Where do I begin to express my love for this place ?   As the Louis Armstrong song goes, "do you know what it means to miss New Orleans ?"   Having visited NOLA once before, we experienced their great Creole/Cajun food, warm hospitality, fantastic music, and infectious joie de vivre.   Whether or not you've been there,  this restaurant makes you feel like you've stolen away to The Big Easy for a little while.

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Located at the far end of the New Haven mall, it is a cozy restaurant with lots of ambiance.   The décor is rich and warm, and wonderful jazz music softly plays in the background.  It's a great place for a romantic meal, or for a dinner gathering with friends.  During the warmer months, they have a small terrace outside. 

 

Depending on the day of the week or the time of the day that you'd like to go, it's a good idea to make a reservation.   As more people are discovering the place, it gets pretty busy on weekends.  It's open for lunch and dinner, and there is even a brunch served from 10 to 3 on Sundays.   

   

On our numerous visits for dinner, we’ve tried to order every item on the menu, but certain menu options just keep drawing us back.  Their food is consistently delicious.  Each dish is meticulously plated.  

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A complimentary serving of hush puppies is offered by the chef to each table before the meal.  Hush puppies are deep-fried dumplings made of cornmeal, and they're soft and chewy, and served with a sweet chili dipping sauce.

 

On occasion, the Grilled Octopus on Black Rice will be an appetizer on the daily special menu.  If you see it on the menu, do not miss out on this dish !   Tender grilled pieces of octopus are served on top of delicate yet chewy black rice.  The textures and tastes are phenomenal.

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Another appetizer that is delicious is the Fried Oysters.   Reminiscent of what is inside Po'Boy sandwiches in New Orleans, these deep-fried morsels are juicy and tender.

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Our  favorite dish, and seemingly the favorite of many around us, is the Shrimps and Grits.  This meal will change your life.  The grilled shrimps are huge and perfectly seasoned, with  just the right amount of heat.  The grits (oh, the grits !) are creamy, warm, and cheesy.   It just makes you feel wonderful.   The plate is served with corn  and grilled vegetables, all which perfectly brighten the tastiness of the shrimp.   It is a substantial meal. 

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The Grilled Scallops is another delicious delicacy.   The scallops are sweet and grilled to perfection, topped with a delicate caviar, and placed on top of sweet potato mash.   Although not as substantial as the shrimp and grits, it is packed with flavour.

 

We were lucky enough to try the Fried Catfish when it was the fish of the day.  Moist and flaky, it had just enough kick to it.   The Shrimp Creole with Jambalaya was hot and spicy, and the Braised Short Ribs were tender and braised to perfection.   The Duck Confit is served with sweet potato mash, and the Buttermilk Fried Cornish Hen was perfectly cooked.   There are succulent crab cakes, different gumbos that warm your soul,  shrimp Po'Boy sandwiches, mac and cheese, southern fried chicken, and quintessential corn bread.

                                   
For dessert, and you MUST have dessert, their Beignets are served fresh and hot out of the deep fryer,  They're light and airy, and covered with powdered sugar, just like those sold at the Café du Monde in New Orleans.  Follow it with a good cup of coffee, and you're almost there. 

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Their Bread Pudding with Jack Daniels bourbon sauce is absolutely sinful, and also goes perfectly with a good cup of coffee at the end of the meal   The bread pudding is served warm, full of juicy raisins, and soaked with a rich caramelly sauce that has a bourbon kick to it.   Just like a night on Bourbon Street, it'll give you a warm fuzzy feeling, all the way home.

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A recent discovery was their Mississippi Mud Pie.  It is a chocolate lover's paradise.  The chocolate torte is creamy, ganoche-y, and like a higher-end version of a brownie.  Tje slice is complemented with 2 mounds of fresh whipped cream.   It's a great textural treat - the chocolate torte has a crunch on top, but is moist inside.

All in all, you won't be disappointed with a visit to this restaurant.  It might even inspire you to take a trip down south for the real deal.  In the meantime, give this place a try, and ....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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