Iris Restaurant - French Quarter - New Orleans, LA

The building where Iris Restaurant is located could easily be mistaken for an apartments but the menu posted outside the window makes its presence known. The interior, while painted the same colors as the outside of the building, is a classy upscale but not stuffy atmosphere. Whether you're looking to wine and dine, cozy up on a first date or celebrate a romantic special occasion this restaurant is the place.

Our waitperson was a true professional and my trusted advisor throughout the evening. He interjected his opinion and made suggestions which is something a lot of waiters don't do but that I find welcoming. His suggested cocktail for the evening was either the Prickle or The Count. I ended up choosing The Count and I couldn't be happier with the choice. It wasn't what I would typically order but it was a exemplary choice and a well crafted cocktail.

I was so please with my first cocktail and curious about what our waitperson said was his favorite cocktail that I ordered the Prickle. This is a gin based drink and I don't drink gin. You could obviously taste the gin in the drink but its subtle sweetness and refreshing coolness made me like it.

Iris's menu is small with about 10 main choices but most of the dishes sounded so good I was having trouble choosing just one. I offered up my choice and out of my picks, our waitperson recommend the Duck Confit. The skin was perfectly crispy and the meat was moist beyond belief. Combine that with the corn and the sweetness of the peaches and you have a delectable dish.

My boyfriend ordered his usual steak in the form their Steak Frites. It was very tender and tasty. The foie gras-marrow butter was a brilliant touch and put this dish it over the top. The fries were incredible too, I reckon a Belgium would eat these fries and give them his/her stamp of approval.

We finished off the meal with the Chocolate Soufflé Pistachio Cake. It was rich, chocolaty yumminess but if I am not mistaken, this was not a soufflé (unless it was a fallen one) and more like a flourless cake. I liked it anyways and the nuts added some texture to the dessert.

Iris was flawless, I can't wait to come again!


Iris Restaurant
321 N Peters St New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 299-3944
www.irisneworleans.com

Ogden Museum of Southern Art - Central Business District - New Orleans, LA

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is five floors. That many floors makes the museum sound big, but art is actually displayed on only three of the floors. 

The museum has a good variety of art, and although I personally didn't see anything wowing, the various art pieces are very representative Southern art and life and frankly that is what the museum is all about.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art
925 Camp St New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 539-9600
www.ogdenmuseum.org

Criollo Restaurant & Lounge - French Quarter - New Orleans, LA

Criollo Restaurant & Lounge is located inside the Hotel Moteleone. If you didn't know any better, that may make the restaurant difficult to find, so to help you out if you intend to dine there, once you enter the hotel, go to the right and you will see it.

I was very captivated by the ambiance of the restaurant. A lot of dark browns and woods were used in decorating this restaurant but that is offset by white walls and huge windows lining the restaurant. Despite the dark colors, it was still bright and since I do not like a poorly lit restaurant that was a huge plus for me.

But, what I really liked about my experience at Criollo, is our waiter. He was funny yet professional and as attentive as they come. I was able to get that Southern hospitality which doesn't always seem to exist in New Orleans. 

At Criollo, like most other restaurants, they start you off with bread but what makes theirs different, is that they serve it with three kinds of butter. Butter can't sell the bread though, so thankful the bread was actually good and fresh. The Foccacia Bread was like the really good homemade kind with actual olives in it.

My boyfriend ordered the special for the day, Chicken and Waffles. He was at first disappointed that it was Chicken breast not chicken parts but the well-seasoned, tender pieces chicken made his not think twice about that one. The Waffles were fresh but on the crunchier side. What really sold the dish was the two accompanying sauces. Instead of regular maple syrup it was their own sweet sauce along with the option of a spicier one.

I, on the other hand, ordered off the COOLinary menu and for my first course, had the Soft Shell Crab Belle Meuniere. The soft shell crab was lightly breaded and fried. Along with the brown butter sauce, onions, tomatoes and wild mushroom, it created a delectable light lunch. It was subtle but flavorful and had just the right amount of sauce that the dish didn't become soupy and the Soft Shell Crab never got soggy.

For my second course, I indulged in the White Chocolate Creme Brûlée. I was amazed by this creme brulee. It wasn't too sweet and you could distinguish the white chocolate flavor without it overpowering the dessert as a whole. The fresh fruit and the pastry shell were a great touch to an already outstanding dessert that I honestly would go there solely for. 

If you cannot tell by now, I LOVED dining at Criollo. Obviously I will be back for many more times to come, but now that I have experienced New Orleans dining at Criollo Restaurant, cocktails at Carousel Bar (located just next door) are definitely in order on my next visit.


Criollo Restaurant & Lounge 
214 Royal St New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 681-4444
www.criollonola.com

Morton's The Steakhouse - French Quarter - New Orleans, LA

While it is a chain, I have encountered a few people who recommend Morton's The Steakhouse. I, however, tend to avoid any restaurant with Steakhouse in its name, because I don't exactly love steak. My boyfriend loves steak though and has always wanted to come here so with their participation in COOLinary I felt it was the best time to give them a try and get 3 courses for the $35 versus just the entree for the same price.

Their New Orleans location is located just outside the French Quarter on busy Canal Street. To enter the restaurant you have to take the elevator up to the second floor where you are greeted by their warm and friendly staff and sophisticated dining room. I was very impressed by their staff. They all worked as a team to ensure a magnificent dining experience. It was not a one man show where only your waiter servers you and other employees  just walk past your table like you don't exist. You are acknowledged by everyone you encounter.

At Morton's they have an extensive wine list, and a few interesting cocktails. I wanted to do something different then my usual and selected The Crush. Maybe it will be my new crush, I thought? It was made up of a few ingredients (vodka, Prosecco, grapes, etc) but essential tasted like grape flavor and sparkling wine. It may very well have been a bad choice on my part but I was even more disappointed once I saw the price.

The Ahi Tuna Tower was delish but I wouldn't say it was the freshest tuna or avocado. The chips were crispy and thin how I like them.

The Sliced Beefsteak Tomato Salad was simple yet amazing. Who knew tomatoes, red onions and blue cheese could be so gratifying?

The Baked Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp was heavenly. I liked that they were baked not fried because the combo of the grease and the richness of the sauce could have caused some serious stomach issues. The Shrimp was surprisingly light and stuffed with a decent amount of 100% crabmeat. The Parmesan Cappellini was saucy but not overwhelming and the capers add a nice tart flavor that didn't overpower. I accompanied the dish with their Steamed Broccoli which apparent had Hollandaise sauce but I didn't notice.

Steak is what Morton's is all about, so don't think we were going to leave without at least ordering the 6oz Filet Mignon. My boyfriend order it Medium and they delivered on that. It was tender with a juicy pink center otherwise known as a succulent cut of meat. It did lack flavor but was well cooked. The steak was paired with the Chicago-Style Horseradish Mashed Potatoes which was a great accompaniment.

For dessert, they had various options including a choice of souffles. The Grand Marnier Souffle sounded the most interesting so I went with that one. It was a little too wet in the middle and too rubbery on top. I was having trouble cutting through the top with my spoon so I ended up eating around it but the flavor of the dessert was good. It wasn't too sweet.

I didn't love the Cheesecake. It was very basic with just a strawberry on top. The cake was extremely dense and tasted like taking a tub of cream cheese and eating directly from the container.

Although the desserts failed to excite me and I wasn't fond of my cocktail choice, I was impressed by the Stuffed Shrimp entree. Plus, I really liked the ambiance and service was remarkable so it made me like a restaurant I otherwise wouldn't.


Morton's The Steakhouse
365 Canal St New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 566-0221
www.mortons.com

Muriel's Jackson Square - French Quarter - New Orleans, LA

The second stop on my COOLinary dining experience is none other than Muriel's Jackson Square. Located smack-dab in the hustle and bustle of Jackson Square, it is hard not to take notice of this restaurant. Obviously my curiosity set in and after months of living in New Orleans, I finally set foot in the place.

Although the building had been around for a ridiculous amount of years (from the 1700s kind of years), Muriel's had only occupied the building since the 2000s and even though the building is old as hell, the restaurant decor was a modern representation of what a dining room would have looked like back then.

I always start my meal at a restaurant with one of their signature cocktails. They have a pretty interested list but Honey Child sounded about right for me. Vodka, blackberries and basil, OH MY! Most cocktail preparations focus on the sweet or fruitiness of the fruit but in this cocktail, the alcohol was the focus (as it should always be) and the addition of chambord didn't make me mad either.

The Shrimp and Goat Cheese Crepes appetizer was extremely appetizing. It was like eating homemade ravioli in a luscious buttery sauce that tantalizes your tongue.

The Gorgonzola Prosciutto Tart was good but not as fabulous as the crepes. Honestly it was a cheese tart with a few crumbs of prosciutto on top but when combined with the apple, blackberries and the sweet honeyed pecans, it was a lovely starting dish.

The Pecan Crusted Puppy Drum was exquisite. I was impressed by the lightness of the batter and the delicate flavor of the sauce. We added crabmeat to the dish which took it up a notch, but despite any strong flavor, it was still a distinctive entree.

I am all about seafood and combining shrimp, fish and crabmeat into one entree is like being able to choose three men and make them into one dream man. The sauce was a well-prepared, rich and heavenly flavored concoction of ingredients. The biscuit had a slight sweetness to it.

I tried to avoid the Bread Pudding (a dessert at every restaurant) but the server probably heard me wrong when I asked for the Butterscotch Pudding and brought out the Bread Pudding instead. It looked so good and I am not one for complaining so I didn't bother to correct it. I am glad I didn't because it turned out to be one of the better Bread Puddings in the city. The candied pecans and rum sauce killed it (in a good way).

The other dessert choice was the Flourless Chocolate Cake. It was divine but was richer than Oprah. It was moist, dense and smooth like fudge.

This may be a quintessential tourist restaurant in the French Quarter, however after my experience I highly recommend it. The food is a superb representation of Cajun/creole cuisine and let's not that forget that the service is impeccable and that they aim to please. My only issue (if you can really call it that), was that I did feel a little rushed but I'll chalk it up to attentive service and I can't get made at that.


Muriel's Jackson Square
801 Chartres St New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 568-1885
www.muriels.com

K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen - French Quarter - New Orleans, LA

K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen has been a staple in New Orleans cuisine for such a long time that I felt that it was worth checking out and what better time than COOLinary to experience a sampling of their food. One thing I say when dining out in New Orleans is never leave home without a reservation. No matter how long the line is or how empty the restaurant, it is imperative and they will try to deny you without one.

We arrived at the restaurant and were seated in the second floor dining room. I liked it a lot better than the first floor since it was a little more open and offered better lightening. The feeling of the restaurant was the typical New Orleans vibe. It was a lovely setting!

Service at the restaurant is very professional and well organized. Not much of a a personal rapport was established, but we were given attentive service. I never felt rushed and I welcome that fact the a little bit of time was lapsed between courses allowing me to digest a little bit. Be aware that if you are a COOLinary diner, you will have to request the menu.

Dinner doesn't start without a cocktail (at least that's what I say), so I ordered a Pomegranate Martini. This was a fabulous martini with the right balance of alcohol and sweet. It was very refreshing on a hot summer night!

My appetizer selection was the Fried Green Tomatoes battered in seasoned cornmeal and layered with sauteed fresh shrimp in a chipotle remoulade sauce. The tomatoes itself were a little lackluster and I definitely wasn't into the thick batter however the shrimp was titillating on my tongue.

My friend had the Gumbo. It was satisfying if you never had Gumbo before but to compare it to others at different restaurants, it was only fair.

After that little tease, I was ready to eat. I had no hesitation to order the Shrimp and Andouille Creole. It was a tasty dish comprised of fresh ingredients and great flavor. The tomato sort of overpowered the delicate flavors of the shrimp and rice but the Andouille shined through. The veggies were so unimpressive they distracted from the dish.

The entree of choice for my friend was the Pan-Fried Flounder with Herbal Brie Cream. The fish was fresh and well prepared. The batter again was a little thick but the sauce was wonderful and made the dish.

After dinner I was stuffed so although dessert was already ordered, I was not not really looking forward to it. Don't know how I did it but I found some room in my stomach for a slice of Sweet Potato Pecan Pie (some of it). It was heavenly! The Pecans definitely add a necessary element missing from from plain Sweet Potato Pies. I liked that it was sweet but not deathly sweet and the chantilly cream was ooh-wee!!

To take advantage of trying another option we also ordered the Bread Pudding. It had more of a pudding consistency that a lot of other bread puddings. It was good but again in a city where almost everyone serves this dessert it was all right in the scheme of things.

The atmosphere was relaxed, the service was on point and the food was splendid however had I not been dining during COOLinary I would have found the prices to be unreasonable. At their regular prices, I would rather dine someplace else.


K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen
416 Chartres St New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 596-2530
www.chefpaul.com/kpaul

Emeril Lagasse's NOLA Restaurant - French Quarter - New Orleans, LA

During the week, I am always on the road and by midday, I am asking myself “what shall I eat for lunch?" Most of the time, I end up choosing the quick option to avoid wasting time at a sit-down restaurant, but frankly someone like me, who loves trying new restaurants and food, should take the time to enjoy a delicious meal!

NOLA restaurant is the creation of Emeril Lagasse, who is credited for introducing Cajun cuisine to the masses and despite having two restaurants in New Orleans and restaurants in other cities I have been, I never experienced the "Bam"!

Well, I finally experience it and the Prince Edward Island Mussels I ordered were some of the best I have ever had. The broth, made of Garlic and White Wine, was rocking and the housemade Andouille was perfection!

My dining partner ordered the Braised Pork Cheek Poboy and seemed to enjoy it!

Inticed by the dessert we spotted someone eating across the room, we went ahead and ordered the Warm Ooey Gooey Cake. Eating a warm dessert straight out of the over is like foreplay!

I do not know what took me so long but I am glad I finally got on the Emeril train! In addition to great food, the service is impeccable and the space (a renovated warehouse) is a cool dining environment.

NOLA Restaurant

534 St Louis St New Orleans, LA 70130 (504) 522-6652 www.emerilsrestaurants.com/nola-restaurant