Red Fish Grill, Perfect Location to a Mardi Gras Parade
Written: Mar 03 '07 (Updated Mar 05 '07)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Food and Presentation: |
 |
|
| Ambiance and Decor: |
 |
|
| Quality of Service: |
|
|
|
Pros: Comfortable, casual and moderately priced yet serving good quality dishes in good portion size.
Cons: nothing worth noting
The Bottom Line: We happened upon the Red Fish Grill and were pleasantly surprised by its varied menu, upbeat spirit and off beat decor.
|
|
|
| popsrocks's Full Review: Red Fish Grill |
My wife and I were in New Orleans and happened to be there during the height of Mardi Gras parades. One evening we were stationed at the corner of Canal Street and Bourbon Street to watch the parade go by and catch beads, coins, and other themed items. We had a blast. When that parade finished up we were ready for something to eat and drink. We happened on a place that looked good, was popular and had an immediate table. it was right on Bourbon and just steps from Canal. We gave it a try. We hit the right place at the right time. A bit later the place was much busier but the service was still good.
Atmosphere
This was a hoppin' place with a high ceiling, brick walls, tall columns and a bar as soon as you walked in. Over the bar were 8 or so huge 3D oyster shaped mirrors that attracted attention. I never saw anything like them before. Maybe it was the volley ball sized pearls in each one that caught the eye. The bar stools of hammered metal made into the shapes of crabs, gators, shrimps and crawfish were unique. Odd shaped copper light fixtures also were amusing and decorative.
We sat near the bar on metal padded stools by table with crudely hand painted fish and such that went with the large mural like painting on the large wall of the main restaurant section with maple tables and chairs and cloth napkins.
The "seafood" theme ran through the premises.
The crowd for the most part were younger than us 50+ aged folks. I got a great shot with five gals dressed to the hilt in Mardi Gras wear. It's a keeper in our scrap book album.
Music filled the air but the voice crowded out any words and melody. It was a joyous crowd. I suppose during Mardi Gras it would be.
Prices and Hours
From their web site I gathered
Operations
RED FISH GRILL, led by general manager Steve Lessing, is open for lunch daily from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and for dinner nightly from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. Pricing is moderate with entrees at lunch in the $7 - $12 dollar range and at dinner in the $13 - $22 dollar range.
I noticed they were open well past 10PM. Another Mardi Gras perk.
Menu
This restaurant is home to a seafood menu. When we walked in we didn't have any idea as to its history or legend. We have since found out it is part of the Brennan Restaurant group that has many fine and well noted establishment in the French Quarter. The menu showed the depth of knowledge in the local seafood tradition.
Bourbon Street Sampler
Coconut shrimp, grilled alligator sausage, mini crab cakes and BBQ oysters
Serves two/four 11.00/19.00 is but one of the many interesting appetizers.
That night I had the Alligator Sausage and Seafood Gumbo. It was the second time I had gumbo that day and man, this was good stuff. I could taste the different flavours in the roux. There was just the right touch of spice to it all. Excellent!
Just to give an idea as to some of the other offerings I present...
Hickory Grilled Redfish
Fillet of fresh redfish, grilled over hickory, served with smoked pork pontalba potatoes, wild mushrooms, and topped with Louisiana crabmeat and lemon butter sauce
24.95
Pasta Jambalaya
Sautéed Louisiana shrimp, roasted chicken and andouille sausage tossed in a rich tomato natural reduction sauce with fettuccine, Creole seasonings and topped with parmesan cheese
17.95
Shrimp Carbonara
Jumbo fried Gulf shrimp, apple-smoked bacon and fresh basil tossed with fettuccine in a carbonara sauce
19.50
I liked that the food was presented well and the prices were indeed moderate. It's good to go out and not get indigestion once looking at the final tab.
We had a couple of mixed drinks from the bar. They were just fine.
We shared a dessert. Unfortunately we didn't order ahead for the Double Chocolate Bread Pudding
A Red Fish Grill Signature...
Rich dark and semisweet chocolate bread pudding served with white and dark chocolate ganache and chocolate almond bark
8.95
Please allow 20 minutes for preparation.
Please order this dessert with entrée order
I know this may not be any help but we did share a dessert that they brought to us in separate dishes. I like when they do that. All I remember is savouring it to the end. I'll add it if I can remember what it was. The brain may be fried from the Mardi Gras events. Please excuse me.
Closing
Normally I don't cut an paste as much detail from a restaurant website but the selections at the Red Fish Grill in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans, I felt, warranted the extra attention.
Food was good and they presented an excellent menu with many fine seafood choices yet still had Filet Mignon, Pan Seared Chicken and steaks and chops.
This was a fun and upbeat place to be in the staff were very friendly and attentive. That included taking pictures of my wife and I. I liked the feel of then place. It was fun but not over the top even on a Mardi Gras weekend. I also liked that there was plenty of room between tables. I don't like being squeezed in together like sardines. The men's restroom was clean and well stocked even on the evening of Mardi Gras partying.
New Orleans
The French Quarter
The Garden District
Wyndham Bourbon Orleans Hotel In the French Quarter.
Preservation Hall Jazz in the French Quarter
Cafe Du Monde Cafe Au Lait and Beignets!!
Brennan's Restaurant There's nothing like Breakfast at Brennan's!
Recommended:
Yes
Kid Friendliness: No
|
|
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.