The Editor's Wife's Opinions
Twenty-Five Most Romantic Restaurants,
From The Girl's Side Of The Table
By Mary Ann Fitzmorris
With all the excitement of the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day could easily get lost in the shuffle of events. It shouldn’t. Valentine’s Day is that special day that is just about the two of you. No distractions. So the place you choose to spend it with your significant other should be carefully selected, and everyone’s taste is different.
My significant other has asked me to compile a list of places that I would go, to give a woman’s perspective. Unlike him, I have not gone to every restaurant which could possibly be on the list. This pretty good list is from my own experience in these places, and my “feelings” about them. And what is Valentine’s Day about, if not “feelings”?
Understand that this is my list, not Tom’s, so food is NOT the first (or maybe only) consideration. This list is about a mood. And the place they fall on the list isn’t really all that significant. I could go to any of these on the big day and be thrilled.
1. R’evolution. French Quarter: 777 Bienville (in the Royal Sonesta Hotel). 504-553-2277. I can’t help it. I am totally smitten with the place. I love the bar first. It’s not even particularly comfortable. I dig the look and the feel, which is more like a vibe. And I like the food. The other rooms in the restaurant are equally gorgeous, each with a different look and feel. If you really want to wow your partner, the chef’s table seats six or eight, (or two for the right price, I’m sure), but is so tucked away it would be unforgettable.
2. Bombay Club. French Quarter: 830 Conti. 504-586-0972. The place is a little worn, but what isn’t sexy about booths so enclosed they make you feel alone in the world? Except the world outside the booth is interesting-like a New York speakeasy. All set around a French Quarter courtyard. Literally, a world unto itself. All this with great drinks and great food.
3. Sylvain. French Quarter: 625 Chartres St. 504-265-8123. Another deep-in-the-Quarter courtyard dark and cozy place. Handsome and hip, from the folks that brought us Patois.
4. Eleven 79. Warehouse District: 1179 Annunciation. 504-569-0001. This place is so small, with tables so close to each other, it could be Italy. Maybe it’s the crush of humanity, but I find it sensual. Great food too.
5. Irene's Cuisine. French Quarter: 539 St Philip. 504-529-8811. Also deep in the Quarter. Same Italian crush of humanity. Noisy. Fabulous food.
6. Mr. John’s Steakhouse. Garden District: 2111 St Charles Ave. 504-679-7697. This one didn’t move me at first, but the last time I went I wondered why I don’t go all the time. Busy, sexy in a masculine way.
7. Iris. French Quarter: 321 North Peters . 504-299-3944. Small and sexy in a feminine way. Tiny French Quarter courtyard. Superb food.
8. Maximo’s Italian Grill. French Quarter: 1117 Decatur. 504-586-8883. The food is great, the booths are small, but the place has an edge.
9. Tomas Bistro. Warehouse District: 755 Tchoupitoulas. 504-527-0942. Tommy Andrade’s bar at Tommy’s might be the most sensual space in the city. His new place across the street has an understated warmth to it that just makes you feel good sitting there. Food is great, but the place makes me want to go back and back.
10. La Provence. Lacombe: 25020 US 190. 985-626-7662. What is not romantic about a quiet French farmhouse with a roaring fire? Superb food.
11. Pelican Club. French Quarter: 615 Bienville. 504-523-1504. Outstanding food, but the romance is in the bar and first room.
12. Café Giovanni. French Quarter: 117 Decatur. 504-529-2154. Soul-satisfying Italian food. Opera singers. Duh.
13. Le Foret. CBD: 129 Camp. 504-553-6738. An environment so gorgeous I want to move in. And the food is impeccable.
14. Muriel’s. French Quarter: 801 Chartres. 504-568-1885. Such an interesting place! Lots of different rooms, each with a unique character. Great food.
15. Ruth’s Chris Steak House. CBD: 525 Fulton St. 504-587-7099. When a beautiful restaurant called Riche closed, the steakhouse took over the glamourous space. Same Ruth’s Chris food.
16. Martinique. Uptown: 5908 Magazine. 504-891-8495. Tiny and cozy with a lush outdoor patio. Good food.
17. Vincent’s. Riverbend: 7839 St Charles Ave. 504-866-9313. Fabulous Italian food in a dark and cozy environment.
18. Ralph’s On The Park. City Park Area: 900 City Park Ave. 504-488-1000. Because it’s far from the madding crowd, I don’t often think of it. But I like this place, and it definitely fits on this list.
19. Patois. Uptown: 6078 Laurel. 504-895-9441. This small place with small rooms turns out spectacular food in deepest Uptown.
20. Gautreau’s. Uptown: 1728 Soniat St. 504-899-7397. Another tucked-away Uptown bastion of great food. Noisy and happening.
21. Pardo’s. Covington: 69305 Hwy 21. 985-893-3603. This uber glamorous north shore place could hold its own anywhere. Romantic is not the first thing that comes to mind, but the food is great and it is a standout.
22. Nola. French Quarter: 534 St Louis. 504-522-6652. Noisy. Busy. All centered around a wood burning fire. Cutting edge food.
23. Café Degas. Mid-City: 3127 Esplanade Ave. 504-945-5635. Cute little French bistro. Cramped in a good way. Good food.
24. MiLa. CBD: 817 Common. 504-412-2580 . Amazing food. A little cutting edge. For sweeties that are foodies first.
25. Michael’s. Slidell: 4820 Pontchartrain Dr. 985-649-8055. About as sensual as Slidell gets. The food, though, is actually sensual.
A Few More. O’Brien’s Grille is a handsome steakhouse, the only West Bank place on the list. If you are on a budget, think Zea. The food is consistently outstanding and it is our go-to date place. If you don’t mind a drive out of town, Ruffino’s in Baton Rouge will wow. Like Cafe Giovanni, only dark and with a roaring fire. Like a find in the Italian countryside, only five times larger than any place like that. Don’t even think of driving here without a reservation. And Hammond’s Jacmel Inn is a rambling house with private dormers and amazing food. Lakehouse on the north shore is nice, but definitely call first. They have the most maddening hours of non-operation.
