Irene's Cuisine

539 St Philip St New Orleans, LA 70116

(504) 529-8811

Overall Ratings (H in orange, C in purple)

Food:  B / B+

Ambiance: A / A

Service:  A- / A-

Drinks: B (Wine selection was good but not excellent)

Overall Experience: B+ / A-

H says, C and I were walking in the Quarter and I thought we should try our Irene’s as it always smells so nice walking by. I really was worried it wasn’t going to be that good, but I was pleasantly surprised.

C says, Whenever we walk by Irene’s, the smell makes us hungry! A little Italian restaurant off of Chartres, it always smells enticing, so the other night we decided to go in. The meal had a few bumps, but was enjoyable overall--there’s just some room for improvement.

Overall thoughts from H:

First off, it doesn’t look like much from the outside but the interior is just what you think of when you mention old fashioned New Orleans interiors. I might be wrong but it just felt like this is where people went out back in the day. Not that it felt dated but it was just a very enjoyable ambiance. We had the mussels appetizer which was ok, nothing special but ok. I think when we go back we will try something else. [C says, The mussels were in a red sauce, which is not our preference. The sauce was very good, though. The problem was that some of the mussels were overcooked--not cool. The bread served with the mussels was especially tasty, though.] 

Mussels Marinara

For the main course I got the filet mignon which was very well cooked, but the potato side that went with it was a little cold, they heated it up for me and it turned out to be a very nice meal. Now, it wasn’t the best-tasting meal but the steak itself was delicious. All it was really missing was more sauce. I enjoy steaks, but it’s really about the sauce and steak together that does it for me. Now my favorite part: the dessert. They have a bread pudding with bananas foster dessert that is amazing. Enough to feed 2 easily, but it is amazing. So overall it was enjoyable, probably one of the better restaurants in the Quarter that isn’t named GW Fins. Definitely planning on trying it again.

Filet and potato gratin

Soft-shelled Crab w/ Pasta

C says, I will agree with H that the ambiance is perfect for a New Orleans Italian restaurant. When you sit down, they bring you a couple of pieces of Italian bread with sliced tomatoes and melted cheese--a nice amuse. Then, later in the meal, they bring a basket with tasty rolls. As you should know by now, H and I love bread, so that was a plus! The mussels were ok, as we said above, but next time I would try a different appetizer. For dinner, I had the soft-shelled crab with crawfish pasta. The crab was cooked perfectly, nice wide pasta with plenty of crawfish, spinach, and a cream sauce--the sauce was over-herbed, though. Someone had a heavy hand with the oregano or something and it threw the dish off. Otherwise, it would have been really delish. As H said, the dessert was bread pudding with bananas foster sauce and vanilla gelato--basically his 3 favorite foods--and it was very good. Now, from what I hear, we really lucked out being able to walk into Irene’s. We went really early and got the last table in the house. So, if you want to check it out, you might make a reservation first. And expect to spot Irene herself puttering around. Not our favorite place, but a fun one to try. They just need to make a few tweaks and it could be excellent.

Mariza

Photo courtesy of the Mariza website

2900 Chartres Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70117

504-598-5700 http://marizaneworleans.com/

Overall Ratings (H in orange, C in purple)

Food:  C / B

Ambiance: B / A-

Service:  C / A-

Drinks: N/A

Overall Experience: C / B+

H says, I was really looking forward to going to Mariza. It is a spin off of a great restaurant in the French Quarter and it looked great from the outside as they were building it. Once I arrived, though, my hopes were dashed. The food was ok, the decor was ok, but the temperature of the restaurant was so cold as to detract from the experience and the prices were too high for the quality of food that we got.

C says, Mariza is very conveniently located to H’s place, so we thought we’d try it out. The first time we went, it was right after they opened, and some of the food was overseasoned and some was underseasoned. We were rather underwhelmed. After it had been open for several months, though, we decided to give it another try. They had expanded the menu a bit, but I think it is not really our style of food. Nothing on the menu is expensive, but the portions are small, so I wouldn't call it a bargain. The ambiance is nice, but both times, we just felt “meh” about the whole experience.

Overall thoughts from H: Look, Mariza would be a nice restaurant to eat at if it were in the quarter because they would be compared to other restaurants in the area. The problem is they aren’t. They are located in the Bywater, which yes is undergoing gentrification, but honestly it is still home to many small, delicious cafes and restaurants.

Mariza is just trying to be more than it should and with so many other great options in the area, I don’t see the reason to go. I even live above the restaurant and my laziness isn’t even enough incentive to go ever again. I tried it twice and both times I was disappointed. The food was just well...too exotic. They are trying to do a weird spin on Italian food. The thing is, JUST DO ITALIAN, I mean come on. This is not New York, people don’t go to restaurants down here to sample crazy foods, they come for the familiar, the family and good food. [C says, I would disagree with that, and I don’t think the menu is that exotic, but it is not Creole Italian or your standard red sauce and fettuccine Alfredo Italian, which is what I think H prefers. We could both find things on the menu we would like, but not much we would BOTH like, and we like to share things when we go out, so it makes the place less appealing.]

The dishes I had were Tuna carpaccio which was good but over seasoned, a hanger steak which was cooked (I was not offered an option of doneness) to medium rare which was fine but the sauce they added was not enjoyable. There was no bread as you would expect with most restaurants and the service was terrible. [C says, I would not say the service was terrible, but we do both love our bread.  It’s one of the first things we look for at a restaurant. H is just complaining about the service because once he decides he doesn’t like a place, he wants out ass quickly as possible.] I had to eyeball our waiter to finally get the check. Now they are new and they could improve but for now, don’t go. Pass by; go eat at Bacchanal. Trust me, you will be better off.

Burrata Appetizer - Photo courtesy of Mariza website

C says, I had the burrata appetizer, which was overseasoned and, in my opinion, overpriced, but good, and the squid-ink seafood pasta, which was underseasoned, the first time we went. The second time, I had the soft shell crab special, which was quite tasty, but a pretty small serving for an entree. As I said above, the decor is nice, we like the bottles of water on the table (and they have added little dishes of sea salt since the first visit--maybe they were getting complaints about the seasoning?), and overall the ambiance is good. The menu just isn’t to our tastes. You’re much better off at Maurepas Foods or Bacchanal. And if you do go, DON’T PARK IN NOCCA’S LOT. You’ll regret it. 

Bacchanal

600 Poland Ave, New Orleans, Louisiana

504-948-9111 http://www.bacchanalwine.com/

Overall Ratings (H in orange, C in purple)

Food: A / A

Ambiance: A / A

Service: B- / B-

Drinks: A

Overall Experience: A / A

The Courtyard--Photo Courtesy of Bacchanal's Website

H says, Bacchanal is giving Adolfo's a run for its money as the place to bring new people when they come to town. Now, it might not have as great a location, but honestly once you show up, unless you really want to go bar hopping and dancing there is no reason to leave. It is just that great. Definitely has a European feel and is definitely one of my top places to bring people for a relaxing dinner and drinks.

Upstairs--Photo Courtesy of Bacchanal's website

C says, I finally convinced H we should give Bacchanal a try, since it is just a hop, skip, and a jump from his apartment. We took two of our friends and had a lovely night out. Service is limited at Bacchanal--you can buy a bottle of wine or get some cocktails, find a seat wherever you like, and when you’re ready for some food, head up to the counter and order (Cash only for the food!). There are no waiters/waitresses. They have live music every night, so it is a great place to go and have a relaxed night out with friends.

Overall thoughts from H: Bacchanal is located in the Bywater almost into the Lower 9th. Now, that might scare you at first if you don’t know the area but trust me, driving there and parking is fine. Even me, as timid as I am when it comes to crime in New Orleans, felt comfortable. When you first walk in, you're greeted by a wonderful wine selection and a helpful staff to pick something out. The wine selection is great. Some are better than others but it is honestly all in the eye of the beholder.

A small secret is in the main foyer on the left side of the entrance is a fridge with different types of cheeses. Pick out a few that you like and bring them to the desk along with your wine, order extra bread and they will give you a table number. Now sit down have some wine, enjoy some cheese and listen to the music. (They almost always have a live band playing in the later evening). After enjoying the cheese, wine, and company, go up to the window and order dinner. Make sure you have cash as it is a cash-only window. There is an ATM right there as well, but don’t be that person who doesn’t have enough cash to pay and they have to wait for you to use the ATM. It’s just not to be done, plus there is a sign right on the window stating this! [C says, The wine shop in the front takes credit cards, and I think the cocktail bar upstairs does, too, but food is cash-only!]

My favorite meal that I had there was the flat iron steak. Their menu changes a bit from time to time but all the food that I have had there was wonderful. The flat iron steak, though, might have been the best steak I have had since moving to New Orleans--it was cooked to perfection. Overall, a great place to go. If you come to New Orleans this has to be on your list of venues to go to. Period.

C says, Bacchanal is now one of fave spots for a laid-back evening with friends. As H says, the menu changes a bit depending upon what the kitchen can get, but I have had the mussels, green curry shrimp, the warm cannellini beans on ciabatta, the braised butternut squash, the bacon-wrapped dates, and the chocolate bark, and everything is yummy. I wish they had more desserts, but next time, maybe we'll just swing by Maurepas Foods for dessert after--never a bad option!