sharing, delightfully creamy, topped with roasted coconut).

Kudos to the waitstaff for their attentiveness during our entire meal and the kitchen for the perfect timing of the food preparation. Patio seating available, with a lovely view of Magazine St. Happy Hour 4-7pm daily. Brunch served Friday-Sunday 10:30a-3:30p.

If you look closely at the pics, you just might see a local celebrity!

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After a long weekend of culinary indulgence in the city, we were looking for something on the lighter side.  Café Degas delivered!!  No worries though. They serve a wide array of dishes to satisfy even the pickiest of palates and the hungriest of appetites. Overlooking Esplanade Avenue and Fortier Park, the restaurant is nestled around a beautiful live Oak Tree, in an open-air setting, surrounded by lush greenery. It gives you the feel of dining on a beautiful island or a café in the countryside of France as you sip on a Mimosa surrounded by an eclectic group of patrons and staff.  Named after the French Impressionist, Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas, Café Degas is the longest running French restaurant in the city. If I’m not mistaken, I do believe the owner, Jacques Soulas, was dining with a group of friends at the table next to us.  I have to say, being a native New Orleanian, I’m embarrassed to admit that this was my first visit to this wonderful bistro.  I guarantee, it will not be my last!

Serving traditional cheese and pate boards, their signature swiss cheese French onion soup, quiche, omelets, salads and an array of other menu options, your taste buds will think they’ve died and gone to heaven.  The Prince Edward Island mussels (LES MOULES AU FENOUIL), prepared in a white wine fennel broth, are the most plump, tender, and tasteful mussels I’ve ever consumed! I paired those with the jumbo lump crabmeat salad (LE SALADE AU CRABE) for the perfect light lunch. Others at our table thoroughly enjoyed seared hanger steak (L’ONGLET DE BOEUF), Niçoise Salad, and grillades and grits (with a hefty portion of tender grillades). Oh, and the bread, we can’t forget the bread!!  What would a French meal be without a basket full of yummy bread and creamy butter??!!  A wine and cocktail list is also available. The service was a bit spotty at first, but once our server took our drink order, the meal progressed without delay.  I’ll give them a pass on this!! It was extremely busy due to Jazz Fest weekend, especially being within close proximity to the Fair Grounds. Visit the website for hours of operation, additional menu items, reservations and to learn a bit about the history of the restaurant. Highly recommend you pay a visit to this Mid-City bistro!