Last evening, we met good friends at a newish restaurant in the historic French Quarter. This time we dined at Kingfish on the corner of Chartres and Conti.
Kingfish is a happening cocktail bar and casual restaurant in the New Orleans' French Quarter that tips its hat to the Huey P. Long Era. The Kingfish menu embodies new Louisiana cuisine brought to fruition by renowned Chef Greg Sonnier whose trademark style is evident in the multilayer of flavor he presents in every dish. Chef and Head Bartender Chris McMillian's skill and expertise combine to create a unique Louisiana-centric dining experience.
We arrived for dinner at 5:00 PM as our friends were seeing RAIN at the Saegner Theatre at 8:00 PM (plenty of time). Let’s just say, the service was painfully slow. It took over 20 minutes just to get our introductory cocktails. This action set the stage for me for the rest of the experience. We had to ask for our check around 7:15 PM.
The restaurant is loud, but the dimming of the bright lights made for better ambience.
J & I started with an appetizer. I chose the soup, butternut squash lobster bisque (Caribbean lobster, squash, and creme fraiche).
J noshed on the bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeno (garlic cheese chorizo in a Turbodog emulsion).
Others had the shrimp prima (two jumbo Gulf shrimp stuffed with blue lump crab meat wrapped in prosciutto served over a candied pecan slaw), the golden beet salad (roasted golden beets with Sartori cheese, pea shoot greens and roasted pistachios tossed in a sherry vinaigrette), and the Cajun farmhouse sausage wonton (housemade sausage folded in a crispy wonton served with savory cheese creamed grits).
For the main course both J & I dined on the same thing (It always seems to happen like that.), the “Every Man a King” fish (Himalayan salt brick-seared pompano topped with lemons, roasted pecan butter and red onion marmalade).
Others dined on the stuffed mirliton (poached chayote squash filled with corn bread dressing with an arugula and mushroom Alfredo sauce) and the cedar- plank Gulf fish (Fresh Gulf fish cooked on a cedar plank accompanied with Strawberry field salad tossed with charred Meyer lemon vinaigrette).
In the words of my dear Honey, the food was “okay” which means neither of us will be running back anytime soon. It was good but not memorable. There are many much better NOLA restaurants in this price range. Bring your earplugs as the noise from the busy bar carries easily through the restaurant.
However, it was a great time with good friends who we have not seen in quite a while.
If you try Kingfish, let me know what YOU think.
J & I ended our evening with a cocktail at the Windsor Court’s Polo Lounge listening to jazz.
Do not forget my Give Away: click HERE!
Kingfish, y’all!
Two things that will make me never go back to a restaurant, slow service and a loud environment. Can't stand when I have to shout to be heard across the table. Glad you all made the best if it!
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to try a new restaurant, but sounds like this one has a few kinks to work out to make it a real contender for repeat visits. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteI was going to put Kingfish on my restaurant Pinterest board until I read this. I'm with Simply LKJ--slow service and loud noise is a turn off for me. And if the food is just okay, then I'd rather go to another of the fabulous restaurants NOLA has to offer. Thanks for the heads up on this one. Love, love, love the Polo Lounge at the Windsor Court! Have a great day! xoxo
ReplyDelete"Turbodog emulsion" interests me greatly. Other than that, it's a pity when restaurants miss the mark, especially in a culinary rich place like New Orleans. I agree, you have plenty of other places within a stone's throw that are fabulous. You can afford to be picky.
ReplyDeleteWell, the food looks good....perhaps the Chef is overwhelmed with the restaurant just opening? I know I don't have the tolerance for slow service or the noise. Too many other places, right? The cocktail and jazz sound much better!
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Pat
It's always disappointing when the food doesn't live up to one's expectations. Add in slow service, and that makes for a real disappointment. Glad the time with friends made the evening worth it.
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