Green Goddess: been wanting to bring Tom here for ages. We got there a bit before noon- wanted to make sure we could get a seat, and that place is TINY. We ended up sitting outside which was a little humid but mostly quite pleasant. I've missed eating outside!
I had a couple cocktails: the Roberto Clemente, which is described as: Ron del Barrilito Rum hits a solid line drive for the gamewinning RBI with Bonal, Falernum, Mango juice, and other Tiki flourishes on the bases, including a float of Guyana “Lemon Hart 151” Rum to keep the party movin.’" Delicious!
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The Roberto Clemente |
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Cocktail drinking action shot |
I also had a D-Day Rum Sazerac, which somewhat darkly describes the inspiration as "We invented this to imagine New Orleans captured by German U-boats, leaving us without any Rye whisky to make our home town Sazeracs. “Navy Strength” Smith & Cross rum, Steen’s Cane Syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters and Absinthe rinse." Which, oooooookaaaaay, but it was in fact an excellent Sazerac.
I had their pork belly special, with a roasted egg, greens, and grits. There was supposed to be a red-eye gravy on it, but I didn't discern it. It was all very good though. The grits were AMAZING. Tom had their Cuban Luau Sandwich, which was "Artisanal salame, pulled pork, manchego, pickled banana peppers, roasted pineapple & garlic aioli on pressed ciabatta." He freaking LOVED it.
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pork belly and accompanying deliciousness |
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Luau Cuban |
After about 15 minutes, the hostess came in and told us that there was a table available, but it wasn't one that people "tend to... want." and that another table would be opening up in about 15 minutes. We chose to wait for the "better" table, since we were comfortably ensconced at the bar, me with my cocktail and Tom with his Flemish beer. It was a little sour, and tasty, and low ABV, perfect for Tom the Designated Driver. (he later had their non-alcoholic drink with cucumber, mint, pineapple, and lime. Very refreshing and tasty.)
By the time we sat down, it was around 9pm. We considered the tasting menu and decided to go for the a la carte menu, since I really wanted a couple things that were not on the tasting menu.
We started with an amuse of summer vegetable/fruit salad.
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From left to right: cherry tomato with scallion & olive oil; red pepper and cucumber with sesame oil; radish and cucumber with some sort of vinaigrette, and a watermelon "kimchee." |
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It may not look pretty, because I attacked and inhaled it before I remembered to photograph it. |
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So cute! |
Onward to the main course!
I had the Duck Five Ways: "Duck Five Ways ~ Szechwan Seared Breast, Lacquered Leg and Thigh, Moo Shoo Pancake Stir-Fry, Duck Miso Broth, Crisp Foie Gras Won Tons and Currant Cassis Reduction "
The currant-cassis reduction was on the breast. The laquered leg and thigh was excellent- my favorite of the five. The soup, breast, and wontons were also really good. I didn't love the Moo Shoo pancake thing though. It was awkward to eat and didn't really add anything flavor-wise to the overall dish.
Tom had the "Tandoori Roasted Tasmanian King Salmon and Coconut Shrimp Basmati Fried Rice with Crisp Vegetable Spring Rolls, Indian Flatbread and Spicy Mango Cashew Butter" which sounded Indian in flavor profile but was actually more Chinese in execution.
He did not love the salmon. I had a bite, and the texture was off-putting to me (very... wet.), but then again, I'm not a huge salmon fan. Tom finished his, and he really liked the fried rice and spring rolls, though. Also the bok choi. The flavor profile definitely differed from what he was expecting from the menu description which, again, unfortunate, because while I loved my food, it's not looking good that I'll be able to tempt Tom into coming back to try again and drop another $250-$300 in doing so.
For dessert, we had the Plaquemines Parish peaches with lemon verbana semifreddo, raspberry "caviar," local honey, and some sort of almond "paper." They brought out the dish with a birthday sparkler which was sweet.
The peaches were divine. I loved this dessert. After dessert, I sipped on a cappuccino and enjoyed the lagniappe mignardise:
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Left to right: strawberry marshmallow, ginger chocolate truffle, meyer lemon mousse in dark chocolate cup, pistachio puff , and a salted caramel/nut/toffee thing. |
In conclusion: help me talk Tom into giving Stella! another try so I can go and try their tasting menu. Also, I love living in New Orleans. Green Goddess and Stella! in one day makes for a happy Nora.
My gnocchi were very tasty, but didn't blow me away, which is fine. I don't have to be stunned by every course.
ReplyDeleteThe salmon was very weak. The fish itself was bland and the rest of the dish, while tasty, was basically American-Chinese food.
I can almost forgive that on the basis that I ordered poorly (there's a reason I haven't ordered salmon in a restaurant in the last five years).
However, the arugula on your salad was atrocious (you know me, I love salt, but that dressing was gross) and I really don't think there's any excuse for any part of a meal at a fine dining restaurant to be that bad.
Those peaches were amazing, though. It was a fun meal, my dishes just didn't meet my expectations.