Magazine St. – ChefsGirl

Cavan (Uptown, New Orleans, LA)

Posted on May 22, 2016 by chefsgirlnola@gmail.com

Cavan opened just a few months ago and was on my food radar. I was excited when the hubby decided to surprise me one night. Cavan is gorgeous! It’s in an old historic mansion located on Magazine St. with high ceilings, beautiful chandeliers, and your classic old New Orleans home feel.

Oysters. Mignonette and Cocktail Sauce.

Scallop Crudo. Lime. Pistou. Pickled Red Onion.

Crab Deviled Eggs.

Old Bay Fries. Malt Aioli.

Fried Oyster Caesar. Kale. Romaine. Pecorino. Crackers.

Clam Chowder. Baked Oyster Crackers.

Seared Scallops. Jalapeno-white cheddar grits. Sweet corn. Crab. Arugula.

Complimentary Cherry Meringue.

The menu consists of a lot of small bites and small plates that are quite small in portion so be sure to order multiple dishes. We ordered Oysters, Crab Deviled Eggs, Waffle Fries, Salmon Crudo, Clam Chowder, Fried Oyster Caesar Salad, and the Seared Scallops for my husband and I. The dishes were light and appetizing but were a tease since they were in small portions. The Waffle Fries were more like a thin potato waffle wedge as opposed to fries, but were good and went well with the aioli. The Salmon Crudo was refreshing. My favorite was the Clam Chowder. It was more of a Clam Soup but was very flavorful. There was an herbiness with a delicious oniony finish. I loved it. Too bad I had to share it with my hubby. The Kale Caesar Salad with Fried Oysters was pretty good as well. I only wish the kale were chopped into smaller pieces for easier eating. The scallops were really good and laid atop a bed of homey corn grits. It was a very light entree and I somewhat wished it was loaded with cream or butter, but I won’t complain on reduced fat since it was still very good!

I would definitely like to try Cavan again. Service was super friendly and the food came out fast! I’d really like to see what else they have to offer since this was only their first few months of opening.

Rating: 4/5 spoons

Shaya (Garden District, New Orleans, LA)

Posted on August 8, 2015 by chefsgirlnola@gmail.com

Chef Alon Shaya was awarded a James Beard Award for Best Chef of the South 2015 and deservingly so! I’ve always been a fan of his first restaurant, Pizza Domenica, but now Restaurant Shaya is another top restaurant to add to my list. Restaurant Shaya presents a modern and refined take on Mediterranean food.

Ambiance.

Pita.

Naveh.

3 for $15: Tzatziki: field peas, sea beans. Watermelon and Bulgarian Feta: Harissa and Walnut vinaigrette. Ikra: paddlefish caviar spread with shallots

Soft Cooked Egg Hummus. Red onion. Pickled cornichons. Harissa.

Short Rib Tagine. Fennel. Star anise. Couscous.

Saffron Chicken Salad. Swiss chard. Sunflower seeds. Barberries.

Kibbeh nayah. Two Run Farms beef tartare. Bulgur. Walnuts. Yemenite flatbread.

We went on a Monday night and it was surprisingly busy. It was spur of the moment so we didn’t have a reservation. The hostess advised us that the wait would be at least 20 minutes so we left our phone number since we planned on walking down Magazine St. while we wait. Literally, 5-10 minutes later we got our call!

Our server was awesome. She was extremely bubbly and very helpful. First, they brought out pita bread along with an olive oil and herb dip. That pita bread was fresh out of the oven. It was a fluffy cloud of wholesome wheat flavor. From the cocktail menu I ordered the Naveh, which was delicious and lightly fruity. What’s different about their food menu is that they offer many small plates such as tabouleh, pickles, tzaziki, etc. We ordered Tabouleh, Watermelon & Feta, and Ikra. The Ikra is a caviar with a light yogurt cream, which was creamy and delicious. The hummus with soft cooked egg and harissa was divine. I loved how everything was so dippable. It didn’t hurt that the pita bread is so delicious! We also ordered the Short Rib Tagine, Saffron Chicken Salad, and Kibbeh Nayah. Each dish was refined, yet had a certain hominess to it. I honestly can’t pick out a favorite, but I’m glad we ordered each one!

I’ve been craving Shaya again for some time now, but “The Chef” insists we try other new restaurants. Until next time Shaya, I’ll continue dreaming of those fluffy pillowy pitas…

Rating: 5/5 spoons

IVY (Garden District, New Orleans, LA)

Posted on November 12, 2014 by chefsgirl

IVY has replaced Vizard’s, a local fine dining place that “The Chef” and I still love to this day. Unfortunately, Vizard’s is no longer, but in memory, click here for my post of their closing meal: Vizard’s. It was a successful and delicious fine dining restaurant until the owner’s made a personal decision to close the doors.

Now that Ivy has replaced one of our favorite restaurants, we had to try it and see if it was worthy of the location…

There wasn’t much to revamp on the outside, but they put a trendy touch on the inside. It’s a very small restaurant and we felt it was a bit too modern feeling on the inside so we opted for outdoor seating.

Swiss Chard, Beet, and Feta Empanadas. Mint Crème fraiche.

Warm Snow Crab claws. Truffle Butter.

Parker House rolls. Fleur de Sel.

Apple and Endive Salad. Candied Walnuts. Buttermilk Herb dressing.

Panéed Rabbit. Buttermilk biscuits. Pickles. Spicy Honey Butter.

Oxtail gratin. Gruyere. Carmelized onion. Grilled Ciabatta.

Wedding Cake for two. Ice cream.

With the weather cooling down South, dining outside was perfect! I felt the inside was a bit stuffy and that night they had some too-cool-for-me type elevator music. The food? DE. LISH. The menu is divided into small plate portions, which are perfect for sharing. Of course, each small plate is good to share between two, so order accordingly.

One notable dish was the Warm Crab Claws in truffle butter. I mean, how can you say “no” to truffle butter. There were actual chunks of the truffle in the butter. This wasn’t your ordinary truffle-infused oil. It had real truffle! If you get the Crab Claws, I HIGHLY recommend that you order the Parker House rolls. Yes, you do have to order them, but it’s SO worth it. I spread some butter on the roll and dipped it in the truffle butter…What a memorable bite!

Next, I loved the Oxtail gratin. It was perfectly crisped Ciabatta with the most epic combination of cheese and moist Oxtail.

The Paneed Rabbit was a great protein dish as well. The flavors were well-balanced and the pickles just added to the dish. Against our waiters recommendation, we ordered the wedding cake. It was good, but the icing was a bit sweet just like he warned us. His actual recommendation was the Apple-Pear Crisp and Ginger Ice Cream so I would recommend that over the cake.

With so much to the live up to, Ivy did really well! I love the French/New Orleans tapas-style menu. It’s a taste of everything as opposed to the boredom one large entrée. It’s a small restaurant so small groups are recommended, however, if reservations are made in advance, I’m sure they can accompany larger groups too.

Rating: 4/5 spoons

Ignatius Eatery (Magazine St., New Orleans, LA)

Posted on October 31, 2014 by chefsgirl

It’s the weekend and there’s nothing I look forward to more than weekend brunch. Call me a fatty! Ignatius Eatery is a very homey brunch restaurant on Magazine St. It’s the perfect blend of Southern cooking meets breakfast. Quite a few years ago, this spot was a coffee house called Rue De La Course. It’s where I spent my undergraduate days studying. It brought back so many memories…coffee, school, and what I thought at the time was the worst stress I’ve ever felt. Now, Ignatius has taken what I remembered to be this little coffee shop and revamped those old memories into a different kind of hangout spot…

Shrimp Remoulade Salad. Shrimp. Cucumbers. Grape Tomatoes.

Poche’s Pork and Jalapeno Boudin. Creole mustard.

Creole Seafood Gumbo.

Corn and Crab Bisque.

Crab Omelette. 3 egg omelette. Creole Cream Cheese. Local crab meat. Stone ground grits. Fresh fruit.

Tons of crabmeat!

Not pictured above, but the restaurant even kept Rue De La Course’s old coffee mugs, which I thought was a really nice touch. Years ago, this place was filled with college kids intensely studying for their next big test, but now I see a different crowd…middle-aged folks, retirees, and couples like “The Chef” and I.

It’s homey, but the food is refined. I really loved the omelette dish, because it had tons of crabmeat! The grits were cheesy and delicious. The Shrimp and Remoulade Salad is also a great choice and it went so well with the gumbo. I was slightly disappointed with my Corn & Crab bisque, since it wasn’t thickened like I expect chowder to be. It probably needed to be reduced down a bit more…

Overall, everything was the perfect mix of South Louisiana meets brunch. I would love to come back to try the Dinner menu.

Rating: 3.5/5 spoons

Baru Tapas Bistro (Uptown, New Orleans, LA)

Posted on September 2, 2014 by chefsgirl

I’ve been wanting to try Baru for sometime now, but it’s always been closed when I’m craving tapas (on Sundays). Well, I finally made it to Baru and I have to admit that I’m a bit sad…sad that I haven’t been here sooner!

It’s a small restaurant with outdoor seating on Magazine St. Perfect on a “cool” evening in New Orleans…

Margarita. Tequila Reposado. Grand Marnier. Agave. Lime Juice. Guiajillo Salt.

Tequenos. Phyllo Stuffed Mozzarella Fingers. Sucro Sauce.

Guacabello. Grilled Portobello. Avocado. Tortilla.

Empanadas de Caraota. Cornmeal Pies. Black beans. Kale. Chihuahua Cheese. Cabbage. Aji.

Ostras Fritas. Cornmeal Crusted Oysters. Cilantro Aioli. Carmelized Onions.

Chuzoes de Entrana. Grilled Skirt Steak. Chimichurri. Bollo.

What a great meal! The meal started off with probably the best margarita I’ve ever had. I am no alchie, at least I don’t think I am, but I can handle my liquor, and this margarita had great flavor and a great kick. I thought I’d at least get an opportunity to try the Sangria, but didn’t get that chance…

Tapas are perfect for meals when you just want a little bit of everything and that’s just what Baru did and they did it so well! My favorites had to be the Tequeños (cheese sticks), Empanadas, and the Steak. My only disappointment would be the Guacobellos, which were lacking a bit of salt and may have been a bit too lime-y for my taste. But considering how delicious all the other dishes were, I can’t wait to come back! Wonderfully crafted cocktails and delicious tapas!

Rating: 4/5 spoons

Pho Noi Viet (Garden District, New Orleans, LA)

Posted on August 7, 2014 by chefsgirl

Vietnamese food has been popping up all over the city…and it’s no wonder! The food is always refreshing, tasty, and great for those on a budget. I’ve been skeptical of the new wave of Vietnamese restaurants, and you can’t blame me since that’s where my roots lay. Nothing can compare to mama’s homemade meal, but I’m very surprised at what Pho Noi Viet had to offer…

Goi Cuon. Spring rolls.

Jasmine Tea (left). Chystanthemum Tea (right).

Com Thit Nuong. Rice with Grilled Pork.

Pho Tai Chin. Rare Beef & brisket.

Everything was great! I love the hominess of the food especially with the rice dish with grilled pork. There’s a hominess that’s difficult to describe, but reminds me of my mom’s cooking. I really enjoyed the iced green tea…floral and refreshing. I really wouldn’t mind getting one to go right about now! The menu is very simplified and they lack Bo Vien (meatballs), which is a staple in the Pho industry, but other than that, service was awesome and the food was delicious!

Regardless of the limited menu and the lack of meatballs, those are minor when looking at the overall and I will definitely come back to try out other menu items!

Rating: 3.5/5 spoons

Salu Bistro and Bar (Garden District, New Orleans, LA)

Posted on July 30, 2014 by chefsgirl

Magazine is my go-to hangout spot whether to visit the coffee shops, boutique shopping, or to pick-up a quick bite. It’s no wonder I chose Salu to meet with my cousin, who is staying in town for school, to catch up on family and life. I walked in and it was bumpin’! We opted to sit outside since there was nice weather…

It takes two to Salu!

Mussels: Pesto.

Can’t eat mussels without frites!

Two Run Farms Skirt Steak. Asparagus. Spicy Onion Crisps. Wild Mushroom Cream.

Crab Cakes.

Calamari. Jalapeno. Spicy Tomato Sauce. Roasted Peppers.

Wild Mushroom Empanadas. Goat Cheese. Roasted Pepper Vinaigrette. Parmesan.

I love small plates. It allows you to have a little bit of everything without overwhelming your palate and Salu offers that and executes well! The mussels are a must! Classic is always delicious, but my cousin and I ordered the Pesto for something a little different. My favorite dish had to be the empanadas…It’s my weakness. If I see it on the menu, I’ll most likely order it. These empanadas were the perfect texture…crispy outside with a chewy dough bite. Some places tend to have a thick and dry dough, but these were perfect, inside and out!

Salu is a great place to meet up with friends. It’s not as family friendly and I would recommend eating outdoors on a busy day. It tends to echo indoors and can get really loud.

Rating: 4/5 spoons

Pizza Domenica (Uptown, New Orleans, LA)

Posted on June 25, 2014 by chefsgirl

Have you heard of Domenica? It’s a John Besh establishment and I have a lot of respect for this group of restaurants…Restaurant August, Luke Restaurant, among others. Well, now they’ve done it again! Pizza Domenica recently opened on Magazine St. I’ve been there twice in the past month and I have to be honest, Pizza Domenica has outdone Domenica…

Chop Salad. Little gem lettuce. Prosciutto Cotto. Garbanza beans. Tomatoes. Anchovies. Spring Onion. Parmigiano.

Shaved Brussel Sprouts. Golden raisins. Toasted almonds. Creole mustard.

Whole cauliflower. Whipped goat feta.

Wood Roasted Octopus. Potatoes, Jalapeno, Tomatoes.

Wild Mushroom Pizza.

Other notable pizzas: Tutto Carne and Margherita

Pizza Domenica is mainly counter service, but I’ve noticed that they also do table service depending on how busy they are. It’s family friendly, but is great for meetings and get togethers. The pizzas are delicious..warm, flaky, and buttery. Almost like the consistency of a buttery croissant. I love it! The reason why I love Pizza Domenica over it’s mother restaurant is the chewy, yet crunchy texture, and the main restaurant hasn’t been very consistent with the pizzas.

I also loved the Cauliflower and the whipped goat cheese…the complimented each other very well. Trust me…you’d be surprised how delicious this seemingly simple dish is!

So many pizza choices down Magazine St. and to be honest, they’re all unique to each restaurant and all very delicious!

Here are some other reviews on other Magazine St. pizza options:

Theo’s Pizza

Reginelli’s

ChefsGirl

Tag Archives: Magazine St.

Cavan (Uptown, New Orleans, LA)

Shaya (Garden District, New Orleans, LA)

IVY (Garden District, New Orleans, LA)

Ignatius Eatery (Magazine St., New Orleans, LA)

Baru Tapas Bistro (Uptown, New Orleans, LA)

Pho Noi Viet (Garden District, New Orleans, LA)

Salu Bistro and Bar (Garden District, New Orleans, LA)

Pizza Domenica (Uptown, New Orleans, LA)

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