Jamila's appears again and again in my dining history. In 1993 Jamila's hosted the second Eat Club ever held, feeding us all night with almost everything on its menu, with wines for $15 per person. So we know they're generous. In 2014, we held our Eat Club pre-cruise dinner in which I showed up on the wrong day--something I will never live down. That cruises included Tunisia. The weather wouldn't let us go to that North African land, but we at least got a taste of Tunisian food at Jamila's.
We don't have many Northern African restaurants in New Orleans, and this is certainly the only one essaying Tunisian food. It's a blend of Middle Eastern and French cooking, such as unique as it is exotic. The food, surroundings, owners, and prices come together to make first-timers rave about the place.
Jamila's serves the food of Tunisia--an interesting cuisine that blends French and Middle Eastern flavors. Appetizers and soups tend toward the French side of the equation, with the flaky pastries of the Middle East filled with rather rich fillings. The dominant entree is couscous, steamed over the boiling broth in which the meat part of the dish is cooking. The menu covers a great deal more ground, including food familiar enough for the timid eater. This is a total family operation: Mom is the chef, Dad waits on all the tables, and the two sons help out.
The main dining room is loaded with memorabilia from Tunisia. Another dining area inside an enclosed carriageway offers further seating and space for big parties.
| Attitude | 2 |
|---|---|
| Environment | 0 |
| Hipness | 1 |
| Local Color | 1 |
| Service | 1 |
| Value | 2 |
| Wine | 0 |
