Sweetbreads. Toasted Brioche. Roasted Sunflower Seed Butter. Pickled Strawberries. Madeira Demi Glace.

Pork Belly & Watermelon. Red Wine Vinaigrette. Pickled Watermelon Rind. Arugula.

Chicken Liver Pate. Roasted Beet Caviar. Grilled Bellgarde Bread.

Moules-frites. Pastis. Fennel.

Basil Semifreddo. Basil Lime Syrup. Louisiana Melon. Coconut Tuile.

(Not pictured here is the Chocolate & Salted Caramel Dacquoise)

The menu offered many small and large plates. I prefer to choose many small plates…it teases your taste buds, in a good way! My favorite dish was the sweetbreads.They were large and juicy…just the way I like it.  I’ve had my fair share of sweetbreads and here in Louisiana, and we tend to do a light, herby and buttery sauce, but Chef Kristen Kessig prepared it with a deeper flavored sauce, which was different and I loved it.

Of the desserts my favorite was the Basil Semifreddo. As simple and light as this dessert may sound, it’s packed with layers of flavors and was recommended by Chef Kessig herself! The Chocolate & Salted Caramel was delicious too. I mean, how can chocolate cake and salted caramel not be delicious?

Overall, “The Chef” and I had such a great experience. It was a great environment for date night and the food left us satiated, yet wanting more!

Rating: 4/5 spoons

When I think of Cafe Du Monde, I think of my childhood and how my family would take out of town relatives down to the Quarter, do a little siteseeing, and finally rest in the heart of it all at Cafe Du Monde and absorb the city sights, sounds and yes, smells =P. While living in NOLA, I took for granted the wonderful food, people, and ambiance of the city. When I relocated to a different state, I would visit often and do all the things tourists would do…visit the St. Louis Cathedral, walk down Bourbon St. with some sort of alcoholic beverage in hand, and then eventually end up at Cafe Du Monde…

…These delicious pillows of donuts are not only a tasty treat but also a memory. Lightly crispy on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside…and dusted with powdered sugar. So whether you’re a local or tourist, these beignets (pronounced ‘Ben-yay’) are worth trying. How can a French donut not be delicious? My favorite drink has to be the Frozen Cafe Au Lait. Definitely wakes you up and cools you down after a long walk around the French Quarter!

**TIP** If it happens to be too crowded, you can jump into a to-go line towards the back and find a place to eat, but I usually wait. The wait line moves quickly…depending on whether it’s a holiday season or not!

I was on a brunch date with a childhood friend of mine and of all the years she’s lived in the city, she had never been to Stanley’s so it was obvious that I should take her here. The last time I came to Stanley’s I devoured the most scrumptious Oyster Poboy ever so I was torn when I had to decide between the Eggs Stanley or the P&J Oyster Poboy. So we compromised and got the Poor boy Sliders, which offers a sample each poboy!

Poboy Sliders: Club Stanley, Korean BBQ Beef, and Oyster Poboy

Eggs Stanley! Cornmeal-crusted Oysters, Poached Eggs, Canadian bacon, and Creole Hollandaise on English Muffin.

A classic Eggs Benedict with Oysters. I don’t know where they get their oysters from, but they are so big! It’s not even JUST the oysters, but the cornmeal batter is just delectable. Not too heavy, crispy crunch, and seasoned perfectly! The hollandaise was just right..not too creamy and not too tangy (a problem I’ve had at other brunch joints). 

Breaux Bridge Benedict. Charlie T’s Boudin, Smoked Ham, American Cheese, Poached Eggs, and Creole Hollandaise.

Typically, this dish doesn’t come with oysters, but clearly, we love them ersters! ;P This dish is more on the savory side. “The Chef” loves his Boudin so this is his favorite. 

Whether you’re a local spending the day in the city or a tourist wandering the French Quarter, Stanley’s Restaurant is worth your visit. They don’t take reservations, but normally they turn tables over rather quickly, so while you wait, enjoy the sights or even grab a drink next door at Stanley’s bar. I guarantee you’ll love this place as much as I do!