6 posts tagged “new orleans”
Thankfully, we are enjoying another amazing dining experience at Stella in New Orleans. This time we are dining at Stella with owner/chef Scott Boswell. Chef Boswell was recently awarded "Best Chef" by New Orleans Magazine.
As I have mentioned in past blog posts, a great restaurant must have not only fantastic food but also must be able to create a fantastic experience for their guests as well. It is only the combination of food and experience that make truly great restaurants.
I could tell within 5 minutes that restaurant Stella was going to have both!
Carol started out her experience with Autumn Heirloom Squash Puree with Valrhona Xocopili (chocolate), Italian Pancetta, Apple Wood Smoked Bacon and Virgin Olive Oil.
This was completely out of this world. We just love all the combinations of tastes that this soup gave us.
This beautiful dish was a Foie Gras, Duck Pate, and Truffle-Scented "BLT" with Heirloom Tomatoes, Apple Wood Smoked Bacon, 100-Year Old Balsamic Vinegar and Lobster Caviar Butter.
This was clearly in the top 5 things that I have ever tasted! Absolutely, utterly, incredibly, fantastic! Get the idea?
Carol's main course was Almond and Herb-Crusted Boneless Rack of Australian Lamb with Roasted Heirloom Turnips, Mediterranean Pearl Pasta and Veal Port Reduction.
This was very good and was sold out before the night was through. I feel a little bad because I talked Carol into this dish. She isn't very willing to try new things and did not enjoy this dish as much as if she had ordered fish. I just felt, because she was ordering fish every night that she should explore a bit. My bad!
I first experienced Squab in Las Vegas. I suppose most people, if they knew this was a pigeon would never even think about eating it. Come on...it was farm raised. They didn't go shoot one in the street. Right? Right Chef Boswell???
When I saw this was on the menu, I knew immediately what I would be having for dinner. I love to try new things and this little delicacy was only enjoyed because I was willing to try new things. Absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!! Squab is one of my favorite meats of all.
Yummy!
Restaurant Stella was a very enjoyable dining experience and I would highly recommend that if you get the opportunity to sample Chef Boswell's creations, that you jump at the chance.
Thank you Chef Boswell and also a special thanks to our waiter Terry who made a memorable evening for us.
We also visited the local cemetery where as you can see they are built above ground. This is common practice in the New Orleans area. Our guide mentioned that there are many individuals put into these crypts. We also walked by Ann Rice's house but I didn't talk a picture of it. Many of these homes were very difficult to photograph as there were huge Live Oak Trees blocking the view.
It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon in New Orleans.
Click to watch a little of it on a video.
Brennan's has a fabulous history and is famous for creating Bananas Foster as well as numerous other dishes.
Wow! This is good!
I love breakfast!
Then Carol had Bananas Foster a Brennan's original creation and now world famous. They saute' bananas in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and banana liqueur, then flame them in rum and serve over ice cream.
Holy Cow!
OH MY HEAVENS...this was so good!
Leonard did a fantastic job taking care of Carol and me. We had a fantastic meal, the place was very upbeat and alive.
When we return to New Orleans some day, Breakfast at Brennan's will definitely be on our list.
We are staying in an incredible hotel in New Orleans. Check it out here.
I sat down last night to write this blog post and found myself struggling with what to say. You see....we were quite disappointed. We have very high expectations of the restaurants on this list (The DiRoNo List) and I suppose with those expectations, if they are not met, then there is a long way to fall.
I am feeling conflicted telling you completely how we felt because we don't want to kick someone when they are down. After all, this city was just completely devastated by a massive hurricane and flood. As you drive into the city this is still very evident.
I am also very aware that the city is having problems finding and keeping good people because housing is still very much a problem. To top that all off, the city was experiencing it's first and only major convention for 2006, the National Association of Realtors is here with somewhere around 20,000 attendees.
In that light the restaurant was very busy with Realtors from all over the country and I suspect it was putting a strain on the staff.
What I can't quite figure out is that we had the opportunity to share our feelings with "Madame P" the owner of Broussard's. We were sharing our experience and I could see the obvious frustration on her face. Trust me, I understand the joys and pains of owning a business. I could only imagine what this family has been through in the past year.
As a customer of her business, I felt listened too, but we did not feel any honor, if you will, coming back from her. Do you know what I mean? This is a world class restaurant...right? You would have thought that she would have offered to buy us a desert and let us know that next time they will do better. There was none of that.
I suppose if you are a foodie, like us, you might see why we were feeling such conflict. This is a historic restaurant which just got kicked in the groin from Katrina. Therefore, enough is enough, and I want to share with you now the GOOD things that we experienced in Broussard's.
We choose to give them the benefit of the doubt and would encourage you too to visit New Orleans and help the city get back on it's feet.
Now...let me tell you about our amazing meal...
Our meal started with a trio of soup. There was turtle soup (my favorite...it was AMAZING!), gumbo, and a sweet potato shrimp bisque. All three were piping hot and a very good introduction to what was in store.
Carol then enjoyed the Broussard's Salad which was spinach greens with an amazing dressing and I sampled Broussard's Oysters. Once again...out of this world.
For our main dish, we once again stuck to their classic dishes. Carol had Broussard's Pampano and I enjoyed Broussard's Veal.
The food was very good and I would highly recommend Broussard's on your visit to New Orleans.
To our waiter: dude.....you are the captain of the ship as it pertains to the "experience" of the dining experience. For a restaurant to be great..there must be great food AND a great experience! You work in a great restaurant. Take pride in what you bring to us. Share with us why you think this is the greatest food in the world! Smile...show us your passion.
To the busboy Dennis: Dennis.....you were the highlight of the evening. We watched you eagerly attend to each of your clients needs. We saw the huge smile on your face and your amazing spirit. Everyone in the place was immediately attracted to you because you were having fun, you cared about our experience, and the fact that you have been with this restaurant for 16 years is amazing. I applaud you! I will always think of you when we think of Broussard's.
