It’s carnival season in New Orleans! Now through Fat Tuesday (March 5th) revelers from around the world will flock to the Crescent City to take part in one of the country’s most iconic celebrations – Mardi Gras. Named the #1 place to visit in 2018 by The New York Times, New Orleans is a destination unlike any other with a cuisine as unique as the culture. In between parades and parties, stop to refuel at some of the city’s top-tier restaurants.
Compère Lapin
Since opening in June 2015 Compère Lapin, Nina Compton’s beloved New Orleans restaurant in the Old No. 77 Hotel, has received critical acclaim. Compton helms the neighborhood restaurant, creating robust dishes that meld the flavors of her Caribbean upbringing and love for French and Italian cuisine, while highlighting the Gulf and Louisiana’s beautiful indigenous ingredients. At Compère Lapin, Compton serves up a menu that is as diverse, colorful and tempting as the city itself with offerings ranging from cold smoked tuna tartare and curried goat with gnocchi, to hot fire chicken and roasted banana zeppole.
Old 77 Hotel & Chandlery at 535 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LA
Bywater American Bistro
In addition to the huge success of her first restaurant, Chef Nina Compton’s newest concept – Bywater American Bistro (BABs) – opened March 2018 in New Orleans’ “Sliver by the River” neighborhood. At BABs, foodies and fans can dine on an ingredient-driven cuisine with a bistro style of service. The menu features fresh and approachable dishes that honor ingredients, smart sourcing, proper technique and bold flavor combinations. As a nod to the restaurant’s home in the Rice Mills Loft building, grains and legumes play a substantial role with dishes such as Farro Risotto with Maitake mushrooms and minted breadcrumbs.
Rice Mill Lofts at 2900 Chartres Street in New Orleans’ Bywater district
Toups’ Meatery
In 2012, talented Chef Isaac Toups and wife/co-owner Amanda Toups opened Toups’ Meatery in Mid-City New Orleans. The contemporary Cajun restaurant is a glimpse into “Isaac’s Id” – the Cajun rustic cookery he grew up knowing, with his unique updated, sophisticated approach. At Toups’ Meatery, diners will find authentic cracklins’ on the menu which have been called “equal to Christendom’s finest,” and just like at his family’s table, cocktails are available by the pitcher along with the Meatery Board – a wonderful selection of house cured meats and accompaniments.
845 North Carrollton Avenue in New Orleans
Commander’s Palace
The Commander’s Palace is New Orleans’ most famous restaurant. Zagat has listed Commander’s Palace as the “Most Popular Restaurant in New Orleans” for 18 years, and in 2008 the restaurant was inducted into the Culinary Institute of America Hall of Fame. The award-winning Haute Creole restaurant was established in 1893, and has long been one of the best-regarded upscale restaurants in the country. If you need a break from the partying and Mardi Gras festivities, getting dressed up and enjoying a lunch or dinner at Commander’s Palace is a sure way to recharge.
1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
DTB
Serving cajun food and creative cocktails, DTB (short for ‘Down the Bayou’) opened in 2017 to critical acclaim. Commander’s Palace veteran Carl Schaubhut is executive chef and owner, and after opening Covington’s Bacobar, an Asian and Latin restaurant, he’s gone back to his Louisiana roots in DTB. Menu highlights include the vegan mushroom boudin balls served with smoked tofu mayo, crawfish bread with green chili fonduta, and a brown butter old fashioned on the cocktail menu.
8201 Oak St #1, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
Copper Vine
Opened in September 2018, Copper Vine by Brechtel Hospitality Group, is downtown New Orleans’ first “winepub” – a convivial gathering place where gastropub cuisine and neighborhood wine bar converge. Located in a historic space that once housed Maylie’s (opened in 1876 and one of New Orleans’ oldest restaurants), Copper Vine aims to democratize wine, making it accessible, easy and fun for every guest. The stunning indoor/outdoor restaurant and bar features 30 wines on tap; an additional 20 wines by-the-glass via Coravin; craft beers and cocktails, and an approachable menu by Chef Mike Brewer, who was crowned the 2015 King of Louisiana Seafood.
1001 Poydras Street in New Orleans’ Central Business District
Pythian Market
Opened since May 2018, Pythian Market is New Orleans’ highly anticipated downtown food collective located on the ground floor of the historic Pythian Temple – a gathering place during the civil rights movement where members of the community congregated and celebrated with food, culture and spirit. Pythian Market features 14 uniquely-curated purveyors and retail vendors that showcase a mosaic of cuisines representing the many cultures that make up today’s culinary landscape in New Orleans.
234 Loyola Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Louise Walker is AGLAIA’s Editor in charge of all content creation and management. She splits her time between London and Miami, and can always be found at a swanky hotel bar sipping on a Negroni. Contact her for any questions or if you would like to become an AGLAIA Contributor: hello@aglaiamagazine.com
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