This has been my impression for several years. I see no reason to revisit given the incredible options in NOLA.
Mason gets a fair bit of hate around here, especially with the reddit crowd. He does seem to do a huge amount of press and self promotion, so yes likely has a firm he uses. Besides frequent mentions on NOLA.com, he was on Don Lemon’s drunken NYE special, and many other ops.
I don’t do breakfast, so I’ve never been to Molly’s Rise and Shine. And haven’t been to Hungry Eyes for dinner yet - too many good options on the same block (Saffron, The Kingsway, La Petite Grocery) - but it seems to be a love it / hate it kind of place. Not a fan of much at Turkey and the Wolf except the Collard Melt which is excellent. The bologna sandwich was tasty, but not exceptional for me. He does have a Turkey and the Wolf trailer out at The Batture these days mainly serving crawfish boil. Not sure what they are going to sell when crawfish go out of season next month. Also, he was a participant in the Burrito cook off at Val’s, up the street from us, but lost in the early round head to head. Seems like he will do anything, and that could be good or bad I guess.
My friends ITB in NOLA infer it’s more than likely.
I dined at Turkey and the Wolf, many times, happily so, when I lived within a few minutes’ walk. It’s fine for what it is. I don’t hate Mason or his restaurants at all. But I do have a distaste for a restaurant’s success being more than about what takes place within its doors. That’s not the world we live in anymore though. And it seems like the ROI is there for him.
Dinner last night at Evviva was terrific and I am super happy to add this to my Nola rotation. Really liked everything but the piri piri mackerel stood out. Also we’re staying just three blocks from Evviva which makes it even sweeter. I love the little “Bermuda Triangle” set of bars and cafes at Royal and Franklin.
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My favorite meals on our recent trip were at Zasu and Meril. Zasu does not disappoint. Meril was a last minute reservation. We have been there a couple of times in the past, and we were able to get in last minute before a show. We were pleasantly surprised after having a so so meal there a couple of yrs ago. Evviva and Bayona were both very good, but the veggie options weren’t my favorites. We also had dinner our last night at Bar Brine in the Bywater area. It was very good, but my gnocchi was lukewarm. Oh well…
Lets see. Last week a visiting friend took a party of us out to Luke as we had never been. Pretty decent, but huge food. Could only finish half my pork schnitzel. Wife’s moule frite came in a huge cast iron dutch oven, had to fight her way down to find broth. Shrimp and Grits, and fish entree looked good, didn’t get a bite. Brussel sprouts app was good, had jalapenos with the ribs still on, so pretty spicy. Didn’t realize it was kind of the Hilton restaurant. Decent oyster selection. Wouldn’t hurry back, but it would do in a pinch.
Paladar 511, hadn’t been for a while. Still very solid. Good selection of Ar Pe Pe on the wine list. Unfortunately the kitchen got a bit backed up (it was only a wednesday) and we had to hurry through entrees to get to the NOLATET show at Cafe Istanbul.
Finally another visit to Bistro Daisy. Tried some other apps this time - spinach salad, crawfish mousse. Good, but definitely back to the apple and endive salad, and oysters poached in herbsaint creme next time. Entrees good as ever.
My daughter hosted 7 of her fellow MAcc graduates at Commanders lunch Thursday. All of them (other than the young lady who hosted them in her home) had the usual college formal New Orleans experience. I arranged the table etc. for them. They were universally effusive in their praise.
The food, service, atmosphere and value was so much more than they expected it really made an impression on them. Sometimes we forget what New Orleans does best is be a gracious host. And everyone had a great meal of food that you can only find in New Orleans And walking through the kitchen isn’t weird in New Orleans
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Has anyone been to “plate?” Have plans to go Tuesday night. Menu looks fun and haven’t seen anything much about it.
Haven’t been yet, but would try it. Let us know. Plates does get positive mentions on some of the local NO Facebook groups. Looks similar to how Costera used to be, but more eclectic vs spanish like Costera.
BTW, Costera (just down the street from us now) is still pretty good but they have pared their menu back quite a bit from a couple years ago. More coursed out, less tapas based. Also quite a bit less crowded, so they are likely controlling expenses.
Commanders knows how to do service and celebrations above all else. Terrific for that, and celebratory food. Great wine list too, though as shown, the martinis are usually the main attraction for beverages.
My only issue is the occasional over the top nature of the food, which is probably what is impressive or loved by others. Fish with foie, and crabmeat, and truffles, and cream, is a few ingredients too many for me.
Their newest dish seems to be the Lagniappe Parfait, which is ‘a, savory-sweet creation which features layers of bay leaf ice cream, Crystal hot sauce rice pudding, toasted dark roux, sassafras & thyme streusel, Steen’s black pepper cane syrup, and Chantilly cream, offering the flavors of gumbo in a parfait glass’. Despite what I said above, that is so insane I might have to go try it.
Dinner this week at Saint Claire, Melissa Martins recent restaurant over in Algiers. It’s pretty far from the Point, so you’ll need to drive or uber.
This is an entirely different menu and experience from her Mosquito Supper Club. It’s in an old plantation manor house, but not huge. The screen porch areas are the largest. We were inside and when all the tables were filled it did get a bit loud in there.
It was our anniversary and my wife wanted oysters and rabbit rillettes to go with her champagne, both of which were excellent but eliminated trying a couple other dishes that might have shown specialization. We will have to go back for that. The smoked beets were really good. Subtle smoke and great acidity. Gnocchi with lump crab meat, and the Duck Confit were both very good. Standout desserts as well.
Wine list both glass and bottles was tiny but we got by. Cocktails looked interesting, but we were doing champagne. Will likely do cocktails and btg next time.
Loved this restaurant when we were there last fall. Pretty much exactly what I want when I dine out.
My favorite NO bar, Anna’s, is about 100 feet down the block.
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We went to Anna’s last night after a dinner and drinks session at Bachanal, which was its usual epic self. I think it was my fourth time at Anna’s - it really is a great place.
The night before we had dinner at Jewel of the South. I liked it very well, and the cocktails are as good as advertised. Not sure I would return, though, as there are so many good restaurants in New Orleans and few are as expensive as Jewel.
I did all two weeks of jazzfest. Too many meals to list but standouts were Zasu, Porgy’s GW Fins at the bar, Bywater Bakery which I really enjoyed multiple times, Fives, Peche, Frady’s and Clancy’s which is always classic and consistently great. Fives drinks, food and service are really excellent.
We also enjoyed Acamaya, Dakar, Evviva but I wouldn’t put this places on the every visit list.
I love that’s it’s just a corner bar, but one where all the pieces fit. Bartenders are friendly. Patrons seem chill. A host of very good $8 cocktails at happy hour.
And then they put Jeopardy on the TV in the corner and everyone watches it.
I’d be a regular if I was local.
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I rode my bike by Annas many times since we stayed in the Bywater. It is now on the list for my fall visit, thanks!
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We also went to Fives, which I first checked out last year. Love it. We waited out the rain in style.
My husband wants to go both wknds, but I don’t think I can do it.
Do you go to JF each day? Night shows? 4 days takes a lot out of me, and I wasn’t fond of the crowd the last 2 days (2nd wknd). I’ve been going on/off for 25 yrs, and I don’t recall it being THAT crowded. Maybe I’m justing getting old…
Everyone we talked to said that Jazz Fest this year was crazy crowded, more than ever.
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I didn’t get that dish off the Chefs Meg Playground menu and agree with it being a bit overwrought. I was able to sweet talk them into giving me the bang bang sweetbreads. These were the best new interpretation of sweetbreads I have ever eaten. Absolutely killer dish.
Wife vetoed plates but we snagged a table at Clancy’s. Soft shells running nice right now. So had to get one there. I had one at Mr B’s as well Sunday night. It was a whale and peak experience
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