Cleopatra. Harvey: 2701 Manhattan Blvd. 504-361-1113.

Written by Tom Fitzmorris October 10, 2010 16:49 in

3 Fleur
Average check per person $15-$25
 BreakfastNo Breakfast SundayNo Breakfast MondayNo Breakfast TuesdayNo Breakfast WednesdayNo Breakfast ThursdayNo Breakfast FridayNo Breakfast Saturday
LunchLunch SundayLunch MondayLunch TuesdayLunch WednesdayLunch ThursdayLunch FridayLunch Saturday
DinnerDinner SundayDinner MondayDinner TuesdayDinner WednesdayDinner ThursdayDinner FridayDinner Saturday

Cleopatra

Harvey: 2701 Manhattan Blvd. 504-361-1113 . Map.
Casual.
AE DS MC V
Website

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
The best of the few Middle Eastern restaurants on the West Bank, Cleopatra's handsome dining room serves a menu that extends beyond the basics to include a number of dishes not often seen elsewhere. Some of them seem Egyptian to me. The restaurant doesn't serve alcoholic beverages, nor are you allowed to bring your own.

WHAT'S GOOD
The meats here are strictly halal, following the Islamic code for butchering. This is a step that lends quality, and it shows up particularly in the lamb dishes. This is one of the few Middle Eastern restaurants in the New Orleans that makes a specialty of duck. They also make couscous, another rarity.And bake their own pita bread and pastries.

BACKSTORY
The restaurant opened in 2004 in a new Manhattan Boulevard strip mall on the other side of Lapalco, which was a new frontier for commercial development. It's a little off the main stream of traffic, so although the place does a large amount of take-out business (doctors from the nearby hospitals, many of whom look to be of Middle Eastern descent, are always picking up), the dining room is rarely busy.

DINING ROOM
The restaurant is in the back of an ordinary-looking strip mall. That makes the dining room, with its tablecloth-covered tables and chandeliers, a pleasant atmospheric surprise.

ESSENTIAL DISHES
Starters
»Hummus
»Baba ghanouj
Tabouli
Falafel
Couscous
»Fried kibbe
Meat pies
»Spinach pie
Dolma (stuffed grape leaves)
Lentil soup
Vegetable soup
Greek salad
»Fattoush salad (greens, vegetables, pita chips)
Grilled chicken salad
Sandwiches
Lamb, beef, chicken or shrimp kabob
Shawarma
Falafel
Gyro
Hamburger
Shrimp or fish
Entrees
»Filet mignon shish kabob
»Kafta kabob
»Lamb shish kabob
Beef kabob
Chicken kabob
Shrimp kabob
»Broiled fish
Chicken shawarma
»Moussaka
Gyro plate
Shrimp plate
»Seafood platter
»Lamb chops
Chefs vegetarian plate
Desserts
Baklava
Ashta

FOR BEST RESULTS
Mention that you appreciate the fresh-baked goods and the halal meats, and you'll see a warming of the service.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
It would be nice to see a full house in here sometimes.

FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD
Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.

  • Dining Environment +1
  • Consistency +1
  • Service
  • Value +2
  • Attitude
  • Wine & Bar
  • Hipness
  • Local Color

 

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
  • Romantic
  • Good for business meetings
  • Open Sunday lunch and dinner
  • Open Monday lunch and dinner
  • Open most holidays
  • Open all afternoon
  • Unusually large servings
  • Quick, good meal
  • Good for children
  • Easy, nearby parking