It had been a while since ate at La Provence but it was a long weekend and the weather was nice for the long ride. We had reservations but they were not needed. The place was not empty but was not full either. The only negative thing I have to say was that the hostess took an exceptional long time to greet us and take us to our table. From then on everything was excellent. The service was good and our server was very enthusiastic. The food did not disappoint, everything was perfect. The ambiance was casual and relaxed but classy. Can't wait that long to go back!
(4)
Alison L.
can't even explain how great this was. had the "market menu" which was only $28/person. best part was definitely the soup. it was a winter squash soup with toasted pumpkin seeds and little bits of ginger snaps. HOLY COW. the main course was risotto with shrimp, mushrooms, and butternut squash which was also great. my mom has a shellfish allergy so she substituted rabbit for the shrimp and i think hers was actually a little better (rabbit gave it a different flavor). dessert was cheesecake with Meyer lemon something or another which was great also but I was too full to really enjoy it! Also, the Ginger Snap martini was AWESOME!
(5)
Alice S.
Delicious brunch for the extended family. We had 3 course brunch and then got to see the gardens and animals in the back. Baby pigs were adorable and the staff gave us food to feed them at the end of our meal, too.
(5)
Brian C.
I've lost count of the number of times we have eaten here now, but that's a good thing, right? Didn't post pictures from this visit because I didn't waste time with photography and just wanted to eat. My wife and I started with the ooh la la oysters and roasted beet salad, they definitely did not disappoint. My wife got the market option which consisted of pumpkin soup, a shrimp risotto, and satsuma beignets which were orgasmic! I got the Mississippi rabbit which was terrific.
(5)
Ken S.
Ate past Saturday night. Table for two 8PM. Seated at 7:45.Service was rushed. Service was cold.Oh,and so was my fish and vegetables.My oyster app was fresh and hot,which leads me to believe entree prep was timed poorly hence served as soon as possible,as my fork hit the table from my app.My wife had a salad,then a duck entree,which the breast was tender,but the thigh and leg were tough.Skin was soggy as well.Here again, kitchen fault,or service? One can't roast a duck to order,so reheating was botched, kitchen fault again? We drove out from the city for a complete dining experience,and were disappointed overall. Sorry Mr.Besh.
(2)
Justin K.
I was in New Orleans last week for Mardi Gras. We had five dinner reservations during our stay: Restaurant August (John Besh); Besh Steakhouse (John Besh); La Provence (John Besh) and two others (Stella! and Mister B's Bistro). We had tried Restaurant August and the Besh Steakhouse on prior visits and enjoyed them. This was our first trip to La Provence (we rented a car and drove there from Harrah's Casino where we were staying). La Provence was the best meal we had on our trip. The brussel sprouts with pork belly, marcona almonds and figs was ethereal: just the kind of imaginative and innovative cuisine we had come to expect from John Besh. It rated 5 stars. The rest of the meal was also impressive (slightly less so). The duck with red cabbage and spring rolls had a delicious flavor but was too saucy and the spring rolls were greasy. The isle flotante was superb. There were three of us for dinner and others raved about the quail gumbo and the pork tasting entree (pork three ways - braised pork shoulder, a pork tenderloin and pork belly). There were some misses from the kitchen but overall we felt it was worth the trip and the price. What was substantially less impressive was the service. The restaurant was represented by several young and completely inexperienced wait staff. After two attempts to get a classic champagne cocktail from the bar, we gave up. None of them know what it was even after we explained it was champagne, bitters, and a sugar cube. Our waitress, while friendly and sweet, could not explain the pork entree. After saying she would check with the kitchen she came back and said it was porkbelly and two other things. After a long pause, she said she forgot what the kitchen told her. We said never mind. When the dish was brought out by another server, we asked him if he could tell us what was on the dish. He could not explain it either and said he would check. We finally got an answer after that. There was a lovely, elegant, blond hostess who checked on us regularly who made up for the other inadequacies. It was shocking, however, that a 28 Zagat rated restaurant had such inexperienced servers. We would definitely go back to La Provence. Just as an aside, Restaurant August and Besh Steakhouse were sad poor shadows of what they had been in the past. The banana pudding at August was the only memorable dish we had at either place. Besh Steakhouse has really, really gone downhill. We have loved it in the past but Besh should take his name off it now. It was actually quite bad. Food was not hot, not flavorful. We all ordered the $75 aged sirloin and none of us enjoyed it. Flavorless, although cooked properly.
(3)
Christine V.
I had the most enjoyable meal here. We made reservations through their web site which was very easy and there were no complications. We arrived a little early and we were promptly seated. The hostess asked us if we were here for a special occasion and we were! One year wedding anniversary! Our waitress was attentive and there were others who came around to refill our water glasses when needed. We didn't order appetizers and we really didn't need to since we were served pate with crostini and after that they served these cute little garlic rolls with butter. Our entrees were served surprisingly quickly. I ordered the Rabbit "Grand-Mere" with gnocchi and vegetables, and my husband ordered the "Ma Bouillabaisse". He really seemed to enjoy the bouillabaisse and my rabbit was exquisite! The sauce was so tasty and the rabbit and gnocchi melted in my mouth. For dessert we got the creme brulee which is my favorite and it was quite good here. Considering the whole experience and wonderful food, the cost was pretty reasonable and I will definitely be coming back.
(5)
Dmitry B.
La Provence is an excellent place to dine with the family and friends. This place have a good kids menu ($12-15 per kid).
(5)
Heidi G.
The meal from start to finish was excellent. We arrived early so we enjoyed walking around to the back of the restaurant where we were able to see the box gardens, bee hives, chicken coop & pigs. This is a true farm to table restaurant. One person in our party has an allergy to gluten, we called ahead of time & the chef personally called back & went over the items she would be able to eat. Once we were seated we told our server & he was extremely helpful. He went through the menu & marked all the items that was safe for her to order. This in itself set the tone for the rest of our meal. The chicken liver pate was delicious & I don't like chicken liver!! Next I had the Myer Lemon yogurt. It was creamy & had a delicious flavor. It was topped with fresh berries. My next course was the chicken & dumplings...this is not your grandmothers version of dumplings. I was presently surprise with this dish. It had fresh vegetables & delicious chicken in it. I finished my meal with the butterscotch pudding, it was absolutely amazing. All of the food had just enough seasoning & flavor. Lastly our server did an excellent job. He knew the menu & answered any questions we had. We'll be back again soon!
(5)
Sam G.
My soul for a lifetime supply of the chicken liver pate, crustini, butter, and buns they serve you as appetizers! So simple and yet so incredibly savory and perfect. The small plate oysters were good - the saffron lending an exotic taste to the breaded concoction. But there was something missing for me (acid maybe?) and the asparagus soup was good but also missing a little something (texture?). Shrimp pea risotto was beautiful but I wasn't crazy about the flavor of the shrimp - has an earthy flavor that I like to avoid in my seafood. This was on the market menu and although it's a phenomenal deal ($31 for small plate, entree, and dessert), I found it to deliver the least impressive food. However the swordfish and gnocchi brought back what the appetizers started -- full flavor, perfect everything. I could eat this daily. The ambience is cozy and inviting - almost domestic (in a good way). Fun to take a walk after dinner to see/hear the pigs, the garden, and the grounds. My rec: avoid the market menu, feast on the appetizers, head for the fish.
(4)
Bonnie R.
One of the best dining experiences from start to finish that I've had in a long time! Loved the provincial French atmosphere. Had an attentive waiter who have us impeccable service. Sampled a variety of menu items, all of which I'd order again. Lots of little extras (lagniappe in New Orleans) including complimentary pate to start the meal & 2 different simple syrup mixtures to use instead of granulated sugar in our iced tea. (One was mayhaw syrup which was untalented to see but very delicious!!) I had the harvest peach salad with nut brittle, corn ravioli in a really light buttery cheese sauce, roasted duck in a fig reduction sauce & dark chocolate pudding tart topped with homemade blueberry ice cream. Also sampled the pork cheeks & the steak. All were amazing. Would highly recommend & will be back!
(5)
Craig J.
"Lost In The Sauce" Took a group of 6 for a Mother's Day dinner. After drinks, appetizers, main courses, dessert and the tip the total was $640. This would not be bad if the experience and food was near perfect but the restaurant has declined under John Besh's management. After assessing everyone's experience we found that the items from Chef Chris' original menu still had the wonderful flavors that the restaurant is known for. Newer menu items were bland with flavors so subtle that the dishes were totally unremarkable. Some of the best items were the pate', the quail gumbo, glazed duck and the steak. The flounder dish was breaded like large fish sticks and the sauce that accompanied it did nothing to enhance the flavor of the fish. If anything it detracted from it. The swordfish was rather tasteless with a kind of pesto sauce on a white sauce that looked good and tasted bland. It's a sad testimonial that the best thing on the plate was the cauliflower. The head chef at this restaurant sets the tone for the food and the food isn't worth the money. Sauces should compliment and enhance the food. These sauces did neither. The service was fine considering that the location in Lacombe, LA tends to have a slightly less polished staff but they really know how to do their job well. Overall, the experience was as good as any high-end restaurant, just without the outstanding fool.
(3)
Douglas W.
This was one of the finest meals and restaurant experiences I have had in recent memory and I ate all over New Orleans this past couple weeks. This is a beautiful restaurant. The fireplace was lit and it was homey and comfortably elegant. The french farmhouse theme was wonderful. I thought the chairs were pretty uncomfortable but that was the only negative thing I can think of saying about this place. We started with some croutons served with a very nice pate. I ordered the oyster stew with cauliflower, artichokes and fresh herbs. This was the best oyster stew I have ever had. It was rich but not too rich and every ingredient was in perfect harmony. I loved the addition of cauliflower to this dish and thought the small bits of diced tomato really provided a nice bright relief. The roast duck was creative and really one of the best duck dishes I have ever had. Duck breast unsliced and served on a variety of vegetables with 2 sauces. One of the sauces sat next to what they described as crispy duck sausage but what reminded me of a vietnamese spring roll. The sauce had mustard tones and the sausage had a crispy outside and was filled with the leg and thigh meat and seasoning that defies my description. You'll just have to show up and try this. The breast was just pink throughout, a bit overdone for my taste but still tender and very tasty. I didn't ever want to leave so I ordered bread pudding with butter pecan sauce and candied pecans served with ice cream. Delicious, light, moist, perfect. The coffee was from a small sustainable coffee company out of Washington state and served in a press. Terrific, with chocolate tones and a lot of body. The details are not missed here. I wish I could come back every week!
I'm not sure what is going on with La Provence and I can't understand what the hype is about this restaurant. The food was fine. This restaurant would be wonderful at half the price or even 2/3. For a family of four (mom, dad, two kids) the cost was $230. You could go to many other better tasting restaurants for that amount of money. I'm not adverse to spending $$$$ on dining (look at my reviews for proof) but when I do I really want it to wow me. Unfortunately, I wasn't wow'd. When you go, I guess you are paying the prices of a local celebrity chef. Funny because I really enjoy a couple of his other restaurants but we've tried La Provence several times and have never really loved it and I *want* to love it as we live near the restaurant. The pate is really really tasty and if I go back, it would be just for that! I had the market menu which was a Creamy Pumpkin Soup, Our Mangalitsa Pork which is pork two ways (tenderloin and cheek) and a Brown Butter Pear Tart. My husband had the Oysters "Ooh La La" and the Slow Roast Lacquered Duckling. One of my children had the Pan Roast Pompano and the other ordered off the children's menu and ordered the Petite Pizza Margherita and Petite Filet. Everyone mostly enjoyed what they ordered. I didn't much care for my pumpkin soup as it had a hint of pumpkin pie flavor that I don't like. My daughter ate it and thought it was very tasty. My 9 year old did not like the flatbread appetizer because of the red sauce that they used and I don't think this was fresh at all. It looked like they defrosted a frozen square pizza. Probably they don't have many kids dining here but that doesn't mean that they can't be imaginative with whatever they serve. The child's steak was a little more than 1/4 inch thick and about 4" in diameter and $26. Seriously? It was cooked correctly but come on! Pork and duck were also tasty. My pork had a celery root puree which was really tasty. I liked my pork dish a lot. My daughter ordered the Apple & Caramel Tartine but neither one of the desserts wow'd us at all. Not even a little. Service was fine. I ordered a Lady Elderflower which I routinely drink at home, but the bar put so much St. Germaine in it that it was sickly sweet. I switched to the Provence 75 which I also didn't care for but didn't want to be a pain so didn't send it back. Should have just ordered a glass of wine like my husband. He enjoyed his wine but I can't remember which one he ordered. EDIT to add that our water glasses were often refilled which we appreciate. My kids were saying that while it was a French restaurant, they were thankful that they actually received water unlike the restaurants we visited in France where water alone was hard to get, much less a refill. :)
Well Now! What do I say about this gem over here on the Northshore? First off and a disclaimer...I'm a HUGE J. Besh fan. Got both of his old cookbooks. And I will buy the new one when I get a chance. Watch his show on PBS and love it. I use a lot of his techniques and recipes. I really am a huge fan. We went and tried La Provence tonight and I can say I was impressed. The service was incredible. Our waitress was attentive and helpful to a fault. It was a couple of hours before a Saints game (YES, we planned it that way) so we had the place almost to ourselves. So she had time and help to make sure we were well taken care of, but it seemed like she really liked her job and was pleasant and helpful in an non-intrusive way. The ambience was Romantic and French country chic. Walking in... it feels like you are walking into an inviting farmhouse home with accommodating hosts. As a welcome appetizer they give you this Chicken liver pate with crostini. I'm not a huge pate fan nor was my companion. It is appetizing and a nice touch though. Tasty and smooth, well done with a good flavor. Good wine list. It's not too extensive. The right amount of well thought out choices that ended up complimenting the meal. We tried the Pinot a Chardonnay and a desert wine. All were excellent. Nice vanilla notes with the Pinot. Smooth and oak tones in the chardonnay. The desert sauvignon blanc was my favorite with the desert...right balance to compliment a fine desert. Soo for the food...I don't know. I think I must have pissed the chef off or something. Except for the desert all of my dishes were off. The Quail Gumbo tasted old and burnt. Dried out quail that was small and tough. It honestly seemed like Sunday was the last day on that Gumbo base before they throw it out and make new on Monday. My Louisiana Seafood Fricassee left a lot to be desired. The lane snapper was good and prepared properly, the rest of the dish was horrible. Crunchy chickpeas, the sausage tasted like a store bought link and the sauce it was all in was this overpowering taste of lemon. It was edible...but only bearable. On the other hand...my S/O's meal was incredible... Honestly she hit a home run and by tasting her's was I able to enjoy this fine establishment. Her dishes really highlight what everyone raves about in Besh's restaurants'. She had the Pumpkin Ravioli to start. Wow, rich and succulent. The ravioli...I don't know how they do it, but it had an incredible flavor. Her entre was the Crispy Gulf Drum. Done perfectly, delicious hollandaise sauce. It is incredible. Now for the best part...Desert. OMG...whoever the pastry Chef is they need to give them a raise. I had the Chocolate Pavlova . It sounds soo bland. But when it shows up at the table you are wowed in such a good way. Fresh berries, Homemade ice cream topping a chocolate mousse meringue. To DIE for. Soo delicious! My S/O had the Warm Bread Pudding...and the reviews really don't do it justice. This desert is incredible on soo many levels...sweet and savory. Rich and warm and creamy with sublet notes of pecan and a food orgasm (or so I am told :-)...) For a meal for 2 people for over $200 + bucks it really should have been better. The lack of consistency between the 2 meals makes me wonder if a return visit is worthwhile...
(4)
Jennifer G.
La Provence had a great premise, farm fresh ingredients (so tired of the catch phrase "farm to table"), classic food and presentation. It fell short in delivery however. Portion sizes were expensive and small. We ordered a $12 drink and it was literally a sip. It is very out of the way and not worth the drive from New Orleans. We left thinking this really did not represent John Besh well.
I truly enjoyed every part of my meal from the complimentary chicken pate to the strawberry pound cake. Every is fresh off the land. The staff are friendly and helpful. I can not say enough how I enjoyed my dining experience. I recommend getting the oh la la oysters and any of the fish dishes l. You will not be disappointed. Thank you John Besh!
(5)
Jen S.
Our food and service was amazing. We had a wonderful server. The rabbit entree was so delicious. La Provence was everything we hoped it would be!! :)
(5)
Catherine P.
We love La Provence; however, lately, we have noticed a distinct change in the "atmosphere." Less staff seems to be a huge problem. In fact, we had a large group there the other day, and I had to ask our server for our wine to be re-filled and for more pate and crackers for the table. With a party of 8, we should have had at least 1 server for our table, but the server was also handling the bar! The menu rarely changes (though the food is always good), and it is disappointing to see such culinary talent (with Mr. Loos) be so complacent with the menu selections. Come on, guys - what's going on?!?
(3)
Aspen N.
Coming to La Provence was part of my bike weekend which included biking to Abita Springs and touring the Abita Brewery and biking here from the Fountainbleu Camp Site. You can totally arrive here via bike off the St. Tammany Trace and just slip through the trees and bushes and enter through the back. Entering from the back of the trail lets you walk through the "farm" part first hand and then walk through to the restaurant. There are a couple of pigs in a pen and some nesting hens in the back, but I doubt they supply them with all their eggs, and are probably just there to let you get the feel of a farm-to-table restaurant, which is fine, since most of the menu items are locally sourced. There are also some raised beds that have an assortment of herbs and a couple of other vegetables. The menu is very seasonal. The boyfriend got the whole roasted rabbit with chanterelles and heirloom squash and it was by far my favorite thing we ordered. Are squash even allowed to taste that good? Every part of the rabbit was amazing. Besides Cochon's rabbit and dumplings, it's probably the best rabbit I've had. I got the pan fried poppy drum with lump crab meat, wild mushrooms and hollandaise. Although a pan fried fish with hollandaise sounds rich, the dish wasn't that heavy and the fish was cooked perfectly. We also got the candy bar for dessert, which I wasn't totally in love with. It had different layers to mimic a candy bar, and I feel like the chocolate layers weren't strong enough and could have been more chocolatey. Extra awesomeness to this place for giving you pate to eat with your crostini. I'm a huge pate fan and love organ meats, but for those who aren't such big fans, this pate really isn't that strong and I definitely reccomend trying it even if you're not into pate. The place was full when we ate there, but not all the dining rooms were open and we had to make reservations to get a table. It was not loud at all and I loved the dining area. The menu is clean and simple, not over the-top and over-explained. I wouldn't expect anything less at a Besh restaurant.
(4)
Cara M.
Great intimate dining experience. From the moment we sat down everything was top notch. Our server was great and made everything sound as delicious as it tasted. Our entire table loved their meals. Some of our great selections included : oyster appetizer, salt & pepper shrimp, crawfish soup, softshell crab dinner, pork shoulder, escarole, blackberry cheesecake and praline monkey bread for dessert!! A++! Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Liz C.
The setting is beautiful.. and totally worth the drive across the lake. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and so nice. The flavors were unique and the food was cooked perfectly. What a treat.. I'm so glad we went!
(4)
John L. H.
My most recent trip to La Provence was phenomenal. This is truly one of my favorite places to dine. If I could raise the rating above five stars, I would. On this most recent trip we were treated like celebrities. The hostess, manager, server and bartender all created us, asked if we were celebrating anything and offered to do anything the could to make our experience better. It was truly some of the best service I have ever experienced. The food here is as amazing as the service. The chicken liver pate that is brought to your table is so rich and delicious, you will be longing for it long after your meal. There is a farm behind the restaurant and I believe the pate comes from their own chickens, so that could explain the freshness. We ordered house smoked salmon and something called malfatti. The salmon was good, but the malfatti was my favorite. It was a mixture of Creole cream cheese, crabmeat, house cured bacon, tomatoes and a small amount of broth. My mouth is watering just recalling the flavors. For entrees we ordered the duckling and the special which consisted of braided pork belly topped with a lobster tail. The duck is great. Slow cooked and falling of the bone tender, the sauce is thick and delicious. The special was surprisingly good. I am not a lobster fan, but the pork belly was very good. The server told us that all of the pork they served was from their own farm out back which just adds to the entire experience. For dessert we had creme brulle and bread pudding. Both dishes were wonderful. While we were seated the bartender of 31 years approached us and struck up a conversation. Apparently the bartender writes poetry as well as makes an amazing French 75. She brought us some lovely poems and a bookmark which just made the night even more wonderful. This restaurant is amazing. If you haven't been, go. I don't care where you live, it is worth a trip.
(5)
Kenneth B.
Last night was my wife's birthday and Endymion was rolling in New Orleans so we went up to La Provence for dinner. We had never been there before but have been to all of the other Besh restaurants here in the city. Although we are generally a fan of Besh restaurants, we will not be going back to La Provence. The food was just OK. Nothing to write home about. The service was horrendous. We had a waitress named Candice who has absolutely no business being a waitress. She had no personality, barely checked on us, and we had to drag the specials out of her. She mumbled in a low voice that made it impossible to hear what she was saying. The only clear thing she said all night was she she carded us. Yes, she carded my wife (34) and I (38) when we ordered two glasses of wine. Her reason---"it's Mardi Gras and I'm 21 and get carded all the time so I card people whenever I get a chance." Which makes sense because we all know how often teenagers drive out to a restaurant in the middle if nowhere and pay $75 a head for a meal so they can order two $14 glasses of wine. I will say that the sweet young lady running food was pleasant, outgoing, and hustled all night with a smile on her face. She and Candice should have switched jobs. All in all La Provence is par for the course in the cultural and culinary wasteland that is the Northshore. The only restaurant worth crossing the bridge for is still Dakota.
(1)
kirsten c.
Wow. Just wow. One of the best meals I've had! I had the sheepshead fish and the hollandaise that accompanied it was amaaaaazing. And the pate they give you to nosh on before dinner was the best we've had. I wish we lived closer so we could go more often! Service was also excellent!
(5)
Tiff D.
Beautiful dining area with a fire place and cute patio. The menu is classic yet creative. I wanted to love this place (don't you hate when people say that?)...well I did want to, but it just didn't happen. 3 course brunch for $28 is a good deal for the quality of the food. Everything is farm fresh. They have a farm right out back! Pigs and chickens and produce. I ordered Fried Goat Cheese and Heirloom Beet Salad, Slow Cooked Yard Egg Sardou, and a trio of desserts shared among friends. The goat cheese was the only good thing on the Fried Goat Cheese and Heirloom Beet Salad. Maybe I just don't like beets? and those orange things on the plate...texture of peaches but tasted awfully bad. The Egg Sardou was served in a jar. I appreciate the playful plating. The flavors were good. The sauce very rich. The issue was with the egg. I understand its soft poached...but this egg was raw, just barley warmed through. The whites were still clear. (As was the case on my boyfriends Slow Cooked Yard Egg "Salad Nicoise"). I guess thats just the way they do it...but I couldn't eat it. The best part was the dessert. I tried the Sweet Potato Beignets, Bread Pudding, and Ricotta Filled Crepes. The beignets were basically doughnut holes and were so darn good. Served with a cane syrup ice cream that could have been eaten alone. The bread pudding was the lightest one I've had in Louisiana and perfectly sweet. The crepes were not crepes but Blintzes. The orange sauce Suzette was sweet and tangy. The service was great. We never felt rushed and always had what we needed. I would definitely recommend this place but perhaps I could ask for my egg to be cooked a bit more, I'm sure they would accommodate.
(3)
Big E.
We went for Sunday brunch and it was amazing on a level that is indescribable. The service was fantastic, but we started with a pate that was so good we almost had knife fights over it. The confit duck leg with lentils was so good I would crawl across a boiling tar pit full of dino-zombies to get another one. Will definitely go again and again and again and again . . . John Besh is talent personified.
(5)
Shawn M.
Nice atmosphere, and perhaps we went on an off night, but the food was just mediocre, the service was fair, the portions were small, and consequently, my wife and I felt it was overpriced. All in all, based on our experience on May 24th, I would say it is overrated.
(2)
Atticus R.
Came here for Sunday brunch on the drive out of town... amazed I did not wreck on the way home I was so full and satisfied. From the pate and bread to the garlic sausage, soft shell crab and grits to the plum tart for dessert, everything was beautiful and delicious and perfectly prepared. I have eaten at August in NOLA... this was definitely a different experience but one well worth having.
(4)
Taylor R.
I don't like writing reviews with low stars, especially when I'm clearly in the minority - all other reviews of La Provence are raves. But our experience was a disappointment. I chose this restaurant for a special event with my husband. Obviously, there are no shortage of restaurants to choose from in New Orleans, but La Provence looked romantic and intimate and special. Then I saw this on the website and it sold me: "guests will be greeted with Champagne and hors d'oeuvres as they peruse the day's offerings and make their choices." We arrived, walked through the courtyard to the bar and waited by the door as staff came and went. No champagne, no hors d'oeuvres - in fact, no one spoke to us at all. Finally we started to walk around and a waiter stopped us and told us that the host desk was in another direction. He and others had seen us standing there, looking awkward - couldn't they have told us that before? Found the hostess and she showed us to our table. The dining room was so, so loud that it was hard to hear each other talk. Even though it was January, there were no fires in the fireplaces as the other reviews mentioned below. We ordered a bottle of wine and first course. I had the butter lettuce salad and my husband had the gnocchi. Both were excellent. For dinner I had the tripple tail with risotto, which was great. My husband had the shrimp etouffee over pasta, which was really bland and boring. We ordered the chocolate torte for dessert - the dish and the presentation were so bad, it was almost insulting. My husband said he felt like we were being rushed to finish up, so we left without lingering and talking like we planned. Really disappointing. I think I've changed my strategy for romantic evenings out - go somewhere you already know and love. Don't set your expectations too high with a new place. That's my advice to myself. As for La Provence, please take the promise of Champagne and hors d'oeuvres upon arrival off your website. Little touches would make you special if you actually delivered them. Instead everything about our experience was a major letdown.
(2)
Meghan K.
My husband and I went to NOLA to for our anniversary (from Houston) and we chose this restaurant to celebrate at. We went on a Sunday night and the restaurant was pretty dead: 4 tables including us, so it was pretty quiet. Perhaps this helped in the service department, because the service was hands-down fanfreakintastic from the moment we walked in the door until we drove away. The maitre d was very welcoming, our server was prompt to greet us. She seemed to genuinely enjoy her job and the passion she exuded made us even more excited to be there. She was knowledgeable and friendly, yet professional. One thing that really stood out was how the bartender (who has apparently been there 30 years) and the maitre d would come by every so often and ask how we were enjoying our dishes. Even after the dish was gone, they knew what we had ordered. The chef also came by and spoke with us for a minute. Now to the food. I ordered the quail gumbo and softshell crab, while my husband ordered the pumpkin soup and duck for his meal. The gumbo was very good, albeit a little heavy for an appetizer for my taste, and the pumpkin soup was divine. The crab was humongous and delicious. My husband's duck was very good too, but he was a little disappointed that the breast wasn't cooked rare, but then he took into account that the duck was cooked whole, and it wasn't just a slab of breast that can be quickly seared. It was very good though. For desert we got the candy bar and the bacon ice cream. The candy bar was really good. The bacon ice cream was alright. It was interesting. It's one of those things where after a couple bites, you're good to go. I looove the decor of the place. It feels so welcoming and homey, yet still upscale. We just got a handwritten thank you note from the restaurant. I believe it was from our waitress, but I'm not 100% sure. Either her or the maitre d. How sweet is that though? Talk about going above and beyond. We WILL be back. Oh and I already forget the name of their signature cocktail...something with lavender in it, but it is reaaally good. Try one!
(5)
Debi S.
My sister and i took my Mom to La Provence for her birthday last month. It's one of John Besh's restaurants and they serve farm to table. All herbs, vegetables and most of the meats are raised at the back of the property. It's about an hour drive from the French Quarter but I understand that a lot of tourists are sent here by their hotel concierge. The setting is a country french creole house, very warm and inviting. They serve hot french bread homemade pate' which is sooooooo good! We ordered the 5 course chef's menu with an emphasis on seafood and they also have a three course fixed price menu for $25.00. Our first course was a mixed greens salad with pancetta. The waiter told us that they support the sustainable farming of heritage breed pigs which have a unique flavor that has been bred out of commercially raised pork...heritage breed pigs come from centuries-old bloodlines, from a time when pigs were pasture-raised and allowed to forage for food. These breeds are raised by a small number of farms and La Provence is beginning to raise their own. The sommelier recommended a French white burgundy that paired nicely with our seafood entree'. We were served a local rabbit ravioli appetizer with fresh pasta and a delicate marinara sauce. Our entree' was softshell crab with lump crabmeat and a brown butter, meuniere sauce. For dessert, we had the bread pudding with butter pecan whiskey sauce.
(5)
Cheryl K.
We were in NOLA for Valentine's Day and someone recommended La Provence. We were hesitant at first since we would have to rent a car to get there. Am I glad that we did!! So worth the drive. The food, atmosphere, service...everything was top-notch!!
(5)
Kelly H.
Excellent! Really, it doesn't get much better than this! The idea of a classic French farmhouse situated along a stretch of highway about 45 minutes north of New Orleans is not as out there as it sounds. In fact, it works! The interior is elegant without going overboard or becoming too formal. It has retained a very relaxed atmosphere - quite romantic even. The food - out of this world! The escargot in a pesto based sauce was excellent. The escargot were firm but not at all tough and very well season. An entree of rabbit loin wrapped around rabbit stuffing (think rabbit sausage) and then the whole thing wrapped in bacon was surprisingly delicate and out of this world good! DP's redfish topped with a shrimp and crabmeat sauce was out of this world! Two desserts: a creme brulle that was quite good and an amazing scoop of ice cream - Bacon Pecan in a Steen's Cane Syrup base ice cream. Oh yes - the sweet/salty/creamy mix of contrasts totally worked! Best darn Ice Cream I have ever eaten! The wine list almost exclusively french (appropriate as this is a french Restaurant) but surprisingly reasonably priced. Oh and service - perfect! A truly great restaurant!
(5)
Derek R.
Best of the Besh! We have tried all of the other Besh restaurants in town and both agree that this one is his best. Looking for a romantic dinner in an unique setting? This is the place! The country lodge ambiance complete with the wood burning fireplace all blend together to create a wonderful atmosphere for a special evening out. Food and service are always top notch - as are the drinks. ;) This is one of the few places in NOLA where you actually can dress up and not feel out of place. Coat and tie are recommended. As for the meal, my wife and I both tried the chef specials. My wife had the braised pork belly with lobster tails over slaw and I went out on a limb and tried the venison over pasta. Hers was better than mine but isn't that always the case? The place was packed and our server forgot about us for a while but he made up for it by giving us a complimentary drink on the house - which was nice. :) I don't recommend their after dinner coffee drinks though. I ordered a kahlua and coffee and it had coffee grounds in it from their French press. We have been to this restaurant 5-6 times and have never been disappointed. Highly recommend reservations! Give them a try, you won't regret it! Cheers!
(5)
Mary T.
This was a surprise, we are not from here and we were not told where we were going. From the highway, it just looked like a little building with some palmettos in front. Inside, there are warm stucco walls, fireplaces, nice bar.. enough about the decor. We had some picky kids with us, so we were worried about what they would eat. No problem. Our wonderful server offered them some pasta and fries (!) They were happy. We ordered the market menu, which had a fantastically crisp pissaladiere, chestnut risotto with shrimp, and flourless chocolate cake. Everything was wonderful, service was warm and friendly. Worth the drive across the causeway.
(5)
randall r.
I'm almost at a loss for words, but not quite. This place was amazing! I've been wanting to go for a good while now, but never seemed to be able to make it happen. Finally, I took my mom and some friends there for brunch a few Sundays ago. I had heard so many great things and had such high expectations that I worried that I had set my sights too high. Well, I had nothing to worry about. It blew me away and exceeded my expectations. My friend, a very critical foodie, was so frustrated because she couldn't find a single thing to criticize. The ambience, the food, the service... spectacular. And that was for brunch. I can't imagine what it's like for dinner. Not to mention that the menu was so interesting with wonderful choices and a 3 course brunch for only $28. The Warm Ricotta Flan and Roasted Heirloom Beet Salad for the first course was what I had and was incredible. My mom had the duck confit on lentils for a first course and it was bigger than most main courses (we all helped her eat it). Everything that everyone had was out of this world good. We all agreed that it was one of the best dining experiences over all that we've ever had. We're headed back there again this Sunday for the Easter Brunch. I hope it lives up to the expectations it has already set for us. I think it will. I'll let you know.
(5)
Josh U.
Enjoyed a really good fish entree and even better beignets (their own twist on the classic) with their homemade ice cream. The service was very good and the atmosphere is unique. However the table we were sat at was simply a round folding table with a tablecloth draped over it. Needless to say that the folding legs were along the outer edge and right in the way of several people dining with us. They also are really too pushy with their "house rules" (i.e. chef's wishes).
(4)
minimalist -.
Really disappointing, especially considering the prices and the reputation. I'm not sure if Besh has let his restaurants get away from him now that he is so famous but our recent meal at La Provence during the holidays was not that great an experience. One member of our our party got sick later that night (the only thing she had that we did not was the lamb) and my bouillabaisse was small puddle of flavorless broth with shriveled up mussels and tiny shrimp (inexcusable given that the Gulf of Mexico is 30 minutes away).
(2)
Steve B.
I am really hating to write this review. The food at this restaurant has been good every time I've visited. On our most recent visit, it was unbelievably so. The braised venison was some of the best food I have eaten. I have been eating great food all across the country for many years and expect to become jaded at some point. Clearly this restaurant has pushed that to another day. Now the sad part. Somebody must have come by just before we arrived and severely beaten the entire front of the house with a stick full of stupid. I sincerely hope this was just a very, very bad night, because neither the kitchen nor the diners deserve this treatment. Nearly every single thing that didn't come from the kitchen was a problem. Seldom was water refilled despite several people with water pitchers standing around talking to each other. When someone did refill the water and we inquired about our missing drink order, they flatly refused to help. Three drink orders were forgotten (at a table for two). A promised decanter took 45 minutes to arrive leaving no time for the wine to open up before the main course arrived. Fortunately when the decanter did arrive, the wine was poured expertly, but we had to ask for glasses. Our waiter was very apologetic about the situation and brought us a desert as a gesture of apology. I appreciated this and won't hesitate to return, but the service really needs to be at least competent in such an outstanding restaurant. Another minor improvement could be realized by softening the light very slightly.
(4)
Aviv G.
very nice menu and lovely setting. the lamb we had was the best I've ever tasted. the mahi mahi was cut too thin, though.
(4)
Jerry H.
This is one of the finest restaurants I have been in America. The food was fresh, so fresh you could taste it. Our waiter was wonderful and very enjoyable. He paid just enough attention to us but not too much that he was annoying. The meal we had spoiled us for weeks, I just felt like every meal was garbage. This restaurant is definitely worth the trip from New Orleans.
(5)
Evelyn W.
Well worth the drive from the French Quarter. The staff and service were friendly and accomodating. Each course came out promptly and at the perfect temperature. We shared the escargot and goat cheese beet salad. Both were great. The pate was delicious. Our entrees were the sablefish and slow roasted lamb. Both were beautifully presented and tasty. The desserts were creative and fun. I had the bacon ice cream (a nice surprise!) and he had the sweet potato beignets. We will definitely be back.
(4)
jamesandsue g.
Is this really the same owner of August and Luke? We invested two hours driving to and from the French Quarter; unfortunately we had the worst meal I can recall, on Christmas Eve no less. We were seated promptly, ordered cocktails and served a complementary chicken pate. The pate was wonderful. 40 minutes later, our appetizer was served. Our water glasses were empty and still no cocktails. My salad was tasteless. It was an overabundance of lettuce with a whisper of dressing. The soup was also bland and lacking in flavor. The waitress cleared the uneaten dishes without comment, much like a beleaguered server at a bad chain restaurant. After speaking with the hostess and asking if there was any way to turn the night around, our entrees were promptly rushed out and our server apologized things were taking so long. I don't think either of them realized it wasn't the speed of service, more the quality of service that was lacking. The entrees were fine. Unfortunately dessert came and my chocolate molten cake wasn't molten at all. It was burned to the point that it should never have left the kitchen and we had to ask for silverware to eat it. I really don't understand how a restaurateur of Besh's caliber can have great restaurants with world-class service in New Orleans, but fail so miserably at this remote locale. The manager realized how bad the entire experience was and took care of the meal, but it was still a huge waste of time and a wasted dinner in New Orleans, which is the biggest loss since we only visit the city a couple of times each year. Dinner at August the following night was amazing and flawless.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Intimate Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Giselle C.
It had been a while since ate at La Provence but it was a long weekend and the weather was nice for the long ride. We had reservations but they were not needed. The place was not empty but was not full either. The only negative thing I have to say was that the hostess took an exceptional long time to greet us and take us to our table. From then on everything was excellent. The service was good and our server was very enthusiastic. The food did not disappoint, everything was perfect. The ambiance was casual and relaxed but classy. Can't wait that long to go back!
(4)Alison L.
can't even explain how great this was. had the "market menu" which was only $28/person. best part was definitely the soup. it was a winter squash soup with toasted pumpkin seeds and little bits of ginger snaps. HOLY COW. the main course was risotto with shrimp, mushrooms, and butternut squash which was also great. my mom has a shellfish allergy so she substituted rabbit for the shrimp and i think hers was actually a little better (rabbit gave it a different flavor). dessert was cheesecake with Meyer lemon something or another which was great also but I was too full to really enjoy it! Also, the Ginger Snap martini was AWESOME!
(5)Alice S.
Delicious brunch for the extended family. We had 3 course brunch and then got to see the gardens and animals in the back. Baby pigs were adorable and the staff gave us food to feed them at the end of our meal, too.
(5)Brian C.
I've lost count of the number of times we have eaten here now, but that's a good thing, right? Didn't post pictures from this visit because I didn't waste time with photography and just wanted to eat. My wife and I started with the ooh la la oysters and roasted beet salad, they definitely did not disappoint. My wife got the market option which consisted of pumpkin soup, a shrimp risotto, and satsuma beignets which were orgasmic! I got the Mississippi rabbit which was terrific.
(5)Ken S.
Ate past Saturday night. Table for two 8PM. Seated at 7:45.Service was rushed. Service was cold.Oh,and so was my fish and vegetables.My oyster app was fresh and hot,which leads me to believe entree prep was timed poorly hence served as soon as possible,as my fork hit the table from my app.My wife had a salad,then a duck entree,which the breast was tender,but the thigh and leg were tough.Skin was soggy as well.Here again, kitchen fault,or service? One can't roast a duck to order,so reheating was botched, kitchen fault again? We drove out from the city for a complete dining experience,and were disappointed overall. Sorry Mr.Besh.
(2)Justin K.
I was in New Orleans last week for Mardi Gras. We had five dinner reservations during our stay: Restaurant August (John Besh); Besh Steakhouse (John Besh); La Provence (John Besh) and two others (Stella! and Mister B's Bistro). We had tried Restaurant August and the Besh Steakhouse on prior visits and enjoyed them. This was our first trip to La Provence (we rented a car and drove there from Harrah's Casino where we were staying). La Provence was the best meal we had on our trip. The brussel sprouts with pork belly, marcona almonds and figs was ethereal: just the kind of imaginative and innovative cuisine we had come to expect from John Besh. It rated 5 stars. The rest of the meal was also impressive (slightly less so). The duck with red cabbage and spring rolls had a delicious flavor but was too saucy and the spring rolls were greasy. The isle flotante was superb. There were three of us for dinner and others raved about the quail gumbo and the pork tasting entree (pork three ways - braised pork shoulder, a pork tenderloin and pork belly). There were some misses from the kitchen but overall we felt it was worth the trip and the price. What was substantially less impressive was the service. The restaurant was represented by several young and completely inexperienced wait staff. After two attempts to get a classic champagne cocktail from the bar, we gave up. None of them know what it was even after we explained it was champagne, bitters, and a sugar cube. Our waitress, while friendly and sweet, could not explain the pork entree. After saying she would check with the kitchen she came back and said it was porkbelly and two other things. After a long pause, she said she forgot what the kitchen told her. We said never mind. When the dish was brought out by another server, we asked him if he could tell us what was on the dish. He could not explain it either and said he would check. We finally got an answer after that. There was a lovely, elegant, blond hostess who checked on us regularly who made up for the other inadequacies. It was shocking, however, that a 28 Zagat rated restaurant had such inexperienced servers. We would definitely go back to La Provence. Just as an aside, Restaurant August and Besh Steakhouse were sad poor shadows of what they had been in the past. The banana pudding at August was the only memorable dish we had at either place. Besh Steakhouse has really, really gone downhill. We have loved it in the past but Besh should take his name off it now. It was actually quite bad. Food was not hot, not flavorful. We all ordered the $75 aged sirloin and none of us enjoyed it. Flavorless, although cooked properly.
(3)Christine V.
I had the most enjoyable meal here. We made reservations through their web site which was very easy and there were no complications. We arrived a little early and we were promptly seated. The hostess asked us if we were here for a special occasion and we were! One year wedding anniversary! Our waitress was attentive and there were others who came around to refill our water glasses when needed. We didn't order appetizers and we really didn't need to since we were served pate with crostini and after that they served these cute little garlic rolls with butter. Our entrees were served surprisingly quickly. I ordered the Rabbit "Grand-Mere" with gnocchi and vegetables, and my husband ordered the "Ma Bouillabaisse". He really seemed to enjoy the bouillabaisse and my rabbit was exquisite! The sauce was so tasty and the rabbit and gnocchi melted in my mouth. For dessert we got the creme brulee which is my favorite and it was quite good here. Considering the whole experience and wonderful food, the cost was pretty reasonable and I will definitely be coming back.
(5)Dmitry B.
La Provence is an excellent place to dine with the family and friends. This place have a good kids menu ($12-15 per kid).
(5)Heidi G.
The meal from start to finish was excellent. We arrived early so we enjoyed walking around to the back of the restaurant where we were able to see the box gardens, bee hives, chicken coop & pigs. This is a true farm to table restaurant. One person in our party has an allergy to gluten, we called ahead of time & the chef personally called back & went over the items she would be able to eat. Once we were seated we told our server & he was extremely helpful. He went through the menu & marked all the items that was safe for her to order. This in itself set the tone for the rest of our meal. The chicken liver pate was delicious & I don't like chicken liver!! Next I had the Myer Lemon yogurt. It was creamy & had a delicious flavor. It was topped with fresh berries. My next course was the chicken & dumplings...this is not your grandmothers version of dumplings. I was presently surprise with this dish. It had fresh vegetables & delicious chicken in it. I finished my meal with the butterscotch pudding, it was absolutely amazing. All of the food had just enough seasoning & flavor. Lastly our server did an excellent job. He knew the menu & answered any questions we had. We'll be back again soon!
(5)Sam G.
My soul for a lifetime supply of the chicken liver pate, crustini, butter, and buns they serve you as appetizers! So simple and yet so incredibly savory and perfect. The small plate oysters were good - the saffron lending an exotic taste to the breaded concoction. But there was something missing for me (acid maybe?) and the asparagus soup was good but also missing a little something (texture?). Shrimp pea risotto was beautiful but I wasn't crazy about the flavor of the shrimp - has an earthy flavor that I like to avoid in my seafood. This was on the market menu and although it's a phenomenal deal ($31 for small plate, entree, and dessert), I found it to deliver the least impressive food. However the swordfish and gnocchi brought back what the appetizers started -- full flavor, perfect everything. I could eat this daily. The ambience is cozy and inviting - almost domestic (in a good way). Fun to take a walk after dinner to see/hear the pigs, the garden, and the grounds. My rec: avoid the market menu, feast on the appetizers, head for the fish.
(4)Bonnie R.
One of the best dining experiences from start to finish that I've had in a long time! Loved the provincial French atmosphere. Had an attentive waiter who have us impeccable service. Sampled a variety of menu items, all of which I'd order again. Lots of little extras (lagniappe in New Orleans) including complimentary pate to start the meal & 2 different simple syrup mixtures to use instead of granulated sugar in our iced tea. (One was mayhaw syrup which was untalented to see but very delicious!!) I had the harvest peach salad with nut brittle, corn ravioli in a really light buttery cheese sauce, roasted duck in a fig reduction sauce & dark chocolate pudding tart topped with homemade blueberry ice cream. Also sampled the pork cheeks & the steak. All were amazing. Would highly recommend & will be back!
(5)Craig J.
"Lost In The Sauce" Took a group of 6 for a Mother's Day dinner. After drinks, appetizers, main courses, dessert and the tip the total was $640. This would not be bad if the experience and food was near perfect but the restaurant has declined under John Besh's management. After assessing everyone's experience we found that the items from Chef Chris' original menu still had the wonderful flavors that the restaurant is known for. Newer menu items were bland with flavors so subtle that the dishes were totally unremarkable. Some of the best items were the pate', the quail gumbo, glazed duck and the steak. The flounder dish was breaded like large fish sticks and the sauce that accompanied it did nothing to enhance the flavor of the fish. If anything it detracted from it. The swordfish was rather tasteless with a kind of pesto sauce on a white sauce that looked good and tasted bland. It's a sad testimonial that the best thing on the plate was the cauliflower. The head chef at this restaurant sets the tone for the food and the food isn't worth the money. Sauces should compliment and enhance the food. These sauces did neither. The service was fine considering that the location in Lacombe, LA tends to have a slightly less polished staff but they really know how to do their job well. Overall, the experience was as good as any high-end restaurant, just without the outstanding fool.
(3)Douglas W.
This was one of the finest meals and restaurant experiences I have had in recent memory and I ate all over New Orleans this past couple weeks. This is a beautiful restaurant. The fireplace was lit and it was homey and comfortably elegant. The french farmhouse theme was wonderful. I thought the chairs were pretty uncomfortable but that was the only negative thing I can think of saying about this place. We started with some croutons served with a very nice pate. I ordered the oyster stew with cauliflower, artichokes and fresh herbs. This was the best oyster stew I have ever had. It was rich but not too rich and every ingredient was in perfect harmony. I loved the addition of cauliflower to this dish and thought the small bits of diced tomato really provided a nice bright relief. The roast duck was creative and really one of the best duck dishes I have ever had. Duck breast unsliced and served on a variety of vegetables with 2 sauces. One of the sauces sat next to what they described as crispy duck sausage but what reminded me of a vietnamese spring roll. The sauce had mustard tones and the sausage had a crispy outside and was filled with the leg and thigh meat and seasoning that defies my description. You'll just have to show up and try this. The breast was just pink throughout, a bit overdone for my taste but still tender and very tasty. I didn't ever want to leave so I ordered bread pudding with butter pecan sauce and candied pecans served with ice cream. Delicious, light, moist, perfect. The coffee was from a small sustainable coffee company out of Washington state and served in a press. Terrific, with chocolate tones and a lot of body. The details are not missed here. I wish I could come back every week!
(5)Miriam W.
This is pretty much a perfect restaurant. The dining room is beautiful without being formal, with a large, two sided fireplace and a relaxed vibe. The service is friendly, efficient and professional, with not a bit of attitude or stuffiness. I could have chosen any number of items from the menu and been happy; in fact I had a hard time deciding. And the food was about as good as it gets. I'm a big fan of French country cuisine, and the kitchen here walks that line between rustic and refined with such deftness that I was delighted with everything I ate. The oyster stew had much in common with many I've had in Louisiana; a milky broth made rich with the addition of butter, with those wonderful Gulf oysters gently poached to bring out their salty deliciousness. Here they make their stew special with fresh herbs, artichoke hearts and the surprising addition of roasted cauliflower. It was sublime. The rabbit ravioli with kale in a light tomato sauce with diced veggies was also delicious, the light and fresh tomatoes balanced beautifully with a medium rich stock. Again, there were lots of very fresh vegetables in this dish, and they were carefully chosen to meld and contrast with the other elements on the plate. While this is simple food at heart, it's very thoughtfully conceived and well prepared. Dessert was creme brûlée, which is a favorite of mine. My one criticism of this dessert is that the caramelized sugar crust was too thick. I like a very thin sugar crust that breaks into fine shards when you gently press on it. However, that's splitting hairs. And the coffee they buy, Santa Lucia, out of Washington State, is so good that I'm ordering some on line. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Jennifer E.
I'm not sure what is going on with La Provence and I can't understand what the hype is about this restaurant. The food was fine. This restaurant would be wonderful at half the price or even 2/3. For a family of four (mom, dad, two kids) the cost was $230. You could go to many other better tasting restaurants for that amount of money. I'm not adverse to spending $$$$ on dining (look at my reviews for proof) but when I do I really want it to wow me. Unfortunately, I wasn't wow'd. When you go, I guess you are paying the prices of a local celebrity chef. Funny because I really enjoy a couple of his other restaurants but we've tried La Provence several times and have never really loved it and I *want* to love it as we live near the restaurant. The pate is really really tasty and if I go back, it would be just for that! I had the market menu which was a Creamy Pumpkin Soup, Our Mangalitsa Pork which is pork two ways (tenderloin and cheek) and a Brown Butter Pear Tart. My husband had the Oysters "Ooh La La" and the Slow Roast Lacquered Duckling. One of my children had the Pan Roast Pompano and the other ordered off the children's menu and ordered the Petite Pizza Margherita and Petite Filet. Everyone mostly enjoyed what they ordered. I didn't much care for my pumpkin soup as it had a hint of pumpkin pie flavor that I don't like. My daughter ate it and thought it was very tasty. My 9 year old did not like the flatbread appetizer because of the red sauce that they used and I don't think this was fresh at all. It looked like they defrosted a frozen square pizza. Probably they don't have many kids dining here but that doesn't mean that they can't be imaginative with whatever they serve. The child's steak was a little more than 1/4 inch thick and about 4" in diameter and $26. Seriously? It was cooked correctly but come on! Pork and duck were also tasty. My pork had a celery root puree which was really tasty. I liked my pork dish a lot. My daughter ordered the Apple & Caramel Tartine but neither one of the desserts wow'd us at all. Not even a little. Service was fine. I ordered a Lady Elderflower which I routinely drink at home, but the bar put so much St. Germaine in it that it was sickly sweet. I switched to the Provence 75 which I also didn't care for but didn't want to be a pain so didn't send it back. Should have just ordered a glass of wine like my husband. He enjoyed his wine but I can't remember which one he ordered. EDIT to add that our water glasses were often refilled which we appreciate. My kids were saying that while it was a French restaurant, they were thankful that they actually received water unlike the restaurants we visited in France where water alone was hard to get, much less a refill. :)
(2)Tiffany V.
Wow we had an amazing experience. We started with oyster ooh la la and crab bisque. The oysters were delicious and the flavor only P&J oysters deliver. The entrée filet of tenderloin was prepared to perfection accompanied by potatoes and a vegetable medley (squash, eggplant, pearl onions). Dessert was the warm bread pudding with ice cream. The bread pudding was the best I ever had because of the flavor and it was not mushy......perfect. The manager was in the dining area and she was very friendly and inviting. To top it off we were able to see the pigs, chickens, and herb garden out back. Truly a beautiful experience we will definitely return.
(5)Michael L.
Well Now! What do I say about this gem over here on the Northshore? First off and a disclaimer...I'm a HUGE J. Besh fan. Got both of his old cookbooks. And I will buy the new one when I get a chance. Watch his show on PBS and love it. I use a lot of his techniques and recipes. I really am a huge fan. We went and tried La Provence tonight and I can say I was impressed. The service was incredible. Our waitress was attentive and helpful to a fault. It was a couple of hours before a Saints game (YES, we planned it that way) so we had the place almost to ourselves. So she had time and help to make sure we were well taken care of, but it seemed like she really liked her job and was pleasant and helpful in an non-intrusive way. The ambience was Romantic and French country chic. Walking in... it feels like you are walking into an inviting farmhouse home with accommodating hosts. As a welcome appetizer they give you this Chicken liver pate with crostini. I'm not a huge pate fan nor was my companion. It is appetizing and a nice touch though. Tasty and smooth, well done with a good flavor. Good wine list. It's not too extensive. The right amount of well thought out choices that ended up complimenting the meal. We tried the Pinot a Chardonnay and a desert wine. All were excellent. Nice vanilla notes with the Pinot. Smooth and oak tones in the chardonnay. The desert sauvignon blanc was my favorite with the desert...right balance to compliment a fine desert. Soo for the food...I don't know. I think I must have pissed the chef off or something. Except for the desert all of my dishes were off. The Quail Gumbo tasted old and burnt. Dried out quail that was small and tough. It honestly seemed like Sunday was the last day on that Gumbo base before they throw it out and make new on Monday. My Louisiana Seafood Fricassee left a lot to be desired. The lane snapper was good and prepared properly, the rest of the dish was horrible. Crunchy chickpeas, the sausage tasted like a store bought link and the sauce it was all in was this overpowering taste of lemon. It was edible...but only bearable. On the other hand...my S/O's meal was incredible... Honestly she hit a home run and by tasting her's was I able to enjoy this fine establishment. Her dishes really highlight what everyone raves about in Besh's restaurants'. She had the Pumpkin Ravioli to start. Wow, rich and succulent. The ravioli...I don't know how they do it, but it had an incredible flavor. Her entre was the Crispy Gulf Drum. Done perfectly, delicious hollandaise sauce. It is incredible. Now for the best part...Desert. OMG...whoever the pastry Chef is they need to give them a raise. I had the Chocolate Pavlova . It sounds soo bland. But when it shows up at the table you are wowed in such a good way. Fresh berries, Homemade ice cream topping a chocolate mousse meringue. To DIE for. Soo delicious! My S/O had the Warm Bread Pudding...and the reviews really don't do it justice. This desert is incredible on soo many levels...sweet and savory. Rich and warm and creamy with sublet notes of pecan and a food orgasm (or so I am told :-)...) For a meal for 2 people for over $200 + bucks it really should have been better. The lack of consistency between the 2 meals makes me wonder if a return visit is worthwhile...
(4)Jennifer G.
La Provence had a great premise, farm fresh ingredients (so tired of the catch phrase "farm to table"), classic food and presentation. It fell short in delivery however. Portion sizes were expensive and small. We ordered a $12 drink and it was literally a sip. It is very out of the way and not worth the drive from New Orleans. We left thinking this really did not represent John Besh well.
(3)Steph G.
[Out-of-Towner Review] Eatin' like the rich folks do! Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd dine on Chicken liver pâté ANNND actually like it! Instead of giving bread and butter, like the commoners do, LP gives you Chicken liver pâté and crositni's. I was hesitant, but realized, this might be my only chance to try it, so why not?!? As I've said before, when I dine on my company, it seems as if we're budget-less. So, we sampled 5 appetizers, 5 entrees, and 4 deserts. Since I don't want to bother you with a novel of a review, here are some of the highlights my taste buds would like to re-indulge in: Chef Chris' Quail Gumbo: Ahh-mazing flavor of the broth. The quail was stuffed with dirty rice, it was the perfect texture and flavors blended together! Milk Chocolate & Peanut Butter "Candy Bar": need I explain anymore? Great way to end a delicious meal! The caramel ice cream was a perfect adornment for the candy bar. Dessert Glaces: Sangria/Strawberry/Maple and Bacon ice cream - the Sangria was slightly tart and icy, the strawberry was by far my favorite, and it is was just weird to chew on cold bacon. I enjoyed 2/3rds of the options, not too shabby odds! Ravioli of Slow Cooked Rabbit: When in Rome...not as bad as I thought it would be. The meat was slightly gamey, shredded meat texture, but not overwhelming weird at all. The staff was impeccable. Very knowledgeable and well versed in all things kitchen/cooking/hospitality. The restaurant manager was a flitting social butterfly, talking and genuinely connecting with all the patrons in the restaurant. She was also very knowledgeable and very well connected in the California culinary world. They even raise their fancy, Brazilian pigs out back. They allowed us to go out there and peep them. Smelly and unwelcoming to visitors, these humongous animals were enjoying a brisk NOLA evening. If only our trip would have accommodated us to try their Sunday brunch! The menu looked amazing, and if the dinner was any indication, I know their brunch would be nothing short of amazing!! Although this place is almost an hour away, if you are staying near the Convention Center, it is worth it! Literally in the middle of no where, don't blink when you're driving, you might mistake it for a B&B. The road trip is worth the goodness that your taste buds will engage in. I've been schooled on John Besh!
(4)Angela R.
I truly enjoyed every part of my meal from the complimentary chicken pate to the strawberry pound cake. Every is fresh off the land. The staff are friendly and helpful. I can not say enough how I enjoyed my dining experience. I recommend getting the oh la la oysters and any of the fish dishes l. You will not be disappointed. Thank you John Besh!
(5)Jen S.
Our food and service was amazing. We had a wonderful server. The rabbit entree was so delicious. La Provence was everything we hoped it would be!! :)
(5)Catherine P.
We love La Provence; however, lately, we have noticed a distinct change in the "atmosphere." Less staff seems to be a huge problem. In fact, we had a large group there the other day, and I had to ask our server for our wine to be re-filled and for more pate and crackers for the table. With a party of 8, we should have had at least 1 server for our table, but the server was also handling the bar! The menu rarely changes (though the food is always good), and it is disappointing to see such culinary talent (with Mr. Loos) be so complacent with the menu selections. Come on, guys - what's going on?!?
(3)Aspen N.
Coming to La Provence was part of my bike weekend which included biking to Abita Springs and touring the Abita Brewery and biking here from the Fountainbleu Camp Site. You can totally arrive here via bike off the St. Tammany Trace and just slip through the trees and bushes and enter through the back. Entering from the back of the trail lets you walk through the "farm" part first hand and then walk through to the restaurant. There are a couple of pigs in a pen and some nesting hens in the back, but I doubt they supply them with all their eggs, and are probably just there to let you get the feel of a farm-to-table restaurant, which is fine, since most of the menu items are locally sourced. There are also some raised beds that have an assortment of herbs and a couple of other vegetables. The menu is very seasonal. The boyfriend got the whole roasted rabbit with chanterelles and heirloom squash and it was by far my favorite thing we ordered. Are squash even allowed to taste that good? Every part of the rabbit was amazing. Besides Cochon's rabbit and dumplings, it's probably the best rabbit I've had. I got the pan fried poppy drum with lump crab meat, wild mushrooms and hollandaise. Although a pan fried fish with hollandaise sounds rich, the dish wasn't that heavy and the fish was cooked perfectly. We also got the candy bar for dessert, which I wasn't totally in love with. It had different layers to mimic a candy bar, and I feel like the chocolate layers weren't strong enough and could have been more chocolatey. Extra awesomeness to this place for giving you pate to eat with your crostini. I'm a huge pate fan and love organ meats, but for those who aren't such big fans, this pate really isn't that strong and I definitely reccomend trying it even if you're not into pate. The place was full when we ate there, but not all the dining rooms were open and we had to make reservations to get a table. It was not loud at all and I loved the dining area. The menu is clean and simple, not over the-top and over-explained. I wouldn't expect anything less at a Besh restaurant.
(4)Cara M.
Great intimate dining experience. From the moment we sat down everything was top notch. Our server was great and made everything sound as delicious as it tasted. Our entire table loved their meals. Some of our great selections included : oyster appetizer, salt & pepper shrimp, crawfish soup, softshell crab dinner, pork shoulder, escarole, blackberry cheesecake and praline monkey bread for dessert!! A++! Can't wait to go back.
(5)Liz C.
The setting is beautiful.. and totally worth the drive across the lake. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and so nice. The flavors were unique and the food was cooked perfectly. What a treat.. I'm so glad we went!
(4)John L. H.
My most recent trip to La Provence was phenomenal. This is truly one of my favorite places to dine. If I could raise the rating above five stars, I would. On this most recent trip we were treated like celebrities. The hostess, manager, server and bartender all created us, asked if we were celebrating anything and offered to do anything the could to make our experience better. It was truly some of the best service I have ever experienced. The food here is as amazing as the service. The chicken liver pate that is brought to your table is so rich and delicious, you will be longing for it long after your meal. There is a farm behind the restaurant and I believe the pate comes from their own chickens, so that could explain the freshness. We ordered house smoked salmon and something called malfatti. The salmon was good, but the malfatti was my favorite. It was a mixture of Creole cream cheese, crabmeat, house cured bacon, tomatoes and a small amount of broth. My mouth is watering just recalling the flavors. For entrees we ordered the duckling and the special which consisted of braided pork belly topped with a lobster tail. The duck is great. Slow cooked and falling of the bone tender, the sauce is thick and delicious. The special was surprisingly good. I am not a lobster fan, but the pork belly was very good. The server told us that all of the pork they served was from their own farm out back which just adds to the entire experience. For dessert we had creme brulle and bread pudding. Both dishes were wonderful. While we were seated the bartender of 31 years approached us and struck up a conversation. Apparently the bartender writes poetry as well as makes an amazing French 75. She brought us some lovely poems and a bookmark which just made the night even more wonderful. This restaurant is amazing. If you haven't been, go. I don't care where you live, it is worth a trip.
(5)Kenneth B.
Last night was my wife's birthday and Endymion was rolling in New Orleans so we went up to La Provence for dinner. We had never been there before but have been to all of the other Besh restaurants here in the city. Although we are generally a fan of Besh restaurants, we will not be going back to La Provence. The food was just OK. Nothing to write home about. The service was horrendous. We had a waitress named Candice who has absolutely no business being a waitress. She had no personality, barely checked on us, and we had to drag the specials out of her. She mumbled in a low voice that made it impossible to hear what she was saying. The only clear thing she said all night was she she carded us. Yes, she carded my wife (34) and I (38) when we ordered two glasses of wine. Her reason---"it's Mardi Gras and I'm 21 and get carded all the time so I card people whenever I get a chance." Which makes sense because we all know how often teenagers drive out to a restaurant in the middle if nowhere and pay $75 a head for a meal so they can order two $14 glasses of wine. I will say that the sweet young lady running food was pleasant, outgoing, and hustled all night with a smile on her face. She and Candice should have switched jobs. All in all La Provence is par for the course in the cultural and culinary wasteland that is the Northshore. The only restaurant worth crossing the bridge for is still Dakota.
(1)kirsten c.
Wow. Just wow. One of the best meals I've had! I had the sheepshead fish and the hollandaise that accompanied it was amaaaaazing. And the pate they give you to nosh on before dinner was the best we've had. I wish we lived closer so we could go more often! Service was also excellent!
(5)Tiff D.
Beautiful dining area with a fire place and cute patio. The menu is classic yet creative. I wanted to love this place (don't you hate when people say that?)...well I did want to, but it just didn't happen. 3 course brunch for $28 is a good deal for the quality of the food. Everything is farm fresh. They have a farm right out back! Pigs and chickens and produce. I ordered Fried Goat Cheese and Heirloom Beet Salad, Slow Cooked Yard Egg Sardou, and a trio of desserts shared among friends. The goat cheese was the only good thing on the Fried Goat Cheese and Heirloom Beet Salad. Maybe I just don't like beets? and those orange things on the plate...texture of peaches but tasted awfully bad. The Egg Sardou was served in a jar. I appreciate the playful plating. The flavors were good. The sauce very rich. The issue was with the egg. I understand its soft poached...but this egg was raw, just barley warmed through. The whites were still clear. (As was the case on my boyfriends Slow Cooked Yard Egg "Salad Nicoise"). I guess thats just the way they do it...but I couldn't eat it. The best part was the dessert. I tried the Sweet Potato Beignets, Bread Pudding, and Ricotta Filled Crepes. The beignets were basically doughnut holes and were so darn good. Served with a cane syrup ice cream that could have been eaten alone. The bread pudding was the lightest one I've had in Louisiana and perfectly sweet. The crepes were not crepes but Blintzes. The orange sauce Suzette was sweet and tangy. The service was great. We never felt rushed and always had what we needed. I would definitely recommend this place but perhaps I could ask for my egg to be cooked a bit more, I'm sure they would accommodate.
(3)Big E.
We went for Sunday brunch and it was amazing on a level that is indescribable. The service was fantastic, but we started with a pate that was so good we almost had knife fights over it. The confit duck leg with lentils was so good I would crawl across a boiling tar pit full of dino-zombies to get another one. Will definitely go again and again and again and again . . . John Besh is talent personified.
(5)Shawn M.
Nice atmosphere, and perhaps we went on an off night, but the food was just mediocre, the service was fair, the portions were small, and consequently, my wife and I felt it was overpriced. All in all, based on our experience on May 24th, I would say it is overrated.
(2)Atticus R.
Came here for Sunday brunch on the drive out of town... amazed I did not wreck on the way home I was so full and satisfied. From the pate and bread to the garlic sausage, soft shell crab and grits to the plum tart for dessert, everything was beautiful and delicious and perfectly prepared. I have eaten at August in NOLA... this was definitely a different experience but one well worth having.
(4)Taylor R.
I don't like writing reviews with low stars, especially when I'm clearly in the minority - all other reviews of La Provence are raves. But our experience was a disappointment. I chose this restaurant for a special event with my husband. Obviously, there are no shortage of restaurants to choose from in New Orleans, but La Provence looked romantic and intimate and special. Then I saw this on the website and it sold me: "guests will be greeted with Champagne and hors d'oeuvres as they peruse the day's offerings and make their choices." We arrived, walked through the courtyard to the bar and waited by the door as staff came and went. No champagne, no hors d'oeuvres - in fact, no one spoke to us at all. Finally we started to walk around and a waiter stopped us and told us that the host desk was in another direction. He and others had seen us standing there, looking awkward - couldn't they have told us that before? Found the hostess and she showed us to our table. The dining room was so, so loud that it was hard to hear each other talk. Even though it was January, there were no fires in the fireplaces as the other reviews mentioned below. We ordered a bottle of wine and first course. I had the butter lettuce salad and my husband had the gnocchi. Both were excellent. For dinner I had the tripple tail with risotto, which was great. My husband had the shrimp etouffee over pasta, which was really bland and boring. We ordered the chocolate torte for dessert - the dish and the presentation were so bad, it was almost insulting. My husband said he felt like we were being rushed to finish up, so we left without lingering and talking like we planned. Really disappointing. I think I've changed my strategy for romantic evenings out - go somewhere you already know and love. Don't set your expectations too high with a new place. That's my advice to myself. As for La Provence, please take the promise of Champagne and hors d'oeuvres upon arrival off your website. Little touches would make you special if you actually delivered them. Instead everything about our experience was a major letdown.
(2)Meghan K.
My husband and I went to NOLA to for our anniversary (from Houston) and we chose this restaurant to celebrate at. We went on a Sunday night and the restaurant was pretty dead: 4 tables including us, so it was pretty quiet. Perhaps this helped in the service department, because the service was hands-down fanfreakintastic from the moment we walked in the door until we drove away. The maitre d was very welcoming, our server was prompt to greet us. She seemed to genuinely enjoy her job and the passion she exuded made us even more excited to be there. She was knowledgeable and friendly, yet professional. One thing that really stood out was how the bartender (who has apparently been there 30 years) and the maitre d would come by every so often and ask how we were enjoying our dishes. Even after the dish was gone, they knew what we had ordered. The chef also came by and spoke with us for a minute. Now to the food. I ordered the quail gumbo and softshell crab, while my husband ordered the pumpkin soup and duck for his meal. The gumbo was very good, albeit a little heavy for an appetizer for my taste, and the pumpkin soup was divine. The crab was humongous and delicious. My husband's duck was very good too, but he was a little disappointed that the breast wasn't cooked rare, but then he took into account that the duck was cooked whole, and it wasn't just a slab of breast that can be quickly seared. It was very good though. For desert we got the candy bar and the bacon ice cream. The candy bar was really good. The bacon ice cream was alright. It was interesting. It's one of those things where after a couple bites, you're good to go. I looove the decor of the place. It feels so welcoming and homey, yet still upscale. We just got a handwritten thank you note from the restaurant. I believe it was from our waitress, but I'm not 100% sure. Either her or the maitre d. How sweet is that though? Talk about going above and beyond. We WILL be back. Oh and I already forget the name of their signature cocktail...something with lavender in it, but it is reaaally good. Try one!
(5)Debi S.
My sister and i took my Mom to La Provence for her birthday last month. It's one of John Besh's restaurants and they serve farm to table. All herbs, vegetables and most of the meats are raised at the back of the property. It's about an hour drive from the French Quarter but I understand that a lot of tourists are sent here by their hotel concierge. The setting is a country french creole house, very warm and inviting. They serve hot french bread homemade pate' which is sooooooo good! We ordered the 5 course chef's menu with an emphasis on seafood and they also have a three course fixed price menu for $25.00. Our first course was a mixed greens salad with pancetta. The waiter told us that they support the sustainable farming of heritage breed pigs which have a unique flavor that has been bred out of commercially raised pork...heritage breed pigs come from centuries-old bloodlines, from a time when pigs were pasture-raised and allowed to forage for food. These breeds are raised by a small number of farms and La Provence is beginning to raise their own. The sommelier recommended a French white burgundy that paired nicely with our seafood entree'. We were served a local rabbit ravioli appetizer with fresh pasta and a delicate marinara sauce. Our entree' was softshell crab with lump crabmeat and a brown butter, meuniere sauce. For dessert, we had the bread pudding with butter pecan whiskey sauce.
(5)Cheryl K.
We were in NOLA for Valentine's Day and someone recommended La Provence. We were hesitant at first since we would have to rent a car to get there. Am I glad that we did!! So worth the drive. The food, atmosphere, service...everything was top-notch!!
(5)Kelly H.
Excellent! Really, it doesn't get much better than this! The idea of a classic French farmhouse situated along a stretch of highway about 45 minutes north of New Orleans is not as out there as it sounds. In fact, it works! The interior is elegant without going overboard or becoming too formal. It has retained a very relaxed atmosphere - quite romantic even. The food - out of this world! The escargot in a pesto based sauce was excellent. The escargot were firm but not at all tough and very well season. An entree of rabbit loin wrapped around rabbit stuffing (think rabbit sausage) and then the whole thing wrapped in bacon was surprisingly delicate and out of this world good! DP's redfish topped with a shrimp and crabmeat sauce was out of this world! Two desserts: a creme brulle that was quite good and an amazing scoop of ice cream - Bacon Pecan in a Steen's Cane Syrup base ice cream. Oh yes - the sweet/salty/creamy mix of contrasts totally worked! Best darn Ice Cream I have ever eaten! The wine list almost exclusively french (appropriate as this is a french Restaurant) but surprisingly reasonably priced. Oh and service - perfect! A truly great restaurant!
(5)Derek R.
Best of the Besh! We have tried all of the other Besh restaurants in town and both agree that this one is his best. Looking for a romantic dinner in an unique setting? This is the place! The country lodge ambiance complete with the wood burning fireplace all blend together to create a wonderful atmosphere for a special evening out. Food and service are always top notch - as are the drinks. ;) This is one of the few places in NOLA where you actually can dress up and not feel out of place. Coat and tie are recommended. As for the meal, my wife and I both tried the chef specials. My wife had the braised pork belly with lobster tails over slaw and I went out on a limb and tried the venison over pasta. Hers was better than mine but isn't that always the case? The place was packed and our server forgot about us for a while but he made up for it by giving us a complimentary drink on the house - which was nice. :) I don't recommend their after dinner coffee drinks though. I ordered a kahlua and coffee and it had coffee grounds in it from their French press. We have been to this restaurant 5-6 times and have never been disappointed. Highly recommend reservations! Give them a try, you won't regret it! Cheers!
(5)Mary T.
This was a surprise, we are not from here and we were not told where we were going. From the highway, it just looked like a little building with some palmettos in front. Inside, there are warm stucco walls, fireplaces, nice bar.. enough about the decor. We had some picky kids with us, so we were worried about what they would eat. No problem. Our wonderful server offered them some pasta and fries (!) They were happy. We ordered the market menu, which had a fantastically crisp pissaladiere, chestnut risotto with shrimp, and flourless chocolate cake. Everything was wonderful, service was warm and friendly. Worth the drive across the causeway.
(5)randall r.
I'm almost at a loss for words, but not quite. This place was amazing! I've been wanting to go for a good while now, but never seemed to be able to make it happen. Finally, I took my mom and some friends there for brunch a few Sundays ago. I had heard so many great things and had such high expectations that I worried that I had set my sights too high. Well, I had nothing to worry about. It blew me away and exceeded my expectations. My friend, a very critical foodie, was so frustrated because she couldn't find a single thing to criticize. The ambience, the food, the service... spectacular. And that was for brunch. I can't imagine what it's like for dinner. Not to mention that the menu was so interesting with wonderful choices and a 3 course brunch for only $28. The Warm Ricotta Flan and Roasted Heirloom Beet Salad for the first course was what I had and was incredible. My mom had the duck confit on lentils for a first course and it was bigger than most main courses (we all helped her eat it). Everything that everyone had was out of this world good. We all agreed that it was one of the best dining experiences over all that we've ever had. We're headed back there again this Sunday for the Easter Brunch. I hope it lives up to the expectations it has already set for us. I think it will. I'll let you know.
(5)Josh U.
Enjoyed a really good fish entree and even better beignets (their own twist on the classic) with their homemade ice cream. The service was very good and the atmosphere is unique. However the table we were sat at was simply a round folding table with a tablecloth draped over it. Needless to say that the folding legs were along the outer edge and right in the way of several people dining with us. They also are really too pushy with their "house rules" (i.e. chef's wishes).
(4)minimalist -.
Really disappointing, especially considering the prices and the reputation. I'm not sure if Besh has let his restaurants get away from him now that he is so famous but our recent meal at La Provence during the holidays was not that great an experience. One member of our our party got sick later that night (the only thing she had that we did not was the lamb) and my bouillabaisse was small puddle of flavorless broth with shriveled up mussels and tiny shrimp (inexcusable given that the Gulf of Mexico is 30 minutes away).
(2)Steve B.
I am really hating to write this review. The food at this restaurant has been good every time I've visited. On our most recent visit, it was unbelievably so. The braised venison was some of the best food I have eaten. I have been eating great food all across the country for many years and expect to become jaded at some point. Clearly this restaurant has pushed that to another day. Now the sad part. Somebody must have come by just before we arrived and severely beaten the entire front of the house with a stick full of stupid. I sincerely hope this was just a very, very bad night, because neither the kitchen nor the diners deserve this treatment. Nearly every single thing that didn't come from the kitchen was a problem. Seldom was water refilled despite several people with water pitchers standing around talking to each other. When someone did refill the water and we inquired about our missing drink order, they flatly refused to help. Three drink orders were forgotten (at a table for two). A promised decanter took 45 minutes to arrive leaving no time for the wine to open up before the main course arrived. Fortunately when the decanter did arrive, the wine was poured expertly, but we had to ask for glasses. Our waiter was very apologetic about the situation and brought us a desert as a gesture of apology. I appreciated this and won't hesitate to return, but the service really needs to be at least competent in such an outstanding restaurant. Another minor improvement could be realized by softening the light very slightly.
(4)Aviv G.
very nice menu and lovely setting. the lamb we had was the best I've ever tasted. the mahi mahi was cut too thin, though.
(4)Jerry H.
This is one of the finest restaurants I have been in America. The food was fresh, so fresh you could taste it. Our waiter was wonderful and very enjoyable. He paid just enough attention to us but not too much that he was annoying. The meal we had spoiled us for weeks, I just felt like every meal was garbage. This restaurant is definitely worth the trip from New Orleans.
(5)Evelyn W.
Well worth the drive from the French Quarter. The staff and service were friendly and accomodating. Each course came out promptly and at the perfect temperature. We shared the escargot and goat cheese beet salad. Both were great. The pate was delicious. Our entrees were the sablefish and slow roasted lamb. Both were beautifully presented and tasty. The desserts were creative and fun. I had the bacon ice cream (a nice surprise!) and he had the sweet potato beignets. We will definitely be back.
(4)jamesandsue g.
Is this really the same owner of August and Luke? We invested two hours driving to and from the French Quarter; unfortunately we had the worst meal I can recall, on Christmas Eve no less. We were seated promptly, ordered cocktails and served a complementary chicken pate. The pate was wonderful. 40 minutes later, our appetizer was served. Our water glasses were empty and still no cocktails. My salad was tasteless. It was an overabundance of lettuce with a whisper of dressing. The soup was also bland and lacking in flavor. The waitress cleared the uneaten dishes without comment, much like a beleaguered server at a bad chain restaurant. After speaking with the hostess and asking if there was any way to turn the night around, our entrees were promptly rushed out and our server apologized things were taking so long. I don't think either of them realized it wasn't the speed of service, more the quality of service that was lacking. The entrees were fine. Unfortunately dessert came and my chocolate molten cake wasn't molten at all. It was burned to the point that it should never have left the kitchen and we had to ask for silverware to eat it. I really don't understand how a restaurateur of Besh's caliber can have great restaurants with world-class service in New Orleans, but fail so miserably at this remote locale. The manager realized how bad the entire experience was and took care of the meal, but it was still a huge waste of time and a wasted dinner in New Orleans, which is the biggest loss since we only visit the city a couple of times each year. Dinner at August the following night was amazing and flawless.
(1)rayanddonna r.
We went here Jan 16th, missed the Saint's game too! I have to break this experience down into two separate ratings. First, we paid for and received first-class service. Nothing but kudos on the service side. The staff were friendly and jumping over themselves to wait on us. This was likely due to the fact that were were the only people there, initially at least. It was after all the playoffs. Others filtered in perhaps three more groups and the service remained great. The complementary pate was some of the finest I've ever tasted and it set the standard for which the remainder of the meal would fail to achieve, save for the sweet potato soufflé. We both decided on two different "Menu" options and a few appetizers. The grilled oysters were fine but nothing to remark about. The butter lettuce salad was also unremarkable. The pissaladière was bland and tasted only of caramelized onion. My wife got the veal option and she thought it tasted like beef stew with dry meat. The tastiest part of that dish was the Anson Mills Grits. I had the shrimp and risotto. This dish was nothing more than average and far below what I would have expected from a Besh establishment. I regret not having ordered from the entrèe selections. I rarely order a bottle of wine when dining in the U.S. since there is usually an outrageous mark-up on the price, the winelist at La Provence is no exception with one of the least expensive reds being a Languedoc vin de pays at $35.00. I can find better cuisine at half the price ($150 for two) and half the driving distance, therefore I doubt that we will ever find our way back to La Provence. If it weren't so far to drive from Hammond I might try another attempt at the main entrèes just because the service was so good. But the reality is that first impressions are lasting. Service: Water glasses never emptied, wine glasses were promptly refilled, plates were removed promptly, sequencing of courses was proper and the staff was otherwise very attentive. Our concerns were all about the food.
(2)