New Orleans 2003
August
We had our much-anticipated, first anniversary dinner here. All in all, it was a disappointment, considering the price and the hype. We did the wine pairings dinner. The lobster appetizer was way overdone, and the rest of the food was just ordinary - and we were expecting spectacular. The service was far from polished. The servers knew nothing about the wine we were having (at a wine/food pairing, you expect to hear some sort of explanation) and they were generally lax. They brought our check before we even ordered coffee; not a big deal at a diner, but when you're paying these prices and dinner is an "event," this shouldn't happen. August 2003
Brunings
This is one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants. I don't even have to look at a menu any more because I know what I'll have: one broiled softshell crab with boiled new potatoes; comes with toast and a salad. The crab is cooked perfectly and doesn''t have a ton of batter - very fresh-tasting. And what makes those BOILED potatoes so good? I don't know, but it's always a very comforting lunch. We generally sit at the bar and watch the pelicans on the lake. October 2003, May 2004
Emeril's
A friend gave us a gift certificate here for a wedding preset. We tried to go several times during the year, but calling for reservations one month and even two months in advance wasn't cutting it. Finally, we decided to plan a trip around going to Emeril's. We had 9:00 reservations. Our table wasn't ready until 45 minutes after arriving (isn't that what a reservation is for?!) so we had a glass of wine at the bar. While we were there, several tour buses pulled up and a couple large groups came in. We found this daunting at best, but all turned out well. Once we were seated, the service was excellent, as was the food. We both had amberjack for main courses, which was wonderfully prepared. As much as we had a good experience, I doubt we'd go back. It's crowded and loud and I just can't see reserving months in advance when there are so many other good restaurants in New Orleans. August 2003
Feelings Cafe
This restaurant was on our list for a long time. We tried it for Valentine's Day, which in hindsight was probably a mistake. It was just OK. The space is very romantic, but the service was off (it was very busy that night) and the food was really very ordinary. We could tell it had potential, though and we will definitely give it another try on a day that's not a holiday or other major event. February 2003
Michael's Mid-City Grill
A neighborhood restaurant with decent, well-priced food and a good selection of wines by the glass. You won't have a gastronomic experience here, but they have good burgers and a good Greek salad. Skip the skinny chicken. I like to eat healthy, but they are really skimpy with this dish; a tiny grilled chicken breast, A broccoli spear and A slice of tomato. November 2003, March 2004
Rio Mar
I had been wanting to come here for a long time. The opportunity presented itself while some friends were in town. A few of us said we always wanted to go here. Could we get in at the last minute? No problem, but we did call ahead. We had an incredible dinner. We shared a sampling of ceviche to start and I had a wonderful seared tuna dish. Tom had a great ciopinno (or wheatver their equivalent was). We can't wait to go back. October 2003
Sea Level
by Tom
We started with "Shrimp Cocktail Extraordinaire," a delicious red sauce supporting four perfectly boiled jumbos and a selection of appropriate veggies. Paula had duck breast with pepper jelly sauce: very yummy. I hit the jackpot with the pork chop: beautifully prepared with a balsamic reduction and sautéed banana slices! What a treat! Both entrees were served with vegetable stir-fry and a scrumptious sweet potato hash. They have just recently gotten their liquor license and have a modest, both in size and price, wine list. We opted for a glass of Syrah that was a real bargain. Most, if not all, bottles were under $30; no entrees were over $20. It's well worth the minor hassle to negotiate the streetcar construction to get there, just off Canal on North Carrollton. December 2003
West End Cafe
We ate lunch here; there weren't many customers at 1:30 when we arrived, but you could tell those who were there were regulars. Tom had the Friday special, crab cakes. While they were good & crisp, there was barely any crab flavor - very ordinary. The sweet potato fries that came with it were excellent, though. I had a redfish caesar salad. It was a beautifully cooked piece of fish: flaked perfectly with just the right amount of spice. Like many places these days, the caesar dressing wasn't real (raw egg, please - coddled, if you must - and ANCHOVIES!), but at least it wasn't ranch or creamy Italian. We'll go back, probably for some boiled crawfish...it smelled wonderful! December 2003
Zeke's
A casual restaurant in a strip mall in Old Metairie, this is where we hang with our yat forum friends. Oysters on the half-shell, char-broiled oysters (very remininscent of escargots Bourguignon) and boiled shrimp are favorites here. If you're lucky, you'll be around when the owner, Zeke, belts out a song. December 2003, March 2004, May 2004