A week or two ago we got an invitation to the unveiling of the new Meauxbar happy hour. This is a charming place on the corner of Rampart and St Phillip at the edge of the French Quarter. Mary Ann wanted to go to generate some content for the newsletter, but I was more interested in having dinner there. I have had a few great meals at Meauxbar, an understated little place known mostly to locals, and by that I mean people in the neighborhood. A pity, because it is good.
We went right after the show, so we were the first to show up, but a steady stream trickled in all evening. The friendly servers seem to know everyone.
I started with a very good Manhattan and the requisite fries, which I have to get if they are on the menu. And Mary Ann ordered duck fat popcorn, mainly out of curiosity. There was a Panzanella salad with crab that was on the menu, and MA jumped on this. She is not into bread, but is nuts about this salad. Go figure. This one had some corn and crumbled cheese, some tomato and pickled onions, as well as cornbread croutons in a light dressing. Delicious and light, it is perfect for this weather.
The popcorn was puffy and crunchy and delightful. Not so with the fries, which were limp and had a dark look to them. MA didn’t touch them and I barely did. Very disappointing. The chef sent out some escargot which was good but not as garlicky as I like. The sauce was more opaque than I am used to. It was served with Bellegarde bread which excited MA.
My entree was a fish grilled with almonds in Meuniere sauce. The fish was too thick for MA but perfect for me. It had a nice crust on it and was served with popcorn rice and asparagus. A rich and buttery sauce coated everything nicely.
MA got a pork shank with a mustard sauce which she liked just okay. It had butter beans under it with fennel, and she thought the beans a little too al dente, but otherwise very tasty. The pork shank with two large bones was braised perfectly.
This was a lot of food so we passed on dessert.
Meauxbar
942 N. Rampart St New Orleans
504-569-9979
Sun-Th 5-10pm
Friday & Saturday till midnight
Brunch Saturday & Sunday 10am-2pm
Daily Happy Hour 4-6pm
Chartreuse Mondays 5-10pm
meauxbar.com
