Josephine Estelle
Every year, restaurants new to the Reveillon appear, and engender interest just because of their newness. This year's newie is Josephine Estelle, a unique new restaurant in a very old space in the old New Orleans furniture district. It has been one of the most popular new openings this year, with a menu that hold back about three minutes before you realize that it's mostly Italian. (Funny. It didn't look Italian.) The solution to this puzzle is that it's not traditional New Orleans Italian, but more like what you'd find around Rome or Florence. [caption id="attachment_52830" align="alignnone" width="480"]
Dining room at Josephine Estelle[/caption]
The price is a little on the high side: $70 for four courses. You get a free glass of wine, a practice in many of the Reveillon restaurants. Here's the menu.
Josephine Estelle. CBD: 600 Carondelet, in the Ace Hotel. Reservations. 504-930-3070. Reveillon from $70.
JE Salad
Stracciatella, winter vegetables, bibb lettuce, panna gratta, and herbs
Gemelli Pasta with Duck Leg Confit
Arugula pesto, almonds, and ricotta salata cheese
Porchetta with White Beans
Roasted hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, kale, and red onion reduction
Caramel Panache Budino (Pudding)
Graham crackers, pretzels, peanuts, and cream cheese whip
LAGNIAPPE: Glass of Wine
CBD: 600 Carondelet, in the Ace Hotel. Reservations. 504-930-3070: 600 Carondelet St. 504-930-3070.
FULL REVIEW
All the Reveillon menus can be perused here. We'll feature one every day throughout the Reveillon season, which runs in most of the Reveillon restaurants until December 31.The snowflake ratings are for the Reveillon menu, not the restaurant in general. Dishes marked with the snowflake symbol ✽ are my recommendations.
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