On my last night in New Orleans, we decided to have dinner at Nola. This, as you must know, is an acronym for New Orleans La.
This is one of Emeril LaGasse’s restaurants. In New Orleans, he has 3 of his restaurants, all situated within 5 miles of each other. So, we chose Nola.
We called ahead to make reservations and were told ’’sorry, nothing is available for tomorrow night, please call back and check for cancellations.’’ So, instead, my daughter called her friend Terry, who happens to be the head waiter for the VIP and local section of the restaurant. Terry happily arranged for us to get a lovely table for two, upstairs, overlooking the ’’tourist section’’, right in there with the VIP’s and local regulars.(Although my daughter is a local, she is far from a regular patron)
Our reservations were for 7:30 P.M. We arrived at 7:10 and were immediatly shown to our table. Our table was set with white linen table cloths and napkins and formal settings of silver and glasses.
We were handed the menus and asked if we’d care for a before dinner cocktail(which we declined). But I did look at the drink list and it was huge! 8 small batch bourbons, 22 single malt scotches, 6 types of brandy, 20 wines a neverending list of cognac etc. etc. I have no idea of the prices, because the drink menu posted none, and as I said, we didn’t order any.
We were then amazed by the list of wonderful appetizers they had to offer. From juicy smoked duck, served with brie(cheese) on water crackers with a drizzle of Emeril’s own saffron aioli(a type of mayonnaise) to 6 different types of shrimp. Crabcakes with roasted peppers and Pepperjack, rock shrimp spring rolls with avocado salsa. You could also choose from a baby romaine salad with bleu cheese, walnuts and pepper croutons, Cornmeal crusted oysters with spinach and hearts of palm, baby arugula salad with pears and smoked cheddar cheese. Now, if that wasn’t enough, there were also freshly made savory soups to choose from as well. A roasted garlic-Reggiano parmesan bisque, Turtle soup or Gumbo of the day.
I had the Roasted garlic bisque and was in heaven. My daughter had the rock shrimp spring roll and loved it as well. The appetizers range in price from $6.00 to $11.00 each.
On to the entrees. I don’t even know where to begin! Everything from Rabbit to Cowboy steak. They had a hickory smoked duckling in a whiskey and carmel glaze, served with bread pudding and roasted corn salad, Pan roasted striped bass with youkon gold potatoes, Prisciutto wrapped grilled salmon with leeks and wild mushrooms and so on and so on.
I chose the Gulf shrimp with clams, mussels, calamari and chorizo, with an olive-tomato broth over black linguine and roasted peppers. Again, heaven. My daughter ordered Grilled free-range chicken served with a huge roasted portobello mushroom, goat cheese ravioli, garlic spinach and fried onion slivers. She was once again joining me in heaven.
The entree prices range from $20.00 to $32.00.
I can’t even begin to list the desserts they offered. Everything from Emeril’s famous Bananas Foster, to fried apple pie, creme brulee, chocolate covered peanut butter pie, Frozen lemon mousse with fresh raspberries and cream and many, many more. I ordered my favorite, Bananas Foster, while my daughter ordered Mocha pot de creme with almond biscotti. MMMMMMMMMM. Outragously wonderful!
The desserts run from $4.50 to $6.50 each.
You could bypass all the headache of deciding what to order and just order ’’A taste of Nola’’. Each night it is a different combination, of a variety of appetizers, entrees dessert and a glass of wine for $48.00 per person.
The service was excellent! Supurb! The waiters (2) didn’t hover, but they were there for your every need, no matter how small. As they cleared the table between courses, one of the 3 tablecloths was removed so you wouldn’t have to eat on anything you spilled or dropped. Our iced tea glassed were not refilled, but instead were replaced each time they were about half way empty.
The decor was typical New Orleans, brick and cement patched walls, some hanging plants, wooden plank floors and spotlessly clean.
On your way out there is an area where you can purchase some of Emeril’s famous spices and sauces and his cookbooks etc.
Overall, I’d say it was a wonderful dining experience. I’d recommend Nola, to anyone wanting a great meal, in a nice atmosphere. (BUT, you have to be willing to shell out roughly $130.00 (US) for a nice dinner for 2) The restaurant is NOT children friendly, there is no children’s menu.