The quickie you need in Nawlins’ cuisine
By Mariska Jonsette
All cities have their popular spots. New Orleans, a foodie’s paradise, has so many. Which restaurant is the top pick depends on who you ask. If you only have a short time in the Crescent City, here are two spots in the French Quarters you should definitely check out.
Court of Two Sisters, 613 Royal Avenue
To get a comprehensive taste of New Orleans cooking and food, you must stop at The Court of Two Sisters, a restaurant named after sisters Emma and Bertha Camors whom were popular Creole artistocrats in the city during the 1800’s. A different family owns it today and are dedicated to providing excellent food and service. The three-story building, which has indoor and outdoor courtyard seating (also the largest courtyard in the French Quarter), sits on “Governor’s Row,” the 600 block of Royal Street, once home to five governors, two state Supreme Court justices, a future justice of the U.S. Supreme Court and more dignitaries. This French Quarter restaurant offers an elegant atmosphere with an extensive all- you-can-eat affordable buffet with a live jazz band.
If you love crawfish, one of the waiters may be nice enough to give you tutorial on how to eat the regional favorite.
Specialty Salads: A unique selection of salads, including: Zesty Cajun Pasta, Sweet Potato w/Andouille Sausage, Creamy Crawfish and Spinach Pasta, Ceviche, Homemade Olive and Country Pâtés, Seafood Mousse and an assortment of domestic and imported cheeses.
Carving Station: Tender Roast Beef and Slow Roasted Turkey Breast, carved to order and served with natural au jus and horseradish cream sauce. Hot Entrée Offerings: Fresh Shrimp in Spicy Etouffee, Duck à l’ orange, Crawfish Louise, Creole Jambalaya, Southern BBQ Pork Ribs, and a local favorite – Veal Grillades and Gravy, Corn Grits.
Desserts & Fresh Fruits Fresh cakes, pies and sweets baked daily on the premises, including Mardi Gras King Cake, Southern Pecan Pie, Bananas Foster, Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce, and Home-Churned French Vanilla Ice Cream with your choice of Praline Sauce or Chocolate Sauce. Finally, assortments of local and exotic fruit and fruit salads!
On to the next….
Arnaud’s, 813 Bienville Ave, New Orleans
Fine Dining, frog legs and snails!
This restaurant specializes in classic creole cuisine and opens nightly at 6 p.m. and also has a Sunday brunch. Arnaud’s serves everything from the well known to the exotic ranging from frog legs to snails. The restaurant’s grand, spacious and elegant dining room is dimly lit with beautiful décor and a live band. Budget watch: Appetizers, salads, desserts and side items are range from $8.95-$40. Here’s some dishes from their à la carte dinner menu.
Escargots en Casserole (REAL SNAILS): yummy, buttery, chewy, tasty, love it!
Before getting into more of Arnaud’s spectacular creole cuisine, a nod must be given for their fresh-made Cafe Brulot that has coffee, lemon and orange rinds, cloves, cinnamon sticks and orange curacao flamed with brandy. History Fact: founded in 1918, Arnaud’s was closed for a time for serving alcohol mixed with coffee during the Prohibition Era.
Below: Oysters Arnaud, Crawfish O’Connor, Frog Legs Provençale: All of these were winners! Don’t be scared to try the fried frog legs. Frog legs are delicious and taste like chicken.
Below: Praline Crepes, Crème Brûlée, Chocolate Devastation (flourless chocolate cake). Great desserts. Arnaud’s might have the best flourless chocolate cake this side of the Mississippi!
For more information on Court of Two Sisters visit courtoftwosisters.com. For more information on Arnaud’s visit arnaudsretaurant.com
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