The Franklin
2600 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA, 70117
The Franklin Menu
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Address :
2600 Dauphine St
New Orleans, LA, 70117 - Phone (504) 267-0640
- Website https://www.thefranklinnola.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :6:00 pm - 11:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Colin A.
Stopped in for a drink and a snack the other night. Great drinks and a really interesting menu. The fried mushrooms were good, the escargot eclair was better. Will have to go back hungry some day soon.
(4)Jill R.
Our airbnb hostess in the margny suggested this dinner spot while we were in town. It was 10 min walking distance from our place in the margny. The interior atmosphere was very classy although u could feel comfortable in casual clothes. Lighting was a bit dark so it was problematic 2 read the menus. The food was outstanding, but the service was lacking and that is the only reason I did not give it 5 stars.
(4)Ann C.
I'm a fan of The Franklin! New Orleans needs more places like this- bar/lounge type places that also serve good food (places in the same vein as The Delachaise and Bouligny Tavern), so I'm glad The Franklin is now open in the Marigny. Great little space, cool decor, dark lighting and woodwork. I like the style of the place and I like the food and drinks too. They also had lots of specials the night I went, which was unexpected and nice! The bruschetta with tomato jam was great and I love the fact that they have a few different amaros in the bar. Will be going back.
(4)Ron B.
Took friends from Michigan there to celebrate 2 birthdays in October. Atmosphere of the place was nice, and impressed with the acoustics of the ceiling. Our server was very attentive and nice. We shared the steak a la mode, and pommes frites. Food was WAY too SALTY. I don't understand how chefs send out salty food. Then the entrees, although pretty good, were "heavy". The sweetbreads and oxtail were cooked almost the same way - sweetbreads should be light in taste, but were as heavy as the oxtail. If you have high blood pressure, not the place to eat. Maybe they'll read this and start TASTING the food before just sending it out. May try them again in the future if we read that the salt content is "below sea level."
(3)Joey G.
My wife and I were celebrating our one year wedding anniversary on Easter Sunday and wanted something casual yet refined and found The Franklin to be just that. Much to my surprise we were seated immediately, and on one of the busiest brunch days of the year no less. The decor is very well thought out; warm and inviting with rustic elements. We started with two cocktails: One with tequila, pamplemousse liqueur, & sparkling rose, and the other a Sour with Mezcal. Both were well balanced and delicious. We ordered the Crab Tostada as an appetizer and it was a beautiful dish; bright and acidic, with sweet lump crabmeat, creamy avocado, & finely diced beet & radish. The dish was a great start to our meal. I then tried the special of the day which was Oaxaca cheese grits, goat boudin, bacon red eye gravy, fried eggs, & house-made flatbread. It was a perfectly portioned and equally delicious dish. My wife had the Huaraches with carnitas, masa cake, fried egg, and despite not being listed on the menu, refried beans. The dish was very good but my wife is not a fan of beans (sad, I know) and had she known beans were involved, would not have ordered. I loved the dish and would order it again. We wrapped up our meal with two glasses of Cremant Rose (doesn't get much better than Pinot & Chardonnay Rose imo) and their delicious Churros, which despite being quite full, we devoured entirely. The service was a bit slow but that's to be expected for brunch almost anywhere. All of the staff we encountered were courteous and accommodating. I had heard good things about this relatively new spot and was not disappointed. We will certainly be returning to this Bywater gem.
(4)Jessica S.
Gleam in the low-lit, cozy glow of this intriguing gastro-pub. Dance around the surprising small plates, or sample the artfully composed entree's or... both. The avocado tempura with lump crabmeat is a must, but that's not to say that everything else wasn't perfectly prepared and savory as well. The meal left me totally satisfied without feeling overwhelmingly full, and that's including the flourless chocolate upside-down cake...with toasty coconut shavings... mmmm Thank you for a lovely evening Franklin, I will be back.
(5)C J.
I had high hopes for The Franklin, but I was not blown away by my overall experience. Firstly, as a resident of the neighborhood, I really appreciate that they rehabbed a vacant & blighted building. I enjoyed the atmosphere. The decor is chic and trendy, the noise level is moderate. The dining room is divided, which creates intimacy and keeps the noise level down. The service was decent, considering our server had obviously never had a waiting job before, and her knowledge of the menu was limited, at best. She was very sweet though, and we weren't in a hurry, so it didn't matter much. Their cocktail menu is crafty and trendy. A complete list of their liquors would have been useful and would have saved the server a trip to the bar to write down the list of rums. Small plates: Shrimp fritters w/ pineapple & peanut sauce and creole tomato and brie plate. Both were good. Salads: the root vegetable salad was excellent and the presentation was beautiful. The green salad with curry dressing tasted like a mouthful of curry. WAY too heavy on the curry - not so good. Entrees: 1) Softshell crab with vermicelli salad - very good. The crab was delicate and well cooked and the vermicelli salad was bright, light, and complemented the fried crab very well. 2) The gulf fish w/a risotto-type side (forgot exactly what) was rich and well seasoned. 3) The pork chop with chutney turnover was a huge disappointment. The presentation was bad, the pork chop was tough and dry, and the sauce was bland and unimpressive. Pork chops aren't rocket science, I make a better one at home. Dessert: no complaints here. Flourless chocolate cake w/coconut ice cream and house-made coffee ice cream did not disappoint. Overall, not the worst dining experience I've had in New Orleans, but I probably won't return. There are many other places in town to have an outstanding meal.
(3)Call_Me D.
The atmosphere and vibe here are great. They are definitely trying new things, and I've not had foie gras or escargot quite that way. That being said, I don't want to try it that way again. Big kudos for the decor and booze selection. Try it when you're open to some interpretative cuisine.
(4)Anne W.
The fresh raw fish (tuna) melted in my mouth. So tender and tasty with the slivers of celery and the savory dressing. The avocado tempura was amazing as usual. Saturday nights are busy but the staff always accommodates every party. The lemon curd ice cream is amazing as well.
(5)Jeffrey D.
This place is a great discovery!
(5)Samantha F.
Really liked this place. The ambiance is dark and chic. Think Bouligny Tavern but a cooler neighborhood. Great cocktails and food. We really loved the fried oyster mushrooms. The rosemary sauce was excellent. Nice bar. Cool people - a tad hipster.
(4)Elijah C.
I'm in love. Yes, the neighborhood has changed; for the better I would say. The Franklin delivers an exciting alternative to area stalwarts, and ushers in a new era of sophisticated Marigny dining. Dark wood and elegant lighting set the stage for expertly crafted cocktails, a vivacious wine selection, and culinary treasures fit for the discerning crowd.
(5)Judy W.
Hipster New Orleans at its indifferent best. Terrific food and cocktails, snotty service. When asked if we might be served and out in 45 minutes to make another commitment, our waitperson said "I make no guarantees." There might have been other ways to handle this, like "Let's see what we have on the menu that might be quick," or "I'll see what I can do." Cocktails were fresh and unique, small plates were quite tasty, but the service would keep me away. Too many places with great food AND great service.
(3)Brian S.
Got there with two others around 10:30 on a Friday night so didn't have to wait for a table. Had the following: Tomato & Cheese crostini--good Shrimp fritters with pineapple--very good Escargot mini-po-boy--OMG! LOVE this!!!!! Avocado tempura topped with crab meat--OMG! Love this too!! Steak and strawberry tartar--Unreal--a meal unto itself!! (tho I might've preferred softer bread to go with it to absorb the jus) I then had the pork loin with chutney tart(?) which was very good. One friend had a soft shell crab w/pasta special that was amazing. The other had a special appetizer--grilled cheese topped with chanterelle mushrooms which was different and much better than it sounds. The 'shrooms alone were divine! Service (by the lovely Janeline) was perfect--especially appreciated her finding candles to go with dessert as it was one friend's birthday. And everything was very reasonably priced--please keep it that way! (I'm guessing the tab would've been 40% more in NYC.)
(5)vann m.
Two months new. Mezcal and bourbon based cocktails lackluster, food portions small and pricey, but flavor profiles fair to good. Ambience, vibe, music more adult than the hipper new joints in the bywater. Will give it time to develop.
(3)Chester C.
Exquisite flavors for the pallet. Portions are small. . . you will definitely want dessert to feel satisfied at the end of the meal. We had a glass of Pinot Noir that was poured from the dregs of a bottle that was opened the night before. Just could not figure out what was so special about this wine that the charge would be $12 a glass! So don't be too hungry when you go in, enjoy the fabulous flavors of the food and expect to pay New York City or higher prices.
(4)Donna S.
Every bite was superb! LOVED this place and will return often.
(5)Karin H.
It would be nice, if someone could poor a drink in less than 45 minutes. We sat down at the bar, were very polite, ordered (eventually) very simple beverages...and were treated like pariahs. As residents of Nola...we will never be back to this house of douche bags again.
(1)Mark S.
Okay, let's cut to the chase. GO TO THE FRANKLIN. Now! Or, don't, because I'd rather have it all to myself. Ambiance, really good, and the worst thing there. I loved the artwork, retro light bulbs, etc. However, it was a little dark for my old eyes. Service was excellent. Our server (Kerry? Cute, with lots of ink, dreadlocks and a faux eye patch Arrrgh) was great, helpful, there when we wanted her and away when we didn't need her. The drinks were very creative and excellent. If you're an old fashioned kind of guy, order their riff on the classic. The piece de resistance was the food. Started with the Escargot Eclair. Could have eaten a couple of those. Moved on to the Steak a la mode. The "mode" was foie gras ice cream! Don't shake your head until you've tried it. It's addictive. Tempura fried avocado stuffed with crabmeat. Great fries. Wonderful dessert with coconut. Don't remember what it was called, because by then I had been overserved. Pricing was not bad. You can have a great time and meal just ordering drinks and small plates, although the entrees looked good.
(5)Barry K.
The Franklin is a trendy and slightly spendy experience. In terms of food I'd give 4 stars, overall experience was ~3.5. Had several appetizers including the tuna crudo, fried avocado and two others that I can't remember. The other two were tasty, just not memorable apparently. I did enjoy the raw tuna, considering how rare it is to get a good ceviche in this town. I wish the serving size had been significantly larger though. Drinks were a bit spendy and fancy for my taste. The blackened fish for the main course was very good. Overall the food exceeded expectations. That said, for the amount we spent, I felt like service could've been a good bit better and efficient. Bar service was at a crawl, water glasses were empty most of the evening, and there was about a 30 minute gap between appetizers and mains. Not a deal breaker, just felt that there could have been a courtesy lagniappe for the amount of time we waited. It was also extremely busy and loud. We arrived right before the crowd hit and then it seemed like it was standing room only around the bar. Personal preference but I like to be able to hear the conversation at the table better than here. Granted, Maurepas is still louder. I would come back, preferably on a weeknight to avoid the crowd though.
(3)Brady F.
I wan in NOLA for 6 days and I went twice (that tells you something). The space is great, crowd is nice, and the staff was very attentive and helped me pick out great choices.
(4)Julia S.
On our final night of our NOLA vacation my husband and I were actually kind of tired of eating amazing but rich meals. (our waistlines agreed!). We found our way into the quieter, cozier ambiance of the Franklin as a respite but were surprised to have the best meal of our entire stay! (and believe me, we were eating very well at many of the highest rated restaurants in NOLA.) From the moment we entered, we felt welcomed, relaxed and even romantic. The food was delicious and we simply shared a mouthwatering series of small plates all of which were amazing. Don't skip dessert and do have one or two of their very lovingly created cocktails. This was the best meal in NOLA for my husband and me.
(5)Lauren H.
Franklin was delicious! The space is beautiful. Be sure to check out the photograph of Hong Kong in the back corner - not a single human in the whole thing. The food was delicious! Try the raw tuna. I will definitely be going back.
(5)Lyric K.
This food was the best I've ever had in NOLA (and I always eat well in NOLA) - - this visit was all foodie all the time and The Franklin simply was TOPS. This is a place where the small plates RULE. Order the tempura battered avocado with crabmeat which was tender and creamy and seasoned so delicately that it melted in our mouths. If you're really hungry, you might want to order two, because myself and the other woman in the party ate the whole thing - we shared it not. The Oysters (grilled with garlic butter) were the best I had over the entire weekend, as were the sweetbreads - which is saying something, because I'm not a huge fan of the sweetbreads, but everyone else (who loves them) were in a veritable swoon. My next fave was the steak and strawberry tartare - which I would order just for myself next time. I love a great tartare and have eaten whenever I can get it all over the nation - and this was by and far the most creative and elegant version I've ever had. The crawfish pies where hit and melty and too easily gone! And yes, try the escargot - I NEVER eat the snails - - but my peeps convinced me to try it. I'm now a fan - I would order it again in a heartbeat. The seafood gumbo? Every One. Needs. A. Bowl. of This. Gumbo. We had quite a few bowls over the weekend and nothing, and I mean nothing compared to this creation - - a dark roux with bold spicing topped with crunchy flash-fried okra. We order 2 entrees, the Courtboullion (fish soup) which was too fishy and not being a fan of fish soups - really wasn't interested to begin with. And the soft shell crab special - which was really nice, BUT honestly the small plates and the gumbo is the winner at The Franklin. I highly recommend you going to this place - it is in the Marigny and can be a huge wait if you go on a weekend (luckily there is Mim's bar at the end of the block for a cocktail while you wait). GO SOON! GO OFTEN!
(5)Cynthia R.
Its was the best meal in New Orleans by far after spending 3 days sampling recommended eateries. The ingredients were fresh and we're combined uniquely to please the palate. For example, steak a la mode?! Mere words do it no justice. Highly recommend. Just a few blocks outside the French quarter. Well worth the trip!
(5)Louise S.
Nice upscale ambience with lots of nooks and crannies to make for intimate dining amid a lively atmosphere. All of the appetizers were very good ( fried oyster mushrooms, escargot "po boy", pommes frites) but the tempura avocado with crabmeat was especially good. The highlight of the meal was the drum with grapefruit and tarragon meunière sauce. Who would have thought that combination would have been so good?? It was a generous portion easily split with another person so there was room for dessert. The flour less chocolate cake with coconut sorbet and toasted coconut should definitely not be missed. Wonderful restaurant and great service as well!
(5)Ginger W.
Great addition to the 'hood. Great wine, cocktails and best oysters. Friendly bartenders, so far just say at the bar for apps and drinks. The decor is lovely; great art.
(5)Georgia N.
Unreal. Everything we had was incredible! The tuna special was divine. The shrimp and grits and the pork loin with Brussels sprouts were both amazing! My husband and I have tried nearly every restaurant in the area, and this was definitely our favorite. The service was so friendly and informative, the environment is warm but contemporary. The food, however, was the best part of the night - as it should be! And at the end of the meal, the bill was surprisingly reasonable, especially considering we had quite a few drinks. Come here. You will be happy you did.
(5)Mike B.
Great atmosphere! Dave the bartender was very accommodating, personable and made great drinks!! Food was creative and in line with New Orleans best. Highly recommend.
(5)Bill M.
I have to agree with the somewhat negative reviews above. My main complaints are the limited menu, by the glass wine list and beer list. I thought the room was fine, an attractive remodel of what was there before. My daughter wanted a beer, there were very few options. There were maybe five white wines by the glass from a large and pricey list. I was most disappointed with my tasty shrimp and grits; why not remove the heads? I had to remove those suckers by digging into the nice sauce and grits, it was a messy process. I don't think any of our group was really enthused about the dishes we were served. Hopefully this will all improve as it's great to have more nice options in the Marigny/Bywater. On the positive side, the servers were nice.
(2)Michael K.
Would be 3 stars because of the unnecessary and un-New Orleans hipster attitude of the place. Crazy "craft" beer selection. Of course no domestic lights (because obviously anyone who would drink a Bud Light, Coors Light or Miller Lite must be an unsophisticated moron who wouldn't be dining in their restaurant in the first place). They "only carry one carbonated soft drink - Coke" so my second drink order of a Crown and Seven was rebuffed as well. BUT The Franklin wins back a star because of: 1. Beautifully done space. 2. Pretty decent food. Our waitress was very nice, attentive, knowledgeable and sympathetic about the shortcomings of the restaurant (A/C problems, hipster beer and cocktail list, etc.). Appetizers: Raw tuna with citrus slices - pretty good. Tempura avocado with crab - Amazing. My parents both got the gazpacho which they both liked. I got the poached oysters in a butter sauce with chips. - When you poach oysters some of them become very chewy and end up having to be spit out like a wad of okra. This was the case for two of the oysters. However, it said 1/2 dozen on the menu and i got at least 8. The butter sauce was ok. Entrees: My father got the red fish with crab - He thought it was great. Mother got the soft shell crab special with thin pasta. - I thought the whole dish had a strange herb flavor and tasted like soap. She liked it once she got used to the herb flavoring. I got the coq au vin. - Chef is previously from Lilette. Very good, just like Lilette's with the addition of onion rings. Dessert: Flour-less chocolate cake with some sort of coconut ice cream. The chocolate had cayenne in it to give it a "kick" which is a very hipster and unappetizing ingredient in a dessert in my opinion. The question is, would I return. I'm not sure. The place obviously isn't cheap and in that price range there are many, many options in this city. Despite a beautifully done interior, I felt like I was in Awfulstin, TX, which is a shame. The food was pretty good but not amazing. The clientele was awful. Hipster men in flip flops sharing plates of food, hipster men drinking fruity "craft cocktails" in martini glasses, hipster chatter all around....
(4)Tiffany H.
Killer cocktails...nice atmosphere...the tempura avocado was a nice twist...I'd go back, but next time I think ill try the food menu instead of the cocktail one :)
(5)Anna H.
The Franklin has quickly become my favorite restaurant in town. Part of that is no doubt because of the convenience (it's a short walk from my apartment), but I've also never failed to have a great time at dinner there. The service is great, the atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, and of course the menu is superb. I've never had trouble getting a seat there, and I love that no matter what time you show up or what you're in the mood for, there's an option. I've gone in with out of town friends just for drinks and a selection of appetizers, I've been with my boyfriend for multi-course meals, cocktails and wine, I've gone to the bar alone just to have a drink and do some thinking, and I've gone in with a friend to have after-dinner drinks and dessert - every experience confirmed that I'd made the perfect choice in deciding to visit The Franklin. Personal favorites: Steak a la Mode w/ Foie Gras Ice Cream (hot damn!), the Escargot Eclair, the Goat Cheese/Dates/Figs/Honey plate, and the Bruleed Ginger Studded Plantain.
(5)James E.
Oh, Yelp, my old friend - where shall I begin? You have been with me through thick and thin, through the good times (Mardi Gras, the opening of Bayona, the birth of my first child) and the bad times (the Bayou Classic, the closing of Stella, the death of my Uncle Jack). You have known me through all of these times yet I can't now find the words to explain to you my experience at The Franklin. In short, it was sublime. From the moment I walked in the front door, to the last second as they wheeled me out the back, I was in heaven. The tuna! The ginger snaps! The swordfish! The ruby red shrimps! And - goodness gracious - that jalapeño gelato. Wow! Wow! Wow! So, I tell you - Yelp - you should be so lucky as to enjoy a meal at The Franklin. Go early, go often, and you won't regret it.
(5)Kimberly S.
Beautiful inside. Chic crowd. Had been looking forward to trying the foie gras ice cream with steak....alas, I missed my chance. The grilled soft shell crab (actually came out fried) and salad were delicious. The steak tartare was succulent and rich. The pork loin wrapped in bacon was dry and not really anything special. The dates and figs and goat cheese were yummy, but other than having some rye or caraway seeds sprinkled on them, nothing out of the ordinary.
(3)Jennifer D.
Amazing interesting menu, great service and fun delicious cocktails. Everything we tried was top notch! I am a total foodie and this was one of my favorite top 10 meals of all time! Off the tourist beat and path but a must stop for both locals and tourists! Wish I lived closer (I was there visiting) so I could go again!
(5)Lauren G.
This place was amazing. The waitress was friendly and the food was the best I've had yet in New Orleans. The place had a neighborhood vibe that was vibrant and inviting. I would definitely eat here again.
(5)Joe D.
Totally cool atmosphere...made me think I was in NYC. We started with the escargot eclair with bleu cheese mouse...that was it...I could have stopped her and been satisfied. Instead I had a great mixed green salad with squash and hazelnuts and the on to Coq au Vin with lardons and onion rings. it was quite decadent but finished with the flour less chocolate upside down cake with coconut...I was so stuffed had to roll out!! Great meal!
(4)Dylan M.
This is a hip little space with an excellent bar and bartenders. They do a wonderfully creative Mexican brunch on the weekends with fun Latin vibe tunes playing to get you in the mood to eat their flavorful dishes. I highly recommend the fresh juices the colors of each just makes you feel healthy as you consume them. They are pricey for the small portion but so fresh an interesting. The staff here could not be nicer too. Very conversational and welcoming. The dinner many features a lot of fresh seafood but their vegetarian entree is a welcome addition to the menu and done very well. Defiantly a spot to check out!
(5)Meg H.
LOVE the Franklin. I've been here half a dozen times, so for those reviewers who visited on an off-night, give it another chance. They haven't been open long and it takes a minute to perfect some aspects of service. I tend to stick with small plates and classic cocktails. Love the crostini with burrata and tomato jam as well as the avocado with lump crab. The cuisine could be loosely defined as New American with some French influences. They also have raw seafood preparations for those craving oysters (like I generally am). There's also a tart for dessert with goat cheese in the filling...I die. On to atmosphere. It's dim and there's some awesome artwork. It's basically the opposite of Herbsaint. Rather than being open, with the tables relatively close together, the tables are tucked into dark alcoves and it feels like there are more twists and turns than the space actually contains. My friend who works in the kitchen tells me they get a lot of celebrities as a result. For those who take issue with the staff's appearance ("hipsters" or whatever), what did you expect? Should everyone look and dress like you do? It's never bothered me. Check it out and decide for yourself.
(5)Jinyoung P.
I finally checked out the Franklin this past Saturday. I called before showing up to see how long the waits normally are, and I was told about an hour. I don't like to wait that long, but I figured that we could get a couple drinks at the bar and talk while we wait. When I showed up, my friend was still on her way, and I was told 45 minutes to an hour. I already anticipated that, so that was fine. I found a spot at the bar and ordered my drink, still waiting for my friend, whose GPS wasn't working. I had been at the place maybe 20 minutes by this point, and I was told that our table was ready. Much sooner than expected. The drink I ordered was named "isabelle," and it had 6 things listed under the name and I didn't know a lot of them, but I liked seeing blood orange and honeydew melon on there, so I ordered it, and it was delicious. When I had asked the bartender if the drink is bitter, he told me that it's smoky, and it really was quite smoky. I don't think I've ever really had a drink that tasted like that. After looking up the ingredients, now I see that the smokiness came from the mezcal. When my friend L arrived, we decided to order a bunch of small plates to share. We got the crostini, fried oyster mushrooms, beef tartare with strawberry, goat cheese on fig, fried avocados with crab meat, and some fries. We were seated at a large table with a couple of other folks, and at one point someone across the table from us made a comment that between the three parties at the table, we had ordered all the small plates they had. I expected to like the crostini least, but I loved it. L said that it was a little bit too much jam and not enough cheese for her, but I loved it just the way it was done. The goat cheese and fig were perfect together. The beef tartare was just a tad bit too mustardy, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The fried avocado was good, although I was surprised to see the entire half of an avocado fried. I was expecting something more like avocado fries, in strips. The oyster mushrooms were good, but they were probably our least favorite item. We thought maybe they were a bit too heavily breaded. I loved my experience at The Franklin, and I still have other menu items and drinks I want to try. Seeing as the place is down the street from my place, I will be sure to go back.
(4)Joyce M.
Great food in a cozy environment. Went to the Franklin with my family--which includes two teenagers and my sister-in-law who cannot eat gluten. The menu turned out to be mostly gluten free anyway (no need for special orders) and the staff was very accommodating. Plus, the food was delicious and everyone was happy with their meal, despite the fact that we all have very different tastes. Have been back several times and the food is consistently good. I love the oysters and the avocado tempura with crabmeat. Perfect neighborhood restaurant except that its gotten so popular it can be difficult to get in.
(4)Dirk N.
This is by far one of the best meals of my life! I started with the grilled ciabatta bread and steak tartare. I've had steak tartare before but this was the best I've ever had. Next I enjoyed, very quickly, the bacon wrapped port tenderloin. This I can compare to nothing I've ever had in my life. The others in my party had the avocado tempura with crab and the red fish special, both were very delicious! This will be a must stop on my future return trips.
(5)Leslie G.
On our last night in NOLA, my friend and I decided to venture off the beaten tourist path for dinner and try out The Franklin. Maybe it was due to the fact that we went on a Monday night, or maybe it's the location, but it wasn't crowded at all (seemingly unlike every restaurant in the French Quarter). We were immediately charmed by the elegant yet casual atmosphere. We each started with a cocktail--the g.n.t peel for me (gin, tonic, thyme, grapefruit ribbon), and the Isabelle for my friend (which I didn't try since it's a mezcal drink, which I can't stand). Mine was crisp and sort of savory--a nice combination. My friend enjoyed hers quite a bit as well. For appetizers, we got the grilled oysters with garlic butter and parmigiano and the crawfish pie, which was a special that day. The oysters were fine, but the crawfish pie was amazing--sort of like a large crawfish empanada. I got the fried chicken and biscuits with braised collard greens for my entree, and my friend got the grilled shrimp and grits with tomato and bacon. The marinade that came with the chicken was delicious, but unfortunately some of the chicken was on the dry side. The biscuits and greens were great. My friend said the shrimp and grits were stellar. For dessert, we split the flourless chocolate upside-down cake with coconut sorbet. My friend ate the sorbet (I'm allergic to coconut), which she said had a slightly odd, hard texture. The cake was good, but not the best flourless chocolate cake I've had. Overall it was a positive dining experience and I would be interested to return whenever I'm in town again.
(4)Adriana G.
Garlic/parm oysters: INSANE. Steak with foie gras ice cream: INSANE.
(5)Amanda H.
The food here was delicious! The burrata small plate was to die for. The duck dinner was an amazingly complex dish with tons of flavor a and textures as well. I also highly recommend the watermelon caipirinhas! Atmosphere was great for our anniversary dinner. All the waitstaff were great and our server Julia was the best! So kind and funny. I can't wait to go back and try their brunch!
(5)Jenny S.
I don't usually go for super trendy restaurants, and my visit to The Franklin reminded me why. Three of us arrived for dinner at about 6pm (they don't take reservations, so you have to chance it) and were told it would be 1.5 - 2 hrs for a table. We said sure and headed to Mimi's (at the end of the block) for some cocktails. 1.5 hours goes by.... 2 hours go by... We went back to The Franklin to see if they forgot about us. Nope, they were just still full. We tried to squeeze in by the bar but there wasn't any place to sit or even stand. We were finally seated around 8:30. The food was delicious, but really pricey and with pretty small portions. The avocado tempura with crab meat was amazing & the peanut butter and jelly ice cream dessert was wonderful. Overall, I feel kind of meh about this place. Sure, the food was good and the drinks were decent, but unless you have most of your night to devote to dinner, I'd recommend elsewhere.
(3)Diane Z.
My favorite dish in NOLA! Loved the sweetbreads with oxtail! The sweetbreads were nicely seared and you could really taste the flavors. The oxtail gave it a nice meatiness. Really delicious flavors! We were super full so we only shared that dish and sat at the bar. I wish I tried some more dishes! The bartenders (David and Jefferson) were both super friendly and welcoming. Really loved the service we received. It's a little out of the way and in the middle of nowhere, but definitely worth a trip. We walked over around 9pm and the neighborhood was eerily quiet, so take a cab if you don't want to take a creepy walk. A must go in New Orleans!
(5)Jacinda M.
There's duck liver in my ice cream! Steak a la mode with foie gras ice cream. It is as amazing as you can imagine. Ordered 5 small plates to split between 2 people and was very satisfied. Tomato jam with burrata and crostini Battered avocado with jumbo lump crab Steak and strawberry tartar Steak a la mode Mussels with lemon and capers ALL SUPERB! A little pricey but worth it
(5)Dana T.
Food is delicious but the drinks took so long weird weed and ate our apps before they arrived. Ordered another round with only 14 people in the restaurant took 30 minutes!! Fire the bartender!!
(3)Joi B.
Elijah C's ROTD reminds me that an update is in order, especially now that I've been in several more times. My initial review still holds true in a lot of ways. I still love the ambiance. I still love coming in here to partake in some bubbly, whether that be at the bar (love those bartenders!) or at one of the tables in this dark little lair. But! I take back what I say about their menu. They now have a vegan option! And I'm sure it's seasonal, so I'll have to check back again when I actually eat here, but it seemed very creative and delicious... ie not your typical grilled vegetables or butternut squash soup. After I put up my review, one of the owners kindly contacted me and said that I could go in any time and ask for something vegan, which I think is really awesome. That they went that extra step and added it on the menu makes me love love love them even more. I'll be back to update on just how good that vegan entree is.
(5)Leilani A.
Awesome owners, awesome bartender mixologists for drinks I can't pronounce. Love it. Eric treated my friends like family and damn am I going to miss good customer service. Get the Word drink. Nuff said.
(5)Nancy K.
Had a lovely dinner last night with a dear high school friend in town for FQF - we're both foodies, so we wanted something interesting, but neither of us are super-familiar with the Marigny, so we took a shot on this place. Expected it to be super-crowded per other reviews, but we were seated promptly, and the service was overall exceptional. Had chargrilled oysters and the tuna crudo to start - both great. The Courtbouillon for her (seafood in a rich broth) and the fish with a lovely light grapefruit and asparagus for me. The place is stylish, but not too twee - we approved the decor. The noise level was appropriate, not ridiculous, which is always a plus! Will definitely recommend and be back, because there about 7 other dishes on that menu I want to try! (They were already out of raw oysters and the soft-shell crab special by 8:15...)
(4)John H.
This was our first time. Awesome ambiance. It was after work time on a Friday. Service was impeccable. Our server knew the menu well and rattled off the specials like a pro. Just the right amount of attention. The manager stopped by a couple times to make sure everything was "tasting great?" We had the raw fish app, fried oysters and crusted tuna entree'. The salad was amazing. Arugula, hearts of palm, avocado, and green goddess vinaigrette dressing. It's nice to be able to do a series of small plates or a more traditional large entree.
(4)Grace G.
The Franklin in a word was wonderful. We came here for a night cap and dessert, sat at the bar, and couldn't be more pleased with our experience. The ambience mixes natural design elements like wood and iron with softer touches like a metallic, plush ceiling. I ordered the Kentucky Rifleman and it was one of the best bourbon drinks I've ever tasted! It mixed bourbon with citrus notes and a coffee flavor. So, so good. For dessert we had the Quince almond goat cheese tart with honey ice cream which was divine. Goat cheese and sweet honey on the same dish? Anyways, if you're anywhere near Royal or Dauphine streets, head this way, you won't regret it!
(5)Lynette C.
Went here after work to grab a drink and small plate on a Monday evening. I sat at the bar and the place was moderately crowded, which was nice. Drinks: They have a decent selection of glasses of red, white, and rose wines and an even bigger selection of bottled wines. I first tried their merlot/cabernet franc - tellus vinea '10, which was alright. I'm more of a malbec girl but they didn't have any by the glass. My next drink was a beer and let's just say that if you're a Bud Light kind of person I would shy away from here. They don't have a large selection of beers but from the selection of drafts and bottles I had never heard of any of them. I tried the Clown Shoes galactica IPA and it was very good and well priced. Food: I decided on a small plate even though the entrees looked really good. I chose the avocado tempura with lump crabmeat. The dish has gotten a lot of good reviews on yelp but all I tasted was fried, fried, and more fried. I could barely taste the avocado and didn't taste the crab at all. The fryness was overwhelming and I will not be ordering that again. With that being said I will definitely be back to The Franklin for a real dinner because others things on the menu sounded very appetizing and the ambiance is great. Good place for a romantic date or to meet a friend at the bar!
(4)Peter Z.
Beautiful to look at. Really wanted the food to live up to the hype. Tuna crudo was tasteless strips of not quite thawed out fish, with a mound of celery in the corner of the plate. Fried avacado with crab was a large portion, but virtually tasteless, with no texture - mushy avacado, mushy crab. Swordfish special was the best of the three, but, while I love rare fish, this verged on swordfish sushi, albeit warm. All in all, a disappointment.. The bartender said they had had some "inconsistencies{" in the product the kitchen produced when they first opened. My meal did not demonstrate much improvement.
(2)yvonne a.
Bad service, hour and a half wait for large party to have our table given to the latest walk in. Forgotten drinks, dinnerware and rude waitstaff.
(2)Emma S.
I really wanted to like this place, and after the first course, I thought we had found a good one. But the fact is, my entree was inedible, and my boyfriend's was completely one dimensional. After spending over $100, we actually left hungry. I broke my rule of never ordering the special pasta from a restaurant that I don't have confirmation actually knows how to do pasta right. I wish I hadn't. I have that rule for a reason. After the appetizer was quite good and well-executed (the avo with crab) I thought I would be in the clear. But even after I begged the waitress to bring me some parm, some salt, literally *anything* to make it taste like something other than boiled, crappy, cheap beef fat, I couldn't get it much of it down. It was well-made fresh pasta that was completely ruined by a disgustingly fatty, under-seasoned sauce. I'm not one to send things back, or make a fuss, but I regret not asking for my money back. It was that extreme of a circumstance and while I didn't make a fuss, I had a hard time hiding my distaste for it from the waitress I fear. My boyfriend's coq au vin was not nearly up to our standards (though I admit, they are high for that dish). It was a very minimal, Americanized version lacking in any complexity. The richness that comes from really cooking the wine was lacking, as if it had been rushed. Anyone who has a had a proper version of this dish knows it tastes like much more than just chicken cooked in wine when done right. This version did not. I hope they get their act together with the main courses. The small plates that we had indicated that there is hope, but I wouldn't go back for anything until I got confirmation from a trusted source that they figured it out.
(2)Leah W.
Personally, I'm stoked to have Franklin three blocks from my house. The atmosphere is relaxed and the overall interior design makes for an intimate dining experience. Moving on to the topic of food: both apps myself and Elijah C. ordered were creative and delicious, I would have ordered more but it was late. I had the bruschetta and he had the tuna sashimi app with wasabi cucumbers -- YUM. I'll back soon for more.
(4)Laila B.
This place is beautiful, no doubt. Did this used to be an old praline shop? I can't remember. I liked our dinner here but I just can't shake that I spent $72 on myself for 2 drinks and 3 apps and a dessert split 3 ways. My favorite thing was actually a salad with root vegetables. I had oysters with white remoulade; I'd drink that sauce straight but the oysters weren't fried very well, sort of soggy. I also had beef tartar with strawberries, which I decided was not a good combination. The best thing there was this cocktail I had, the Kentucky Rifleman, which was worth every penny of the $12 it cost. Rye and black walnut bitters, OMG. We shared the quince-almond-goat cheese tart and while I'd eat anything with goat cheese, the crust of this tasted like dirt and the ice cream was icy, which really ruined the texture.
(3)J B.
The food was excellent. I had the tempura avocado with crab meat and the redfish. Both delicious. The three other people I dined with all enjoyed there selections as well. My only dislike as far as the food was the plantains. As someone who grew up on them, I guess I might be a little too picky, you be the judge. They had a weird taste to me, like burnt sugar or something. My only complaint about the whole dining experience was the bar service. It took forever to get our drinks while dining ( we were ordering rum and cokes and wine), and the special house cocktails did not come as described. For example we ordered the "Hemingway" that was supposed to come with maraschino cherries, and it did not. Can't imagine a bar ran out of those, and if you're willing to try an expensive house concoction, it's my opinion it should be served as described. Critique aside, it was a very good dining experience.
(4)Marcia W.
I enjoyed my dinner there the other night. My friends took me there for my birthday. Very good food. My party had 4 appetizers, 3 entrees, 3 deserts, and 3 drinks, all for $150.00. Definitely a good price for the amount and quality of food. I wish I had the menu in front of me so I could give you all of the names of every dish we had. I had a seafood soup-like dish. My friend had the sweetbreads. Another friend had chicken. For apps, we had pommes frites, tuna tartar with watermelon, mushrooms, and...can't remember the other. One of the desserts consisted of coconut sorbet with a chocolate icing, kind of like a cake. The other dish included some yummy ice cream. The service was good although it took a tad long for the food to come out. The interior is beautiful. The only thing I didn't like is the vaguely hipster atmosphere. The wait staff all looked like hipsters, and they all wrote these black outfits that reminded me of the Munsters. Truth be told, I would rather see a lower-end restaurant open in the neighborhood, one that does not cater to the newbies gentrifying the neighborhood. The original resides of the Bywater and the Marigny deserve not to be priced out of their own streets.
(4)Seth G.
To start the ambiance was amazing. They used the same decorator as Bouligny Tavern, but really stepped it up a notch. When you walk in there's a beautiful rustic homey feel that is elegant and their eclectic art on the walls just adds a great twist. The waitress was nice, inviting and made conversation. She did not rush us and gave great advice this made the experience that much better. The food: fantastic. All we did was get a bunch of small plates to share, which I recommend if you like to taste a bunch of things. We ordered tempura avocado with lump grab, the white wine mussels, the fries with aoli and the tuna special. I have to say it was perfect. Of everything, the avocado and lump crab was probably the best. I love avo and crab though so maybe I'm a little bias, but it was a very interest taste mix and the textures really went well together. The tuna special also had an amazing texture mix with an interesting flavor profile. Watermelon, tuna ceviche plus an olive salad- gave it a salty, crunchy, refreshing blend of deliciousness. If i had to do it over again, maybe we would not get the fries, but we wanted something with substance- so it was what it was. Highly recommend this place. Great for a first date, a night out or after work drinks. . Also, close to Frenchman which is a plus!
(5)Goldie H.
Absolutely delicious! Had a first date here and was so pleased with the company and the food! Our server was excellent. I am really bad with names, but she had short brown hair and glasses. She was very attentive without disturbing our conversation, and I really appreciated that. She suggested a great bottle of wine and was very patient with us. The small plates were so good we just kept ordering more and more things to try. We both spent many years in the service industry. Most servers would have been annoyed by this, but she was very happy to continue putting orders in for us. The food was amazing. I woke up this morning craving more beef ala mode! I could literally eat 5 orders! We also had the soft shell crab and it was just perfect. I sometimes order soft shell crab when dining at a new place to test their skills. It can be tricky, but when cooked just right it is amazing just as it was at The Franklin. They put just enough sauce for dipping without making the crab soggy. My least favorite items (although it was still yummy) was the shrimp fritters. The other items were just so good that the fritters had a hard time holding their own next to them. Upon walking in, I thought that it would be more pricey and was please it was not. Perfect for a date night! I took away one star only because the menu was so small and it was so dark it made ordering quite difficult. Fortunately, our server was able to give excellent recommendations and explanations of the off menu items, so we almost didn't need it. Of course, this is nothing that isn't fixable. I would definitely recommend this place. I can't wait to come back and try more things!
(4)Clare P.
The set up of the place is wonderful, the decoration and the wine list make this place perfect for a classy and intimate night out. I was a bit disappointed with the food tho. the Fried Avocado with lump crab meet was quite bland, and its a huge half of an avocado thats fried. The raw tuna dish was so bland, and the chunks of tuna where ridiculously big, no one can eat raw fish that huge. The dessert was quite delicious though and the waitstaff was wonderful! Jessica, our waitress was great, she was very attentive and when asked what todo next in town was very helpful on informing us on places to go. The bathrooms are also quite cool.
(3)Julian L.
Very inventive menu that works. Great value for the price of both small and large plate dishes. Sweetbreads were outstanding. Good speciality cocktails. Since there are no reservations a line forms at 6:00 when doors open for dinner. The place fills up and puts pressure on kitchen since all orders are placed at same time. Expect to wait a bit longer than usual for appetizers and entrees.
(4)j j.
People, if you think this place is some sort of hipster scene, you really need to get out of town a little more often. The staff is young, they work hard, and are friendly. The customers included a older guy in a wheel chair, a middle aged couple, and a few couples in their late 20's. The did have clean clothes on, and can obviously afford some thing more than a dive. The swordfish special was Amazing, and the tomatoes jam app is awesome. Atchafalaya style, and prices, but with their own style and a modern flavor profile. The wine list is also amazing and the sommelier is friendly, down to earth, and always recommends something priced fairly. Great French and Italian whites, priced in the mid $50. Do yourself a favor and go now, while you can still get in
(5)neeta b.
Great spot tucked away in the Bywater - The Franklin has kind of a New York City speakeasy meets NOLA cuisine vibe. I met a friend for dinner here on a Thursday night and we were able to easily grab a spot at the bar. We ordered several small plates which were all great- the avocado tempura with lump crabmeat was particularly delicious. the cocktails were also pretty tasty. The only drawback to this place is it is definitely a little pricier for NOLA. But all in all a great dining experience that reminded me of dinner and drinks in NYC without the prices, long lines or having to dress up.
(4)Wyndal C.
This place is AMAZING!!!!!!! Atmosphere, decor, friendly staff, and the BEST Manhattan that I've ever had. This place is a MUST if you are looking for a classy spot.
(5)Aye T.
Been here twice so far. It's a little pricey but well worth it. The drink list is great and inventive, and the food has all been delicious so far. The inside of the restaurant is stunning-- they've done a great job with the renovations (I felt like I was peeking in for months before they opened!). Excellent date spot. The curry kefir salad would have been good as a smaller side salad, but was a bit overpowering as served. Tomato and burrata appetizer is perfect. Mushroom nori entree was a tiny bit salty, but my mama liked it. Meat-eaters loved their food too.
(4)Stephen L.
I have eaten here 3 times. The 1st and 3rd time, JEFFERSON, the bartender, made strong suggestions on what to eat and what wine to drink. We had a fabulous time. The 2nd time was on a Monday. Nothing was very impressive. The sweetbreads were overcooked and rubbery. JEFFERSON was not working and thus unable to direct me to the good stuff. As someone who used to take the Franklin Avenue bus on my way to Holy Cross High School on Dauphine everyday, I am shocked that there is a restaurant at the corner of Dauphine and Franklin that has quite good food and where you can spend $60 plus for a full meal with wine. I will go back so long as Jefferson is working there and only when he is working there. The fact that he is charming and handsome helps, but what is MUCH more important is that I trust him to direct me to the best food in the restaurant on any given night. To the restaurant manager, if you have a 2nd line staff working Monday nights, change the menu to accommodate their skills. Pretty much everything we had when I went in on Monday was mishandled in the kitchen, whereas the other two nights, everything was very well prepared.
(4)Emily R.
Aside from the attractive decor, I felt like The Franklin was a letdown. I went with a friend recently, and when we were asking the server how many people a cheese plate would serve she vaguely said "a few." When the cheese plate arrived, there were only four pieces (a date or fig with a dollop of goat cheese and a drop of honey) so we each only had two bites from it. That was definitely a rip off. For our main course we each ordered oysters. She got chargrilled and I ordered oysters on the half shell. Well, her oysters arrived a solid 10 minutes at least before mine did. She was finished with her meal by the time I pulled the server aside to inform her I still hadn't received my raw oysters. To me that is pretty basic for a restaurant to bring out people's meals at the same time. The chargrilled oysters were tasty, but I wasn't a fan of the raw because they were enormous (as in so big that they could barely fit in my mouth) and waaay too salty. I doubt I will go back. For the price it should have been better, but maybe the trendiness makes up for the less than great food and service...
(2)Maria R.
Sensational dinner at The Franklin. Fellow diners at a neighboring table recommended the seafood gumbo as being an authentic Cajun gumbo and it was truly divine. It's a large portion so happy we shared it. Shrimp and grits were best I have ever eaten...atmosphere and staff were great. A highlight of our week in NOLA. Our only recommendation to management would be to offer a smaller portion of the gumbo to allow for more small plate tastings as it was a generous size for one.
(5)Rose V.
Wonderful! Five of us ordered a good percentage of the menu and there wasn't a single dish we didn't enjoy. Service from Bethany was great. Really great eat-in bar and comfortable table seating. What an excellent place.
(5)Gabriel G.
Strange response to the place -- it could be anywhere, really. Not clear what they're trying to do. Expensive build-out, which alone never guarantees good outcome without cohesive design; art is high-concept and misplaced in a Bywater/Marigny venue, and, disconnects space with place (screams, "Where am I"?); same goes for the club music that was too loud; food was sort of secondary to "the scene", was the impression, though they presented impression of a serious kitchen program. One salad was inedibly salted (no comp by server/bartender). Cioppino/Bouillabaisse was good. Well edited wine list, but, no nice surprises. Upholstered walls were cool to see, but, again, too much for what was always a working class 'hood. The Williamsburg-i-zation of the area is off-putting and Ground Zero for this movement is The Franklin. Places like Baccanal, Maurepas Foods, etc., set certain area standards for a dynamic authenticity, at once pushing limits while always respecting historic and current life. Staff was friendly, engaging, having fun -- David was a great bartender. But, maybe next time, do pho or bún across the street, in the back of the Lost Love Lounge at Pho King, with better connection to the local life and then drop by TF, later, for some cool cocktails and TF scene -- you'll feel like you're in, well, who knows. Or, maybe just head on up to Marie's for drinks, a game, local chit chat.
(3)Patricia R.
Wow. This place is pretty cool. When I walked in, I was immediately loving the artwork. It's all original and all amazing. My husband and I dined with friends who had been there months prior and the waitress remembered them in detail. Excellent service. Now for the food.... We started with the fried oyster mushrooms, which were good, but weren't really our cup of tea. Our friends loved them though. We also had the avocado tempura with crabmeat which was pretty amazing. For my entrée, I had the grilled sweetbreads with braised oxtail and pickled root vegetables. It was sooooo delicious. The braised oxtail was sort of sweet which I loved. I can't remember what my husband had, except for his fork in my plate. He finished his meal right away and loved my sweetbreads as much as I did. The cocktails were tasty as well, and the bartender made me an original concoction based on flavors I like. It was perfect! I'll definitely be back
(5)Jen L.
So I was meeting friends here, and when I finally figured out which building they were talking about (in the dark), then I couldn't figure out which door was the entrance...turns out there are two. So confusing. Once I found myself inside, I enjoyed the clean but clubby atmosphere. I enjoyed my time at the bar and will have to put this sot on my list of places to try for dinner when I'm in this part of town. Since I was early, I was at the bar by myself for a bit and was made welcome which is a plus in any establishment.
(4)Joey G.
My wife and I were celebrating our one year wedding anniversary on Easter Sunday and wanted something casual yet refined and found The Franklin to be just that. Much to my surprise we were seated immediately, and on one of the busiest brunch days of the year no less. The decor is very well thought out; warm and inviting with rustic elements. We started with two cocktails: One with tequila, pamplemousse liqueur, & sparkling rose, and the other a Sour with Mezcal. Both were well balanced and delicious. We ordered the Crab Tostada as an appetizer and it was a beautiful dish; bright and acidic, with sweet lump crabmeat, creamy avocado, & finely diced beet & radish. The dish was a great start to our meal. I then tried the special of the day which was Oaxaca cheese grits, goat boudin, bacon red eye gravy, fried eggs, & house-made flatbread. It was a perfectly portioned and equally delicious dish. My wife had the Huaraches with carnitas, masa cake, fried egg, and despite not being listed on the menu, refried beans. The dish was very good but my wife is not a fan of beans (sad, I know) and had she known beans were involved, would not have ordered. I loved the dish and would order it again. We wrapped up our meal with two glasses of Cremant Rose (doesn't get much better than Pinot & Chardonnay Rose imo) and their delicious Churros, which despite being quite full, we devoured entirely. The service was a bit slow but that's to be expected for brunch almost anywhere. All of the staff we encountered were courteous and accommodating. I had heard good things about this relatively new spot and was not disappointed. We will certainly be returning to this Bywater gem.
(4)Jessica S.
Gleam in the low-lit, cozy glow of this intriguing gastro-pub. Dance around the surprising small plates, or sample the artfully composed entree's or... both. The avocado tempura with lump crabmeat is a must, but that's not to say that everything else wasn't perfectly prepared and savory as well. The meal left me totally satisfied without feeling overwhelmingly full, and that's including the flourless chocolate upside-down cake...with toasty coconut shavings... mmmm Thank you for a lovely evening Franklin, I will be back.
(5)Ann C.
I'm a fan of The Franklin! New Orleans needs more places like this- bar/lounge type places that also serve good food (places in the same vein as The Delachaise and Bouligny Tavern), so I'm glad The Franklin is now open in the Marigny. Great little space, cool decor, dark lighting and woodwork. I like the style of the place and I like the food and drinks too. They also had lots of specials the night I went, which was unexpected and nice! The bruschetta with tomato jam was great and I love the fact that they have a few different amaros in the bar. Will be going back.
(4)Ron B.
Took friends from Michigan there to celebrate 2 birthdays in October. Atmosphere of the place was nice, and impressed with the acoustics of the ceiling. Our server was very attentive and nice. We shared the steak a la mode, and pommes frites. Food was WAY too SALTY. I don't understand how chefs send out salty food. Then the entrees, although pretty good, were "heavy". The sweetbreads and oxtail were cooked almost the same way - sweetbreads should be light in taste, but were as heavy as the oxtail. If you have high blood pressure, not the place to eat. Maybe they'll read this and start TASTING the food before just sending it out. May try them again in the future if we read that the salt content is "below sea level."
(3)C J.
I had high hopes for The Franklin, but I was not blown away by my overall experience. Firstly, as a resident of the neighborhood, I really appreciate that they rehabbed a vacant & blighted building. I enjoyed the atmosphere. The decor is chic and trendy, the noise level is moderate. The dining room is divided, which creates intimacy and keeps the noise level down. The service was decent, considering our server had obviously never had a waiting job before, and her knowledge of the menu was limited, at best. She was very sweet though, and we weren't in a hurry, so it didn't matter much. Their cocktail menu is crafty and trendy. A complete list of their liquors would have been useful and would have saved the server a trip to the bar to write down the list of rums. Small plates: Shrimp fritters w/ pineapple & peanut sauce and creole tomato and brie plate. Both were good. Salads: the root vegetable salad was excellent and the presentation was beautiful. The green salad with curry dressing tasted like a mouthful of curry. WAY too heavy on the curry - not so good. Entrees: 1) Softshell crab with vermicelli salad - very good. The crab was delicate and well cooked and the vermicelli salad was bright, light, and complemented the fried crab very well. 2) The gulf fish w/a risotto-type side (forgot exactly what) was rich and well seasoned. 3) The pork chop with chutney turnover was a huge disappointment. The presentation was bad, the pork chop was tough and dry, and the sauce was bland and unimpressive. Pork chops aren't rocket science, I make a better one at home. Dessert: no complaints here. Flourless chocolate cake w/coconut ice cream and house-made coffee ice cream did not disappoint. Overall, not the worst dining experience I've had in New Orleans, but I probably won't return. There are many other places in town to have an outstanding meal.
(3)Call_Me D.
The atmosphere and vibe here are great. They are definitely trying new things, and I've not had foie gras or escargot quite that way. That being said, I don't want to try it that way again. Big kudos for the decor and booze selection. Try it when you're open to some interpretative cuisine.
(4)Anne W.
The fresh raw fish (tuna) melted in my mouth. So tender and tasty with the slivers of celery and the savory dressing. The avocado tempura was amazing as usual. Saturday nights are busy but the staff always accommodates every party. The lemon curd ice cream is amazing as well.
(5)Jeffrey D.
This place is a great discovery!
(5)Samantha F.
Really liked this place. The ambiance is dark and chic. Think Bouligny Tavern but a cooler neighborhood. Great cocktails and food. We really loved the fried oyster mushrooms. The rosemary sauce was excellent. Nice bar. Cool people - a tad hipster.
(4)Elijah C.
I'm in love. Yes, the neighborhood has changed; for the better I would say. The Franklin delivers an exciting alternative to area stalwarts, and ushers in a new era of sophisticated Marigny dining. Dark wood and elegant lighting set the stage for expertly crafted cocktails, a vivacious wine selection, and culinary treasures fit for the discerning crowd.
(5)Emily R.
Aside from the attractive decor, I felt like The Franklin was a letdown. I went with a friend recently, and when we were asking the server how many people a cheese plate would serve she vaguely said "a few." When the cheese plate arrived, there were only four pieces (a date or fig with a dollop of goat cheese and a drop of honey) so we each only had two bites from it. That was definitely a rip off. For our main course we each ordered oysters. She got chargrilled and I ordered oysters on the half shell. Well, her oysters arrived a solid 10 minutes at least before mine did. She was finished with her meal by the time I pulled the server aside to inform her I still hadn't received my raw oysters. To me that is pretty basic for a restaurant to bring out people's meals at the same time. The chargrilled oysters were tasty, but I wasn't a fan of the raw because they were enormous (as in so big that they could barely fit in my mouth) and waaay too salty. I doubt I will go back. For the price it should have been better, but maybe the trendiness makes up for the less than great food and service...
(2)Maria R.
Sensational dinner at The Franklin. Fellow diners at a neighboring table recommended the seafood gumbo as being an authentic Cajun gumbo and it was truly divine. It's a large portion so happy we shared it. Shrimp and grits were best I have ever eaten...atmosphere and staff were great. A highlight of our week in NOLA. Our only recommendation to management would be to offer a smaller portion of the gumbo to allow for more small plate tastings as it was a generous size for one.
(5)Rose V.
Wonderful! Five of us ordered a good percentage of the menu and there wasn't a single dish we didn't enjoy. Service from Bethany was great. Really great eat-in bar and comfortable table seating. What an excellent place.
(5)Gabriel G.
Strange response to the place -- it could be anywhere, really. Not clear what they're trying to do. Expensive build-out, which alone never guarantees good outcome without cohesive design; art is high-concept and misplaced in a Bywater/Marigny venue, and, disconnects space with place (screams, "Where am I"?); same goes for the club music that was too loud; food was sort of secondary to "the scene", was the impression, though they presented impression of a serious kitchen program. One salad was inedibly salted (no comp by server/bartender). Cioppino/Bouillabaisse was good. Well edited wine list, but, no nice surprises. Upholstered walls were cool to see, but, again, too much for what was always a working class 'hood. The Williamsburg-i-zation of the area is off-putting and Ground Zero for this movement is The Franklin. Places like Baccanal, Maurepas Foods, etc., set certain area standards for a dynamic authenticity, at once pushing limits while always respecting historic and current life. Staff was friendly, engaging, having fun -- David was a great bartender. But, maybe next time, do pho or bún across the street, in the back of the Lost Love Lounge at Pho King, with better connection to the local life and then drop by TF, later, for some cool cocktails and TF scene -- you'll feel like you're in, well, who knows. Or, maybe just head on up to Marie's for drinks, a game, local chit chat.
(3)Judy W.
Hipster New Orleans at its indifferent best. Terrific food and cocktails, snotty service. When asked if we might be served and out in 45 minutes to make another commitment, our waitperson said "I make no guarantees." There might have been other ways to handle this, like "Let's see what we have on the menu that might be quick," or "I'll see what I can do." Cocktails were fresh and unique, small plates were quite tasty, but the service would keep me away. Too many places with great food AND great service.
(3)Brian S.
Got there with two others around 10:30 on a Friday night so didn't have to wait for a table. Had the following: Tomato & Cheese crostini--good Shrimp fritters with pineapple--very good Escargot mini-po-boy--OMG! LOVE this!!!!! Avocado tempura topped with crab meat--OMG! Love this too!! Steak and strawberry tartar--Unreal--a meal unto itself!! (tho I might've preferred softer bread to go with it to absorb the jus) I then had the pork loin with chutney tart(?) which was very good. One friend had a soft shell crab w/pasta special that was amazing. The other had a special appetizer--grilled cheese topped with chanterelle mushrooms which was different and much better than it sounds. The 'shrooms alone were divine! Service (by the lovely Janeline) was perfect--especially appreciated her finding candles to go with dessert as it was one friend's birthday. And everything was very reasonably priced--please keep it that way! (I'm guessing the tab would've been 40% more in NYC.)
(5)vann m.
Two months new. Mezcal and bourbon based cocktails lackluster, food portions small and pricey, but flavor profiles fair to good. Ambience, vibe, music more adult than the hipper new joints in the bywater. Will give it time to develop.
(3)Chester C.
Exquisite flavors for the pallet. Portions are small. . . you will definitely want dessert to feel satisfied at the end of the meal. We had a glass of Pinot Noir that was poured from the dregs of a bottle that was opened the night before. Just could not figure out what was so special about this wine that the charge would be $12 a glass! So don't be too hungry when you go in, enjoy the fabulous flavors of the food and expect to pay New York City or higher prices.
(4)Donna S.
Every bite was superb! LOVED this place and will return often.
(5)Karin H.
It would be nice, if someone could poor a drink in less than 45 minutes. We sat down at the bar, were very polite, ordered (eventually) very simple beverages...and were treated like pariahs. As residents of Nola...we will never be back to this house of douche bags again.
(1)Mark S.
Okay, let's cut to the chase. GO TO THE FRANKLIN. Now! Or, don't, because I'd rather have it all to myself. Ambiance, really good, and the worst thing there. I loved the artwork, retro light bulbs, etc. However, it was a little dark for my old eyes. Service was excellent. Our server (Kerry? Cute, with lots of ink, dreadlocks and a faux eye patch Arrrgh) was great, helpful, there when we wanted her and away when we didn't need her. The drinks were very creative and excellent. If you're an old fashioned kind of guy, order their riff on the classic. The piece de resistance was the food. Started with the Escargot Eclair. Could have eaten a couple of those. Moved on to the Steak a la mode. The "mode" was foie gras ice cream! Don't shake your head until you've tried it. It's addictive. Tempura fried avocado stuffed with crabmeat. Great fries. Wonderful dessert with coconut. Don't remember what it was called, because by then I had been overserved. Pricing was not bad. You can have a great time and meal just ordering drinks and small plates, although the entrees looked good.
(5)Barry K.
The Franklin is a trendy and slightly spendy experience. In terms of food I'd give 4 stars, overall experience was ~3.5. Had several appetizers including the tuna crudo, fried avocado and two others that I can't remember. The other two were tasty, just not memorable apparently. I did enjoy the raw tuna, considering how rare it is to get a good ceviche in this town. I wish the serving size had been significantly larger though. Drinks were a bit spendy and fancy for my taste. The blackened fish for the main course was very good. Overall the food exceeded expectations. That said, for the amount we spent, I felt like service could've been a good bit better and efficient. Bar service was at a crawl, water glasses were empty most of the evening, and there was about a 30 minute gap between appetizers and mains. Not a deal breaker, just felt that there could have been a courtesy lagniappe for the amount of time we waited. It was also extremely busy and loud. We arrived right before the crowd hit and then it seemed like it was standing room only around the bar. Personal preference but I like to be able to hear the conversation at the table better than here. Granted, Maurepas is still louder. I would come back, preferably on a weeknight to avoid the crowd though.
(3)Brady F.
I wan in NOLA for 6 days and I went twice (that tells you something). The space is great, crowd is nice, and the staff was very attentive and helped me pick out great choices.
(4)Julia S.
On our final night of our NOLA vacation my husband and I were actually kind of tired of eating amazing but rich meals. (our waistlines agreed!). We found our way into the quieter, cozier ambiance of the Franklin as a respite but were surprised to have the best meal of our entire stay! (and believe me, we were eating very well at many of the highest rated restaurants in NOLA.) From the moment we entered, we felt welcomed, relaxed and even romantic. The food was delicious and we simply shared a mouthwatering series of small plates all of which were amazing. Don't skip dessert and do have one or two of their very lovingly created cocktails. This was the best meal in NOLA for my husband and me.
(5)Lauren H.
Franklin was delicious! The space is beautiful. Be sure to check out the photograph of Hong Kong in the back corner - not a single human in the whole thing. The food was delicious! Try the raw tuna. I will definitely be going back.
(5)Georgia N.
Unreal. Everything we had was incredible! The tuna special was divine. The shrimp and grits and the pork loin with Brussels sprouts were both amazing! My husband and I have tried nearly every restaurant in the area, and this was definitely our favorite. The service was so friendly and informative, the environment is warm but contemporary. The food, however, was the best part of the night - as it should be! And at the end of the meal, the bill was surprisingly reasonable, especially considering we had quite a few drinks. Come here. You will be happy you did.
(5)Lyric K.
This food was the best I've ever had in NOLA (and I always eat well in NOLA) - - this visit was all foodie all the time and The Franklin simply was TOPS. This is a place where the small plates RULE. Order the tempura battered avocado with crabmeat which was tender and creamy and seasoned so delicately that it melted in our mouths. If you're really hungry, you might want to order two, because myself and the other woman in the party ate the whole thing - we shared it not. The Oysters (grilled with garlic butter) were the best I had over the entire weekend, as were the sweetbreads - which is saying something, because I'm not a huge fan of the sweetbreads, but everyone else (who loves them) were in a veritable swoon. My next fave was the steak and strawberry tartare - which I would order just for myself next time. I love a great tartare and have eaten whenever I can get it all over the nation - and this was by and far the most creative and elegant version I've ever had. The crawfish pies where hit and melty and too easily gone! And yes, try the escargot - I NEVER eat the snails - - but my peeps convinced me to try it. I'm now a fan - I would order it again in a heartbeat. The seafood gumbo? Every One. Needs. A. Bowl. of This. Gumbo. We had quite a few bowls over the weekend and nothing, and I mean nothing compared to this creation - - a dark roux with bold spicing topped with crunchy flash-fried okra. We order 2 entrees, the Courtboullion (fish soup) which was too fishy and not being a fan of fish soups - really wasn't interested to begin with. And the soft shell crab special - which was really nice, BUT honestly the small plates and the gumbo is the winner at The Franklin. I highly recommend you going to this place - it is in the Marigny and can be a huge wait if you go on a weekend (luckily there is Mim's bar at the end of the block for a cocktail while you wait). GO SOON! GO OFTEN!
(5)Cynthia R.
Its was the best meal in New Orleans by far after spending 3 days sampling recommended eateries. The ingredients were fresh and we're combined uniquely to please the palate. For example, steak a la mode?! Mere words do it no justice. Highly recommend. Just a few blocks outside the French quarter. Well worth the trip!
(5)Louise S.
Nice upscale ambience with lots of nooks and crannies to make for intimate dining amid a lively atmosphere. All of the appetizers were very good ( fried oyster mushrooms, escargot "po boy", pommes frites) but the tempura avocado with crabmeat was especially good. The highlight of the meal was the drum with grapefruit and tarragon meunière sauce. Who would have thought that combination would have been so good?? It was a generous portion easily split with another person so there was room for dessert. The flour less chocolate cake with coconut sorbet and toasted coconut should definitely not be missed. Wonderful restaurant and great service as well!
(5)Ginger W.
Great addition to the 'hood. Great wine, cocktails and best oysters. Friendly bartenders, so far just say at the bar for apps and drinks. The decor is lovely; great art.
(5)Mike B.
Great atmosphere! Dave the bartender was very accommodating, personable and made great drinks!! Food was creative and in line with New Orleans best. Highly recommend.
(5)Bill M.
I have to agree with the somewhat negative reviews above. My main complaints are the limited menu, by the glass wine list and beer list. I thought the room was fine, an attractive remodel of what was there before. My daughter wanted a beer, there were very few options. There were maybe five white wines by the glass from a large and pricey list. I was most disappointed with my tasty shrimp and grits; why not remove the heads? I had to remove those suckers by digging into the nice sauce and grits, it was a messy process. I don't think any of our group was really enthused about the dishes we were served. Hopefully this will all improve as it's great to have more nice options in the Marigny/Bywater. On the positive side, the servers were nice.
(2)Patricia R.
Wow. This place is pretty cool. When I walked in, I was immediately loving the artwork. It's all original and all amazing. My husband and I dined with friends who had been there months prior and the waitress remembered them in detail. Excellent service. Now for the food.... We started with the fried oyster mushrooms, which were good, but weren't really our cup of tea. Our friends loved them though. We also had the avocado tempura with crabmeat which was pretty amazing. For my entrée, I had the grilled sweetbreads with braised oxtail and pickled root vegetables. It was sooooo delicious. The braised oxtail was sort of sweet which I loved. I can't remember what my husband had, except for his fork in my plate. He finished his meal right away and loved my sweetbreads as much as I did. The cocktails were tasty as well, and the bartender made me an original concoction based on flavors I like. It was perfect! I'll definitely be back
(5)Jen L.
So I was meeting friends here, and when I finally figured out which building they were talking about (in the dark), then I couldn't figure out which door was the entrance...turns out there are two. So confusing. Once I found myself inside, I enjoyed the clean but clubby atmosphere. I enjoyed my time at the bar and will have to put this sot on my list of places to try for dinner when I'm in this part of town. Since I was early, I was at the bar by myself for a bit and was made welcome which is a plus in any establishment.
(4)Kimberly S.
Beautiful inside. Chic crowd. Had been looking forward to trying the foie gras ice cream with steak....alas, I missed my chance. The grilled soft shell crab (actually came out fried) and salad were delicious. The steak tartare was succulent and rich. The pork loin wrapped in bacon was dry and not really anything special. The dates and figs and goat cheese were yummy, but other than having some rye or caraway seeds sprinkled on them, nothing out of the ordinary.
(3)Jennifer D.
Amazing interesting menu, great service and fun delicious cocktails. Everything we tried was top notch! I am a total foodie and this was one of my favorite top 10 meals of all time! Off the tourist beat and path but a must stop for both locals and tourists! Wish I lived closer (I was there visiting) so I could go again!
(5)Lauren G.
This place was amazing. The waitress was friendly and the food was the best I've had yet in New Orleans. The place had a neighborhood vibe that was vibrant and inviting. I would definitely eat here again.
(5)Joe D.
Totally cool atmosphere...made me think I was in NYC. We started with the escargot eclair with bleu cheese mouse...that was it...I could have stopped her and been satisfied. Instead I had a great mixed green salad with squash and hazelnuts and the on to Coq au Vin with lardons and onion rings. it was quite decadent but finished with the flour less chocolate upside down cake with coconut...I was so stuffed had to roll out!! Great meal!
(4)Dylan M.
This is a hip little space with an excellent bar and bartenders. They do a wonderfully creative Mexican brunch on the weekends with fun Latin vibe tunes playing to get you in the mood to eat their flavorful dishes. I highly recommend the fresh juices the colors of each just makes you feel healthy as you consume them. They are pricey for the small portion but so fresh an interesting. The staff here could not be nicer too. Very conversational and welcoming. The dinner many features a lot of fresh seafood but their vegetarian entree is a welcome addition to the menu and done very well. Defiantly a spot to check out!
(5)Meg H.
LOVE the Franklin. I've been here half a dozen times, so for those reviewers who visited on an off-night, give it another chance. They haven't been open long and it takes a minute to perfect some aspects of service. I tend to stick with small plates and classic cocktails. Love the crostini with burrata and tomato jam as well as the avocado with lump crab. The cuisine could be loosely defined as New American with some French influences. They also have raw seafood preparations for those craving oysters (like I generally am). There's also a tart for dessert with goat cheese in the filling...I die. On to atmosphere. It's dim and there's some awesome artwork. It's basically the opposite of Herbsaint. Rather than being open, with the tables relatively close together, the tables are tucked into dark alcoves and it feels like there are more twists and turns than the space actually contains. My friend who works in the kitchen tells me they get a lot of celebrities as a result. For those who take issue with the staff's appearance ("hipsters" or whatever), what did you expect? Should everyone look and dress like you do? It's never bothered me. Check it out and decide for yourself.
(5)Jinyoung P.
I finally checked out the Franklin this past Saturday. I called before showing up to see how long the waits normally are, and I was told about an hour. I don't like to wait that long, but I figured that we could get a couple drinks at the bar and talk while we wait. When I showed up, my friend was still on her way, and I was told 45 minutes to an hour. I already anticipated that, so that was fine. I found a spot at the bar and ordered my drink, still waiting for my friend, whose GPS wasn't working. I had been at the place maybe 20 minutes by this point, and I was told that our table was ready. Much sooner than expected. The drink I ordered was named "isabelle," and it had 6 things listed under the name and I didn't know a lot of them, but I liked seeing blood orange and honeydew melon on there, so I ordered it, and it was delicious. When I had asked the bartender if the drink is bitter, he told me that it's smoky, and it really was quite smoky. I don't think I've ever really had a drink that tasted like that. After looking up the ingredients, now I see that the smokiness came from the mezcal. When my friend L arrived, we decided to order a bunch of small plates to share. We got the crostini, fried oyster mushrooms, beef tartare with strawberry, goat cheese on fig, fried avocados with crab meat, and some fries. We were seated at a large table with a couple of other folks, and at one point someone across the table from us made a comment that between the three parties at the table, we had ordered all the small plates they had. I expected to like the crostini least, but I loved it. L said that it was a little bit too much jam and not enough cheese for her, but I loved it just the way it was done. The goat cheese and fig were perfect together. The beef tartare was just a tad bit too mustardy, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. The fried avocado was good, although I was surprised to see the entire half of an avocado fried. I was expecting something more like avocado fries, in strips. The oyster mushrooms were good, but they were probably our least favorite item. We thought maybe they were a bit too heavily breaded. I loved my experience at The Franklin, and I still have other menu items and drinks I want to try. Seeing as the place is down the street from my place, I will be sure to go back.
(4)Joyce M.
Great food in a cozy environment. Went to the Franklin with my family--which includes two teenagers and my sister-in-law who cannot eat gluten. The menu turned out to be mostly gluten free anyway (no need for special orders) and the staff was very accommodating. Plus, the food was delicious and everyone was happy with their meal, despite the fact that we all have very different tastes. Have been back several times and the food is consistently good. I love the oysters and the avocado tempura with crabmeat. Perfect neighborhood restaurant except that its gotten so popular it can be difficult to get in.
(4)Dirk N.
This is by far one of the best meals of my life! I started with the grilled ciabatta bread and steak tartare. I've had steak tartare before but this was the best I've ever had. Next I enjoyed, very quickly, the bacon wrapped port tenderloin. This I can compare to nothing I've ever had in my life. The others in my party had the avocado tempura with crab and the red fish special, both were very delicious! This will be a must stop on my future return trips.
(5)Leslie G.
On our last night in NOLA, my friend and I decided to venture off the beaten tourist path for dinner and try out The Franklin. Maybe it was due to the fact that we went on a Monday night, or maybe it's the location, but it wasn't crowded at all (seemingly unlike every restaurant in the French Quarter). We were immediately charmed by the elegant yet casual atmosphere. We each started with a cocktail--the g.n.t peel for me (gin, tonic, thyme, grapefruit ribbon), and the Isabelle for my friend (which I didn't try since it's a mezcal drink, which I can't stand). Mine was crisp and sort of savory--a nice combination. My friend enjoyed hers quite a bit as well. For appetizers, we got the grilled oysters with garlic butter and parmigiano and the crawfish pie, which was a special that day. The oysters were fine, but the crawfish pie was amazing--sort of like a large crawfish empanada. I got the fried chicken and biscuits with braised collard greens for my entree, and my friend got the grilled shrimp and grits with tomato and bacon. The marinade that came with the chicken was delicious, but unfortunately some of the chicken was on the dry side. The biscuits and greens were great. My friend said the shrimp and grits were stellar. For dessert, we split the flourless chocolate upside-down cake with coconut sorbet. My friend ate the sorbet (I'm allergic to coconut), which she said had a slightly odd, hard texture. The cake was good, but not the best flourless chocolate cake I've had. Overall it was a positive dining experience and I would be interested to return whenever I'm in town again.
(4)Adriana G.
Garlic/parm oysters: INSANE. Steak with foie gras ice cream: INSANE.
(5)Amanda H.
The food here was delicious! The burrata small plate was to die for. The duck dinner was an amazingly complex dish with tons of flavor a and textures as well. I also highly recommend the watermelon caipirinhas! Atmosphere was great for our anniversary dinner. All the waitstaff were great and our server Julia was the best! So kind and funny. I can't wait to go back and try their brunch!
(5)Jenny S.
I don't usually go for super trendy restaurants, and my visit to The Franklin reminded me why. Three of us arrived for dinner at about 6pm (they don't take reservations, so you have to chance it) and were told it would be 1.5 - 2 hrs for a table. We said sure and headed to Mimi's (at the end of the block) for some cocktails. 1.5 hours goes by.... 2 hours go by... We went back to The Franklin to see if they forgot about us. Nope, they were just still full. We tried to squeeze in by the bar but there wasn't any place to sit or even stand. We were finally seated around 8:30. The food was delicious, but really pricey and with pretty small portions. The avocado tempura with crab meat was amazing & the peanut butter and jelly ice cream dessert was wonderful. Overall, I feel kind of meh about this place. Sure, the food was good and the drinks were decent, but unless you have most of your night to devote to dinner, I'd recommend elsewhere.
(3)Diane Z.
My favorite dish in NOLA! Loved the sweetbreads with oxtail! The sweetbreads were nicely seared and you could really taste the flavors. The oxtail gave it a nice meatiness. Really delicious flavors! We were super full so we only shared that dish and sat at the bar. I wish I tried some more dishes! The bartenders (David and Jefferson) were both super friendly and welcoming. Really loved the service we received. It's a little out of the way and in the middle of nowhere, but definitely worth a trip. We walked over around 9pm and the neighborhood was eerily quiet, so take a cab if you don't want to take a creepy walk. A must go in New Orleans!
(5)Jacinda M.
There's duck liver in my ice cream! Steak a la mode with foie gras ice cream. It is as amazing as you can imagine. Ordered 5 small plates to split between 2 people and was very satisfied. Tomato jam with burrata and crostini Battered avocado with jumbo lump crab Steak and strawberry tartar Steak a la mode Mussels with lemon and capers ALL SUPERB! A little pricey but worth it
(5)Dana T.
Food is delicious but the drinks took so long weird weed and ate our apps before they arrived. Ordered another round with only 14 people in the restaurant took 30 minutes!! Fire the bartender!!
(3)Joi B.
Elijah C's ROTD reminds me that an update is in order, especially now that I've been in several more times. My initial review still holds true in a lot of ways. I still love the ambiance. I still love coming in here to partake in some bubbly, whether that be at the bar (love those bartenders!) or at one of the tables in this dark little lair. But! I take back what I say about their menu. They now have a vegan option! And I'm sure it's seasonal, so I'll have to check back again when I actually eat here, but it seemed very creative and delicious... ie not your typical grilled vegetables or butternut squash soup. After I put up my review, one of the owners kindly contacted me and said that I could go in any time and ask for something vegan, which I think is really awesome. That they went that extra step and added it on the menu makes me love love love them even more. I'll be back to update on just how good that vegan entree is.
(5)Leilani A.
Awesome owners, awesome bartender mixologists for drinks I can't pronounce. Love it. Eric treated my friends like family and damn am I going to miss good customer service. Get the Word drink. Nuff said.
(5)Nancy K.
Had a lovely dinner last night with a dear high school friend in town for FQF - we're both foodies, so we wanted something interesting, but neither of us are super-familiar with the Marigny, so we took a shot on this place. Expected it to be super-crowded per other reviews, but we were seated promptly, and the service was overall exceptional. Had chargrilled oysters and the tuna crudo to start - both great. The Courtbouillon for her (seafood in a rich broth) and the fish with a lovely light grapefruit and asparagus for me. The place is stylish, but not too twee - we approved the decor. The noise level was appropriate, not ridiculous, which is always a plus! Will definitely recommend and be back, because there about 7 other dishes on that menu I want to try! (They were already out of raw oysters and the soft-shell crab special by 8:15...)
(4)John H.
This was our first time. Awesome ambiance. It was after work time on a Friday. Service was impeccable. Our server knew the menu well and rattled off the specials like a pro. Just the right amount of attention. The manager stopped by a couple times to make sure everything was "tasting great?" We had the raw fish app, fried oysters and crusted tuna entree'. The salad was amazing. Arugula, hearts of palm, avocado, and green goddess vinaigrette dressing. It's nice to be able to do a series of small plates or a more traditional large entree.
(4)Grace G.
The Franklin in a word was wonderful. We came here for a night cap and dessert, sat at the bar, and couldn't be more pleased with our experience. The ambience mixes natural design elements like wood and iron with softer touches like a metallic, plush ceiling. I ordered the Kentucky Rifleman and it was one of the best bourbon drinks I've ever tasted! It mixed bourbon with citrus notes and a coffee flavor. So, so good. For dessert we had the Quince almond goat cheese tart with honey ice cream which was divine. Goat cheese and sweet honey on the same dish? Anyways, if you're anywhere near Royal or Dauphine streets, head this way, you won't regret it!
(5)Lynette C.
Went here after work to grab a drink and small plate on a Monday evening. I sat at the bar and the place was moderately crowded, which was nice. Drinks: They have a decent selection of glasses of red, white, and rose wines and an even bigger selection of bottled wines. I first tried their merlot/cabernet franc - tellus vinea '10, which was alright. I'm more of a malbec girl but they didn't have any by the glass. My next drink was a beer and let's just say that if you're a Bud Light kind of person I would shy away from here. They don't have a large selection of beers but from the selection of drafts and bottles I had never heard of any of them. I tried the Clown Shoes galactica IPA and it was very good and well priced. Food: I decided on a small plate even though the entrees looked really good. I chose the avocado tempura with lump crabmeat. The dish has gotten a lot of good reviews on yelp but all I tasted was fried, fried, and more fried. I could barely taste the avocado and didn't taste the crab at all. The fryness was overwhelming and I will not be ordering that again. With that being said I will definitely be back to The Franklin for a real dinner because others things on the menu sounded very appetizing and the ambiance is great. Good place for a romantic date or to meet a friend at the bar!
(4)Peter Z.
Beautiful to look at. Really wanted the food to live up to the hype. Tuna crudo was tasteless strips of not quite thawed out fish, with a mound of celery in the corner of the plate. Fried avacado with crab was a large portion, but virtually tasteless, with no texture - mushy avacado, mushy crab. Swordfish special was the best of the three, but, while I love rare fish, this verged on swordfish sushi, albeit warm. All in all, a disappointment.. The bartender said they had had some "inconsistencies{" in the product the kitchen produced when they first opened. My meal did not demonstrate much improvement.
(2)yvonne a.
Bad service, hour and a half wait for large party to have our table given to the latest walk in. Forgotten drinks, dinnerware and rude waitstaff.
(2)Emma S.
I really wanted to like this place, and after the first course, I thought we had found a good one. But the fact is, my entree was inedible, and my boyfriend's was completely one dimensional. After spending over $100, we actually left hungry. I broke my rule of never ordering the special pasta from a restaurant that I don't have confirmation actually knows how to do pasta right. I wish I hadn't. I have that rule for a reason. After the appetizer was quite good and well-executed (the avo with crab) I thought I would be in the clear. But even after I begged the waitress to bring me some parm, some salt, literally *anything* to make it taste like something other than boiled, crappy, cheap beef fat, I couldn't get it much of it down. It was well-made fresh pasta that was completely ruined by a disgustingly fatty, under-seasoned sauce. I'm not one to send things back, or make a fuss, but I regret not asking for my money back. It was that extreme of a circumstance and while I didn't make a fuss, I had a hard time hiding my distaste for it from the waitress I fear. My boyfriend's coq au vin was not nearly up to our standards (though I admit, they are high for that dish). It was a very minimal, Americanized version lacking in any complexity. The richness that comes from really cooking the wine was lacking, as if it had been rushed. Anyone who has a had a proper version of this dish knows it tastes like much more than just chicken cooked in wine when done right. This version did not. I hope they get their act together with the main courses. The small plates that we had indicated that there is hope, but I wouldn't go back for anything until I got confirmation from a trusted source that they figured it out.
(2)Leah W.
Personally, I'm stoked to have Franklin three blocks from my house. The atmosphere is relaxed and the overall interior design makes for an intimate dining experience. Moving on to the topic of food: both apps myself and Elijah C. ordered were creative and delicious, I would have ordered more but it was late. I had the bruschetta and he had the tuna sashimi app with wasabi cucumbers -- YUM. I'll back soon for more.
(4)Laila B.
This place is beautiful, no doubt. Did this used to be an old praline shop? I can't remember. I liked our dinner here but I just can't shake that I spent $72 on myself for 2 drinks and 3 apps and a dessert split 3 ways. My favorite thing was actually a salad with root vegetables. I had oysters with white remoulade; I'd drink that sauce straight but the oysters weren't fried very well, sort of soggy. I also had beef tartar with strawberries, which I decided was not a good combination. The best thing there was this cocktail I had, the Kentucky Rifleman, which was worth every penny of the $12 it cost. Rye and black walnut bitters, OMG. We shared the quince-almond-goat cheese tart and while I'd eat anything with goat cheese, the crust of this tasted like dirt and the ice cream was icy, which really ruined the texture.
(3)J B.
The food was excellent. I had the tempura avocado with crab meat and the redfish. Both delicious. The three other people I dined with all enjoyed there selections as well. My only dislike as far as the food was the plantains. As someone who grew up on them, I guess I might be a little too picky, you be the judge. They had a weird taste to me, like burnt sugar or something. My only complaint about the whole dining experience was the bar service. It took forever to get our drinks while dining ( we were ordering rum and cokes and wine), and the special house cocktails did not come as described. For example we ordered the "Hemingway" that was supposed to come with maraschino cherries, and it did not. Can't imagine a bar ran out of those, and if you're willing to try an expensive house concoction, it's my opinion it should be served as described. Critique aside, it was a very good dining experience.
(4)Marcia W.
I enjoyed my dinner there the other night. My friends took me there for my birthday. Very good food. My party had 4 appetizers, 3 entrees, 3 deserts, and 3 drinks, all for $150.00. Definitely a good price for the amount and quality of food. I wish I had the menu in front of me so I could give you all of the names of every dish we had. I had a seafood soup-like dish. My friend had the sweetbreads. Another friend had chicken. For apps, we had pommes frites, tuna tartar with watermelon, mushrooms, and...can't remember the other. One of the desserts consisted of coconut sorbet with a chocolate icing, kind of like a cake. The other dish included some yummy ice cream. The service was good although it took a tad long for the food to come out. The interior is beautiful. The only thing I didn't like is the vaguely hipster atmosphere. The wait staff all looked like hipsters, and they all wrote these black outfits that reminded me of the Munsters. Truth be told, I would rather see a lower-end restaurant open in the neighborhood, one that does not cater to the newbies gentrifying the neighborhood. The original resides of the Bywater and the Marigny deserve not to be priced out of their own streets.
(4)Seth G.
To start the ambiance was amazing. They used the same decorator as Bouligny Tavern, but really stepped it up a notch. When you walk in there's a beautiful rustic homey feel that is elegant and their eclectic art on the walls just adds a great twist. The waitress was nice, inviting and made conversation. She did not rush us and gave great advice this made the experience that much better. The food: fantastic. All we did was get a bunch of small plates to share, which I recommend if you like to taste a bunch of things. We ordered tempura avocado with lump grab, the white wine mussels, the fries with aoli and the tuna special. I have to say it was perfect. Of everything, the avocado and lump crab was probably the best. I love avo and crab though so maybe I'm a little bias, but it was a very interest taste mix and the textures really went well together. The tuna special also had an amazing texture mix with an interesting flavor profile. Watermelon, tuna ceviche plus an olive salad- gave it a salty, crunchy, refreshing blend of deliciousness. If i had to do it over again, maybe we would not get the fries, but we wanted something with substance- so it was what it was. Highly recommend this place. Great for a first date, a night out or after work drinks. . Also, close to Frenchman which is a plus!
(5)Michael K.
Would be 3 stars because of the unnecessary and un-New Orleans hipster attitude of the place. Crazy "craft" beer selection. Of course no domestic lights (because obviously anyone who would drink a Bud Light, Coors Light or Miller Lite must be an unsophisticated moron who wouldn't be dining in their restaurant in the first place). They "only carry one carbonated soft drink - Coke" so my second drink order of a Crown and Seven was rebuffed as well. BUT The Franklin wins back a star because of: 1. Beautifully done space. 2. Pretty decent food. Our waitress was very nice, attentive, knowledgeable and sympathetic about the shortcomings of the restaurant (A/C problems, hipster beer and cocktail list, etc.). Appetizers: Raw tuna with citrus slices - pretty good. Tempura avocado with crab - Amazing. My parents both got the gazpacho which they both liked. I got the poached oysters in a butter sauce with chips. - When you poach oysters some of them become very chewy and end up having to be spit out like a wad of okra. This was the case for two of the oysters. However, it said 1/2 dozen on the menu and i got at least 8. The butter sauce was ok. Entrees: My father got the red fish with crab - He thought it was great. Mother got the soft shell crab special with thin pasta. - I thought the whole dish had a strange herb flavor and tasted like soap. She liked it once she got used to the herb flavoring. I got the coq au vin. - Chef is previously from Lilette. Very good, just like Lilette's with the addition of onion rings. Dessert: Flour-less chocolate cake with some sort of coconut ice cream. The chocolate had cayenne in it to give it a "kick" which is a very hipster and unappetizing ingredient in a dessert in my opinion. The question is, would I return. I'm not sure. The place obviously isn't cheap and in that price range there are many, many options in this city. Despite a beautifully done interior, I felt like I was in Awfulstin, TX, which is a shame. The food was pretty good but not amazing. The clientele was awful. Hipster men in flip flops sharing plates of food, hipster men drinking fruity "craft cocktails" in martini glasses, hipster chatter all around....
(4)Tiffany H.
Killer cocktails...nice atmosphere...the tempura avocado was a nice twist...I'd go back, but next time I think ill try the food menu instead of the cocktail one :)
(5)Anna H.
The Franklin has quickly become my favorite restaurant in town. Part of that is no doubt because of the convenience (it's a short walk from my apartment), but I've also never failed to have a great time at dinner there. The service is great, the atmosphere is welcoming and relaxed, and of course the menu is superb. I've never had trouble getting a seat there, and I love that no matter what time you show up or what you're in the mood for, there's an option. I've gone in with out of town friends just for drinks and a selection of appetizers, I've been with my boyfriend for multi-course meals, cocktails and wine, I've gone to the bar alone just to have a drink and do some thinking, and I've gone in with a friend to have after-dinner drinks and dessert - every experience confirmed that I'd made the perfect choice in deciding to visit The Franklin. Personal favorites: Steak a la Mode w/ Foie Gras Ice Cream (hot damn!), the Escargot Eclair, the Goat Cheese/Dates/Figs/Honey plate, and the Bruleed Ginger Studded Plantain.
(5)James E.
Oh, Yelp, my old friend - where shall I begin? You have been with me through thick and thin, through the good times (Mardi Gras, the opening of Bayona, the birth of my first child) and the bad times (the Bayou Classic, the closing of Stella, the death of my Uncle Jack). You have known me through all of these times yet I can't now find the words to explain to you my experience at The Franklin. In short, it was sublime. From the moment I walked in the front door, to the last second as they wheeled me out the back, I was in heaven. The tuna! The ginger snaps! The swordfish! The ruby red shrimps! And - goodness gracious - that jalapeño gelato. Wow! Wow! Wow! So, I tell you - Yelp - you should be so lucky as to enjoy a meal at The Franklin. Go early, go often, and you won't regret it.
(5)Goldie H.
Absolutely delicious! Had a first date here and was so pleased with the company and the food! Our server was excellent. I am really bad with names, but she had short brown hair and glasses. She was very attentive without disturbing our conversation, and I really appreciated that. She suggested a great bottle of wine and was very patient with us. The small plates were so good we just kept ordering more and more things to try. We both spent many years in the service industry. Most servers would have been annoyed by this, but she was very happy to continue putting orders in for us. The food was amazing. I woke up this morning craving more beef ala mode! I could literally eat 5 orders! We also had the soft shell crab and it was just perfect. I sometimes order soft shell crab when dining at a new place to test their skills. It can be tricky, but when cooked just right it is amazing just as it was at The Franklin. They put just enough sauce for dipping without making the crab soggy. My least favorite items (although it was still yummy) was the shrimp fritters. The other items were just so good that the fritters had a hard time holding their own next to them. Upon walking in, I thought that it would be more pricey and was please it was not. Perfect for a date night! I took away one star only because the menu was so small and it was so dark it made ordering quite difficult. Fortunately, our server was able to give excellent recommendations and explanations of the off menu items, so we almost didn't need it. Of course, this is nothing that isn't fixable. I would definitely recommend this place. I can't wait to come back and try more things!
(4)Clare P.
The set up of the place is wonderful, the decoration and the wine list make this place perfect for a classy and intimate night out. I was a bit disappointed with the food tho. the Fried Avocado with lump crab meet was quite bland, and its a huge half of an avocado thats fried. The raw tuna dish was so bland, and the chunks of tuna where ridiculously big, no one can eat raw fish that huge. The dessert was quite delicious though and the waitstaff was wonderful! Jessica, our waitress was great, she was very attentive and when asked what todo next in town was very helpful on informing us on places to go. The bathrooms are also quite cool.
(3)j j.
People, if you think this place is some sort of hipster scene, you really need to get out of town a little more often. The staff is young, they work hard, and are friendly. The customers included a older guy in a wheel chair, a middle aged couple, and a few couples in their late 20's. The did have clean clothes on, and can obviously afford some thing more than a dive. The swordfish special was Amazing, and the tomatoes jam app is awesome. Atchafalaya style, and prices, but with their own style and a modern flavor profile. The wine list is also amazing and the sommelier is friendly, down to earth, and always recommends something priced fairly. Great French and Italian whites, priced in the mid $50. Do yourself a favor and go now, while you can still get in
(5)neeta b.
Great spot tucked away in the Bywater - The Franklin has kind of a New York City speakeasy meets NOLA cuisine vibe. I met a friend for dinner here on a Thursday night and we were able to easily grab a spot at the bar. We ordered several small plates which were all great- the avocado tempura with lump crabmeat was particularly delicious. the cocktails were also pretty tasty. The only drawback to this place is it is definitely a little pricier for NOLA. But all in all a great dining experience that reminded me of dinner and drinks in NYC without the prices, long lines or having to dress up.
(4)Jill R.
Our airbnb hostess in the margny suggested this dinner spot while we were in town. It was 10 min walking distance from our place in the margny. The interior atmosphere was very classy although u could feel comfortable in casual clothes. Lighting was a bit dark so it was problematic 2 read the menus. The food was outstanding, but the service was lacking and that is the only reason I did not give it 5 stars.
(4)Julian L.
Very inventive menu that works. Great value for the price of both small and large plate dishes. Sweetbreads were outstanding. Good speciality cocktails. Since there are no reservations a line forms at 6:00 when doors open for dinner. The place fills up and puts pressure on kitchen since all orders are placed at same time. Expect to wait a bit longer than usual for appetizers and entrees.
(4)Wyndal C.
This place is AMAZING!!!!!!! Atmosphere, decor, friendly staff, and the BEST Manhattan that I've ever had. This place is a MUST if you are looking for a classy spot.
(5)Aye T.
Been here twice so far. It's a little pricey but well worth it. The drink list is great and inventive, and the food has all been delicious so far. The inside of the restaurant is stunning-- they've done a great job with the renovations (I felt like I was peeking in for months before they opened!). Excellent date spot. The curry kefir salad would have been good as a smaller side salad, but was a bit overpowering as served. Tomato and burrata appetizer is perfect. Mushroom nori entree was a tiny bit salty, but my mama liked it. Meat-eaters loved their food too.
(4)Stephen L.
I have eaten here 3 times. The 1st and 3rd time, JEFFERSON, the bartender, made strong suggestions on what to eat and what wine to drink. We had a fabulous time. The 2nd time was on a Monday. Nothing was very impressive. The sweetbreads were overcooked and rubbery. JEFFERSON was not working and thus unable to direct me to the good stuff. As someone who used to take the Franklin Avenue bus on my way to Holy Cross High School on Dauphine everyday, I am shocked that there is a restaurant at the corner of Dauphine and Franklin that has quite good food and where you can spend $60 plus for a full meal with wine. I will go back so long as Jefferson is working there and only when he is working there. The fact that he is charming and handsome helps, but what is MUCH more important is that I trust him to direct me to the best food in the restaurant on any given night. To the restaurant manager, if you have a 2nd line staff working Monday nights, change the menu to accommodate their skills. Pretty much everything we had when I went in on Monday was mishandled in the kitchen, whereas the other two nights, everything was very well prepared.
(4)Colin A.
Stopped in for a drink and a snack the other night. Great drinks and a really interesting menu. The fried mushrooms were good, the escargot eclair was better. Will have to go back hungry some day soon.
(4)