Front: LA Cajun Caviar. Market Potato Salad. Crème Fraiche. Parsley. Oil

Boudin Tamale. Roasted Tomatillo. Red Chile Sauce. Roasted Louisiana Oysters. Marrow. Hogs Head. Salsa Verde.

Steamed Mussels. Coconut Milk. Lime. Cilantro.

Point Judith Calamari. White Bean Purée. Lemon. Cerignola Olive.

Yellowfin Tuna Wraps.  Jalapeño. Crunchy Noodles. Citrus.

Candied Pork Ribs. Five Spice.

Upside-Down Cornbread. Pineapple. House Bacon Marmalade.

Although we set a reservation, there was a bit of a wait. Meril’s is HOT and NEW so that was to be expected. Once you’re seated, you’re good to go! Noise level is a bit high and echo-ey so if you’re looking for a quiet romantic dinner, this may not be the restaurant for you. As for the menu, every bite leaves you wanting more (in a good way!). I’m not going to lie, there were a few dishes I really wish I had all to myself.

My friends and I really enjoyed the Steamed Mussels, Caviar, Tuna wraps, and the Spiced Short Ribs. Of all the dishes we ordered these were the table favorites! When there’s that many favorites among so many people, you know it’s good! Sharing the dishes with a table of 7 was such a tease…

What to LOVE: Small plates! My personal fave was the Caviar, but the other dishes were almost just as good. Amazing job in the Meril’s kitchen!

What NOT to love: We had to wait 20-30 minutes even though we set a reservation. Noise level. It’s not rowdy but it was pretty difficult to hold steady conversations without hearing “Excuse me? What did you say?!”.

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 spoons

Food: 5/5 spoons

Service: 4/5

Plato Marinera de la Casa. Seafood Stew of Clams. Mussels. Shrimp. Monkfish. Saffron Broth.

Calamares Fritos con Ali-Oli. Fried Calamari.

Croquetas de Pollo. Crispy, Golden Chicken Croquettes.

Gambas al Ajillo. Shrimp. Garlic. Piri Piri Peppers. Olive Oil.

Patatas Bravas. Potatoes. Spicy Ali-Oli.

Fritura de Cazon Adobado. Crispy Shark Nuggets. Smoked Paprika Ali-Oli.

Bacalao a la Bilbaina con Lentejas de Leon. Sauteed Cod Filet. Leon Lentils. Garlic. Parsley. Piri Piri Pepper Sauce.

Mejillones al Vapor. Steamed Mussels. White Wine. Saffron Broth.

Paella de Pollo y Chorizo. Chicken and Chorizo Paella.

Squid Ink Paella. 

I have to mention that on this Friday night, the service was a bit lacking. We didn’t get any recommendations and our waitress was just anxious to put our order in. Secondly, little things were constantly forgotten such as water refills and drink orders. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and say she was having a bad night…

The menus were a bit extensive with a wide variety of tapas so some suggestions would have been helpful. In general, our tapas were just “okay”. We ordered the Mussels, Cod Filet, Crispy Shark Nuggets, Potatoes, Shrimp with Garlic and Olive Oil, Chicken Croquettes, and Calamari. Of those my favorites were the Calamari and Croquettes. Otherwise, everything else was just average.

Although some of the tapas were underwhelming, I have to say that the Paellas were amazing! My favorite and probably even the best paella I’ve had was the Squid Ink Paella. (I’ve seen some item posted on their online menu called the Sauteed Calamari over rice, but I believe this was under the Paella section when I dined in so be sure to clarify with your waitress.) From the pictures and description, it doesn’t seem very appetizing, but WOW it was so great that people were fighting to have more. The Chicken and Chorizo Paella was pretty good was well, but was overshadowed by the amazing Squid Ink Paella.

Bodega was definitely a good option for late night dining and decent tapas and the Squid Ink is a MUST have, but be careful of the sketchy service.

Rating: 4/5 (I would give a 3 for service, but the paella made gave it an extra spoon!)

 

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

Baked P&J Oysters. Herbsaint, persillade crust.

Found a pearl in my oyster!

Fried Oyster, Bacon, Romaine & Avocado Salad. Could not get enough of the oysters. They’re coated in a seasoned cornmeal batter that is so delicately crispy…and then you bite into the fat, juicy oyster. The applewood bacon was nice and thick…great flavors all together!

Omelette of Local Crabmeat. My favorite brunch menu item! Filled with asparagus, crabmeat, and creme fraiche.

Gaufrettes. Light and crispy, perfect for the omelette!

Moules et Frites. I can’t get enough of these mussels…the buttery, herbacious (if  that’s a word!) bowl of mussels. It’s bigger than you think, so it’s definitely shareable. Save your bread for the oh so delicious sauce on the bottom!

Pommes Frites.

Even though the setting is more business, the dishes here make me feel at home… Besh really knows how to keep it simple, but still have the ability to make the food burst with flavor in your mouth! The flavors are so deep and rich…I don’t know how else to say it! Dinners are delicious as well, but I’ll save my thoughts for another day =)

You can check out Chef John Besh’s cookbook below:

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!