Five New Orleans Restaurant Reviews

View from a parking garage

It's hard to have a bad meal in New Orleans, whether you dine in or eat out.  Is there any other city in America with so many restaurants per capita?  Those are only the ones you know about.

We've been dining out quite a bit this week.

Some of the places are well known, others less so.  Some are conveniently located while others are out-of-the-way.  Some were better than others, but it may have been the night.  All of them were good.  One of them was inexpensive.

1.  Juan's Flying Burrito on North Carrolton Avenue: 

Two plates of Mardi Gras Indian Tacos.  Two unsweet iced teas.  Two Juan's Flying Burrito shirts.  'nuff said.

Fats Domino Statue

 2.  Tommy's Cuisine on Tchoupitoulas Street:  

Two years ago, we took a cab from Irene's Cuisine on St. Peter Street.  The driver told us that Irene used to be married to Tommy.  He said that now they don't talk to each other.  He said that after an acrimonious divorce, Irene struck out on her own and now people prefer Irene's cuisine to Tommy's.    

You know Irene's.  It's the place that makes the whole block smell like garlic.  It took about eight minutes by cab from the corner of St. Peter and Chartres Streets to 2216 Esplanade Avenue.  It cost eight bucks with tip.  We could have walked but it was late at night, and really, sometimes, you're in a rush to get to bed.

We leave the light on

Statue of Pete Fountain

3.  Ralph's on the Park on City Park Avenue:  

It's closer to Storyland than Storyville.  They say this joint used to be a bordello.  There is a mural on the wall as evidence.  Based on the location, I am dubious.  Since I hope to one day be an honorary Cajun, I had the duck.  Frau Schmitt had the fish.  She is usually right about these things, and the duck was very good, too.  Wide windows look out on the 500-year-old oaks in City Park.

Statue of Al Hirt

4.  Clancy's, somewhere Uptown:  

I can't tell you where Clancy's is.  It's like finding the Octavia Bookstore, or the Laurel Street Bakery.  You just head up Annunciation Street until it feels right, then you start looking around.  It is worth finding.  They have the best sweetbreads in the city.  Not only did the waiter tell us this, he was right.  

We sat in the Pub Room.  I had an old fashioned.  Frau Schmitt had a Pimm's Cup.  The place was full and the bartender was expertly busy.  Good company, like good food, makes a good meal.  They have the best soft shelled crab recipe in the city.  I had the duck.  Frau Schmitt had the fish.  It was a very good meal.

Stature of Louis Prima

5.  Mr. B's Bistro on Royal Street:  

Pascale's Manale on Napoleon Avenue may be the birthplace of barbecue shrimp, but I prefer to have the bib tied on at Mr. B's.  Frau Schmitt had the duck, which was very good, too.  

When people visit us, they are surprised that we spend as little time as we do in the French Quarter.  It's not that we don't like the French Quarter, because we do, it's just that we live here.  You can't have a bad meal anywhere in New Orleans, no matter where you go.  Even if you stay in.

We leave the light on

A votre sante,

La Belle Esplanade bed and breakfast.