Guacamole @ El Gato Negro
The trend in recent years toward tableside preparation of guacamole at the tableside is a welcome one. Few vegetables go south faster than avocados and their most prominent use in restaurants: guacamole. El Gato Negro--a contender for best Mexican restaurant in the the area--has taken to handling the delicate fruits (there, I've called avocados both a vegetable and a fruit) right before your eyes. This is not just for show. It lets you see that the avocados are at perfect ripeness (something easier to hide if the stuff is name well ahead of time). It also allows you to ask for special ingredients. The standard recipe here, for example, doesn't involve tomatoes. I ask for it, and get it, along with extra jalapenos. The waiters like doing it because they know a savvy customer will tip better on the tableside version.
By the way, if you didn't know, the former location of RioMar has become the third outlet for El Gato Negro.
El Gato Negro. French Quarter: 81 French Market Place. 504-525-9752. || Lakeview: 300 Harrison Ave. 504-488-0107. || Warehouse District & Center City: 800 S. Peters St. 504-525-5752. This dish is ranked in NOMenu's list of the 500 best dishes in New Orleans restaurants.For the list of all 500, click here. [divider type=""]
