Chef Pat Gallagher has long been an important North Shore restaurateur. This restaurant, now five years old, is his best ever. A large contingent regulars keep the place busy enough that it's become essential to have weekend reservations well in advance. Pat is not been infected by current culinary trends, relying on a list of familiar local dishes made with big flavors and first-class ingredients.
For nearly thirty years, Pat Gallagher almost always had a restaurant for avid North Shore diners. The son of a revered Covington sports coach, he opened the Winner's Circle--his first restaurant--in Folsom, in the 1980s. It made him famous on the North Shore. He shut it down and reopened in a new location, where Dakota is now. He was next at the Mandeville marina, then in the old Forest Steak House in Covington. While there he opened Annadele Plantation, but after a year or two moved on. He was executive chef of Ruth's Chris in Metairie before and after Katrina. The move in 2009 to his present restaurant seems to be magic. It's always full, and the food keeps getting better.
It's a pleasant bistro environment with a patio and a good bar, with brick floors and walls, a rarely-used fireplace, and interesting art in metal and glass. Past the bar is a small courtyard for sipping anytime or dining on nice, busy days. At times, the ambient sound volume is very high. The service staff in the evening is young, friendly and knowledgeable. Lunch service is a little less smooth.
Don't think of coming here on a weekend without a reservation. The steaks and chops are in the top rank. See if you can work a quail somewhere into the meal. The appetizers are good, large, and varied enough that you could make a dinner of them.
| Attitude | 1 |
|---|---|
| Environment | 2 |
| Hipness | 0 |
| Local Color | 2 |
| Service | 1 |
| Value | 1 |
| Wine | 1 |
