Think it was extra crowded because of the rainouts on Thursday and Friday? I went the last Sunday only. Had friends staked out at the Gentilly stage, so an area to go back to. They were complaining about the new ‘condos’ for VIPs that blocked the view from the trees. But I had no problem walking over to the front of the general admission areas for Shamarr Allen at Congo Square, and Galactic at the Festival Stage. The main bottleneck was the damn Crawfish Monica stand. If you gave that wide berth you could get around pretty easily.
I did go to a number of night shows however. Good stuff there.
I rarely go to bars. I know having a bar here is a thing, but I tend to save up my evening energy to get out to the music clubs a night or two a week. But what is now Anna’s used to be Mimi’s in the Marigny right? Until Mimi sold, and then they had a big fight about the name, and the investors finally installed Anna.
I’m guessing you called Clancy’s right? They started booking on Resy, but the availability sucks. Will try to get there before the end of the season.
We’re having dinner at ‘Mother of Pearl’ Thursday. This is in the Riverbend, on Hampson St in the old Carrollton Market space of Jason Goodenough fame. From the pix it looks like they haven’t renovated at all from those days, but i’ll know more Friday. They run a catering business (Black Pearl) so are only open Wed thru Friday. I’ve heard good things.
Hi Abbie. I went two days each weekend, Thursday and Saturday first weekend and Thursday Sunday second weekend. I will be skipping Saturdays moving forward as the first Saturday was too crowded for me. Night shows every night except one, dinners most nights.
It was a lot, I think Tuesday after first weekend to Tuesday after the fest will be my move next year but it was fun! I like the midweek in between the two weekends lot though!
We did Tuesday to Tuesday.
Night shows- Grahame Lesh & Friends, Wilco, The Meters.
We always get a weekend pass, which is why we go each day. I like the idea of going a couple of days and doing more dinners (my husband would love that) and night shows. We may have to re-evaluate next year.
Nice. I was at all of those shows too! Both Meters. Also for night shows Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings which was incredible, Take me to the River, Voodoo Dead, Donato and Friends, Stanton Moore and friends, Polyrhythmics late night, Nolatet, and Nth Wind and Fire. I rent a bike and bike almost everywhere although not always at night.
The food at Lilette was not Michelin star quality in my opinion, though I enjoyed most of what we had. It’s bib gourmand good. But the wine list is exceptional and by Dallas terms exceptionally priced (meaning only slightly abusive). We had a 2011 Fonsalette to pair with a combination of chicken and duck and steak and fish. Cocktails were good not great. Dessert was surprisingly good given lame sounding descriptions. Menu holders look like they were rehabbed from an old bennigans. Overall I had a lovely meal, but it was not a Michelin star meal. That said, I would happily go back and prices were very fair for everything.
I should have been more clear. I’m not stating they are star-worthy - I would not give them a star either. But it’s insane to me they don’t receive a mention, considering who does.
Gotcha. Then we agree there. It’s a restaurant worth visiting. We did chef’s tasting menu and reserve pairings at August last night. Overall I thought the food was very good, though I was wowed by only a few things. The amuse bouches were incredible and I was so incredibly hyped after the first couple of seafood ABs. But then there were a few dishes that were just pretty good. Well executed good food, but if you’re competing for Michelin stars, I think there has to be something that elevates above and beyond. I will say they had a wagyu beef deal with plums and a molasses bordelaise sauce that was incredible. But many were just good to quite good, and not particularly memorable. Pastry program might need a bit of work. I thought dessert was pretty weak.
I was back almost exactly a month ago and did August for the first time in a decade. Had nearly identical impressions as you. Though the night I was there I remember enjoying the Wagyu just ever so slightly less and the desserts a touch more. We brought two bottles but spied some interesting stuff on the list and ended up grabbing a bottle. Somm’s service was on-point as well.
You know, the somm staff did a nice job. I think the guy’s name was Nicky, and he was personable and gave good information. I generally refrain from ordering the wine pairings because I am almost always disappointed. We were celebrating a 5th Circuit argument and decided we’d all just do the Reserve Wine Pairing to go along with dinner. That would be easiest, and we hoped for some fun pairing.
Given the price per person, I regret the decision. The wines all paired well, and props to the Somm team for that. But when your big hitters are a 2015 Trimbach Cuvee Emile and a 2012 Duhart Milon (for $350 pairing charge) I can’t help but feel I’ve made a terrible mistake. With more than $1000 in the wine budget we could have purchased three nice bottles of wine, or more, or a couple of absolute bangers.
And that’s basically always my experience, so no hard feelings to August, and really, the wines paired nicely with the dishes.
We did August a few months back just a la carte, not the tasting menu. Some glasses of white and a bottle of burg which was expensive. Food and service was very good. It is ‘Michelin recommended’ which I think is fair. Not a star for me, but I would not give Zasu a star either. Saint Germain yes, we were back a couple weeks ago - one star for the food, service is pretty good, but they move you thru the restaurant now to maximize space/bodies. A few courses in the bar until others finish up in the small dining room. I don’t fault them for maximizing their space, but not one star service for me especially when we had to cool our heels on the patio until the bar seating opened up.
Lilette and especially MaMou should be on the Michelin Recommended list, they are both a cut above Achafalaya and Patois - not that they are bad places to eat.
I think I posted elsewhere on this thread I think The Kingsway should be a one star this year. Great food and service, interesting wine list and solid pairings. And like Saffron (same owners) very creative cocktails as well.