I've only found Amrerican buffalo--bison, to use its more exact name--in five restaurants over the years. The first time was in a restaurant in Houston. There they prepared the bison filet so well that I order it every time I encounter it. Lately, Annadele Plantation in Covington became the first restaurant in town to offer it regularly. I was so pleasantly surprised by this in I investigated further. Turns out that there are five ranches in Louisiana that raise the animal. The meat of bison is very similar to beef, except that it's very lean. There is nothing gamy about the flavor. What the chef at Annadele does to make it tender is his secret, but it works beautifully. It runs about the same price as a first-class steak.
Annadele Plantation. Covington: 71518 Chestnut St. 985-809-7669.
This dish is ranked #86 in NOMenu's list of the 500 best dishes in New Orleans restaurants. The entire list is here.
