Herbsaint, NOLA or MiLa

[mkleinbart64]

Am coming to the city for Fest. Will be with my brother and his wife, both adventurous eaters. We are going to Commander's on Friday night, but need an idea for Wednesday night. Thinking between Herbsaint, NOLA and MiLa. Any recommendations?

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Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[mkleinbart64]

Well, we went to Herbsaint last night and it was fantastic!. I had the Lebanon, KY cocktail and it was very refreshing. Had the special crawfish remoulade as an appetizer and the duck confit over dirty rice. My brother and sister in law had the calamari/octopus over risotto and the shrimp. Both were outstanding. Brown butter tart for dessert. Very yummy!

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Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[janbo19]

Herbsaint, for us, was every bit as good as it was in '05, when we were last there for Spring Break. I am a chocoholic, yet my favorite dessert (I'd say in the Top 5) is the Banana Brown Butter Tart. Oh. My.

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Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[JD12]

Herbsaint by far, Donald Link is a genius. I have never tried NOLA because if I want Emeril's food I will go to Emeril's.

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Emeril's Restaurant
800 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130

Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[collardman]

I would probably give Herbsaint the edge. But JD12, if you want John Besh food where do you go?

Finer dining corporate kitchens aren't run by the "name" who founded the place but by the Chef de Cuisine running the kitchen, screened by corporate. Young chefs don't make a name for themselves by cookie cutting the menu of the "name".

If you want Emeril's food and will only go to Emeril's you will miss a treat at, say, TchoupTchoup in Orlando.

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Emeril's Restaurant
800 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130

Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[paz5559]

I've been to TchoupTchoup - you aren't missing much.

Emeril's is quite good, but in general, chef's with empires don't expand their menus when they open out of town branches, they try to recreate the original (and almost always falls short in part because the empire becomes a corporation, not a labor of love.)

To the OP - two of the five best meals I have had in New Orleans have been at MiLa and Herbsaint. The food is inventive and yet reflective of local flavors at both establishments. The ambiance is low key at MiLa, more boisterous at Herbsaint. But the food is truly wonderful at both places.

[zin1953]

I'd do Herbsaint in a heartbeat over the other two . . .

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Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[mkleinbart64]

Thanks. I wound up choosing Herbsaint. I went to Cochon last year and also heard Donald Link speak at Jazz Fest. I was very impressed with both experiences and am looking forward to Herbsaint.

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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130

Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[latasche]

good choice! I recommend the spaghetti with guanciale and a fried poached egg (small plate) and the banana brown butter tart. Avoid the shrimp and grits - much better elsewhere.

[nomadchowwoman]

+1 on the spaghetti w/guanciale. And if they have gumbo on the menu, it's always delicious.

[nomadchowwoman]

Whatever you decide, get the reservation now--esp. if you're talking about the Wed between weekends. I've always left Herbsaint very satisfied, lunch or dinner. FWIW, tried to get a lunch res at MiLa last month, and they were booked solid for several weeks. The two times I've been there dor dinner, the place was almost empty of diners--but the food was fantastic. I don't know if Coquette is on your radar, but I just had another stellar meal this weekend. Good luck.

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Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[mkleinbart64]

Thanks. I was on Open Table yesterday and there are spaces available at all. I will check into Coquette.

[latasche]

Out of the above, I would recommend Herbsaint or MiLa. Both are excellent. I think I would lean a little more towards MiLa. It is oddly quiet there at dinner, but the food is outstanding. I'm still thinking about the new orleans style barbequed lobster I had there a few weeks ago! +1 on Coquette as well. Dinner there last week was fantastic. NOLA is good, but the other options are superior.

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Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130

[JazzyB]

Emeril's flagship is by far his best. This would be my choice for consistently terrific food and service with a fun boisterous atmosphere. Herbsaint's food is very good but unfortunately , I find them to inconsistent. No vibe but empty at MiLa.

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Emeril's Restaurant
800 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans, LA 70130

Herbsaint
701 Saint Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130