Highlights of our culinary adventure

—Suzann Balog, New Orleans, LA

Dining out in New Orleans can only be narrowed down by what type of food you love and far you want to go to get it – there are so many excellent options for seafood, French food, Cajun, Creole, local specialties, with or without live jazz music, on and on. We decided on one that was relatively close to our French Quarter hotel, had great reviews and offered a bit of high-end French-foodie delights and a good wine list. (Ok, also known because the owner is James Beard Award-winning chef Justin Devillier (not a typo, his name is Justin, the place is Justine)). This brasserie has several different areas for diners to enjoy, casual café to formal/private dining, to chatting up the bartenders at the very retro styled bar, complete with DJ spinning some toe-tapping oldies. We started with classic cocktails at the bar before moving to our center restaurant table very close to our dining companions (close enough to ogle their dishes, strike up a conversation, and actually share a bite or two!, but still comfortable enough to relax into our own experience). Much more a Parisian French style vs New Orlean’s French style – starters were the Foie Gras (and a bite or our neighbor’s Steak Tartar) plus hands-down best French Onion Soup ever (seriously – ever – and I have a fair amount of experience here), perfect amount of onion, rich but not overpowering broth, cheesy gooey delight baked over the edge of the crock. Followed by the croquet monsieur (ok, grown-up grilled ham and cheese), more importantly, paired with a perfectly balanced Jean Claude Daumen Côtes-du-Rhône. Along with a melt in your mouth Duck Confit paired with Dom. de L'R 'Le Canal des Grands Pièces’ Chinon.

225 Chartres St. | New Orleans, LA 70130 | 504.218.8533