Restaurant August: Dessert

Meyer Lemon Souffle Tart with Strawberry Ice Cream

Goat’s Milk Cheesecake with Honey Ice Cream 

Drago’s in Fat City

So, Drago’s has been on my New Orleans Bucket List since I moved here. I’ve seen, heard and read about many delicious dishes that come out of this place. I was always, always instructed to partake in their oyster dishes. B and I made a pact that I would treat him to a lobster dinner, I promised… and he never forgot. We decided that a date night at Drago’s would be the perfect end to the summer and a good-bye to free-time before I started law school. 

Naturally, we started with the charbroiled oysters, which were phenomenal. Garlicky, buttery, so savory and even better when placed upon a chunk of crispy, flaky french bread that you just so happened to dip in the pool of sauce below the oysters. Everyone always urged me to try this, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a don’t miss, even if you think oysters aren’t your thing.

For our meals I got the Shrimp and Eggplant Stack, though it took me forever to decide, each item on the menu sounds better than the last. It consisted of three huge, fried eggplant steaks layered atop shrimp and sitting in a creamy tomato sauce. The only thing I would have added to this dish was some pasta! The sauce would have made for an amazing pasta sauce. Our meals came with salads, so after the oysters AND salad, I couldn’t finish the eggplant and will definitely be having the leftovers with pasta. B got the Lobster Empire, which was a whole lobster, split and stuffed with oyster pasta in a cream sauce. B seemed to love it, he finished the whole thing! I am not a huge fan of lobster so I generally wasn’t interested in trying the dish.

Since we were going all out eating at Drago’s, we were required to get dessert. It wasn’t a choice. We got the bread pudding, which… if I must be honest I have only recently begun to appreciate the beauty and deliciousness that is bread pudding. This stuff ROCKS. Sweet and cinnamon-y. If you have room in your stuffed belly don’t skip this! Heck even if you don’t have room, you will find some once they put this dish in front of you.

Drago’s: Charbroiled Oysters

Cafe Atchafalaya

I can NEVER say enough about this place. I was fortunate enough to be invited to dine here, which (though I offered to pay for my meal) saved my pocket book a bundle. This place certainly isn’t cheap, but I definitely didn’t feel like I didn’t get my money’s worth (if I had been paying). 

When we arrived, our party was waiting a the bar. I am not sure if this was by choice or because they had no made a reservation. I was not complaining either way and I enjoyed a delightfully crafted French 75.  Their cocktail menu had a medium variety of great cocktails and “local” drinks, such as the Sazerac and the Milk Punch. 

At our table, we started with the charcuterie plate which came with a variety of salumi, pate, prosciutto, hogs head cheese, crackers, and olives. All which were fantastic (except I didn’t try the cheese or olives, not my cup of tea). The Sommlier came by and suggested a wine. I typically do not enjoy red wine, but this was fantastic. Two of us ordered the special, a lamb loin covered in a mint  and parsley vinaigrette with vegetables, sun dried tomato and cheese grits. It was divine! I couldn’t finish the whole plate and it made for great left overs heated up in the oven. 

The rest of the party opted for Boudin-stuffed Quail and Tea Smoked Duck, both which were delicious but I only had a taste. Overall my entire experience there was fantastic. The staff was kind and welcoming and never seemed bothered to chat. The owner was extremely friendly and spoke with us as we left. The ambiance was romantic and inviting and I never felt too close to the table next to me or stranded in the middle of floor. I’d definitely return, for a special occasion.

Restaurant August: 

Chef’s Welcome

Gnocchi and black truffles.

Drago’s: Charbroiled Oysters

So, I’m not sure how many people even know about this little mid-city gem, but you all need to get out there! Every time I tell someone about this place they’ve, “never heard of it.” Impossible! These are possibly, the best dang donuts on earth (well, at least in Louisiana).

This place gives you variety, without being overwhelming and consuming. They have a HUGE variety of donut holes, if that’s you’re go-to donut. Powdered, glazed, cinnamon sugar, they got it all. They have your traditional fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth donut as well as cake donuts, each one has the option of Glazed, Chocolate Glazed, Strawberry glazed, Pineapple Glazed, Blueberry glazed, and Oranged Glazed (which, my boyfriend loves… but he also really likes the orange glazed cinnamon rolls from Pillsbury, so he definitely can’t be trusted on that front). They come covered in sprinkles, nuts, or cinnamon and sugar! They also offer this quite delicious wedding cake, cake donut (white almond), which I only got to taste, but will be getting again! 

They naturally also have many filled donuts, your basic: lemon, raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, in either powdered or glazed, but they also offer some pretty kooky options like Key-Lime (which unfortunately does not photograph well) and Boston cream pie.

They have twists, bow ties, super mans, and long johns (if you’re into all those funky shapes). Blue Dot draws a pretty big crowd with their Maple Bacon Long John (pictures of this baby to follow), which is iced with a super sweet maple syrup-esque icing and peppered with chopped up bacon. Yes. Bacon chunks. They offer a variety of “specialty” donuts, front red-velvet cake to PB&J. 

B (the boyfriend) and I have been to Blue Dot on several occasions, on this Sunday morning we got half a dozen. I know, we are terrible but we love to sample and try a big variety. After describing all the donuts to my roommate she asked, “How many donuts did you eat today!” I only ate two an a half, I swear. Though I did sample B’s. I digress. Today, I got the PB&J, Chocolate Glazed Cake Donut with Sprinkles (as pictures above), and a traditional glazed.  Mine were all 100% worth the trek across town. I die for these donuts. I was not terribly partial to the PB&J, merely because I wasn’t feeling peanut butter at the time.  It was alright, but appeared to merely be a strawberry jelly filled donut smeared with a little peanut butter on-top. Perfect for the real PB&J lover.

B got the Maple Bacon Long John, the Key Lime Crumble and the Wedding Cake Donut. I taste tested the Maple Bacon, and… I’m not going to lie, it was pretty phenomenal. My favorite of his choices was the Wedding Cake, and I’ll definitely be having that on my next visit. The Key Lime Crumble was NEON green inside, but… I didn’t hate it!

After reading up about Croissant D’or and their delicious pastries I drug a friend down to Ursuline this morning to check it out.

I got a Mocha and the Chocolate Croissant. It was pretty delicious, but I don’t think I’d make the trek all the way across town just for that.

My friend Joe had a Latte and an Almond Croissant (which I suggested after a few blog posts I read). The Almond Croissant was soft and fluffy, slightly sweet and sprinkled with slivered almonds. It, unlike my chocolate croissant, was inspiring.

All in all, this place was…OK. If you’re in the city and looking for pastries, this place was quiet and appealing in the buzz of the city.

There is a little Patisserie on the corner of Maple and Adams (uptown) called the Maple Street Patisserie. I cannot recommend this place enough, however there coffee selection is limited to a a simple carafe of coffee (which, on the plus side… is free). If this isn’t enough for you it is stationed between a Starbucks and a PJs Coffee House.