“New Orleans food is as delicious as the less criminal forms of sin.” ― Mark Twain
Clinton and I went to New Orleans last Thursday for Mardi Gras. Emma stayed in Baton Rouge with Clinton's mom, Sherri, at his Aunt Terri & Uncle Mike's house.
While we were planning to go to parades and party it up, what I was really excited about was eating! So this post is going to be completely devoted to the food we ate that day, and the next! I'm going all food critic on you! The food pics were taken with our cells, so I apologize the blurriness of some of them. AND I apologize for the length of this post!! Enjoy!
I was so excited! We had reservations for two of the best restaurants in New Orleans!
First up was lunch at
Commander's Palace! This was the first New Orleans restaurant ever recommended to Clinton and me, but we haven't gotten to go there before now!
We started with a couple of their cocktail specials. I had a Cosmopolitan (for a QUARTER!) and Clinton had a Sidecar. Both were really good, and we ordered a second (and I had a third :/)
They brought some garlic bread to the table with our drinks. I didn't get a picture, but it was buttery and rich, and oh so good! Then it was time for appetizers.
I had the Shrimp and Tasso Henican app. The shrimp were cooked perfectly, but at first I thought it was a bit too spicy for my taste. Then I had a bite with everything together, and it was probably one of the best bites of my life. The pickled okra, onions, and ham offset the heat perfectly. It was fantastic!
Clinton had the turtle soup, a Commander's specialty. I had one bite and it was rich, meaty, and delicious! He all but licked the bowl. If we hadn't have been at a "white tablecloth" establishment, I think he would have. We went to another restaurant the next day, that had turtle soup on the menu, but he wouldn't order it. Said he couldn't see how it could live up to Commander's.
I can't remember the name of my entree, but it was Gulf white shrimp with red beans and corn. It was a really good dish, but I had serious plate envy for Clinton's entree and neighbor table's Cochon de Lait Turnover (which I ALMOST ordered!). Good, but not my favorite course of the meal.
Clinton had the Blackened Skillet Seared Gulf Fish entree. It was so good! The fish came with sweet potato orzo and couscous. Let me tell you, another perfect bite. If Clinton would have traded me, I would have in a minute. He cleaned his plate... again!
Then came dessert! Oh, dessert. If I could relive that dessert course, just once a year, I would live in bliss!
I had the Ponchatoula Strawberry Shortcake which was made to order. Perfect strawberries, perfect biscuit, perfect cream... that's all there is to say.
Clinton had the Creole Bread Pudding Souffle. THE dish to get at Commander's, and it's, also, made to order. When it came to the table, the server finished it with a whiskey cream sauce. It was warm, rich, creamy, and delicious. The perfect dessert.
To wrap up my Commander's review, it was definitely TOP 3 meals of my life. Service was fantastic. They have a 3 man system that is flawless. We left there full, a little tipsy, and SO happy!
After a walk around the French Quarter, a quick nap at the hotel, and two parades, we had dinner at
Emeril's. I have wanted to eat here for SO long! It was on the top of my must-do list!
I ordered a sparkling Moscato (can't remember the brand, but I wish I could. It was delicious!) and Clinton had an Abita beer.
I ordered the Angel Hair Pasta with Smoked Mushroom and Housemade Tasso appetizer. It was delicious, but super rich. It was a pretty big portion, so I had to make sure not to finish it so I would have room for the rest of the meal!
Clinton had the Homemade Andouille and Boudin with Southern Cooked Greens. Neither Clinton or I like greens, but we ate those up. The andouille and boudin were delicious!
My entree was the Andouille Crusted Drum. It was delicious. The crust on the fish was so flavorful and the fish was flaky and fresh. I couldn't quit eating the shoestring potatoes. It was a massive plate, I could only get through half of it!
Clinton had the "Mac N' Cheese" Sauteed Gulf Shrimp with pasta and Vermouth cream. I did not taste it, but Clinton liked it! It looked super rich, though. Clinton didn't finish it, he finished mine instead! Ha!
We shared the chocolate souffle for dessert. I was a bit disappointed. I'm not a bitter chocolate fan, and it was a too bitter for me. The sauce it was served with was amazing, though.
To wrap it up, it was a good meal. Not as I had hoped, but still good. The service was spotty. Our waiter was very personable (which I love), but the runner took my wine glass away without asking if I wanted more (and I did), so I had to flag someone down to get another. Then we had to wait a while for our souffle, even though I ordered it at the beginning of the meal. I'm going to chalk it up to it being late in the evening, but still...
We left there and walked two blocks and watched another parade (New Orleans is fantastic!) We finally made it back to the hotel around 1 am. But that didn't keep us from getting up and heading to
Cafe Du Monde the next morning. I dream of those beignets...
We spent the morning in the Quarter, then headed back to Baton Rouge by way of Akers, LA. We went on a hunt for Ponchatoula strawberries and found
Middendorf's. (Really a friend recommended it) It was a great seafood joint. We split the crab and shrimp gumbo and the thin fish platter (their specialty).
The fish was thin and crispy, but still moist on the inside. Clinton and I talked the whole way back to Baton Rouge, trying to figure out how they got it so thin.
Ok, finally I'm at the end. We had a great time. Ate the most fantastic food. The end.
