For many years Brooke and Bryan Zar have operated a wildly popular and delicious restaurant way down in the bayous of Lafitte. Restaurant des Families has had a very successful run creating some buzz with their contemporary take on the classics.
And now they have come to the city, with a way more casual, and modern style of food that is at the same time mainstream and Caribbean-inspired. Think queso, which is more like the most delicious restaurant pimiento cheese than a queso, and it is served alongside a mound of equally good guacamole, accompanied by some very good chips whose heft is up to the job of transporting this dip duo to your lips.
In the spirit of the chicken sandwich phenom, I got the NOLA hot chicken sandwich, which came with Caribbean flavored coleslaw. I foolishly got coleslaw as a side, which was a lot of coleslaw. This was good stuff, but I should have tried a different side. The chicken sandwich was hot, and a little different in its batter, which was finer than usual. What struck me most about the sandwich was its outstanding bun. That isn’t to take anything away from the other elements of the sandwich, but it is so rare to see a bun that actually deserves to be eaten that I had to mention it. Big and pouffy but also firm, some seeds and toasted just right, I took notice of this, as a person chronically disappointed in buns. The mayo perky and the pickles just right, this was a good sandwich. We also got some tacos on little corn tortillas with tasty condiments. These come in threesomes, and we had crispy oysters, marinated steak, and Caribbean pork. The side was black beans, and that was a bit underwhelming.
A look at the menu revealed it is well thought out. And really attractive, covering a wide-but-not-too-wide range of menu regulars like hamburgers and chicken sandwiches, and other ubiquitous hip menu items like tacos, which appeal to some less adventuresome diners than a straight Caribbean menu might. Ginger Salmon, Jerk Chicken, and Red Curry Shrimp sit alongside a Marinated Ribeye, a Double-Cut pork chop, and baby back ribs. ceviches, and an ahi tuna stack. Standard South of The Border soups like black bean and also tortilla are the sole offerings in that menu section. Even the desserts exemplify the range here. There are only four, a Tres Leche Cake beside an Iron Skillet Cookie. Or a Key Lime Pie next to a Boston Cream Pie. This menu has something for everyone, which I usually think is a bad thing. Not here. It took them five years to bring NOLA Caye to life. It shows.
The space is handsome and reflects the same eclecticism as the menu. Beautiful walnut shelving gives warmth, booths are beautiful, chairs are stylish, and the tile floor is original to this 19th-century building. Tiles are missing in parts, but the flaws are part of the charm. The whole environment feels good, the service just right and the food is not only good but really interesting. Very well done all around.
It took five years to bring NOLA Caye to life. It shows.
NOLA Caye
898 Baronne St New Orleans
504-302-1302
Mon-Th 11-10
Friday till 11
Saturday 9am-11pm
Sunday 9am-10pm
nolacaye.com
