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Panda King Fine Dining Dim Sum (Gretna, LA)

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As the weekend approaches, I’m excited and embarrassed to share my latest discovery. Panda King Dim Sum has been around for years. I tried it years ago and my dim sum snootiness kept me from coming back. I would only enjoy dim sum when I’m traveling to Houston, San Jose, or other major diverse cities because there’s such a lack for authentic dim sum in NOLA. I decided to give it another shot and here’s what I’ve found…

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Fried Squid. (Like Calamari)

 

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Rice Noodle with Shrimp. 

 

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Pork Spare Ribs. Mushroom Sticky Rice. Shrimp and Pork Xiu Mai. Har Gow.

 

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Xiu Mai. Tofu Skin. Chicken Feet. Beef Tripe.

 

I am so surprised! The preparation and flavors for some items were slightly different but still very delicious. The Chicken Feet had more of a Szechuan flavor or seasoning, but I enjoyed it! The main room is the Fine Dining Room at Panda King, however, they expand into the buffet room on the weekends. Next time, I’m craving dim sum I won’t let my food snobbery get in the way because I really enjoyed everything and the service was pretty good! It’s no Din Tai Fung (Michelin star-rated dim sum), but it definitely satiates the craving! (By the way, DTF (Seattle) review coming very soon!)

 

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Rating: 4/5 spoons
Panda King Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato



Three Muses (French Quarter, New Orleans, LA)

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I’ve always had such a great time on Frenchmen St. Live music. Great eats. Art. Best of all? It’s where the locals go! I love the diversity of restaurants, bars, and dives. There’s an Art Market on Thursday to Sunday nights. At Three Muses on this particular night, Luke Winslow King was performing. They did their own twist on modern songs as well as their own folk-jazzy-blues songs haha…That was the best way I could describe it. It was the perfect night for a few drinks…

 

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West Bank Daiquiri. Flor de Cana. Pineapple Lemongrass Syrup. Lime Juice.

 

 

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Minor Swing Margarita. Hibiscus/Jalepeno-infused Cabeza Tequila. Solerno. Lime. Grapefruit Soda. Spiced Salt.

 

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Earl Grey Gardens. Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka. Earl Grey Syrup. Lemon Soda. Thyme.

 

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LA Blue Crab Rangoon. Sweet Chili-Pineapple Sauce.

 

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Two Run Farms Lamb Sliders.  Tomato Chutney. Herbed Goat Cheese.

 

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Gulf Fish Tacos. Citrus-Cumin Slaw. Cotija. Aioli Verde Corn Tortillas.

 

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Beer Braised Kurobuta Pork Belly. Apple Chutney. Scallion Pancakes.

 

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Sweet Potato Flan. Ameretti Cookie. Whipped Cream.

 

Everything from the meal to the environment was great! The restaurant is really small and there is initially a wait outside before you can wait inside by the bar.”The Chef” and I met a spontaneous Irish couple, while waiting to enter the bar. They were visiting New Orleans and it was so refreshing to bump into complete strangers on the most random of nights.  Gotta love NOLA! After waiting at the bar a while, then you’re seated. Grab a drink while you wait. They’re delicious! I had the West Bank Daiquiri, Earl Grey Gardens, and the Minor Swing Margarita. My favorite was the Earl Grey Gardens. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Margarita.

All of the dish concepts were an international fusion of foods, but were executed so well! Of the dishes that we ordered, I really enjoyed the Crab Rangoons, Fish tacos, and last but not least, the Sweet Potato Flan.

If you’re looking for a great hangout, good music, and delicious food, Three Muses is the spot! Keep in mind that it’s really small and it’s better suited for small groups.

Cheers! To great food and good company!

 

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Rating: 4/5 spoons

 
Three Muses on Urbanspoon

Cafe Zen (Gretna, Louisiana)

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BEST sushi on the WESTBANK! There’s quite a few new sushi restaurants that are poppin’ up in the city, but Cafe Zen still has got to be one of the best. It’s located in a strip mall on Belle Chasse Hwy. They use to be a few suites down, but moved to a more spacious and exposed location on the main corner of the strip mall. 

The sushi is always fresh. The sushi rolls are unique…you won’t find these same rolls anywhere else in the city. 


Sashimi Roll w/ Soy paper. Fresh Sashimi. Japanese Herbs. Optional cucumber or soybean wrapper. 


Tiger Roll (front). California roll wrapped with fresh salmon and BBQ Eel.  Caterpillar Roll. Snow crab. BBQ eel. Cucumbers. Avocado.


Sashimi Dinner (comes with Miso Soup). 


Tornado Roll. Fresh tuna, salmon. Avocado. Smelt Roe. Cream Cheese. Snowcrab. Deepfried in Tempura batter. 


Hana Special Roll. Tempura shrimp. Fresh tuna and salmon. Snow Crab. Omelet. Cucumber. Avocado. Smelt Roe. 

This roll is GINORMOUS but it’s delicious! It’s one of my favorite rolls..probably because it’s fully loaded and you get a little bit of everything in one roll. I’d say there’s about 4 true rolls in ONE of these Hana Special rolls. I tend to get 1/2 Hana Special so I have room for my other favorites!


Baked Salmon Roll. Baked fresh salmon filet wrapped around snow crab.

Notable Dishes (not pictured) 

  •  Noodle Salad – they provide a small complimentary dish just for coming to dine in, but I always order a whole extra order just because I love it that much. 
  • Red Dragon Roll. 

If you’re  searching for a great sushi joint, this is it. Fresh, original sushi rolls. Always fresh sashimi. Whether you’re in the city searching for good sushi or just happen to be in the area, Cafe Zen is a must try! 


Cafe Zen on Urbanspoon

Gott Gourmet

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I’m a sucker for brunch joints so I’d heard that there was an awesome brunch spot in town and this was the place! It’s located right in the hustle and bustling heart of Magazine St. (Right across from Rendezvous Tavern and next door to Frock Candy boutique store).  I didn’t get to try the brunch, because they only do brunch on weekends =( BUT boy was I in for a surprise…

This has got to be THE BEST MAC & CHEESE I’ve EVER had! Elbow macaroni tossed in rich and creamy 5 cheese sauce topped with truffle butter, toasted panko bread crumbs, and shaved parmesan. You have the option of adding Bacon or Jalepenos for a little extra…My boyfriend and I did both. You must try this!!!! 


Loaded Gumbo. Chicken, Andouille, Shrimp, Crab, Ham, and Okra, topped with a small scoop of Potato Salad.

Gumbo was delicious! I love places that add a dallop of potato salad to their gumbo instead of rice. The creaminess of the potato salad and the full-bodied flavor of the gumbo just melt together perfectly!


Crawfish Enchiladas. (Special of the day – not on the menu) Very large and heavy dish. Pretty good dish overall, but the heaviness of the dish and strong flavors may bore you after a while. 


Fried Catfish Club w/ Remoulade Sauce and Coleslaw. (Specials menu) Very good stuff! The nicely crisp fried catfish is placed in a lighter Roma bread. The combination of pickles, remoulade sauce, and coleslaw go together very well. 


If you decide to visit Gott Gourmet, don’t forget that they close on Mondays and brunch is weekends only! I’ll definitely return to try the brunch…and another order of that scrumptious mac & cheese!

Gott Gourmet Cafe on Urbanspoon

Ralph’s on the Park (Valentine’s Edition)

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Since Valentine’s Day was right around the corner, it’s only appropriate that I share my Vday dinner! 

For Vday we went to Ralph’s On the Park, located in New Orleans’ historic City Park. Ralph’s is owned by the Brennan family, a New Orleans’ culinary family. If you want to experience geniune New Orleans flavors, visit a Brennan’s family restaurant. This one is one of the many typically known for their brunch. 

Blue Crab Beignets masa fried oysters, pan seared pork belly, Meyer lemon gastrique


American Wagyu Beef Belly star anise and juniper, cranberry-infused worcestershire glaze


Honey Mussels (Aphrodisiac menu) tagliatelle pasta, fennel sausage, saffron, fresh herbs, tomatoes, white wine


Oysters Aphrodite (Aphrodisiac menu) w/ spicy pepper jelly cream

Salmon Roulade  w/ lobster and white chocolate filling, wilted spinach, salmon roe, vanilla bean beurre blanc

The meal was delicious! My favorite had to be the Wagyu…it just melts into a seasoned butter in your mouth. I love the detail of flavors that Ralph’s brought to my plate. I will definitely return…especially since I have yet to try this epic brunch that everyone talks about! 


Ralph's on the Park on Urbanspoon