Crescent City Brewhouse. French Quarter: 527 Decatur. 504-522-0571.

Written by Tom Fitzmorris September 21, 2010 12:47 in

3 Fleur
Average check per person $25-$35
 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

Crescent City Brewhouse

French Quarter: 527 Decatur. 504-522-0571. Map.
Casual.
AE DC DS MC V
Website

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
The pedestrian stream along the French Quarter riverfront almost rivals that of Bourbon Street, and I love to see those people. I love to see New Orleans visitors wander in here. The Brewhouse has a jazz band playing nightly right at the front door. At the other end of the bar is a guy shucking oysters. Behind the bar are copper tanks where the place brews its own beers. And the food is credible, with a non-cliche New Orleans flavor.

WHAT'S GOOD
The beers are good and fresh, even though the variety is neither large (usually just five kinds) nor especially innovative. It goes well with the food, which is more adventuresome than you might expect from such a casual place. They serve many burgers and sandwiches, but the menu is wide-ranging, original, and local. The raw oysters or the sausage plate make a good starting point. The entree department explores many categories, but the most promising is the seafood.

BACKSTORY
Wolfram Koehler, a German guy descended from several generations of brewmasters, opened the Brewhouse in 1991. An adopted Orleanian who developed a taste for the local color, he fills his big restaurant with New Orleans food, music, and art.

DINING ROOM
The whole place looks very touristy, with its open front doors and the neon signs in the windows above. But the building is an old one, and although it's very casual it is comfortable enough for an extended lunch or dinner. It's bigger than it looks at first, with tables on two floors. The upper deck as a sort of mezzanine overlooking the ground floor and the big, polished beer tanks.

FOR BEST RESULTS
Get a table near the front of the restaurant so you can listen to the live music, which is always quite good. Get a beer assortment for the table.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
Keeping the front door open in the summer makes the dining areas warmer and more humid than is comfortable.

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+1
  • Value +1
  • Attitude +1
  • Wine & Bar
  • Hipness +1
  • Local Color +3

 

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES
  • Live music every night
  • Good view
  • Many private rooms
  • Open Sunday lunch and dinner
  • Open Monday lunch and dinner
  • Open after 10 p.m.
  • Open all afternoon
  • Historic
  • Oyster bar
  • Unusually large servings
  • Quick, good meal
  • Reservations accepted