By far the best meal I've had this year. We almost went back the night before flying home but resisted for another time. It's like a gem hidden from most visitors. An added bonus was a little make shift take-away bar out front for the high school football teams parents as they walked to the game. I had the duck confit appetizer and the bison special with potatoes four ways. Both dishes were outstanding and possibly the best duck I've had. Wine was tasty and the faux painted walls were a delightful touch. Faux painted like fabrics not run of the mill spongy stone looking stuff. I hate to gush but this place is where it's at. Don't miss it.
(5)
Mark W.
Outstanding French Creole seafoods, steaks. Prepared with lighter sauces and a light touch, not the thick creamy sauces you find elsewhere. Atmosphere romantic, in a former pharmacy where the liquor is stored in the old shelf. My Go-To place for a romantic dinner. For food and atmosphere one of the best values in the city of New Orleans. Way off the tourist path, except for the fanatical Jazz Fest crowd. Service professional, attentive, well-informed.
(5)
Lily W.
I'm so glad we found this place! there is no sign and the restaurant is tucked away in a neighborhood. The ambiance is definitely classy, but around 8pm, the place is lightens up and not meant to stuffy. The service is great! Highlights included the duck confit...the meat falls right off and the salad is nicely compliments. The chef definitely does fish well! I had the halibut and it was cooked to perfection. The steak was also tender. We didn't have too much room for desserts, so we shared the banana split. The concept is simple, but execution was perfect! What i loved most was that the ice cream was frozen to perfection so it doesn't get milky once you dig in. Advice for tourist: take a walk around the lovely neighborhood!
(5)
Jennifer H.
What we enjoyed: 1. Sweetbreads - great texture and flavor... Fresh and perfect. 2. Chocolate caramel tart - pretty amazing creaminess with just the right amount of sea salt on top What we didn't enjoy: 1. Braised short ribs - bland flavor, stringy texture 2. Duck breast - a bit better than the short ribs, primarily because of the fig sauce, but still quite bland, despite the decent texture 3. Martini - waaaaay too much sweet vermouth... Seriously shouldn't be that prominent of a flavor as it was :( especially when we asked for it extra dirty Disappointing since I picked this as my birthday dinner spot, and every other meal on our trip was better, including the casual lunches. :( oh well
(2)
H Z.
Duck cofit is great. We also had soup de jour which is basil soup, nice. For entree, as others reviewed, dishes are not as salty as other southern style restaurants, we had flounder and Ginger Crusted Halibut, the latter is a little too light. Caramelized Banana Split is great. The environment is great, there is no sign outside, but inside is totally a different world.
(4)
Marielle S.
Gautreau's might be one of the nicest and coziest restaurants in the city. Yelp has not been letting me down lately, when it comes to restaurants and I have been having some pretty fantastic luck and discovering a lot of cool places. We made reservations for Gautreau's early on a Wednesday evening. We decided to have an early dinner; it was even still light out when we arrived. We were seated immediately, and even though it was early, there was a good little crowd. Fresh bread was brought to the table and everything on the menu sounded perfect. We started with a poached egg and asparagus appetizer that was served over pasta. When you broke the egg, the yolk ran all over the pasta making for a delicious experience. For my entree, I decided to get the special of the day which was a lightly fried flounder served on a bed of vegetables. The fish itself was nice and thin and it was fried just enough to leave it crispy. It was a pretty fantastic dish. My dining companion got the veggie plate which came with an assortment of beets, turnips and carrots. I was able to sample a taste and that dish was tasty as well! I really loved the atmosphere here. The tables are small, creating a nice intimate setting that would be perfect for a date night.
(4)
Kimberly J.
I've been the Gautreau's a few times. My favorite part about this is how tucked into the uptown neighborhood it is and that there's really no signage outside making you feel like you're in on a secret. The food is very good. I do think that it's the kind of restaurant that if you're a regular and the know you, you probably get excellent service. But for the rest of us, it just doesn't meet the expectations I have when going to a fine dining restaurant. It's expensive, easy to spend $70-100/person. I just don't get the kind of special feeling I do at comparable restaurants (commanders, Galatoires, Broussards, etc). I wish either the service or the food were more spectacular every time I go.
(4)
Albert K.
I went to Gautreau's to cap off my first trip to the Crescent City. I think if I had went here earlier in the the trip, I would have been more excited, but after five days of gorging myself on NOLA cuisine, I was a little burnt out. That said; the food and ambiance at this restaurant is top notch. This restaurant is nestled into a straight up neighborhood in the Uptown District. The restaurant looks just like another house in the neighborhood. The ambiance was very intimate. I started with a Sazerac and a Duck Confit. The duck confit was as good as advertised. I would have taken pictures, but felt like it was inappropriate to do so in this setting. In light of the dearth of photos for this restaurant, it looks like the feeling was mutual. For entrees I got the pork Osso Buco and my wife got the roasted chicken. Both were exquisitely prepared, but again, I just was not in the mood to truly appreciate them. We ended the meal with banana split which was awesome. Caramelized sugar on bananas is always a good things. Especially when it is done by experts. Finally, I was please to see that the Chef was actually roaming the front of the house. I first became aware of Sue Zemanick on Top Chef Masters, and I was surprised to actually see her making the rounds. Overall, I think I need to go back to Gautreau's on a fresh palate before I can truly appreciate the finesse and quality of the food. However, even viewed through a haze of a weeks worth grits, po'boys and beignets, the food and restaurant still made a great impression.
(4)
Alejandro G.
Awesome food but a cockroach visited our table. The Personnel just said "this happens a lot"...
(1)
Cristina B.
Totally recommended if you like cockroaches and if you expect to pay the full check if a roach walks on your table!
(1)
Michaela A.
Wow, this is for sure a neighborhood gem. We came here for a birthday celebration dinner and it was one of the best fine dining meals we have enjoyed in New Orleans. That Saturday night, the special corn soup was delicious, followed by the Pork Chop and also Parmesan crusted halibut. Two of our group had the halibut and agreed it was outstanding. Very romantic restaurant, good service, cosy but classy atmosphere. Looking forward to our next special occasions so we can go back.
(5)
Christopher J.
My roommate and I each won one of our Fantasy Football leagues, so we decided to treat or ladies to a nice dinner out, and we decided on Gautreau's. Our reservation was for 6 - early, I know, but I like to eat dinner early. My SO and I arrived first and were immediately seated, served water, and given a wine list to peruse while we waited for our companions, who arrived about 10 minutes later. We agreed on a relatively cheap ($47) bottle of Spanish wine for the table - Bodegas Pedro Martinez Alesanco Rioja Crianza. For being one of the cheaper ones on the menu, it was pretty fantastic. My SO and I decided to split our whole meal, per usual. We started with duck confit, served with white beans, roasted red pepper, escarole, and salsa verde. It was delicious. Perfectly cooked, seasoned, presented. We then had the crispy pork belly with sweet potato ravioli, served with mustard greens, pepitas, and pot liquor. Again, delicious and perfect. For our main course, we had the pork osso bucco, served with apple-fennel gremolata, spaetzle, and cabbage. And once again cooked, seasoned, presented perfectly. For dessert we had the homemade sorbet served with fresh berries. This night's selection was pear-thyme, strawberry-pina colada, and raspberry - two small scoops of each. This was my favorite part of the meal (I had an old-fashioned with dessert as well). Throughout the meal, our servers were very attentive without being overbearing. Our wine glasses didn't empty until our bottle did, and our water glasses never emptied. And we always had bread and butter on the table. Our waiter was helpful and knowledgeable, with many suggestions. The ambiance was very nice, and we enjoyed our time there. But there was just something missing from the meal. I can't put my finger on it. None of the dishes really gave me a kick in the mouth like I was expecting. Maybe my hopes were just too high... I'm gonna have to come back to try it again. Maybe I'll have one of the specials next time.
(4)
Natasha D.
Without a doubt one of the best meals of my life. We were a group of seven and not only was the food great but the service was beyond as well. We had the oysters and the scallops for appetizers, a few of us had the soup of the day which was butternut squash. Half is us had the grouper for our entree and the other half had the special, the red snapper. Everything was phenomenal. Loved the charming yet sophisticated ambience.
(5)
Norah P.
What can I say that hasn't been said? From the first moment we walked in we were greeted with a wonderfully unique atmosphere and spectacular service. The maître d' gave a fantastic recommendation for a Spanish wine that ended up preparing beautifully with the food that we ordered. I ordered the scallops to start and they were really delicious, perfectly cooked and the sauce that they came with was also spectacular! Not to mention the greens that came with the dish they were so tasty! After reading all the reviews I had to order the duck confit, and I was not disappointed in the least. It was delicious and the other guests in my table thought it was the best dish on the table. My dinner partners ordered the filet and the mushroom crepes, and both of those dishes were also very good. The mushroom crêpes were very earthy in flavor and the filet was perfectly cooked rare. Lastly I had the rhubarb upside down cake and my dinner partner had the chocolate and raspberry ganache. One word: unbelievable! The fresh herbs added a really wonderful taste to the desserts as well! I highly recommend this restaurant, which isn't the easiest to find because it doesn't have a sign. Give it a try next time you're in the big easy!
(5)
Tuyet P.
Ambience is very nice and romantic. We came on a slow night which was exactly what we wanted. Our dinner date consisted of a lot of appetizers, drinks, and one entree just bc the I wanted to try just about everything on the appetizer menu. Food: Duck Confit crispy outside cooked perfect inside with the blueberry balsamic and arugula and Mahon cheese, which I felt was all perfectly compatible together. Foie Gras: ohhhhh myyyyy gahhhh. I love love love LOVED.. And loved. It wasn't just the foie Gras itself but everything it was paired up with. I wish I could remember what else was on the plate besides the brioche, huckleberry sauce, and toasted brioche but my taste buds were in love. I don't usually say this but it, it was definitely an orgasm in my mouth... Scallops: I love scallops. You just can't go wrong with scallops. They were good, seared just right. ..... ...... I was totally suppose to finish this review but I forgot about it and finally seen it under Saved Draft. LOL! Wow I don't remember the rest of my meal.. Shucks. Well guess this is all I've got to post untl next time I'll update it!
(4)
Skippy K.
Anyone who bitches about their meal here is full of crap. Gautreaus is one of the best restaurants in the city and if you have a bad experience, it's your fault.
(5)
Edward G.
The best restaurant in Nola you've never heard of. One evening while taking a lesiurely uptown drive, my girlfriend and I noticed several well dressed people walking into Gautreau's and had no clue as to where they were going. We googled the address as there were no signs in front of the quaint non descript building. Only then did we learn that the building restaurant. We quickly made reservations as curiousity had gotten the best of us. The parking was beyond easy as we were able to park directly in front of the building. The restaurant itself is very intmant almost too intimant as we could easily here the conversations of others. This was really the only draw back of the whole experience. I had a well seasoned pork chop while girlfriend elected for the cobia with merlaton slaw (truthfully she would have ordered anything with merlaton in tue ingredient list in preperarion for upcoming merlaton festival.) Her fish was flakey and prepared with a high level of attentiom to detail. The presentation of our meals was spot on. I remember I had the foie fras app as always and she had something I was interested in stealing so I really didn't pay that much attention to it. A great place for a romantic date the delivers great food and easy parking. The closr proximity to parking is important after consuming copius amounts of deliciousness.
(5)
Leslie M.
A friend found out about this place and a group of us went while in town for a conference. We loved how there is no sign outside and seemed very local. The food and wine were good, I had the filet and my fiance had the chicken based on the recommendation from the waiter. The filet was typical for a filet, nothing earth shattering, but it was good. I would say that our experience would have been much better if we had a good server. The server we had was very cold, rushed us to order, and acted as if he was doing us a favor to wait in us. It ended up ruining our experience.
(2)
John M.
This is yet another hidden uptown gem. We both had a flounder special, which was perfect. Yes, there is a banana split on the menu. Shame on you if you don't order it! This place does it all: great service, nice ambience and fabulous food. We will be back on our next New Orleans visit!
(5)
Bob L.
Wonderfull atmosphere. Great scallop appetizer. Duck breast with figs perfectly cooked. Filet exceptional. Service was attentive, not rushed. Best meal in New Orleans. We will certainly return!!
(5)
J K.
We were in town for a convention and on our last night went here. The service was fine and the decor was nothing special as others have noted. It actually bothered my wife more than me, but these things to me are trivial... a dining experience is all about the food. We had a tomato soup and the duck confit and they were excellent but not out of this world. The accompaning greens were superb. Now to the stars of the show. The four entrees were red snapper, grouper daily special, ginger crusted halibut and braised pork spare ribs. The fish dishes were perfectly cooked and each was sauced differently. They all had that wow factor. The shortribs I only had a small part of but the guy who ordered them, who is a huge food snob even more than me, really enjoyed them. One general comment, The food seemed generally slightly underseasoned, but there was a salt shaker on the table. I am not a desert guy so I had a drink; the other 3 liked theirs. This is an excellent restaurant. There were a few things not perfect but all in all for me a 4.7- 4.8 rating.
(5)
Alex F.
The wait for every part of dinner marred an otherwise amazing meal. We waited 20 minutes for our table, 15 minutes for bread, 25 minutes for appetizers and 30 minutes for dinner. When the snapper arrived it was over-cooked. The second one they brought was truly the best snapper I've ever had. The waiter was rushed and inattentive.
(3)
Bj H.
Oh, what a wonderful little place! In New Orleans for just a few days and thankfully were able to get in for dinner. Our reservation was early, since that was all available while we were in town. The Amtrak was delayed and we were afraid we would not make it in time. We called and were assured they would accommodate us if we were running late. And that they did. The sweetbreads were fabulous but the scallops were blissful! Cooked perfectly with just a sear on them and not over cooked and rubbery. My companion had the filet, which he said was possibly the best steak he has ever had. I had the duck, cooked rare and it was perfect. Had the banana split for dessert that was fun to share. When we arrived, I had the remnants of a margarita, which the staff nicely offered to dispose of. They returned a shot glass with a lime and "a little kick" added. Was a top off of Patron Silver, and was a nice little treat! Wine list ample, cocktails were not watered down. Best over all meal we had this trip to New Orleans!
(5)
Cynthia H.
The restaurant itself is warm, intimate and elegant. Service overall is excellent. Food is just delicious. We have never had a bad meal nor a disappointing experience at Gautreau's. Benjamin waited on us tonight and he was terrific - no complaints at all! Benjamin was professional and knowledgeable and made sure we were each happy and had all that was needed. He is clearly polished in his field and a staff member we would ask for again. We each had a four course meal with cocktails and wine. The bill with tax and gratuity was about $117.30 per person. Gautreau's is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant which we would highly recommend - We look forward to our next visit!
(5)
caleb g.
Is there a way to give 6 stars? I mean seriously, Gautreau's just gets better. Chef Sue Zemanick is (rightfully) lauded nationally but I think her local following could give her an enviable career sans the Beard Awards, Food & Wine best ofs abd the occasional credit card commercial. We most recently dined at Gautreau's with my parents and all four of us were delighted with all of our dishes. I started with a fried shrimp cocktail with an Asian slaw and a somewhat sweet & spicy sauce that hit all the right notes; my lovely wife Paige, the Sweetbread Empress, so enjoyed the latest Gautreau's take on the thalmus that she simply didn't speak during that course. My dad loved the fried oyster salad special, the stars perfectly fried (and sized...not too big, not too small) and my mom deemed the tomato seafood soup the ideal expression of tomato soup, the haystack of sweet crab meat a lovely lagniappe. My arugula & apple salad, festooned with toasted hazelnuts, grapes and a generous thatch of manchego cheese is the best salad I have had in years...and I eat good to great salads about three times a week...and just had a spectacular one at August the day before (this is a seriously good salad folks). My mom loved her spinach & fried goat cheese salad as well. Speaking of my mom, she chose the vegetarian option (not her usual play) and got the Spanish style tortilla, which was delicious and light, with a fragrant tomato jam providing a sweet and acidic balance to the eggy, cheesy potato-ey mother of the Spanish omelette. My dad had the chicken, which is neither outre' or adventurous but simply a beautiful comforting entree, replete with fluffy mashed potatoes, toothsome haricot vert, earthy mushrooms and hearty (but not gluey) gravy. My striped bass entree special was perfectly cooked, the sweet, clean flesh accentuated by crispy skin that tasted of the sea; accompanied by smothered kale (yummy) and crispy polenta cakes (yummier!) and blistered tomatos, this was a marvelous plate of food that showed off so many ways that the kitchen at Gautrea's hits the mark all the time. Paige's gulf fish was almost routine in it's perfection, each element cooked to its ideal level. Desserts are usually the catagory where I think this amazing restaurant is merely very good, but the coconut-lemongrass semi-freddo was luscious, the pineapple in basil syrup completing the Asia meets Dolce Italia tableau. My sweetheart was kind enough to order the citrus nougatine so I could taste it (it was my birthday dinner) but I think she was happy with her choice: fluffy, sweet and tangy nougat with macerated mandarins. I ordered a creme brulee (I know, yawn...but it was textbook perfect) and I will not review the dessert made for me by the kitchen (what can I say, I'm the luckiest guy I ever met) but will say that on her first try, Sue made the best Ile Flotante I have ever had...maybe a write in campaign to get it on the menu? The atmosphere at this smallish bistro is unchanging and one might be tempted to call it staid if not for the fact that the room is always alight with the joyous faces of happy diners, well fed and well cared for by the always attentive staff.
(5)
Jorge S.
Quaint yet loud dining room the night we visited. Ok, that's not a complaint but an observation from my table. Now, on to the food. There are restaurants and then there are RESTAURANTS. This one falls into the latter. No bar on site where you can wait and have a drink prior to your seating. Ordered the Foie Gras appetizer. All I can say is AMAZING. It comes with poached pears, and a date chutney and a sesame brittle that.....well, words cannot describe the explosion of wonderful, well planned tastes. The combination just worked perfectly. The absolute best I have ever eaten. The Fried goat cheese and spinach salad was next. How can someone make a salad go over the top? This one just does that. Accompanied with a honey-sherry vinaigrette that coats the tongue with absolute happiness. A must-try! For the main course the Black Angus Filet and the Snapper with a basil oil. Wow!!! Both plates were perfectly cooked. All the accompaniments added to the experience. There's a reason why this restaurant and the chef, Sue Zemanick, a James Beard Award winner, are so outstanding. Attention to detail in everything. Highly recommend this restaurant to any one visiting the NO area.
(5)
Mark B.
This restaurant is located in a house uptown. No signage outside so you need to go where you are going. Very exclusive feeling and of course the home of a Top Chef. The room where all the tables are located is a little tight but intimate. There is no where for guests to wait while their table is getting ready. Ordered the duck confit appetizer. It is crisp on the outside which is something I had never seen on duck confit. It was nice however I thought it was a little dry. Ordered the drum for dinner. It had an outstanding vegetable broth with layers of flavor. Very good and special. Wife had the scallop appetizer and salad for her entree both were good but nothing special. All in all this meal was a good experience but not the best that I have ever had. I would recommend giving Gautreau's a try especially for a wonderful special date.
(4)
Chuck R.
Yet again Gautreau's did not disappoint. This time my wife and I invited six other diners to experience the Gautreau's treatment. Service was again personable and attentive. The wine list actually seemed more interesting than ever and the food was impeccably prepared. The staff did a great job accommodating our large party. This place is platinum.
(5)
Sara C.
I rarely write reviews but this place was so delightful that I felt compelled to! Went at 8:30 on a Monday night. Place was pretty desolate - about 4 tables. Service was excellent. Food/drink delivery was paced well - too many times restaurants rush you, especially when you're so close to closing time. I got the crispy sweetbreads and the scallop apps (not an entree person) and my husband got the pork belly app and Grouper special entree. We shared the cheese plate for dessert. Seriously, everything was amazing. My husband and I live most of our time in Manhattan and the rest here. Too often in New Orleans do I find food to be overwhelmingly fried/salty/too rich, but everything here was amazing. I thought the prices weren't outrageous at all, but then again, I've been in NYC the past decade. Can't wait to go back next time!!
(5)
Douglas W.
I cannot remember the last time I ate somewhere and was as disappointed and felt as financially violated as I do right now. I will start with what I liked about this place. It won't take long. I liked that it's in a nice residential neighborhood and is unmarked by signage. I also thought that both my waiters were very good. The coffee is French Truck and was also good. That's it. That's everything that I can say that passed for me. I ordered the "Crispy Sweetbreads with Jumbo Lump Crab, spinach, bacon, quail egg and pommery mustard 15.00" I had to copy this from the menu because all I could taste was the bacon. I didn't order a drink and I don't smoke so I do have a palate. In fact, I didn't realize there was mustard until I copied this for my review. This was a ridiculously small portion all around. Possibly 4 bites and the sweetbreads were so minute that you couldn't taste them under the breading even if there wasn't just an overbearing amount of bacon. Why didn't you just bring me a few slices of bacon? Moving on before I explode. Next I tried a snapper dish that doesn't appear on the website currently but was on the menu tonight. I can't actually describe it as it was written because there wasn't enough of anything on the plate where you could identify it. The snapper was dry and on top of some nice farro. A nice textural addition to the plate. There was a puree of what I think was sunchoke? There was maybe a tablespoon spread out on the plate. You couldn't taste it and there wasn't enough that it matters that I can remember. Why bother. Then there was a similarly sized streak of a truffle vinaigrette. I also identified part of a julianned chanterelle. This dish was dry, really arid, dry. Underseasoned because of not enough vinaigrette? It wasn't a sauce exactly. I am disgusted. I asked the waiter if this is how the dish was supposed to look and if the amounts were accurate and he affirmed it. I wish he had said it was a mistake. The manager asked if she could bring more puree and vinaigrette. I didn't bother. It wasn't going to help a lot the dish needed a sauce. I was mostly done and had lost some interest in the dish at this point. Not to be deterred and since I was really really hungry for lack of food on my plate we ordered desert and coffee. I forgot to mention that the entree was minuscule. I ordered the banana split. "Caramelized Banana Split with vanilla ice cream, warm banana bread, butterscotch, chocolate sauce, toasted walnuts 14.00" Unbelievably lame waste of $14. I can barely stand to write this. The bananas were underripe and needed to be caramelized. These had a little caramel on them. Cook them like a Foster a little. The banana bread was dry and wasn't warm at all. I couldn't find the butterscotch and the chocolate sauce was hardly present. Was this ice cream out of a tub? There might have been 1 walnut altogether. A 3 year old could make a better split in a home kitchen. I am appalled that this less than average desert came out at this restaurant and for this price. I am stupefied. They should have bought us desert after I complained that my fish was dry and it was on the check. It was $150 with a tip for 2 without drinks. I can't believe it. I have to make sure you understand that I would have been disappointed at 1/2 this price and I don't want the comments about the money to detract from the message about my experience here but it is relevant nonetheless. I don't leave 1 star reviews often and without serious consideration but I am really unhappy with this restaurant. The only thing more depressing than the food is the decor.
(1)
Miriam W.
Hmmm. I'm not sure what the 5 star Yelpers are eating at this restaurant, but it certainly isn't what I had. I like the exterior of this restaurant, but found the dining room drab and, frankly, depressing. The walls are painted in a trompe l'oeil swag design that would be fun had it been done in a livelier color. While I appreciate understated elegance, the dark gray walls and olive carpet do nothing to enliven the small room. Unfortunately, I found the food similarly uninspired. The salad I ordered...honey crisp apples julienned and tossed with bleu cheese, walnuts and romaine in a walnut vinaigrette...was not bad, but lacked any real interest. It was OK. For an entree I chose halibut in a grapefruit buerre blanc. The fish was cooked perfectly, and the elements on the plate went together well; in fact, if I was reviewing on this plate alone, I would be giving this restaurant 3 stars, as this dish was good. It just wasn't terrific, or anything that I haven't had before. For $33, I want to be a little more wowed. My husband and I shared the banana split for dessert. After a few bites I realized this is something anyone with just a little skill could make in their own kitchen. I never, ever make dessert at home, as I live with an ex pastry chef, but I was remaking the dish in my mind as I was eating it, coming up with improvements as I ate. I must admit I don't get the excitement over this restaurant, especially in a town that has such amazing food. Moving on.
(2)
Kelly R.
Amazing! Service five star, ambiance five star, food five star! Simply the best place in New Orleans! I wish we had gone here on our first night in town because we probably would have been back every night after! Trust me; it doesn't get any better. This is my fourth trip to NOLA and have dinned at all the "best" places, but none can compare to Gautreaus!
(5)
H M.
Wow - seriously under whelmed. the serve was not personable. Menus and later all dishes were dropped with no details or even a simple "enjoy". The waiter could not give good recommendations regarding entree choice. So we, started with duck based on other yelp reviews - it was the best dish of the night. the filet was cooked well but very uninventive - very bland. I should have asked for steak sauce. The red snapper was dry. Three glasses of wine later and two deserts and no sign of the server - the maitre d' finally stopped by to ask how the meal was and we finally had the chance to inquire on the flavors of sorbet. All in all a very disappointing "gem".
(1)
Paulina N.
When I first arrived, I was a little surprised at how Gautreau's blended in with the rest of the houses. It was kind of hard to tell it was a restaurant on the outside, but the wooden bench in front of the window to your left should be a good sign that you're at the right place. Atmosphere I felt like I was dining in someone's home back in the day with candles and live piano music (but I totally didn't notice if there was any music at all). Gautreau's has a pretty fancy setting, but it's not snobby and pretty welcoming. Perhaps the dark, painted walls set the tone for the evening. The bathroom's pretty small (one stall) and not well lit; I felt like Harry Potter who lived under the stairs. And sitting near the door wasn't terrible, surprisingly enough. It can get a little loud, but not to the point where you can't hear the person you're next to. Gautreau's is definitely a place you can take a date worthy of splurging on. ================================= Food We shared an appetizer + salad, but they were amazing and split it onto two dishes for us. Scallops + crawfish appetizer - everything on this plate was pretty fresh, nothing chewy or dry. It was a pretty light dish, which is what it's supposed to be. I hate it when appetizers can be doubled as entrees sometimes! Pineapple + watercress salad - slices of watercress and one circle slice of pineapple was pretty much it. there wasn't much else to it; nothing really stood out besides there being a lot more watercress than pineapple. So i did ate the pineapple last lol :) Sauteed flounder - crispy and buttery on its own. the fish was just fish by itself, but when you eat it when the vegetables it lied on top of, it was just delightful! perfect balance flavors and texture, which made it very easy to eat the entire plate. the best part was combining the flounder + blood oranges. i almost feel embarrassed for cleaning off my plate :X Homemade sorbet - perfect way to finish a perfectly balanced dinner. start light, end light! the berries were tart, and the sorbet was delicious. the mint flavored one was quite interesting to say the least. it's a pretty big plate that'll serve 2 people, but if you're feeling ambitious or don't want to share, order one for yourself :) ================================= Service I expected nothing less than excellent, and that was exactly what I got. Hostess was polite and inviting (even asked how our evening was doing later on). The server was attentive but not annoying. He was very helpful, recommending and describing items to the T. Awesome. 5 stars for service Overall, a pretty good experience. The meal was pretty on point. I didn't feel bloated or hungry still after leaving. Service was great, people were polite, and the bathroom was clean! No complaints here =)
(4)
Deborah F.
I cannot remember the last time I ate somewhere and was as disappointed and felt as financially violated as I do right now -- copied from another review because it says it all.
(1)
James H.
Steak, and house soup was awesome.....corn, crab and coconut. Wow
(5)
Sasha B.
This was probably the best meal of our "eating tour" of New Orleans. The restaurant is in the residential area, so the easiest way to get there if one doesn't have a car, is by taking a cab. Service was professional and the food was amazing. We came here on our last night of the trip, so at this point I was desperate for a salad. The baby lettuce salad was incredible: fresh and flavorful, and just perfect. For the entree I had snapper. The skin on the fish was perfectly grilled, probably the best grilled piece of fish I have ever had (and I eat a lot of fish). The dish was delicious and full of flavor. We shared a banana split (their signature dessert), and it was good, but next time I'd probably order something else. Overall, a great experience.
The food is just superb! Superb! Superb! And the service? Impressive. Atmosphere: quiet and provate. Chef has been nominated for a James Beard award. Can't wait for our next visit.
(5)
Robert B.
This is perfect example of why reviewing a restaurant based on one visit is not a good idea. I dined here about 2 years ago and was anticipating an awesome meal based on the reviews by critics I respected including those who work for a little outfit called the James Beard Awards. And, unfortunately, I was underwhelemed by my meal. I returned a few days ago and had one of the best meals in recent memory. For an appetizer I had the seared sea scallops with crawfish tails with artichokes, fingerling potatoes, corn and andouille. As some may know, I'm a big scallop fan, so I'm always interested in different preparations of them. This one came, I believe, with a foie gras based sauce. Weird, but man was it delicious. For an entree, I ordered the halibut which was finished with what I thought was a beef based sauce, also a little out of the ordinary. Sauces are the difference between home cooks, mediocre professionals, and the pros out there. Sue Zemanick is such a pro. Her sauces turned these 2 dishes from good to excellent. I can cook halibut as well as the pros in Gautreau's kitchen, but I cannot make sauces like those. I also tasted the seared duck breast which was nice, but I must say I'm not a fan of medium rare duck. For dessert, my 3 dining companions and I split the rhubarb tart with strawberry jam and creme fraiche ice cream and the blackberry shortcake with meyer lemon cream. I loved them both, but the tart was superb, a not too sweet tart, almost a sandwich with semolina cake as the bread. The space is as I remembered--small and quaint, a little stuffy and pretentious (well, it is next to Newman), but warm and friendly nonetheless. I am so glad I returned to Gautreau's and will def be back.
(5)
Bob E.
The Food (First Course) - As it was our first visit to this restaurant, we tried two appetizers and the soup of the day. The appetizers we chose were the sweetbreads with lump crabmeat and the crispy pork belly with sweet potato ravioli. The soup of the day was a creamy butternut squash with crab meat. I would rate the pork belly a three out of five stars. The flavor was excellent, but the dish was a tad overdone. It was the leanest cut of pork belly I have ever tried. Very tasty overall, but not spectacular. The butternut squash soup would come in at four out of five stars. It was very, very good. Now, for the best part of the first course: the sweetbreads. I have traveled from coast to coast and have had the fortune of dining in some of the finest restaurants in the country. That said, I would put these sweetbreads over any I have ever had before. I would definitely rate these a five star dish. They were simply incredible! I can't wait to come back for more of these. (2nd Course) - The Entrees - My wife and I both had the fish. She had the cobia and I had the red snapper, which was the fish of the day. They were both excellent! I would definitely rate them both five stars. The snapper may have been the best snapper I have ever had in New Orleans. It was really magnificent. Definitely recommend. We were so full after the first two courses that we passed on dessert. We'll save that for another time. The Service The service was excellent. When we walked in the door, we were warmly greeted and were seated within minutes. Our waiter was very knowledgeable of the menu and was always there when we needed him without hovering. Very pleasant and professional. Five stars here. The Atmosphere The atmosphere comes in at a four out of five stars. It was very nice, but just that. Nothing more. Overall, I give this place a five star rating because of the food and the service.
(5)
Alexander W.
I recently discovered the James Beard foundation awards, also known as the Oscar equivalent for food. My friends being procrastinators, didn't try to book a $$$+ restaurant until 2 weeks prior arriving in New Orleans. Most places could not accommodate 10 people at 8pm but Gautreau's was happy to oblige. Chef Sue Zemanick has been a finalist for the "Rising Star Chef" award among many other accolades.. The appetizers are more individualized, so don't expect one to serve 3-4 people. The pork belly with pomegranate sauce was fan-freaking-tastic melt in your mouth. Although parts of the duck confit with potato salad was a tad dry, the moist pieces brought a confetti celebration to my taste buds. My black angus filet was perfectly cooked at medium rare and tender as a baby's behind. The baby cow veal is the real deal for it comes with a helping of bone marrow. The wine list was reasonable and my party was extremely satisfied with our meal. Like most people mentioned, Gautreau is renovated from a house in a neighborhood and added a familial feel. Service was impeccable. Most patrons were dressed up in a blazer or dinner jacket.
(4)
Maria C.
I saved my 1400th review for one of my most memorable meals I had in NOLA. Gautreau's is located in Uptown. VERY inconspicuous - in fact, it's a house in the middle of a neighborhood with no signage - just the address. We decided to visit this place as the chef, Susan Zemanick, was featured on Top Chef Masters Season 3. Did not disappoint! -Soup du Jour - Creme of Spinach with Fried Rockefeller Oysters ($10): The soup had a little too much spinach, but it was still good. There were only a couple pieces of fried oysters on top to offset the spinach soup. Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. -Sauteed Snapper with Meyer Lemon Beurre Blanc, chanterelle mushrooms, baby potatoes, roasted fennel and sugar snap peas ($32): This entree was to die for! The meyer lemon beurre blanc was AMAZING. I even requested more to pour all over my snapper and veggies. DELISH!!! -Chocolate Malt Semifreddo with toasted marshmallow, graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter fudge and peanut brittle ($10): I didn't care for the toasted marshmallow on top, but the chocolate and peanut butter combo was a great way to end a nice dinner. -I tried a piece of the Veal Osso Bucco ($33) and it was divine! It's probably the best osso bucco I've had. Very rich and tender. I definitely recommend this entree if you're in the mood for meat. Service was outstanding. We were always checked on and drinks were always refilled. We were very pleased with our dining experience and would definitely recommend visiting this restaurant. The chef came out a few times to socialize with the patrons, which I thought was really cool. Fine dining, so dress appropriately. Very small dining area so do make sure you make reservations well in advance.
(5)
Abby N.
Husband had a work dinner here, so it was a fixed menu, but his review of the scallops, filet and chocolate dessert moved this to the top of the list for our next special occasion.
(5)
Sonya Z.
This is one of the finest and most expensive restaurants in New Orleans. The other reviews for this place are very comprehensive, so I won't go into great detail. I'll just tell you what I LOVED and what I HATED. I HATED: the Foie Gras Torchon with Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, white balsamic reduction, candied pistachios and toasted brioche. It was $18 of lumpy mush. I LOVED: the Blueberry Buckle with Huckleberry ice cream, toasted pecans and maple creme anglaise. $10 of pure perfection. This place is pricey. For a party of six, our bill before tip was almost $450. One bottle of wine and three beers included in that. If you're trying to experience Susan Spicer's cooking, I would first recommend Bayona. Also, it was so fucking loud in there, we were all screaming at each other. My family hated the acoustics of the place. Again, we like Bayona better!
(4)
Colin A.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city. Been several times, never had anything I didn't like. Love the space and slightly hidden/inconspicuous location.
(5)
Cynthia C.
Very solid meal and my favorite of my trip to New Orleans. Excellent service and a gracious chef sealed the deal. Potato leek soup du jour was delicious with crab on top. Roasted chicken was well prepared with an addictive rosemary jus. Banana split dessert was whimsical and more than enough to share.
On our A-Z restaurant tour of New Orleans, it came time for the letter G, and my boyfriend had mentioned this place quite a few times so we went onto Yelp and were extremely excited upon reading all the rave reviews people had to share. We went to the restaurant website to check out the menu and immediately began salivating. Scallops and butternut squash and halibut and more -- these are a few of my favorite things! We called the restaurant to see if they would be able to seat us that night itself, and what luck -- they had an opening! So we rushed over as quickly as possible, ready to begin what was sure to be a tremendously satisfying meal. When we got there, things quickly went downhill. We started with a delicious wine while we waited for small plates to come out. The brussel sprouts with pancetta -- overall lacking flavor -- and the scallops -- overcooked and chewy. 0/2. Then our waiter came by to refill our wine glasses -- whoops, he accidentally starts pouring wine into my water glass! Now... I understand, busy nights and all.. it happens to the best of us, I'm sure he was incredibly overwhelmed and running around, and he was moderately apologetic about it -- but I do think that he could have offered a dessert on the house or something else to compensate for the expensive wine that had now turned my water pink. The mains. Okay, probably the only dish that we enjoyed was the halibut -- light, refreshing, and well prepared. The other entree we got was the filet with balsamic glaze. And I've read the reviews specifically about this filet, and I have to say I don't know what people are so impressed with! A good cut of meat should not require so much sauce spread all over it that you can no longer taste the meat. Needless to say, the cut itself was less than impressive, and the sauce was just too thick and syrupy. I must admit, that I felt nauseous and bloated the rest of the evening. We didn't even want to see the dessert menu after such an underwhelming meal. Perhaps I had such strong feelings toward the meal because I was expecting such great things, and everything just fell flat! I may entertain the idea of returning and trying different things off the menu, but I also thought that everything we ordered was pretty different and nothing really impressed. And the environment was more stuffy than I expected. I felt underdressed in my business casual dress and heels, but again.. I'm from the camp that believes good food shouldn't insist upon coats and ties.
This place is NOLA's well-kept secret in the restaurant world. This place is what is best about our city. Small, charming, yet innovative in their food preparation. My friends had the Roasted Chicken and the Seared Tuna. They thoroughly enjoyed both and said they were cooked to perfection. I had the Filet which was served with polenta, rapini, and this balsamic sauce......mouth-watering!! Creme Brulee and Banana Split for dessert. We were in heaven :D Gautreau's is quiet, charming, and has a wonderful atmosphere. Service was great! What's not to love in a place hidden in a residential area!
(5)
Beebe G.
i would like to start with the positives at gautreau's. the service is accommodating and attentive. the selection of dishes i chose was spot on and i wasn't disappointed. i had the celery root soup (one of the soup du jour), my entree was also the special, the grouper (not the one on the menu) and it was exquisite. the wine dan chose was also delicious and went perfectly with everything. i ended with the creme brulee. loved it too. the negative is the experience from the time we arrived. we were on time for our 7:30 reservation and ended up waiting over a half hour and no where to go but stand and look at the all the diners in the room. we were told that everyone arrived late b/c of the rain. the host provided us a beverage order, but it was super awkward just standing there and i really don't care for it. the ambiance is loud, not at all intimate. it's sometimes difficult to have a decent conversation when you're practically shouting at each other. my husband enjoyed the grouper too but was not impressed with the sweetbreads. they were small. he felt the chef took one gland and split it half and tha'ts what was served to him. all in all, for me the meal was delicoius but it wasn't the best i've ever had and i probably will not return.
(3)
Christine S.
Unfortunately will not go back after 15 plus years of going here to celebrate our anniversary. For starters the waiter was less than helpful. He was like a wind up doll on auto pilot with a fake smile. Nothing personal or engaging with this server. Mind you I don't enjoy a lot of banter, but for lords sake man when someone asks about a wine selection or entree, jump out there! "The trout special has been well received tonight" would have been appreciated. Instead he took me to task for asking to suggest something telling me I made him uncomfortable and he'd already explained the flavors i.e., bright, spicy etc. really?? My trout selection was very, very good. I could not see what was under it because it was too dark in there. Unfortunately my husbands grouper was overcooked a dry. The portion was right for me but for the price there should have been more fish, especially the grouper. Btw my husband was vacillating between the steak and the fish, explains that we have grouper in abundance where we come from to which the waiter replied that "didn't really matter it was how it was presented." True enough, but couldn't he have said something like "you've never had it prepared this way or you can go wrong with the steak." After we finished, the waiter never returns to our table (after several passes) to ask about dessert. By this time we are ready to leave. The busboy comes to finally retrieve our plates ( very nice, we found ourselves wishing that he had been our server) and we had to ask him for our check, Last, our entrees looked very small and lonely on the large white plates with no sauce presentation at all which at least would have looked like we were getting more for the price!
(1)
Adam S.
I really liked this place. Located in a pretty residential neighborhood, you'd hardly even notice this place if you were driving by. But that would be unfortunate for you because this place has some really nice food. Definitely not a tourist trap. This place has a kind of old school southern vibe. Started with the pork belly and foie gras appetizers. The foie had a nice rich flavor to it and some tasty cherry jam, arugula, and peanut brittle. It was a solid dish. The belly was served with polenta. It also had great flavor and the pork itself wasn't masked by other flavors. For the entree, I had the snapper which came with Swiss chard, sweet potato, and mustard vinaigrette. This was just a superb dish. Can't say enough about this dish. Simply stated, if it's on the menu when you eat here, you should get it. Also tried the filet with gnocchi and mushrooms. It was nice as well, but not as nice as the snapper. For dessert, we got the pine nut tart with vanilla ice cream and apricots. A tasty dish that was a nice end to a wonderful meal. Really solid.
(5)
Daniel B.
The duck confit is ridiculously good.
(5)
Daniel M.
If this was NYC Gautreau's would be advertising as a "speakeasy restaurant" - with good cause; even the cabbie who 'knew where it was' drove past the place and had to double back to locate it.. Worth every effort to find! When I walked in and saw the old pharmacy-shelves-turned-bar, I knew I was at home. Go for the pork belly appetizer (with cherry jus on top of a bed of polenta) and order ANYTHING from the entree menu (the Trippletail was perfectly cooked with flaky skin and not-overcooked interior). Splurge on a nice bottle of wine, they've got a more than decent selection. Thank you Sue Zemanick!
(4)
Angela P.
Fantastic! It is worth the trip out here. Service was top notch and the food was to die for. Out of everywhere I went in New Orleans, this is about the only place I would return on a subsequent trip. Get the duck confit!!!
(5)
Jen L.
Went last week for my birthday dinner (on a Monday!). The menu is focused and delicious. I had a fish special that included beets & jerusalem artichokes. Highly recommended.
(5)
Claire S.
Yay for lady chefs!! This is a fancy date spot. Had pork belly and foie gras pate appetizers, mmmm so good. I had the filet mignon with gnocchi and mushrooms. The gnocchi were great, the filet was melt-in-your-mouth delicous. I hadn't had a good steak in a long time and this was cooked perfectly. The stand-out dish from here was my baby's snapper. Like a dum-dum I tried to talk him into ordering the flounder but I'm glad he went with his gut, becuase this was just absolutely delcious. The mustard vinagrette made the dish I felt. So good. We got dessert (which means we loved this place) which was pine nut tart with vanilla icecream and apricots. I loved this, the icecream was homemade, tart was delicous, and it was just really really really really good. We were the youngest people in the place I believe which is usually a good sign when it comes to restaurants (unless its Denny's early bird special). Anyway this place is classy, love the atmosphere, love the food, would love to go back.
(5)
Sean K.
My meal at Gautreau's last night may inspire me to create my first Yelp list -- Greatest Hits and Swings n' Misses -- to account not just for the restaurant, but also for the individual dishes. Here's why. Last night started with a fantastic seared scallop small plate, which they were kind enough to split onto two plates for a small first course. The scallop was served with butternut squash puree stuffed pasta ("angolotti") and toasted pumpkin seeds. A bit on the fall-menu side for mid March, but the flavors were out-of-the-park good. Next course, we each had another small plate, one a hit the other a swing and miss. I've waxed hyperbolic about Gautreau's duck confit before, and I have no reason to change that assessment here. It was presented somewhat differently from past experiences, but the crisp duck skin with the German potato salad and a gentle mustard creme fraiche was a massive success. Hit. The sweetbread dish, however, was firmly at the other end of the spectrum. Despite our server's efforts to dissuade me, my predilection for sweetbreads took control and I ordered the disastrous fried sweetbread/waffle/candied pecans/sweet potato/maple syrup dish. Visually, the plate was an inelegant and disjointed mass. The sweetbread portion size was pitiable, and it was not redeemed by the presence of the waffle, syrup, pecans and sweet potato hash. My wife remarked that the dish looked like something I would throw together at 2 in the morning after a night out drinking. I wouldn't be surprised if that were indeed Ms. Zemanick's own inspiration for this dish. Swing n' Miss. Our main courses -- mushroom perogies and veal osso bucco -- were fine dishes, but standing up against the duck and scallop deserve little further comment. Both were generously sized, and the marrow spoon for the veal bone was much appreciated. In all honesty, I held Gautreau's up on such a high pedestal that I will appreciate last night's meal most for reminding me that even Gautreau's is comprised of mere mortals. Still, two lead off home runs is not a bad night at the plate.
(4)
RL R.
Pros: Lovely interior, focused uncomplicated menu, great neighborhood, small living room feel. Cons: Small portions, and the waiter seemed to disappear as soon as it was obvious we weren't going to be dropping $400 like the table next to us. No "how was everything?," no "can I get you anything else?" Just dropped us. It didn't ruin the experience, but I'd try something else before I went back.
(3)
Eric L.
gautreau's has finally reopened post-katrina. this fine dining establishment is in an old pharmacy building and is tucked away in a residential area north of st. charles ave and robert st. while seeming popular with the blue-haired crowd, the menu is not old people food. the chef does game and non-traditional meats (ox tail) really well. the service is impeccable. gautreau's is just one reason why new orleans is a food destination.
(5)
Tina R.
Great Dinner! I don't know where to start. From the moment we walked in we were treated like old friends. We reached our table to find a bit of heart confetti sprinkled around the candle. A very subtle, simple way to signal to the staff that we were celebrating. Nice touch. We started with cocktails and the Salmon tartare appetizer while we looked over the menu. Very Good! We decided on sharing the Duck confit with blue cheese slaw appetizer. My husband like it more than I. It seemed fried and it was reeeally salty. the slaw was great. We then order two salads. Watermelon, Arugula with feta , then Spinach, frisee and a poached egg. Both were really great. Then we split the Black Angus Filet with Bordelaise Sauce with crispy fingerling potatoes, port braised shallots and spinach. Perfectly cooked. Terrific!! We paired the duck and salads with Cancilla Pinot Noir and with the filet a Malbec, both suggestions from our well trained and very personable waiter, Ryan. We finished off the meal with a playful dessert, Caramelized Banana Split with vanilla ice cream,warm banana bread, butterscotch, chocolate sauce, toasted walnuts. Yummy! Paired with Bailey's Irish Cream and a Dalwhinnie Scotch. We were never rushed, we took out time and were treated well the entire evening. (8:30 rsv on a Friday night.) They called us a cab and we talked about the dinner all the way home! One note, at first in was kinda loud but quieted down as a few larger groups left.
(4)
Brian C.
I wouldn't say it was the best meal of my life but Gautreau's is a nice old-school NOLA restaurant with solidly concepted and flawlessly executed dishes (the food is much more interesting and fresh than the overly formal and outdated decor). The service started a bit slow but improved throughout the evening and the wine list was fairly well chosen if much smaller than I would have expected at a restaurant of this caliber. Overall, it's certainly not cheap so expect to drop $200 for 2 people including drinks, tax, and tip but the food here was definitely better than Commander's Palace and other higher profile restaurants in town so I'm looking forward to going back when an occasion comes up. P.S. Make sure you have the address - there's really no signage outside and it's a bit tough to find.
(4)
Ariana G.
The food here is very good. One of the better meals I've eaten in New Orleans. The atmosphere is a little on the stuffy side. The presentation is lovely, the food quality is excellent and the dishes offer subtle twists on similar New Orleans' type offerings. The scallop appetizer was fantastic. The cold cream of asparagus soup was not really my thing. The duck was fantastic, the risotto with it, not so great. The rhubarb tart was super yummy. They have a nice selection of wines by the class and an interesting offering of after dinner wines as well. The meal on the whole was very good.
(4)
Jamie W.
Decided to have round two at Gautreau's on our most recent trip to New Orleans and am very, very happy to say that I wasn't the least bit disappointed. You know how it is when you build something up in your mind? If anything, I love Gautreau's even more and I'm not sure how that is at all possible. I don't know how it worked out but we ended up at the same table at the front door that we had on our first visit. The food was amazing and service excellent. Cannot wait for round three!
(5)
R R.
Gautreau is hidden in Uptown on a side street in a rehabbed local apothecary, or so I was told. But beyond it's unique location and history in NOLA, it has some of the best food in town. The place is extremely small so be sure to have reservations! I began my meal with their salad. It was so good, I was wishing that I had ordered two. My main was their redfish. It was beyond excellent. I concluded with their bread pudding and substituted the chantilly cream for the ice cream. It was a lighter version of your typical bread pudding with the lemon curd and blackberries. I left the restaurant feeling fat and happy and having started my gourmand visit in the Big Easy somewhere off the beaten path. Definitely put this place on your list of good eats! NOTE: Other yelpers commented on the noise level. We had 7:00pm reservations and the noise level was average but by the time we left at 8:30, the level was noticeably higher. So to avoid the chatter, make your reservation at an earlier time!
(5)
Kalyna K.
What a treat it was to have met the lovely chef Sue. She was a real welcoming and gracious host, as was the owner who made a point to say hello to each table. Now here is where you will see the real local NOLA money crowd. The dishes were superb and we were able to try a few but the red fish special was out of this world. The other highlight was the poached lobster salad...
(5)
Alex B.
OMG this place was really good. The duck and lamb was to die for! Great service.
(4)
Karen S.
This restaurant is in a nice Uptown neighborhood next to the Newman school (keep that in mind for parking on high school football nights). The atmosphere was pleasant and intimate, and the painted curtain walls were a really nice touch. The staff was friendly, efficient, and patient when it came to closing. The food was phenomenal. I really enjoyed the scallops appetizer, done perfectly on a sweet potato puree with corn. Some of the appetizers were fairly large, so you could easily have two of those instead of appetizer/entree combo. The steak was done to perfection. I had a chocolate cake for dessert, though the addition of sliced banana with a sugar glaze (think brulee) was a nice touch. For my palate, I think I would have preferred more depth on the menu to push it to a 5-star in my book. Our group was very pleased overall and I'll be back again to see if I can bump it up a star. :) I wasn't really thrilled with the wine list. They had an interesting variety of whites, but were lacking a good variety of reasonably priced reds. They had the standard (but infuriating) 2.5x mark-up.
(4)
Ian S.
Gautreau's is one of if not my most favorite restaurant of all. I've eaten in a lot of great places, but Gautreau's is so consistently good that to not eat there while in NOLA is just about a sin. Sue Zemanick, head chef, not only commands a bad ass kitchen, she is one of the coolest people I have ever had the chance to meet. Do yourself a favor and make this a "must visit" next time you are in New Orleans.
(5)
Seth B.
This is one of my favorite places to dine in the country and in my neighborhood. Sue does a great job with the menu and is constantly innovating. Patrick runs the front like a seasoned pro. If you want to dine at the best place in New Orleans then this might be it.
I know this may sound exaggerated - but Gautreau's is my favorite restaurant in the whole world. Although I am a New Orleanian I have traveled the world and I still compare everything to Gautreau's. I know there is more inventive, cutting and extravagant food. I know there is more opulent settings. I know there is service with 10 waiters per table. But the classic food with twists, the intimate setting and the attentive staff at Gautreau's define the good life for me. It stands out because of it's attention to detail, warm and welcoming feel and its tremendous food. The scallops are over the top and no matter how people look at me when I recommened they get the filet and it will be the best they have ever had - everyone last one of them agree upon finishing it. I have had everything on the menu and I am never disappointed!
(5)
Liz M.
Oh dear. Sue Zemanick has a new fan. As hard to believe as it is, this was my introduction to pork belly, and I think I picked the right place to have it. It was crisped to perfection with a cherry jus that wasn't too sweet or too tart. It came on top of polenta, but I really think it was more of a vessel to cut the fat and salt. My husband was over the top for his Sauteed Trippletail. It came with a pesto beurre blanc that he may have taken a straw to. Ms. Zemanick actually made a similar dish on Top Chef Masters which Ruth Reichl said was like "hotel food". Well Ruth, in my humble palated opinion, you are off base. You might be out of the stadium. The only thing disappointing about that dish was that it wasn't mine. The restaurant itself was a pleasure to be in. We took the street car out, and found that even though early, and making reservations that afternoon, we were seated easily. We were cared for by the wait staff and chatted up the manager for other foodie finds. Everyone seemed to know each other even before the meal was served as if folks in the neighborhood just popped by to say hello and get a damn fine meal. NOTE: The menu online is not quite indicative of what they are currently serving. It's not overwhelmingly different, but it may change your mind once you get there. Also, they didn't have the wine we wanted, but gave us a similar, more expensive one for the original bottle price. I know this is common, but good service like that should always be noted.
(5)
Randy S.
You know, I have only one thing in life I really need to do: eat and tell people about it. So when I forget to review a place a month after eating there, shame on me!!! I dined here with another foodie friend right before New Year's and we both loved it. I've dined here several times before (starting with their lunch with wine specials during the summers), but this was the first time I had dinner here in over two years. I had a perfect piece of filet mignon and my friend raved about his fish. The food here is delish and this place is definitely off the beaten path. Highly recommended, especially if you want a little bit of a fancier experience. Alas, though I dined here recently, it's one of those places I keep forgetting about! I swear someone needs to make an iPhone app to remind me to go to certain restaurants so often! Though it seemed like it was cougar night when we went; mostly Uptown women (single and married) were dining that night! Not that I'm complaining...just saying...
Great restaurant, outstanding cuisine. A true neighborhood gem!!!
(5)
A. A.
After reading series of well received reviews, I booked a romantic dinner for two during our trip to NOLA. We arrived via street car in the Garden District where our reserved table was waiting. The night was a little chilled with a sleight drizzle in the air as we strolled up the quaint gas lit neighborhood where Gautreau's Restaurant resides. Upon arrival, It felt as though we were invited to an elegant dinner party at a close friend's home. A very beautiful and intimate patron space with a set number of tables. We soon found the menu equally reflected this thoughtful attention as well. We ordered cocktails, the French Martini was delicious and well balanced. The starter was a celery/parsnip bisque with fresh crab meat which I found to be wonderfully pureed, but lukewarm and under seasoned. The main of the evening was a house special, blackened sea bass filet seared with the skin on. Though very flavorful in seasoning without being overly dominate to the protein, it didn't taste as 'daily fresh' as it should have. On the other hand, the bed of dice roasted potatoes, beets, and lilted Swiss chard with a balsamic reduction was the clear winner on the plate. Dessert was a pairing of vanilla bean creme brulee with Rowan's Creek single barrel bourbon... nothing beats simplicity here! The largest complaint we had that left a sour taste in our mouths from what was an otherwise delicious meal, was that of our male server. Yes, he took our orders, brought warm rolls and refilled our water glasses when ASKED, but paid no interest in us enough to accomplish these tasks by simple table observation nor could he answer a few questions about the restaurant or it's menu. I certainly saw him manage to dance around two adjacent tables with businessmen, but to neglect our patronage so blatantly by not even bothering to ask how our food tasted... was an experience killer that John Singer Sargent himself could have done without. I sincerely feel chef Sue Zemanic has a passionate sense of classic fare with an exclusive flare, but unfortunately for us, the overall dining experience was a bit tepid.
(3)
Jonathan G.
Recently, my wife and I visited my son in New Orleans for parents' weekend at Tulane. A good friend of ours who lived in the Crescent City before Katrina highly recommended Gautreaus. On previous visits we were unable to get a reservation - this time, we made an OpenTable reservation a week before our visit. This place is popular so don't wait until the last minute. As previous reviewers have noted, the restaurant is located in what appears to be an old house in the middle of a residential neighborhood near St. Charles Ave. Our reservation was for 8:30 and we arrived at around 8:20. We were not seated until close to 9pm. Gautreaus is a small restaurant - less than 20 tables. It is high ceilinged and very loud, at times uncomfortably so. The tables are also arranged close together. The wait staff was attentive and knowledgeable. My wife ordered the roasted chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, my son ordered the black angus filet, and I ordered the grouper with zucchini. Everyone was very pleased with their food. My grouper was very fresh and lightly breaded and the zucchini and accompanying sauce were delicious. The portion size was a little smaller than I would have liked but the food was delicious. Our tab for four diners came to just over $200 (including the tip). Obviously this is a pricy place, but well worth it if you are looking for a special meal.
(5)
Jane L.
Wonderful restaurant & one we always to to when in NO. Make a reservation & you won't be disappointed. A hidden gem in Uptown. Jane R.
(5)
Mark S.
Ok, so Gautreau's has always been one of my top 5 New Orleans restaurants. It's really that good and that consistent. My latest trip did not disappoint but it did yield one surprise. Ok, let's start with appetizers........Sauteed Shrimp roasted eggplant and tomato mint gastrique quite literally was off the hook good. I slapped my momma it was that good. Also, the Baby Romaine with Buttermilk Dressing cucmbers, tomatoes, and crispy cippolini onions was a very fresh, nicely balanced salad. It was as interesting as salad can be. Ok, the last appetizer, the Duck Confit with German potato salad, Pommery mustard creme fraiche was a HUGE disappointment. I couldn't get past three bites. The duck was rubbery and chewy and the skin was not as crisp as it could have been. There was too much pommery mustard creme fraiche that overpowered everything. It was horrible to be honest and a real shocker. Let's get to the main course already........Parmesan Crusted Halibut with Lemon Beurre Blanc fines herbes spatzle, English peas and caramelized pearl onions were an incredibly light, delicate, flavorful summer dish. The fish was absolutely perfect and the spatzle, peas, and pearl onions worked well together without overpowering each other. It would be easy to call it a simple dish, however the amount of balance of flavors on the plate was really what impressed me and that takes a skillful hand in the kitchen to pull off. Next was the Black Angus Filet Mignon with Bordelaise, fingerling potatoes, port braised shallots and spinach. I've never thought of Gautreau's as a steak house (such as Besh's or Dickie Brennan's) but let me tell you something right now - Gautreau's maybe the best kept secret when it comes to steaks. Yes siree Bob it was that good. The filet could have been cut with a butter knife, as a matter of fact every component of the plate was spot on and in my opinion easily blows Ruth's Chris out of the water. It was the star of the night. Lastly, the Roasted Chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, wild mushrooms and haricots verts was a strong runner up. In a word, think if you had a French grandmother who lived in the countryside of France and you went over one Sunday for lunch and well you can imagine the comfort food aura of this dish. Most garlic mashed potatoes hit you in the face with garlic but again, the amount of balance of flavors on the plate was impressive. Everything just works very well together. Moving into dessert I'll say that the Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee was very good. Rich, crunchy on top and layered with vanilla bean flavor it was a pretty safe bet. The star however was the Chocolate Cremeaux with raspberries, vanilla creme fraiche and port-balsamic. I have already scheduled appointments with my cardiologist and endocrinologist. Rich, deep chocolate, creamy, smooth and balanced with a dollop of vanilla creme fraiche - well you could stop there but it was the port and raspberry counter balance that took this dessert to a whole other level. If I thought I could get away with licking the plate I would have done so. So there you have it, the only black eye on the night was the duck confit and it was so bad that it's ultimately what keeps me from giving this latest trip a 5 star review. Bon Apetit Peeps!
(4)
Kathleen S.
Last night, my boyfriend was inspired to throw together an impromptu date night and kicked the evening off by taking me here for dinner. Wow, what a true New Orleans experience! Gautreau's is a hidden gem in the uptown neighborhood just off of Jefferson Ave (literally hidden -- there is no sign outside of the restaurant, and the building looks like someone's very nice, expensive home). I had never heard of Gautreau's before, and there is good reason for that; it seems like the locals/regulars like to keep this dining experience a secret to preserve the understated yet refined neighborhood feel. Gautreau's is a neighborhood restaurant with a menu similar to that of Upperline, Dante's Kitchen, or Dick and Jenny's -- also neighborhood restaurants (in different neighborhoods from Gautreau's) -- in the sense that they use local ingredients and stick to New Orleans-inspired fare, but the ambiance inside puts all of these other restaurants to shame, at least if you are looking to experience a romantic evening with a loved one. Other reviewers here have complained that the dining room gets noisy, but last night I guess the rain scared most folks away (plus it was Monday -- typically a dead night in the restaurant world), so my date and I were the last table (seated at 8:30) and by the time we wrapped up our three-course meal (just before 10:00), we were the only table left in the restaurant. But unlike any other restaurant I've been to, I actually felt as if they wanted us to stay and leisurely enjoy the rest of our dessert and cocktails; never once did I feel like the wait staff was dying to leave or cursing us under our breath for being the last couple there. The vibe I'm sure is quite different on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday evening -- probably more boisterous and chummy as opposed to last night's quiet and romantic setting. So, ambiance was an A+, and service was as well. The waiter recommended a first course (shared by my date and me) which was spot-on. It was a homemade fettucine (made fresh that day) with an alfredo sauce, served with garden peas and lobster. Sounds too rich to digest, doesn't it? It wasn't. It was the lightest carb-focused appetizer I've had in a long time, and I enjoyed every bite of it. Next I had the snapper, which was accompanied by a citrus reduction and served with a few small wedges of louisiana citrus (satsumas?), snap peas, and hearts of palm. The citrus complemented the sweetness in the snap peas perfectly. My date had the bacon-wrapped pork, which he said was amazing (I'm not a big pork eater myself). For dessert, we had a banana split; the bananas had crispy brulee'd sugar on top and was served with vanilla ice cream (complete with real vanilla -- lots of little black specks!), topped with a REAL cherry (pitted for us -- kind touch by the kitchen . . . who wants to spit out a cherry pit at a fine dining restaurant?). Coupled with the Bailey's Irish Cream and Jameson on the rocks, it was a spectacular end to a dining experience that I would describe as . . . bangin'. Check this place out, and do not miss it if you are ever in New Orleans and looking for a fancy place to go eat. Prices are reasonable considering the level of service, quality of ingredients, and taste. The only regret that you'll have is that you didn't go there sooner.
(5)
Katrina T.
Great ambiance, delicious food. Fancy service. Steak underdone, even after sending it back.
(4)
Cole T.
I won a meal tasting and wine paring through the Tipitina's Foundation (of whom you should definitely support!) and decided to take a date here the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Everything, and I mean everything, was perfectly done by all levels of the establishment. To start it off, I got a friendly reminder of my reservation the day of on my mobile phone which was quite pleasant. When it came time to leave my date and I did the only responsible thing we could and not drive to the establishment and had a very nice stroll through Uptown. The restaurant is in a converted house in a residential section of the city and as one would imagine had a very homey feel to it. We were on time and promptly seated. Throughout the evening I believe we had no less than four waitstaff come by to make sure our drinks were never empty and they were all cheerful. Since it was a meal tasting we were going through silverware and even though I tried to save a little bit of work for them they wouldn't hear of us sequestering our forks to the side of the table to use for the next dish. As for the food... I've lived in New Orleans for three years now and have done my fair share of eating, both at fine establishments and at hole in the wall joints. I used to hole the Upperline as the best meal I have had here, but after Gautreau's I have a new standard for food. This may have been the best meal I have ever had. We started out with some shrimp as a starter, followed with some scallops. After that, there was a delightful little pork plate, and the dessert was to die for! I think that was what we ended up getting out of the meal tasting, but I'm pretty sure a plate or two was forgotten since there was a wine paring. Both the food and drink were phenomenal. If you are in the mood to spend some money for some of the best food New Orleans has to offer, you have to come here; there is no question. Gautreau's earns nothing less than five stars from me and has become the metric that all other meals will be measured for me.
(5)
Derek R.
I've only been there once.... The food was good and so was the service. The dining room setup is a little weird though. The fabric on the walls was a little off putting. That's really my only issue with the place. 3 stars.
(3)
Jerry S.
Friends from California read the reviews here and were all excited to go. Far from the best eating experience we had for the weeks visit. Week night not crowded but full of errors. The wrong appetizers placed in front of wrong people to start so we shifted them all around. Not big but began the lack of attention to us the entire night. The duck which everyone raved about in the review was dry and cold? The other patrons were not impressed with their different ones either. The entrees came and again seemed the wrong plates to wrong people but worse it was the wrong entrees. As we were ready to eat we ate what was delivered. The fish was dry and no flavor. Tasted like poorly cooked frozen fish. The entire dish was very poorly done. As not to make things worse we did not complain just ate. Talked quietly about how nothing was as expected. The price was way too high for service and quality. I am happy they wanted to go so in the future I can tell guests do not expect what you read in the reviews. I doubt I will return. An off night would be OK but this was nothing like what you read here in these reviews. If you go expect only OK service and food and a high bill, not the best meal you can have here in the city.
(3)
Jordi G.
This place definitely churns out some pretty special food. The flavors are bold, adventurous, and refined. Sue is a very talented chef and people are definitely noticing. I think i've been here 4-5 times and have certainly enjoyed the food each time. I've tried almost everything on the menu...I think the julienned kale salad is my absolute favorite! I could eat that all day. I have had 3 star dishes and have had 5+ star dishes. The food is consistent and good. The wines are fantastic and the waiters are pretty knowledgeable. I have a few things that I would change about the restaurant, if I could. First- It feels incredibly stuffy. A mix of the decor and attitude, which is a little too pretentious. Second- It is FREEZING cold in there 100% of the time. Last- It's a really slow meal. I know that nice meals should not come quickly but sometime's it's almost painful here.
(4)
Becky R.
My favorite place everything is so delicious Atmosphere "New Orleans" love it
(5)
A. R.
Every time I eat here, it's amazing. Patrick is an amazingly gracious host and Sue and her team continue to turn out the best food in the city.
(5)
Bobby S.
Can't wait to go back! Tasty. Great service. Lovely ambiance.
(5)
Lloyd B.
Good, not great when you compare among the elite dining institutions in NOLA. Went this week and we had scallops, fish special salad, smoked shrimp app. Scallops were great. Everything else was really good but not great. Service was just a-ok. Certainly check it out, but only after you've checked off all of the other big names in town.
(4)
Raymond R.
Excellent food and excellent service. All menu selections are superb-- each a work of art in itself. We had the filet mignon, veal cheeks, wild mushroom perogies, and the flounder. All were excellent and memorable. Just one suggestion to Gautreau's: please bring back the Crispy Sweetbreads Appetizer and the Lemon Curd Tartlett Dessert :-) We miss them so.... Love this place :-) (Oh, by the way, this place is so "tucked away" in the shrubbery and stately homes, that's it's quite difficult to find. It's truly a "hidden gem".
(4)
Katherine S.
Duck confit = delicious - I will dream of this dish. Foie gras = a cacophony of flavors including a bizarre bread? that tasted like cotton candy. Pure yuck! So bad that I ate exactly one bite and left the rest and tried to get the taste out of my mouth by swilling wine. Fish = ok, but the pan wasn't hot enough, so the breading was a weird texture and it came off greasy. The mushrooms underneath were way salty, otherwise okay. Certainly not a $32 dish. Creme brulee = burnt and the custard was more like a pudding. Not so good. Meringue = delicious So, mixed bag, way overpriced, and none of the wait staff seemed terribly concerned as to whether or not we enjoyed the food. When they cleared our foie gras and saw that it was half left over, they simply clarified that we were ready for it to be cleared but didn't once ask if we liked it and kept it on the bill. Expensive ordering mistake for us. For the money, I can easily think of at least 5 other restaurants in NOLA that I'd prefer.
(2)
Leigh S.
Tucked away on Soniat, we walked past it twice. Decor inside was nice, smelled very delicious. Got seated immediately. As soon as we were seated...nothing happened. A waiter(tress) came by eventually to ask if we'd been asked if we wanted to order drinks, which of course we did, so then she says, "Ok what can I get you?" She didn't even offer wine list. This isn't a "Franzia in a box" kind of a place, friends, assuming your wind list is impressive, how about you show it off?!? Of course we hadn't even been brought menus yet. Anyway... Our actual waitress was great, just attentive enough, friendly, knowledgeable. The menu selection was decent but not exciting. Vichyssoise was on special, it was pretty tasty, but nothing exciting. Chef Susan is known for seafood so I ordered the snapper; it's served with corn, crawfish, &. pancetta. Fish was on the smallish side & cooked just the way I like it...dry. Ugh. The best part was the dishes accessories. So unimpressed, feel for certain my mother's fish is 10xs better, and I eat at her house for free. Under. Whelmed.
(2)
Brian J.
My current favorite restaurant in New Orleans.
(5)
Brooke A.
One of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had in New Orleans. GO!!!
(5)
Shobelloby S.
OMG (And I hate using text phrases) but this place is the shit y'all. I had a vichysoisse, tripletail entree, and pot de creme chocolat. All good. I sat looking at the vichysoisse bowl trying to figure out how to discreetly lick the bowl or if it was at all possible to scrape it with a spoon until it sparkled. The Maitre D./Owner was a little stiff until I mentioned that I'm a neighbor but I think that's cuz he's just used to old white money walking in there. My waiter was wonderful, VERY knowledgable about the wine, very formal, yet warm at the same time. His name was Paul...leave him a big tip if you get him. It's expensive, but soooo worth it. Nice quiet, I want to take everyone I love their but hen I'd empty my savings out. Sigh. I should've licked the bowl.
(5)
lauren p.
I would have to say that Gautreau's was probably the most disappointing part of our Southern Expedition. The fiance and I were looking to have one 'nice' dinner on our trip to NOLA, and I basically picked Gautreau's based on the selection of Sue Zemanick as a Food & Wine Best New Chef. The magazine exalted her as a pioneer of 'new' cuisine, and made Gautreau's sound like the place to be. It seemed like a great place to celebrate our recent engagement. Once we finally found the restaurant, which is tucked away in a purely residential neighborhood, we found ourselves waiting for about 30 minutes before being seated (we had a reservation). We were finally given the table closest to the door- not the most romantic spot, but the restaurant was full, what can you do? It didn't really matter, since the two large parties that were taking up most of the room were so loud and rambunctious that romance clearly wasn't in the cards. But hey, we were really there for the food right? The menu was pretty small, and fairly limited if you hate duck and foiegras as we both do. I understand that these are two big ingredients in haute cuisine, but still, do they have to be featured in almost everything? We each wound up getting a salad, both of which were fine, but nothing special. For mains, I went with a steak, and the fiance had snapper. Both were very good, but again, nothing special- and certainly not worth the large price tags. By the time dessert rolled around, we were both so underwhelmed that we split a creme brulee- again, perfectly fine, nothing to write home about. I should add that we aren't exactly high rollers when it comes to traveling, so for us to plunk down $150 on dinner, it needs to be really great. And Gautreau's, sadly, wasn't that great. I think there are much better places to spend your money, and enjoy a little romance at the same time.
(3)
Jeff B.
OMG....wow. Took my gilfriend here for her birthday dinner this year and we both came away VERY impressed. The halibut and grouper we had were delicious and the syrah we hadwas a perfect pairing. The atmosphere inside was everything I expect from a high end restaurant and absolutely love how it's set in a residential neighborhood without any sign or tagging from teh outside. You really need to know where you're going to find this place as it blends in perfectly but it's definitely worth it!
(5)
Marcy S.
I really wanted to give this place 5 stars until the end of my meal. I love the atmosphere and the service was almost perfect. My boyfriend and I ordered two appetizers (crispy pork belly & duck confit). These two dishes were amazing!! The duck was possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten. However, both of our entrees were less than impressive. He ordered the special...a pan sauteed redfish with asparagus, mushrooms and fingerling potatoes. It was not bad, but had much more potential. I ordered the filet...and it was seriously overcooked. I ordered it medium rare, which I consider to be cooking 101 for a place with this reputation; however, I was very disappointed to get a medium (borderline medium well) steak that was dry. If it were not for the sauce, I doubt I would have been able to eat any of it at all. The other parts of this dish were much better than the filet (gnocchi and mushrooms). Regretfully, I will probably cross this one off this list of great places in New Orleans.
(2)
Brittany M.
Had dinner here while in NOLA on business, and it was a great decision. First, the place is literally in a neighborhood. I'm glad someone from our group had directions because our taxi driver sure didn't know where it was. But the hidden location makes it all the more awesome. Started with the duck confit - perfect. I've had duck confit in Paris and this is the real deal. For my entree, I had the snapper with crawfish. It was delicious - elegant creole food. The pinot noir the waiter recommended was a perfect compliment, and a fantastic quality wine. For dessert, I had to get the banana split, because inside I am 9 years old. But it was a classy banana split, so adults are in the clear. It was huge; I could only eat half of it, but that half was amazing. Perfect way to end the meal. Service was great; we weren't rushed at all even though we were the last table to leave. A definite must for a trip to New Orleans.
(5)
Peter W.
Corporate event here last evening ... and while the facility does not catch your eye the food is simply remarkable. The wait staff just kept delivering one phenomenal dish after another. The monster sized fried oysters were to die for. I highly recommend the duck confit and I admit it, I had the filet. Perfectly prepared and probably one of the best steaks I have had in my life.
(5)
Kiki A.
Possibly one of the best meals I've had from start to finish. Would recommend this restaurant to both locals and tourists who desire a memorable fine dining experience. Pork belly appetizer is a definite must-have. Every single entree is amazing. Banana split dessert is a great finish.
(5)
KariGirl G.
I was in town for business and decided to try Gautreau's after many recommendations, it was worth the hype. While I didn't get the memo on the dress code, I was welcomed with open arms by a very inviting host. When I arrived the host offered me wine until my table was ready. The decor is what one would expect in New Orleans, very embellished but rustic at the same time. The food was very good, although the fois gras was not my favorite in preparation. I think some sort of cheesecloth was used to make the texture similar to a pate. The halibut was very good as well. One thing to note, the dress code is formal. Unfortunately I didn't know that, but was made to feel comfortable even though I was severely under dressed.
(5)
Lana C.
To my surprise, only one other patron had something to say about this restaurant. I was planning to rate this place - four stars but their Duck Confit was so perfect, I have to give Gautreau's 5 stars: This is our second time at Gautreau's this month. Hidden in a residential area, you will not see a sign outside the restaurant. It is in a nondescript gray house, quaint and charming from the outside. The staff greeted us as we enter this small restaurant, reminiscence of an old house. Their cocktails are not to be taken lightly. They really know how to mix their drinks. Between the two of us, my husband and I ordered the Manhattan, the Mojito, Cosmo, Raspberry Martini (fresh crushed berries, by the way)... you're going to have to pace yourself with a diet. You cannot go wrong with whatever you order. They change up their menu so what I had last night may not be on the menu when you're there. However, I will recommend that if Gautreau's is serving Duck Confit (w/avocado and tomato/cranberry sauce) as an appetizer, you should order Duck Confit over anything else. My husband ordered Gulf Shrimps and in his defense, "I wanted to try something different". He meant that he wanted to share. This dish was so tender, spiced infused delicious, no one shared - except for me...because the husband 'wanted to try something different." *sigh* It was probably the best Duck Confit I've had since Paris- two years ago. Last time, I was set on ordering their Black Angus Filet Mignon- Medium Rare. The sides went well with the Filet but I've had many, many Filet Mignon, I'm beginning to lose sight on them. Filet Mignons have always been top notch and satisfying for me. I decided to have the fish of the day- Halibut; soft and juicy. Port with your dessert - a must because I thought the dessert was average. If you have your dessert wine to pair with your dessert, you're bound to end your evening with a smile. Very attentive service, they should be...it is a small and intimate place. Again, you really cannot go wrong with anything you order. Just don't share your Duck Confit.
(5)
Rose S.
Orgasmic - truly what dining is about! We were a group of 7. From the filet, scallops, & various types of fish, all were perfection. The wine pairing recommendation was sheer genius. The desserts were a marvelous blend of flavors from the banana split to the peanut butter s'more. Scrumptous & should be on any true foodie's list of places to eat before they die.
(5)
Michael S.
Single handedly one of the best meals I've ever had. Their Creme Brulee might have changed my life. Simply said, if you enjoy food and service there isn't a better place in New Orleans.
(5)
A S.
An excellent modern creole meal. Sweetbreads appetizer with crawfish and the halibut entree were outstanding. Very passionate & knowledgeable, but not perfectly polished, waitstaff. Chef came out to greet diners on a busy Tuesday night in between Jazzfest weekends. I showed up with a friend whom was local without reservations and they sat us within 20 minutes. Very satisfying meal, not cheap but priced appropriately. Nice to support the up & coming culinary talent of NOLA.
we had dinner here after a week in New Orleans and it was well worth the wait! Service was wonderful as was the food! Appetizers were amazing, main course excellent and dessert delicious! i had the scallops and filet, while my boyfriend had the duck and veal and we shared the creme brulee for dessert . everything was absolutely perfect. dinner with a bottle of wine and dessert was around $180 and well worth it! the location is small and is tucked back in a beautiful neighborhood so keep your eyes peeled when looking for it.
(5)
Susan W.
Gautreau's may be one of the best restaurants you haven't heard of (unless you're a foodie and follow Food & Wine and James Beard Awards). Tucked away on Soniat Street, it's a great little neighborhood restaurant, yet so much more. Chef Sue Zemanick took this restaurant to a whole new level. I haven't been there in a little over a year, but I ate there a couple of times the previous year, for special occasions (and several times before that). The food is elegant, refined, and creative, with really fresh flavors. On my last visit, my parents and I each got different fish dishes, all were great (I think my father had the tripletail and my mother had the tuna and whyyyy can't I remember what I had? I have had the tripletail before, but I don't think it was that time.) It seems like everything on the menu is her creation, but there is one holdover from previous chefs- the caramelized banana split sundae. I think Uptowners would riot if this was taken off the menu. There may be better desserts, but if you love banana splits, you should order it. It's going to be the best banana split you ever ate. The last time I had it, there was an addition of banana bread, just to make things interesting. But it's the caramelized banana that makes it. Trust me. All in all, if you want a great New Orleans meal, go to Gautreau's.
(5)
Geronimo G.
Carpeted.
(3)
Cathryn H.
We ate at Bayona, Cochon, Commanders Palace and August, among others. Hands down, our best meal in New Orleans. My shrimp appetizer with citrus was bright and clean and wonderful, as was my husbands pan sauteed grouper and my veal chop. The banana split was wonderful as well. The setting is very intimate, the service impeccable. An absolute joy.
(5)
G B.
We were very very excited for our dinner at Gautreau's . We just spent close to $500 on a dinner there and I was extremely disappointed. The waitress didn't bring the wine list for over 15 minutes. The fois gras someone in our party ordered was very good. My soup of the day - a bisque with crab - was very bland. The "crispy duck" was NOT crispy at all and very tough. My cannelloni was good - but not exceptional. Finally, the desert. We ordered the dark chocolate desert and the pound cake. The dark chocolate desert seemed rancid and sour. There as something wrong with this desert - it was just awful. We told the waitress - but she just ignored us and turned away. When we left the restaurant, the 4 of us in our party were outside chatting for a few minutes before leaving when a man - who I think was the maitre d' ran out of the restaurant yelling "SIR" - YOU TOOK THE WRONG RECEIPT!!!" We said, sorry and looked in our purses to see what we had. We exchanged receiptes with no "thank you" from the maitre d. He was very accusatory and rude. We took the opportunity to tell him about the desert. He said "I'll look into it". Not at all the kind of experience or treatment I would expect for a $500 dinner. Not recommended.
(2)
John D.
My girlfriend and I decided that we're going to do a date night at a nice restaurant at least once a month. Gautreau's was locale #1, and it did not disappoint. I've grown up in NOLA, lived in Florida and Los Angeles, and this was one of the finest dining experiences I've ever had. To start the night, I had a vodka w/ olives, the glass was filled to the top. My girlfriend had a glass of wine recommended by the waiter. It was excellent. For an appetizer we had the Sauteed Gulf Shrimp with eggplant, mint, and tomato gastrique 12.oo... Absolutely one of the best thing that I've ever put in this mouth. We shared the soup. It was a yel butternut and crab bisque. Doesn't sound appetizing, but it was to die for. We split the salad as well... It was the Buttermilk Fried Artichokes with arugula and lemon tarragon vinaigrette 10.oo. Very good, but on second thought I might have tried the Bibb Lettuce with grilled traviso, toasted walnuts, red wine truffle vinaigrette 10.oo. For Dinner, I had the Crispy Duck Breast with torpedo onions, roasted peaches, wild rice, and natural jus 29.oo. It was very good, but I was sad I didn't select what my girlfriend ordered... Sauteed Grouper with creamed spinach, and short rib ragout 30.oo. This was the the best fish I've had possibly in my entire life (not exaggerating) and will order it for myself the next time we go to Gautreau's. Lastly, we split the Caramelized Banana Split with toasted walnuts, butterscotch, and fudge sauce 10.00. So FREAKIN' good. This kicked off a great tradition of date nights, and can't wait to go back to Gautreau's again for another delicious meal.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Forrest G.
By far the best meal I've had this year. We almost went back the night before flying home but resisted for another time. It's like a gem hidden from most visitors. An added bonus was a little make shift take-away bar out front for the high school football teams parents as they walked to the game. I had the duck confit appetizer and the bison special with potatoes four ways. Both dishes were outstanding and possibly the best duck I've had. Wine was tasty and the faux painted walls were a delightful touch. Faux painted like fabrics not run of the mill spongy stone looking stuff. I hate to gush but this place is where it's at. Don't miss it.
(5)Mark W.
Outstanding French Creole seafoods, steaks. Prepared with lighter sauces and a light touch, not the thick creamy sauces you find elsewhere. Atmosphere romantic, in a former pharmacy where the liquor is stored in the old shelf. My Go-To place for a romantic dinner. For food and atmosphere one of the best values in the city of New Orleans. Way off the tourist path, except for the fanatical Jazz Fest crowd. Service professional, attentive, well-informed.
(5)Lily W.
I'm so glad we found this place! there is no sign and the restaurant is tucked away in a neighborhood. The ambiance is definitely classy, but around 8pm, the place is lightens up and not meant to stuffy. The service is great! Highlights included the duck confit...the meat falls right off and the salad is nicely compliments. The chef definitely does fish well! I had the halibut and it was cooked to perfection. The steak was also tender. We didn't have too much room for desserts, so we shared the banana split. The concept is simple, but execution was perfect! What i loved most was that the ice cream was frozen to perfection so it doesn't get milky once you dig in. Advice for tourist: take a walk around the lovely neighborhood!
(5)Jennifer H.
What we enjoyed: 1. Sweetbreads - great texture and flavor... Fresh and perfect. 2. Chocolate caramel tart - pretty amazing creaminess with just the right amount of sea salt on top What we didn't enjoy: 1. Braised short ribs - bland flavor, stringy texture 2. Duck breast - a bit better than the short ribs, primarily because of the fig sauce, but still quite bland, despite the decent texture 3. Martini - waaaaay too much sweet vermouth... Seriously shouldn't be that prominent of a flavor as it was :( especially when we asked for it extra dirty Disappointing since I picked this as my birthday dinner spot, and every other meal on our trip was better, including the casual lunches. :( oh well
(2)H Z.
Duck cofit is great. We also had soup de jour which is basil soup, nice. For entree, as others reviewed, dishes are not as salty as other southern style restaurants, we had flounder and Ginger Crusted Halibut, the latter is a little too light. Caramelized Banana Split is great. The environment is great, there is no sign outside, but inside is totally a different world.
(4)Marielle S.
Gautreau's might be one of the nicest and coziest restaurants in the city. Yelp has not been letting me down lately, when it comes to restaurants and I have been having some pretty fantastic luck and discovering a lot of cool places. We made reservations for Gautreau's early on a Wednesday evening. We decided to have an early dinner; it was even still light out when we arrived. We were seated immediately, and even though it was early, there was a good little crowd. Fresh bread was brought to the table and everything on the menu sounded perfect. We started with a poached egg and asparagus appetizer that was served over pasta. When you broke the egg, the yolk ran all over the pasta making for a delicious experience. For my entree, I decided to get the special of the day which was a lightly fried flounder served on a bed of vegetables. The fish itself was nice and thin and it was fried just enough to leave it crispy. It was a pretty fantastic dish. My dining companion got the veggie plate which came with an assortment of beets, turnips and carrots. I was able to sample a taste and that dish was tasty as well! I really loved the atmosphere here. The tables are small, creating a nice intimate setting that would be perfect for a date night.
(4)Kimberly J.
I've been the Gautreau's a few times. My favorite part about this is how tucked into the uptown neighborhood it is and that there's really no signage outside making you feel like you're in on a secret. The food is very good. I do think that it's the kind of restaurant that if you're a regular and the know you, you probably get excellent service. But for the rest of us, it just doesn't meet the expectations I have when going to a fine dining restaurant. It's expensive, easy to spend $70-100/person. I just don't get the kind of special feeling I do at comparable restaurants (commanders, Galatoires, Broussards, etc). I wish either the service or the food were more spectacular every time I go.
(4)Albert K.
I went to Gautreau's to cap off my first trip to the Crescent City. I think if I had went here earlier in the the trip, I would have been more excited, but after five days of gorging myself on NOLA cuisine, I was a little burnt out. That said; the food and ambiance at this restaurant is top notch. This restaurant is nestled into a straight up neighborhood in the Uptown District. The restaurant looks just like another house in the neighborhood. The ambiance was very intimate. I started with a Sazerac and a Duck Confit. The duck confit was as good as advertised. I would have taken pictures, but felt like it was inappropriate to do so in this setting. In light of the dearth of photos for this restaurant, it looks like the feeling was mutual. For entrees I got the pork Osso Buco and my wife got the roasted chicken. Both were exquisitely prepared, but again, I just was not in the mood to truly appreciate them. We ended the meal with banana split which was awesome. Caramelized sugar on bananas is always a good things. Especially when it is done by experts. Finally, I was please to see that the Chef was actually roaming the front of the house. I first became aware of Sue Zemanick on Top Chef Masters, and I was surprised to actually see her making the rounds. Overall, I think I need to go back to Gautreau's on a fresh palate before I can truly appreciate the finesse and quality of the food. However, even viewed through a haze of a weeks worth grits, po'boys and beignets, the food and restaurant still made a great impression.
(4)Alejandro G.
Awesome food but a cockroach visited our table. The Personnel just said "this happens a lot"...
(1)Cristina B.
Totally recommended if you like cockroaches and if you expect to pay the full check if a roach walks on your table!
(1)Michaela A.
Wow, this is for sure a neighborhood gem. We came here for a birthday celebration dinner and it was one of the best fine dining meals we have enjoyed in New Orleans. That Saturday night, the special corn soup was delicious, followed by the Pork Chop and also Parmesan crusted halibut. Two of our group had the halibut and agreed it was outstanding. Very romantic restaurant, good service, cosy but classy atmosphere. Looking forward to our next special occasions so we can go back.
(5)Christopher J.
My roommate and I each won one of our Fantasy Football leagues, so we decided to treat or ladies to a nice dinner out, and we decided on Gautreau's. Our reservation was for 6 - early, I know, but I like to eat dinner early. My SO and I arrived first and were immediately seated, served water, and given a wine list to peruse while we waited for our companions, who arrived about 10 minutes later. We agreed on a relatively cheap ($47) bottle of Spanish wine for the table - Bodegas Pedro Martinez Alesanco Rioja Crianza. For being one of the cheaper ones on the menu, it was pretty fantastic. My SO and I decided to split our whole meal, per usual. We started with duck confit, served with white beans, roasted red pepper, escarole, and salsa verde. It was delicious. Perfectly cooked, seasoned, presented. We then had the crispy pork belly with sweet potato ravioli, served with mustard greens, pepitas, and pot liquor. Again, delicious and perfect. For our main course, we had the pork osso bucco, served with apple-fennel gremolata, spaetzle, and cabbage. And once again cooked, seasoned, presented perfectly. For dessert we had the homemade sorbet served with fresh berries. This night's selection was pear-thyme, strawberry-pina colada, and raspberry - two small scoops of each. This was my favorite part of the meal (I had an old-fashioned with dessert as well). Throughout the meal, our servers were very attentive without being overbearing. Our wine glasses didn't empty until our bottle did, and our water glasses never emptied. And we always had bread and butter on the table. Our waiter was helpful and knowledgeable, with many suggestions. The ambiance was very nice, and we enjoyed our time there. But there was just something missing from the meal. I can't put my finger on it. None of the dishes really gave me a kick in the mouth like I was expecting. Maybe my hopes were just too high... I'm gonna have to come back to try it again. Maybe I'll have one of the specials next time.
(4)Natasha D.
Without a doubt one of the best meals of my life. We were a group of seven and not only was the food great but the service was beyond as well. We had the oysters and the scallops for appetizers, a few of us had the soup of the day which was butternut squash. Half is us had the grouper for our entree and the other half had the special, the red snapper. Everything was phenomenal. Loved the charming yet sophisticated ambience.
(5)Norah P.
What can I say that hasn't been said? From the first moment we walked in we were greeted with a wonderfully unique atmosphere and spectacular service. The maître d' gave a fantastic recommendation for a Spanish wine that ended up preparing beautifully with the food that we ordered. I ordered the scallops to start and they were really delicious, perfectly cooked and the sauce that they came with was also spectacular! Not to mention the greens that came with the dish they were so tasty! After reading all the reviews I had to order the duck confit, and I was not disappointed in the least. It was delicious and the other guests in my table thought it was the best dish on the table. My dinner partners ordered the filet and the mushroom crepes, and both of those dishes were also very good. The mushroom crêpes were very earthy in flavor and the filet was perfectly cooked rare. Lastly I had the rhubarb upside down cake and my dinner partner had the chocolate and raspberry ganache. One word: unbelievable! The fresh herbs added a really wonderful taste to the desserts as well! I highly recommend this restaurant, which isn't the easiest to find because it doesn't have a sign. Give it a try next time you're in the big easy!
(5)Tuyet P.
Ambience is very nice and romantic. We came on a slow night which was exactly what we wanted. Our dinner date consisted of a lot of appetizers, drinks, and one entree just bc the I wanted to try just about everything on the appetizer menu. Food: Duck Confit crispy outside cooked perfect inside with the blueberry balsamic and arugula and Mahon cheese, which I felt was all perfectly compatible together. Foie Gras: ohhhhh myyyyy gahhhh. I love love love LOVED.. And loved. It wasn't just the foie Gras itself but everything it was paired up with. I wish I could remember what else was on the plate besides the brioche, huckleberry sauce, and toasted brioche but my taste buds were in love. I don't usually say this but it, it was definitely an orgasm in my mouth... Scallops: I love scallops. You just can't go wrong with scallops. They were good, seared just right. ..... ...... I was totally suppose to finish this review but I forgot about it and finally seen it under Saved Draft. LOL! Wow I don't remember the rest of my meal.. Shucks. Well guess this is all I've got to post untl next time I'll update it!
(4)Skippy K.
Anyone who bitches about their meal here is full of crap. Gautreaus is one of the best restaurants in the city and if you have a bad experience, it's your fault.
(5)Edward G.
The best restaurant in Nola you've never heard of. One evening while taking a lesiurely uptown drive, my girlfriend and I noticed several well dressed people walking into Gautreau's and had no clue as to where they were going. We googled the address as there were no signs in front of the quaint non descript building. Only then did we learn that the building restaurant. We quickly made reservations as curiousity had gotten the best of us. The parking was beyond easy as we were able to park directly in front of the building. The restaurant itself is very intmant almost too intimant as we could easily here the conversations of others. This was really the only draw back of the whole experience. I had a well seasoned pork chop while girlfriend elected for the cobia with merlaton slaw (truthfully she would have ordered anything with merlaton in tue ingredient list in preperarion for upcoming merlaton festival.) Her fish was flakey and prepared with a high level of attentiom to detail. The presentation of our meals was spot on. I remember I had the foie fras app as always and she had something I was interested in stealing so I really didn't pay that much attention to it. A great place for a romantic date the delivers great food and easy parking. The closr proximity to parking is important after consuming copius amounts of deliciousness.
(5)Leslie M.
A friend found out about this place and a group of us went while in town for a conference. We loved how there is no sign outside and seemed very local. The food and wine were good, I had the filet and my fiance had the chicken based on the recommendation from the waiter. The filet was typical for a filet, nothing earth shattering, but it was good. I would say that our experience would have been much better if we had a good server. The server we had was very cold, rushed us to order, and acted as if he was doing us a favor to wait in us. It ended up ruining our experience.
(2)John M.
This is yet another hidden uptown gem. We both had a flounder special, which was perfect. Yes, there is a banana split on the menu. Shame on you if you don't order it! This place does it all: great service, nice ambience and fabulous food. We will be back on our next New Orleans visit!
(5)Bob L.
Wonderfull atmosphere. Great scallop appetizer. Duck breast with figs perfectly cooked. Filet exceptional. Service was attentive, not rushed. Best meal in New Orleans. We will certainly return!!
(5)J K.
We were in town for a convention and on our last night went here. The service was fine and the decor was nothing special as others have noted. It actually bothered my wife more than me, but these things to me are trivial... a dining experience is all about the food. We had a tomato soup and the duck confit and they were excellent but not out of this world. The accompaning greens were superb. Now to the stars of the show. The four entrees were red snapper, grouper daily special, ginger crusted halibut and braised pork spare ribs. The fish dishes were perfectly cooked and each was sauced differently. They all had that wow factor. The shortribs I only had a small part of but the guy who ordered them, who is a huge food snob even more than me, really enjoyed them. One general comment, The food seemed generally slightly underseasoned, but there was a salt shaker on the table. I am not a desert guy so I had a drink; the other 3 liked theirs. This is an excellent restaurant. There were a few things not perfect but all in all for me a 4.7- 4.8 rating.
(5)Alex F.
The wait for every part of dinner marred an otherwise amazing meal. We waited 20 minutes for our table, 15 minutes for bread, 25 minutes for appetizers and 30 minutes for dinner. When the snapper arrived it was over-cooked. The second one they brought was truly the best snapper I've ever had. The waiter was rushed and inattentive.
(3)Bj H.
Oh, what a wonderful little place! In New Orleans for just a few days and thankfully were able to get in for dinner. Our reservation was early, since that was all available while we were in town. The Amtrak was delayed and we were afraid we would not make it in time. We called and were assured they would accommodate us if we were running late. And that they did. The sweetbreads were fabulous but the scallops were blissful! Cooked perfectly with just a sear on them and not over cooked and rubbery. My companion had the filet, which he said was possibly the best steak he has ever had. I had the duck, cooked rare and it was perfect. Had the banana split for dessert that was fun to share. When we arrived, I had the remnants of a margarita, which the staff nicely offered to dispose of. They returned a shot glass with a lime and "a little kick" added. Was a top off of Patron Silver, and was a nice little treat! Wine list ample, cocktails were not watered down. Best over all meal we had this trip to New Orleans!
(5)Cynthia H.
The restaurant itself is warm, intimate and elegant. Service overall is excellent. Food is just delicious. We have never had a bad meal nor a disappointing experience at Gautreau's. Benjamin waited on us tonight and he was terrific - no complaints at all! Benjamin was professional and knowledgeable and made sure we were each happy and had all that was needed. He is clearly polished in his field and a staff member we would ask for again. We each had a four course meal with cocktails and wine. The bill with tax and gratuity was about $117.30 per person. Gautreau's is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant which we would highly recommend - We look forward to our next visit!
(5)caleb g.
Is there a way to give 6 stars? I mean seriously, Gautreau's just gets better. Chef Sue Zemanick is (rightfully) lauded nationally but I think her local following could give her an enviable career sans the Beard Awards, Food & Wine best ofs abd the occasional credit card commercial. We most recently dined at Gautreau's with my parents and all four of us were delighted with all of our dishes. I started with a fried shrimp cocktail with an Asian slaw and a somewhat sweet & spicy sauce that hit all the right notes; my lovely wife Paige, the Sweetbread Empress, so enjoyed the latest Gautreau's take on the thalmus that she simply didn't speak during that course. My dad loved the fried oyster salad special, the stars perfectly fried (and sized...not too big, not too small) and my mom deemed the tomato seafood soup the ideal expression of tomato soup, the haystack of sweet crab meat a lovely lagniappe. My arugula & apple salad, festooned with toasted hazelnuts, grapes and a generous thatch of manchego cheese is the best salad I have had in years...and I eat good to great salads about three times a week...and just had a spectacular one at August the day before (this is a seriously good salad folks). My mom loved her spinach & fried goat cheese salad as well. Speaking of my mom, she chose the vegetarian option (not her usual play) and got the Spanish style tortilla, which was delicious and light, with a fragrant tomato jam providing a sweet and acidic balance to the eggy, cheesy potato-ey mother of the Spanish omelette. My dad had the chicken, which is neither outre' or adventurous but simply a beautiful comforting entree, replete with fluffy mashed potatoes, toothsome haricot vert, earthy mushrooms and hearty (but not gluey) gravy. My striped bass entree special was perfectly cooked, the sweet, clean flesh accentuated by crispy skin that tasted of the sea; accompanied by smothered kale (yummy) and crispy polenta cakes (yummier!) and blistered tomatos, this was a marvelous plate of food that showed off so many ways that the kitchen at Gautrea's hits the mark all the time. Paige's gulf fish was almost routine in it's perfection, each element cooked to its ideal level. Desserts are usually the catagory where I think this amazing restaurant is merely very good, but the coconut-lemongrass semi-freddo was luscious, the pineapple in basil syrup completing the Asia meets Dolce Italia tableau. My sweetheart was kind enough to order the citrus nougatine so I could taste it (it was my birthday dinner) but I think she was happy with her choice: fluffy, sweet and tangy nougat with macerated mandarins. I ordered a creme brulee (I know, yawn...but it was textbook perfect) and I will not review the dessert made for me by the kitchen (what can I say, I'm the luckiest guy I ever met) but will say that on her first try, Sue made the best Ile Flotante I have ever had...maybe a write in campaign to get it on the menu? The atmosphere at this smallish bistro is unchanging and one might be tempted to call it staid if not for the fact that the room is always alight with the joyous faces of happy diners, well fed and well cared for by the always attentive staff.
(5)Jorge S.
Quaint yet loud dining room the night we visited. Ok, that's not a complaint but an observation from my table. Now, on to the food. There are restaurants and then there are RESTAURANTS. This one falls into the latter. No bar on site where you can wait and have a drink prior to your seating. Ordered the Foie Gras appetizer. All I can say is AMAZING. It comes with poached pears, and a date chutney and a sesame brittle that.....well, words cannot describe the explosion of wonderful, well planned tastes. The combination just worked perfectly. The absolute best I have ever eaten. The Fried goat cheese and spinach salad was next. How can someone make a salad go over the top? This one just does that. Accompanied with a honey-sherry vinaigrette that coats the tongue with absolute happiness. A must-try! For the main course the Black Angus Filet and the Snapper with a basil oil. Wow!!! Both plates were perfectly cooked. All the accompaniments added to the experience. There's a reason why this restaurant and the chef, Sue Zemanick, a James Beard Award winner, are so outstanding. Attention to detail in everything. Highly recommend this restaurant to any one visiting the NO area.
(5)Mark B.
This restaurant is located in a house uptown. No signage outside so you need to go where you are going. Very exclusive feeling and of course the home of a Top Chef. The room where all the tables are located is a little tight but intimate. There is no where for guests to wait while their table is getting ready. Ordered the duck confit appetizer. It is crisp on the outside which is something I had never seen on duck confit. It was nice however I thought it was a little dry. Ordered the drum for dinner. It had an outstanding vegetable broth with layers of flavor. Very good and special. Wife had the scallop appetizer and salad for her entree both were good but nothing special. All in all this meal was a good experience but not the best that I have ever had. I would recommend giving Gautreau's a try especially for a wonderful special date.
(4)Chuck R.
Yet again Gautreau's did not disappoint. This time my wife and I invited six other diners to experience the Gautreau's treatment. Service was again personable and attentive. The wine list actually seemed more interesting than ever and the food was impeccably prepared. The staff did a great job accommodating our large party. This place is platinum.
(5)Sara C.
I rarely write reviews but this place was so delightful that I felt compelled to! Went at 8:30 on a Monday night. Place was pretty desolate - about 4 tables. Service was excellent. Food/drink delivery was paced well - too many times restaurants rush you, especially when you're so close to closing time. I got the crispy sweetbreads and the scallop apps (not an entree person) and my husband got the pork belly app and Grouper special entree. We shared the cheese plate for dessert. Seriously, everything was amazing. My husband and I live most of our time in Manhattan and the rest here. Too often in New Orleans do I find food to be overwhelmingly fried/salty/too rich, but everything here was amazing. I thought the prices weren't outrageous at all, but then again, I've been in NYC the past decade. Can't wait to go back next time!!
(5)Douglas W.
I cannot remember the last time I ate somewhere and was as disappointed and felt as financially violated as I do right now. I will start with what I liked about this place. It won't take long. I liked that it's in a nice residential neighborhood and is unmarked by signage. I also thought that both my waiters were very good. The coffee is French Truck and was also good. That's it. That's everything that I can say that passed for me. I ordered the "Crispy Sweetbreads with Jumbo Lump Crab, spinach, bacon, quail egg and pommery mustard 15.00" I had to copy this from the menu because all I could taste was the bacon. I didn't order a drink and I don't smoke so I do have a palate. In fact, I didn't realize there was mustard until I copied this for my review. This was a ridiculously small portion all around. Possibly 4 bites and the sweetbreads were so minute that you couldn't taste them under the breading even if there wasn't just an overbearing amount of bacon. Why didn't you just bring me a few slices of bacon? Moving on before I explode. Next I tried a snapper dish that doesn't appear on the website currently but was on the menu tonight. I can't actually describe it as it was written because there wasn't enough of anything on the plate where you could identify it. The snapper was dry and on top of some nice farro. A nice textural addition to the plate. There was a puree of what I think was sunchoke? There was maybe a tablespoon spread out on the plate. You couldn't taste it and there wasn't enough that it matters that I can remember. Why bother. Then there was a similarly sized streak of a truffle vinaigrette. I also identified part of a julianned chanterelle. This dish was dry, really arid, dry. Underseasoned because of not enough vinaigrette? It wasn't a sauce exactly. I am disgusted. I asked the waiter if this is how the dish was supposed to look and if the amounts were accurate and he affirmed it. I wish he had said it was a mistake. The manager asked if she could bring more puree and vinaigrette. I didn't bother. It wasn't going to help a lot the dish needed a sauce. I was mostly done and had lost some interest in the dish at this point. Not to be deterred and since I was really really hungry for lack of food on my plate we ordered desert and coffee. I forgot to mention that the entree was minuscule. I ordered the banana split. "Caramelized Banana Split with vanilla ice cream, warm banana bread, butterscotch, chocolate sauce, toasted walnuts 14.00" Unbelievably lame waste of $14. I can barely stand to write this. The bananas were underripe and needed to be caramelized. These had a little caramel on them. Cook them like a Foster a little. The banana bread was dry and wasn't warm at all. I couldn't find the butterscotch and the chocolate sauce was hardly present. Was this ice cream out of a tub? There might have been 1 walnut altogether. A 3 year old could make a better split in a home kitchen. I am appalled that this less than average desert came out at this restaurant and for this price. I am stupefied. They should have bought us desert after I complained that my fish was dry and it was on the check. It was $150 with a tip for 2 without drinks. I can't believe it. I have to make sure you understand that I would have been disappointed at 1/2 this price and I don't want the comments about the money to detract from the message about my experience here but it is relevant nonetheless. I don't leave 1 star reviews often and without serious consideration but I am really unhappy with this restaurant. The only thing more depressing than the food is the decor.
(1)Miriam W.
Hmmm. I'm not sure what the 5 star Yelpers are eating at this restaurant, but it certainly isn't what I had. I like the exterior of this restaurant, but found the dining room drab and, frankly, depressing. The walls are painted in a trompe l'oeil swag design that would be fun had it been done in a livelier color. While I appreciate understated elegance, the dark gray walls and olive carpet do nothing to enliven the small room. Unfortunately, I found the food similarly uninspired. The salad I ordered...honey crisp apples julienned and tossed with bleu cheese, walnuts and romaine in a walnut vinaigrette...was not bad, but lacked any real interest. It was OK. For an entree I chose halibut in a grapefruit buerre blanc. The fish was cooked perfectly, and the elements on the plate went together well; in fact, if I was reviewing on this plate alone, I would be giving this restaurant 3 stars, as this dish was good. It just wasn't terrific, or anything that I haven't had before. For $33, I want to be a little more wowed. My husband and I shared the banana split for dessert. After a few bites I realized this is something anyone with just a little skill could make in their own kitchen. I never, ever make dessert at home, as I live with an ex pastry chef, but I was remaking the dish in my mind as I was eating it, coming up with improvements as I ate. I must admit I don't get the excitement over this restaurant, especially in a town that has such amazing food. Moving on.
(2)Kelly R.
Amazing! Service five star, ambiance five star, food five star! Simply the best place in New Orleans! I wish we had gone here on our first night in town because we probably would have been back every night after! Trust me; it doesn't get any better. This is my fourth trip to NOLA and have dinned at all the "best" places, but none can compare to Gautreaus!
(5)H M.
Wow - seriously under whelmed. the serve was not personable. Menus and later all dishes were dropped with no details or even a simple "enjoy". The waiter could not give good recommendations regarding entree choice. So we, started with duck based on other yelp reviews - it was the best dish of the night. the filet was cooked well but very uninventive - very bland. I should have asked for steak sauce. The red snapper was dry. Three glasses of wine later and two deserts and no sign of the server - the maitre d' finally stopped by to ask how the meal was and we finally had the chance to inquire on the flavors of sorbet. All in all a very disappointing "gem".
(1)Paulina N.
When I first arrived, I was a little surprised at how Gautreau's blended in with the rest of the houses. It was kind of hard to tell it was a restaurant on the outside, but the wooden bench in front of the window to your left should be a good sign that you're at the right place. Atmosphere I felt like I was dining in someone's home back in the day with candles and live piano music (but I totally didn't notice if there was any music at all). Gautreau's has a pretty fancy setting, but it's not snobby and pretty welcoming. Perhaps the dark, painted walls set the tone for the evening. The bathroom's pretty small (one stall) and not well lit; I felt like Harry Potter who lived under the stairs. And sitting near the door wasn't terrible, surprisingly enough. It can get a little loud, but not to the point where you can't hear the person you're next to. Gautreau's is definitely a place you can take a date worthy of splurging on. ================================= Food We shared an appetizer + salad, but they were amazing and split it onto two dishes for us. Scallops + crawfish appetizer - everything on this plate was pretty fresh, nothing chewy or dry. It was a pretty light dish, which is what it's supposed to be. I hate it when appetizers can be doubled as entrees sometimes! Pineapple + watercress salad - slices of watercress and one circle slice of pineapple was pretty much it. there wasn't much else to it; nothing really stood out besides there being a lot more watercress than pineapple. So i did ate the pineapple last lol :) Sauteed flounder - crispy and buttery on its own. the fish was just fish by itself, but when you eat it when the vegetables it lied on top of, it was just delightful! perfect balance flavors and texture, which made it very easy to eat the entire plate. the best part was combining the flounder + blood oranges. i almost feel embarrassed for cleaning off my plate :X Homemade sorbet - perfect way to finish a perfectly balanced dinner. start light, end light! the berries were tart, and the sorbet was delicious. the mint flavored one was quite interesting to say the least. it's a pretty big plate that'll serve 2 people, but if you're feeling ambitious or don't want to share, order one for yourself :) ================================= Service I expected nothing less than excellent, and that was exactly what I got. Hostess was polite and inviting (even asked how our evening was doing later on). The server was attentive but not annoying. He was very helpful, recommending and describing items to the T. Awesome. 5 stars for service Overall, a pretty good experience. The meal was pretty on point. I didn't feel bloated or hungry still after leaving. Service was great, people were polite, and the bathroom was clean! No complaints here =)
(4)Deborah F.
I cannot remember the last time I ate somewhere and was as disappointed and felt as financially violated as I do right now -- copied from another review because it says it all.
(1)James H.
Steak, and house soup was awesome.....corn, crab and coconut. Wow
(5)Sasha B.
This was probably the best meal of our "eating tour" of New Orleans. The restaurant is in the residential area, so the easiest way to get there if one doesn't have a car, is by taking a cab. Service was professional and the food was amazing. We came here on our last night of the trip, so at this point I was desperate for a salad. The baby lettuce salad was incredible: fresh and flavorful, and just perfect. For the entree I had snapper. The skin on the fish was perfectly grilled, probably the best grilled piece of fish I have ever had (and I eat a lot of fish). The dish was delicious and full of flavor. We shared a banana split (their signature dessert), and it was good, but next time I'd probably order something else. Overall, a great experience.
(5)Maria Z.
The food at Gautreau's was fantastic. My now fiancé and I visited New Orleans for the first time from Texas and had meals from two other nice restaurants during our trip, and Gautreau's was our final dinner before returning home. It was a mediocre experience. The food was excellent, as was his cocktail. The bar setup in the back of the dining room was impressive. However, the quality of the food was overshadowed by the service and atmosphere. Despite being a slower night (only around half of the restaurant was full and it was very quiet, though that's not always a bad thing), our server rarely came by and didn't say much. It wasn't very warm or welcoming in the least. We were also seated in the front corner of the restaurant, which was actually nice as it's all one room and it's always nice to be seated near the window, but we were seated away from everyone else, which was odd. Looking around, I couldn't help but notice that we were significantly younger than the other occupants (we're both around 30) and though we were dressed appropriately for a restaurant of that caliber, perhaps we weren't taken seriously. Maybe they were trying to give us some privacy? That would have been a nice intention, but in execution it felt as though we were being stuck in a corner to be checked on as an afterthought. It was a very quiet meal for us. Typically we talk quite a bit during our meals, but we felt so cold and out of place that we stuck to eating and, when a server did visit our table, confirmed that our food was good. The best descriptor we could use to describe the service and experience we had was "cold." Our reservation of two people at 7PM saw us out the door and in a cab by 8:15. They were nice enough to call us a cab, but even that felt like they were trying to rush us out the door. Again, we greatly enjoyed the food, but the experience itself overshadowed the culinary quality, which is a shame as the chef has been nominated for a James Beard award. We're looking forward to our next New Orleans visit but are unlikely to return to Gautreau's or recommend it to anyone else.
(2)Ron C.
The food is just superb! Superb! Superb! And the service? Impressive. Atmosphere: quiet and provate. Chef has been nominated for a James Beard award. Can't wait for our next visit.
(5)Robert B.
This is perfect example of why reviewing a restaurant based on one visit is not a good idea. I dined here about 2 years ago and was anticipating an awesome meal based on the reviews by critics I respected including those who work for a little outfit called the James Beard Awards. And, unfortunately, I was underwhelemed by my meal. I returned a few days ago and had one of the best meals in recent memory. For an appetizer I had the seared sea scallops with crawfish tails with artichokes, fingerling potatoes, corn and andouille. As some may know, I'm a big scallop fan, so I'm always interested in different preparations of them. This one came, I believe, with a foie gras based sauce. Weird, but man was it delicious. For an entree, I ordered the halibut which was finished with what I thought was a beef based sauce, also a little out of the ordinary. Sauces are the difference between home cooks, mediocre professionals, and the pros out there. Sue Zemanick is such a pro. Her sauces turned these 2 dishes from good to excellent. I can cook halibut as well as the pros in Gautreau's kitchen, but I cannot make sauces like those. I also tasted the seared duck breast which was nice, but I must say I'm not a fan of medium rare duck. For dessert, my 3 dining companions and I split the rhubarb tart with strawberry jam and creme fraiche ice cream and the blackberry shortcake with meyer lemon cream. I loved them both, but the tart was superb, a not too sweet tart, almost a sandwich with semolina cake as the bread. The space is as I remembered--small and quaint, a little stuffy and pretentious (well, it is next to Newman), but warm and friendly nonetheless. I am so glad I returned to Gautreau's and will def be back.
(5)Bob E.
The Food (First Course) - As it was our first visit to this restaurant, we tried two appetizers and the soup of the day. The appetizers we chose were the sweetbreads with lump crabmeat and the crispy pork belly with sweet potato ravioli. The soup of the day was a creamy butternut squash with crab meat. I would rate the pork belly a three out of five stars. The flavor was excellent, but the dish was a tad overdone. It was the leanest cut of pork belly I have ever tried. Very tasty overall, but not spectacular. The butternut squash soup would come in at four out of five stars. It was very, very good. Now, for the best part of the first course: the sweetbreads. I have traveled from coast to coast and have had the fortune of dining in some of the finest restaurants in the country. That said, I would put these sweetbreads over any I have ever had before. I would definitely rate these a five star dish. They were simply incredible! I can't wait to come back for more of these. (2nd Course) - The Entrees - My wife and I both had the fish. She had the cobia and I had the red snapper, which was the fish of the day. They were both excellent! I would definitely rate them both five stars. The snapper may have been the best snapper I have ever had in New Orleans. It was really magnificent. Definitely recommend. We were so full after the first two courses that we passed on dessert. We'll save that for another time. The Service The service was excellent. When we walked in the door, we were warmly greeted and were seated within minutes. Our waiter was very knowledgeable of the menu and was always there when we needed him without hovering. Very pleasant and professional. Five stars here. The Atmosphere The atmosphere comes in at a four out of five stars. It was very nice, but just that. Nothing more. Overall, I give this place a five star rating because of the food and the service.
(5)Alexander W.
I recently discovered the James Beard foundation awards, also known as the Oscar equivalent for food. My friends being procrastinators, didn't try to book a $$$+ restaurant until 2 weeks prior arriving in New Orleans. Most places could not accommodate 10 people at 8pm but Gautreau's was happy to oblige. Chef Sue Zemanick has been a finalist for the "Rising Star Chef" award among many other accolades.. The appetizers are more individualized, so don't expect one to serve 3-4 people. The pork belly with pomegranate sauce was fan-freaking-tastic melt in your mouth. Although parts of the duck confit with potato salad was a tad dry, the moist pieces brought a confetti celebration to my taste buds. My black angus filet was perfectly cooked at medium rare and tender as a baby's behind. The baby cow veal is the real deal for it comes with a helping of bone marrow. The wine list was reasonable and my party was extremely satisfied with our meal. Like most people mentioned, Gautreau is renovated from a house in a neighborhood and added a familial feel. Service was impeccable. Most patrons were dressed up in a blazer or dinner jacket.
(4)Maria C.
I saved my 1400th review for one of my most memorable meals I had in NOLA. Gautreau's is located in Uptown. VERY inconspicuous - in fact, it's a house in the middle of a neighborhood with no signage - just the address. We decided to visit this place as the chef, Susan Zemanick, was featured on Top Chef Masters Season 3. Did not disappoint! -Soup du Jour - Creme of Spinach with Fried Rockefeller Oysters ($10): The soup had a little too much spinach, but it was still good. There were only a couple pieces of fried oysters on top to offset the spinach soup. Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. -Sauteed Snapper with Meyer Lemon Beurre Blanc, chanterelle mushrooms, baby potatoes, roasted fennel and sugar snap peas ($32): This entree was to die for! The meyer lemon beurre blanc was AMAZING. I even requested more to pour all over my snapper and veggies. DELISH!!! -Chocolate Malt Semifreddo with toasted marshmallow, graham cracker crumbs, peanut butter fudge and peanut brittle ($10): I didn't care for the toasted marshmallow on top, but the chocolate and peanut butter combo was a great way to end a nice dinner. -I tried a piece of the Veal Osso Bucco ($33) and it was divine! It's probably the best osso bucco I've had. Very rich and tender. I definitely recommend this entree if you're in the mood for meat. Service was outstanding. We were always checked on and drinks were always refilled. We were very pleased with our dining experience and would definitely recommend visiting this restaurant. The chef came out a few times to socialize with the patrons, which I thought was really cool. Fine dining, so dress appropriately. Very small dining area so do make sure you make reservations well in advance.
(5)Abby N.
Husband had a work dinner here, so it was a fixed menu, but his review of the scallops, filet and chocolate dessert moved this to the top of the list for our next special occasion.
(5)Sonya Z.
This is one of the finest and most expensive restaurants in New Orleans. The other reviews for this place are very comprehensive, so I won't go into great detail. I'll just tell you what I LOVED and what I HATED. I HATED: the Foie Gras Torchon with Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, white balsamic reduction, candied pistachios and toasted brioche. It was $18 of lumpy mush. I LOVED: the Blueberry Buckle with Huckleberry ice cream, toasted pecans and maple creme anglaise. $10 of pure perfection. This place is pricey. For a party of six, our bill before tip was almost $450. One bottle of wine and three beers included in that. If you're trying to experience Susan Spicer's cooking, I would first recommend Bayona. Also, it was so fucking loud in there, we were all screaming at each other. My family hated the acoustics of the place. Again, we like Bayona better!
(4)Colin A.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city. Been several times, never had anything I didn't like. Love the space and slightly hidden/inconspicuous location.
(5)Cynthia C.
Very solid meal and my favorite of my trip to New Orleans. Excellent service and a gracious chef sealed the deal. Potato leek soup du jour was delicious with crab on top. Roasted chicken was well prepared with an addictive rosemary jus. Banana split dessert was whimsical and more than enough to share.
(5)Johnell H.
This was a fantastic restaurant for foodies and people that really expect a good meal on a higher priced menu. The evening didn't start out that great, they didn't have the bottle of champagne that we wanted to order and they weren't willing to price match another bottle as a replacement and the next priced bottle was $35 more so we opted for a red. Once we got through this bobble everything else was fabulous. This place is tucked away and it is a gem that I think I might want it to stay a little bit of a secret for selfish reasons. My husband and I got the exact same meal which never usually happens, but it did this time. We had the mushroom soup which was pretty good, I wished I would have gotten the duck confit, but oh well, next time! After that we had the filet because it looked too good to resist. And we were so happy we did, it was amazing. Perfectly seasoned and cooked to perfection. This was a very well cut steak that was pretty thick and steaks like that are very challenging to cook perfectly, so compliments to the chef. The spinach could have been seasoned a little better, but still tasty all the same. The squash and gruyere was freakin delish. We had the creme brûlée for dessert, it was pretty good, but any coniseure of creme brûlée will tell you that the top layer was just slightly too thick on top. We did eat every bite and enjoyed it all the same. Overall a great experience, I would recommend gentlemen wear a jacket, although not required you will fill out of place if not. Making reservations would not be a bad idea either. Try this place out if you want great food at a tucked away little restaurant that seems to be a local nugget.
(4)C K.
On our A-Z restaurant tour of New Orleans, it came time for the letter G, and my boyfriend had mentioned this place quite a few times so we went onto Yelp and were extremely excited upon reading all the rave reviews people had to share. We went to the restaurant website to check out the menu and immediately began salivating. Scallops and butternut squash and halibut and more -- these are a few of my favorite things! We called the restaurant to see if they would be able to seat us that night itself, and what luck -- they had an opening! So we rushed over as quickly as possible, ready to begin what was sure to be a tremendously satisfying meal. When we got there, things quickly went downhill. We started with a delicious wine while we waited for small plates to come out. The brussel sprouts with pancetta -- overall lacking flavor -- and the scallops -- overcooked and chewy. 0/2. Then our waiter came by to refill our wine glasses -- whoops, he accidentally starts pouring wine into my water glass! Now... I understand, busy nights and all.. it happens to the best of us, I'm sure he was incredibly overwhelmed and running around, and he was moderately apologetic about it -- but I do think that he could have offered a dessert on the house or something else to compensate for the expensive wine that had now turned my water pink. The mains. Okay, probably the only dish that we enjoyed was the halibut -- light, refreshing, and well prepared. The other entree we got was the filet with balsamic glaze. And I've read the reviews specifically about this filet, and I have to say I don't know what people are so impressed with! A good cut of meat should not require so much sauce spread all over it that you can no longer taste the meat. Needless to say, the cut itself was less than impressive, and the sauce was just too thick and syrupy. I must admit, that I felt nauseous and bloated the rest of the evening. We didn't even want to see the dessert menu after such an underwhelming meal. Perhaps I had such strong feelings toward the meal because I was expecting such great things, and everything just fell flat! I may entertain the idea of returning and trying different things off the menu, but I also thought that everything we ordered was pretty different and nothing really impressed. And the environment was more stuffy than I expected. I felt underdressed in my business casual dress and heels, but again.. I'm from the camp that believes good food shouldn't insist upon coats and ties.
(2)Sunil A.
Hard to find as there is no sign outside. We went with friends who had been there before. Great service, good cocktails and tasty dishes. I had the chicken with mushrooms and haricot verts. It was cooked well and the chicken was still moist. Others with me had the steak or fish. All commented on the expert preparation and flavor in their food. The creme brûlée was also very good. Overall a very enjoyable experience.
(5)Steve I.
This place is NOLA's well-kept secret in the restaurant world. This place is what is best about our city. Small, charming, yet innovative in their food preparation. My friends had the Roasted Chicken and the Seared Tuna. They thoroughly enjoyed both and said they were cooked to perfection. I had the Filet which was served with polenta, rapini, and this balsamic sauce......mouth-watering!! Creme Brulee and Banana Split for dessert. We were in heaven :D Gautreau's is quiet, charming, and has a wonderful atmosphere. Service was great! What's not to love in a place hidden in a residential area!
(5)Beebe G.
i would like to start with the positives at gautreau's. the service is accommodating and attentive. the selection of dishes i chose was spot on and i wasn't disappointed. i had the celery root soup (one of the soup du jour), my entree was also the special, the grouper (not the one on the menu) and it was exquisite. the wine dan chose was also delicious and went perfectly with everything. i ended with the creme brulee. loved it too. the negative is the experience from the time we arrived. we were on time for our 7:30 reservation and ended up waiting over a half hour and no where to go but stand and look at the all the diners in the room. we were told that everyone arrived late b/c of the rain. the host provided us a beverage order, but it was super awkward just standing there and i really don't care for it. the ambiance is loud, not at all intimate. it's sometimes difficult to have a decent conversation when you're practically shouting at each other. my husband enjoyed the grouper too but was not impressed with the sweetbreads. they were small. he felt the chef took one gland and split it half and tha'ts what was served to him. all in all, for me the meal was delicoius but it wasn't the best i've ever had and i probably will not return.
(3)Christine S.
Unfortunately will not go back after 15 plus years of going here to celebrate our anniversary. For starters the waiter was less than helpful. He was like a wind up doll on auto pilot with a fake smile. Nothing personal or engaging with this server. Mind you I don't enjoy a lot of banter, but for lords sake man when someone asks about a wine selection or entree, jump out there! "The trout special has been well received tonight" would have been appreciated. Instead he took me to task for asking to suggest something telling me I made him uncomfortable and he'd already explained the flavors i.e., bright, spicy etc. really?? My trout selection was very, very good. I could not see what was under it because it was too dark in there. Unfortunately my husbands grouper was overcooked a dry. The portion was right for me but for the price there should have been more fish, especially the grouper. Btw my husband was vacillating between the steak and the fish, explains that we have grouper in abundance where we come from to which the waiter replied that "didn't really matter it was how it was presented." True enough, but couldn't he have said something like "you've never had it prepared this way or you can go wrong with the steak." After we finished, the waiter never returns to our table (after several passes) to ask about dessert. By this time we are ready to leave. The busboy comes to finally retrieve our plates ( very nice, we found ourselves wishing that he had been our server) and we had to ask him for our check, Last, our entrees looked very small and lonely on the large white plates with no sauce presentation at all which at least would have looked like we were getting more for the price!
(1)Adam S.
I really liked this place. Located in a pretty residential neighborhood, you'd hardly even notice this place if you were driving by. But that would be unfortunate for you because this place has some really nice food. Definitely not a tourist trap. This place has a kind of old school southern vibe. Started with the pork belly and foie gras appetizers. The foie had a nice rich flavor to it and some tasty cherry jam, arugula, and peanut brittle. It was a solid dish. The belly was served with polenta. It also had great flavor and the pork itself wasn't masked by other flavors. For the entree, I had the snapper which came with Swiss chard, sweet potato, and mustard vinaigrette. This was just a superb dish. Can't say enough about this dish. Simply stated, if it's on the menu when you eat here, you should get it. Also tried the filet with gnocchi and mushrooms. It was nice as well, but not as nice as the snapper. For dessert, we got the pine nut tart with vanilla ice cream and apricots. A tasty dish that was a nice end to a wonderful meal. Really solid.
(5)Daniel B.
The duck confit is ridiculously good.
(5)Daniel M.
If this was NYC Gautreau's would be advertising as a "speakeasy restaurant" - with good cause; even the cabbie who 'knew where it was' drove past the place and had to double back to locate it.. Worth every effort to find! When I walked in and saw the old pharmacy-shelves-turned-bar, I knew I was at home. Go for the pork belly appetizer (with cherry jus on top of a bed of polenta) and order ANYTHING from the entree menu (the Trippletail was perfectly cooked with flaky skin and not-overcooked interior). Splurge on a nice bottle of wine, they've got a more than decent selection. Thank you Sue Zemanick!
(4)Angela P.
Fantastic! It is worth the trip out here. Service was top notch and the food was to die for. Out of everywhere I went in New Orleans, this is about the only place I would return on a subsequent trip. Get the duck confit!!!
(5)Jen L.
Went last week for my birthday dinner (on a Monday!). The menu is focused and delicious. I had a fish special that included beets & jerusalem artichokes. Highly recommended.
(5)Claire S.
Yay for lady chefs!! This is a fancy date spot. Had pork belly and foie gras pate appetizers, mmmm so good. I had the filet mignon with gnocchi and mushrooms. The gnocchi were great, the filet was melt-in-your-mouth delicous. I hadn't had a good steak in a long time and this was cooked perfectly. The stand-out dish from here was my baby's snapper. Like a dum-dum I tried to talk him into ordering the flounder but I'm glad he went with his gut, becuase this was just absolutely delcious. The mustard vinagrette made the dish I felt. So good. We got dessert (which means we loved this place) which was pine nut tart with vanilla icecream and apricots. I loved this, the icecream was homemade, tart was delicous, and it was just really really really really good. We were the youngest people in the place I believe which is usually a good sign when it comes to restaurants (unless its Denny's early bird special). Anyway this place is classy, love the atmosphere, love the food, would love to go back.
(5)Sean K.
My meal at Gautreau's last night may inspire me to create my first Yelp list -- Greatest Hits and Swings n' Misses -- to account not just for the restaurant, but also for the individual dishes. Here's why. Last night started with a fantastic seared scallop small plate, which they were kind enough to split onto two plates for a small first course. The scallop was served with butternut squash puree stuffed pasta ("angolotti") and toasted pumpkin seeds. A bit on the fall-menu side for mid March, but the flavors were out-of-the-park good. Next course, we each had another small plate, one a hit the other a swing and miss. I've waxed hyperbolic about Gautreau's duck confit before, and I have no reason to change that assessment here. It was presented somewhat differently from past experiences, but the crisp duck skin with the German potato salad and a gentle mustard creme fraiche was a massive success. Hit. The sweetbread dish, however, was firmly at the other end of the spectrum. Despite our server's efforts to dissuade me, my predilection for sweetbreads took control and I ordered the disastrous fried sweetbread/waffle/candied pecans/sweet potato/maple syrup dish. Visually, the plate was an inelegant and disjointed mass. The sweetbread portion size was pitiable, and it was not redeemed by the presence of the waffle, syrup, pecans and sweet potato hash. My wife remarked that the dish looked like something I would throw together at 2 in the morning after a night out drinking. I wouldn't be surprised if that were indeed Ms. Zemanick's own inspiration for this dish. Swing n' Miss. Our main courses -- mushroom perogies and veal osso bucco -- were fine dishes, but standing up against the duck and scallop deserve little further comment. Both were generously sized, and the marrow spoon for the veal bone was much appreciated. In all honesty, I held Gautreau's up on such a high pedestal that I will appreciate last night's meal most for reminding me that even Gautreau's is comprised of mere mortals. Still, two lead off home runs is not a bad night at the plate.
(4)RL R.
Pros: Lovely interior, focused uncomplicated menu, great neighborhood, small living room feel. Cons: Small portions, and the waiter seemed to disappear as soon as it was obvious we weren't going to be dropping $400 like the table next to us. No "how was everything?," no "can I get you anything else?" Just dropped us. It didn't ruin the experience, but I'd try something else before I went back.
(3)Eric L.
gautreau's has finally reopened post-katrina. this fine dining establishment is in an old pharmacy building and is tucked away in a residential area north of st. charles ave and robert st. while seeming popular with the blue-haired crowd, the menu is not old people food. the chef does game and non-traditional meats (ox tail) really well. the service is impeccable. gautreau's is just one reason why new orleans is a food destination.
(5)Tina R.
Great Dinner! I don't know where to start. From the moment we walked in we were treated like old friends. We reached our table to find a bit of heart confetti sprinkled around the candle. A very subtle, simple way to signal to the staff that we were celebrating. Nice touch. We started with cocktails and the Salmon tartare appetizer while we looked over the menu. Very Good! We decided on sharing the Duck confit with blue cheese slaw appetizer. My husband like it more than I. It seemed fried and it was reeeally salty. the slaw was great. We then order two salads. Watermelon, Arugula with feta , then Spinach, frisee and a poached egg. Both were really great. Then we split the Black Angus Filet with Bordelaise Sauce with crispy fingerling potatoes, port braised shallots and spinach. Perfectly cooked. Terrific!! We paired the duck and salads with Cancilla Pinot Noir and with the filet a Malbec, both suggestions from our well trained and very personable waiter, Ryan. We finished off the meal with a playful dessert, Caramelized Banana Split with vanilla ice cream,warm banana bread, butterscotch, chocolate sauce, toasted walnuts. Yummy! Paired with Bailey's Irish Cream and a Dalwhinnie Scotch. We were never rushed, we took out time and were treated well the entire evening. (8:30 rsv on a Friday night.) They called us a cab and we talked about the dinner all the way home! One note, at first in was kinda loud but quieted down as a few larger groups left.
(4)Brian C.
I wouldn't say it was the best meal of my life but Gautreau's is a nice old-school NOLA restaurant with solidly concepted and flawlessly executed dishes (the food is much more interesting and fresh than the overly formal and outdated decor). The service started a bit slow but improved throughout the evening and the wine list was fairly well chosen if much smaller than I would have expected at a restaurant of this caliber. Overall, it's certainly not cheap so expect to drop $200 for 2 people including drinks, tax, and tip but the food here was definitely better than Commander's Palace and other higher profile restaurants in town so I'm looking forward to going back when an occasion comes up. P.S. Make sure you have the address - there's really no signage outside and it's a bit tough to find.
(4)Ariana G.
The food here is very good. One of the better meals I've eaten in New Orleans. The atmosphere is a little on the stuffy side. The presentation is lovely, the food quality is excellent and the dishes offer subtle twists on similar New Orleans' type offerings. The scallop appetizer was fantastic. The cold cream of asparagus soup was not really my thing. The duck was fantastic, the risotto with it, not so great. The rhubarb tart was super yummy. They have a nice selection of wines by the class and an interesting offering of after dinner wines as well. The meal on the whole was very good.
(4)Jamie W.
Decided to have round two at Gautreau's on our most recent trip to New Orleans and am very, very happy to say that I wasn't the least bit disappointed. You know how it is when you build something up in your mind? If anything, I love Gautreau's even more and I'm not sure how that is at all possible. I don't know how it worked out but we ended up at the same table at the front door that we had on our first visit. The food was amazing and service excellent. Cannot wait for round three!
(5)R R.
Gautreau is hidden in Uptown on a side street in a rehabbed local apothecary, or so I was told. But beyond it's unique location and history in NOLA, it has some of the best food in town. The place is extremely small so be sure to have reservations! I began my meal with their salad. It was so good, I was wishing that I had ordered two. My main was their redfish. It was beyond excellent. I concluded with their bread pudding and substituted the chantilly cream for the ice cream. It was a lighter version of your typical bread pudding with the lemon curd and blackberries. I left the restaurant feeling fat and happy and having started my gourmand visit in the Big Easy somewhere off the beaten path. Definitely put this place on your list of good eats! NOTE: Other yelpers commented on the noise level. We had 7:00pm reservations and the noise level was average but by the time we left at 8:30, the level was noticeably higher. So to avoid the chatter, make your reservation at an earlier time!
(5)Kalyna K.
What a treat it was to have met the lovely chef Sue. She was a real welcoming and gracious host, as was the owner who made a point to say hello to each table. Now here is where you will see the real local NOLA money crowd. The dishes were superb and we were able to try a few but the red fish special was out of this world. The other highlight was the poached lobster salad...
(5)Alex B.
OMG this place was really good. The duck and lamb was to die for! Great service.
(4)Karen S.
This restaurant is in a nice Uptown neighborhood next to the Newman school (keep that in mind for parking on high school football nights). The atmosphere was pleasant and intimate, and the painted curtain walls were a really nice touch. The staff was friendly, efficient, and patient when it came to closing. The food was phenomenal. I really enjoyed the scallops appetizer, done perfectly on a sweet potato puree with corn. Some of the appetizers were fairly large, so you could easily have two of those instead of appetizer/entree combo. The steak was done to perfection. I had a chocolate cake for dessert, though the addition of sliced banana with a sugar glaze (think brulee) was a nice touch. For my palate, I think I would have preferred more depth on the menu to push it to a 5-star in my book. Our group was very pleased overall and I'll be back again to see if I can bump it up a star. :) I wasn't really thrilled with the wine list. They had an interesting variety of whites, but were lacking a good variety of reasonably priced reds. They had the standard (but infuriating) 2.5x mark-up.
(4)Ian S.
Gautreau's is one of if not my most favorite restaurant of all. I've eaten in a lot of great places, but Gautreau's is so consistently good that to not eat there while in NOLA is just about a sin. Sue Zemanick, head chef, not only commands a bad ass kitchen, she is one of the coolest people I have ever had the chance to meet. Do yourself a favor and make this a "must visit" next time you are in New Orleans.
(5)Seth B.
This is one of my favorite places to dine in the country and in my neighborhood. Sue does a great job with the menu and is constantly innovating. Patrick runs the front like a seasoned pro. If you want to dine at the best place in New Orleans then this might be it.
(5)Fannie G.
You pull up to to an unassuming, unmarked little house in Uptown on the charming street of Soniat, about 4 or so blocks from St. Charles. You might even hesitate before you open the door, wondering if you are about to enter a private residence; don't. Pull that door open and get into Gautreau's as fast as you can. The lovely hostess, or perhaps the affable Maitre'd, will seat you at a small table with white linen and Bentwood chairs, nothing fancy but clean and quaint. The cocktails are old school and sublimely prepared. I particularly liked the French 75,prepared with brandy. The menu is not lengthy which is a good thing because you will still definitely have trouble deciding which delectable sounding dish you wish to feast upon. Having only eaten here once, I am unsure if the menu changes seasonally, quarterly or if at all, but since I will DEFINITELY go back the next time I am here, which unfortunately only averages to once a year, I will report back. The duck confit appetizer was EXQUISITE.... unbelievable. The crispy perfectly seasoned skin gives way to the most succulent, decadent meat you have ever tasted. The beluga lentil base is absolutely delightful. Surprising to find on the menu, was the cannelloni.... so I ordered it. Good move. The pasta is house prepared and rendered to a tissue thin delicacy stuffed with wild mushrooms and ricotta nestled on a bed of flavorful tomato ragout and sautéed greens. The wine list was excellent and well priced (Kosta Browne Pinot, about $140.... this was a pricey wine there. In DC, if you can find Kosta, it usually starts at $200). The staff is attentive; however, if you are from New Orleans, which everyone except us was, you are treated like family, replete with affectionate kisses and hugs. Can't wait to send my parents here though it will be hard to get them out of the Warehouse district, I mean they can walk to some great places and you definitely want to take a taxi to Gautreau's, as I am unsure where in the world you would park (a drawback) however, I expect that 75% of the clientele walks and easily, happily, totters home. Oh, how I envy them.
(4)Lonnie L.
I know this may sound exaggerated - but Gautreau's is my favorite restaurant in the whole world. Although I am a New Orleanian I have traveled the world and I still compare everything to Gautreau's. I know there is more inventive, cutting and extravagant food. I know there is more opulent settings. I know there is service with 10 waiters per table. But the classic food with twists, the intimate setting and the attentive staff at Gautreau's define the good life for me. It stands out because of it's attention to detail, warm and welcoming feel and its tremendous food. The scallops are over the top and no matter how people look at me when I recommened they get the filet and it will be the best they have ever had - everyone last one of them agree upon finishing it. I have had everything on the menu and I am never disappointed!
(5)Liz M.
Oh dear. Sue Zemanick has a new fan. As hard to believe as it is, this was my introduction to pork belly, and I think I picked the right place to have it. It was crisped to perfection with a cherry jus that wasn't too sweet or too tart. It came on top of polenta, but I really think it was more of a vessel to cut the fat and salt. My husband was over the top for his Sauteed Trippletail. It came with a pesto beurre blanc that he may have taken a straw to. Ms. Zemanick actually made a similar dish on Top Chef Masters which Ruth Reichl said was like "hotel food". Well Ruth, in my humble palated opinion, you are off base. You might be out of the stadium. The only thing disappointing about that dish was that it wasn't mine. The restaurant itself was a pleasure to be in. We took the street car out, and found that even though early, and making reservations that afternoon, we were seated easily. We were cared for by the wait staff and chatted up the manager for other foodie finds. Everyone seemed to know each other even before the meal was served as if folks in the neighborhood just popped by to say hello and get a damn fine meal. NOTE: The menu online is not quite indicative of what they are currently serving. It's not overwhelmingly different, but it may change your mind once you get there. Also, they didn't have the wine we wanted, but gave us a similar, more expensive one for the original bottle price. I know this is common, but good service like that should always be noted.
(5)Randy S.
You know, I have only one thing in life I really need to do: eat and tell people about it. So when I forget to review a place a month after eating there, shame on me!!! I dined here with another foodie friend right before New Year's and we both loved it. I've dined here several times before (starting with their lunch with wine specials during the summers), but this was the first time I had dinner here in over two years. I had a perfect piece of filet mignon and my friend raved about his fish. The food here is delish and this place is definitely off the beaten path. Highly recommended, especially if you want a little bit of a fancier experience. Alas, though I dined here recently, it's one of those places I keep forgetting about! I swear someone needs to make an iPhone app to remind me to go to certain restaurants so often! Though it seemed like it was cougar night when we went; mostly Uptown women (single and married) were dining that night! Not that I'm complaining...just saying...
(4)Kathryn M.
Was a little bit disappointed after hearing some great things about Gautreau's. The first thing: the noise level/acoustics lebel (on a Monday night, no less!) were unbelievable! At a four top, I missed about 50% of what everyone at the table was saying. As for food: the beet salad was amazing, but literally, about 3 bites worth and you're finished. My husband ordered the lamb medium rare and it was way too rare-- he had to send it back. But after it was cooked properly, it was very good. I ordered sauteed grouper with green harissa sauce. I was astounded that everything on the plate was amazing but nothing went with anything else. The fish was cooked perfectly but was bland and the green harissa sauce didn't compliment it. It was served with a sweet and spicy eggplant side which, although which was amazing on its own, totally overwhelmed the fish. Dessert was a creme brûlée with a bourbon pairing which I highly recommend.
(3)Richard M.
Great restaurant, outstanding cuisine. A true neighborhood gem!!!
(5)A. A.
After reading series of well received reviews, I booked a romantic dinner for two during our trip to NOLA. We arrived via street car in the Garden District where our reserved table was waiting. The night was a little chilled with a sleight drizzle in the air as we strolled up the quaint gas lit neighborhood where Gautreau's Restaurant resides. Upon arrival, It felt as though we were invited to an elegant dinner party at a close friend's home. A very beautiful and intimate patron space with a set number of tables. We soon found the menu equally reflected this thoughtful attention as well. We ordered cocktails, the French Martini was delicious and well balanced. The starter was a celery/parsnip bisque with fresh crab meat which I found to be wonderfully pureed, but lukewarm and under seasoned. The main of the evening was a house special, blackened sea bass filet seared with the skin on. Though very flavorful in seasoning without being overly dominate to the protein, it didn't taste as 'daily fresh' as it should have. On the other hand, the bed of dice roasted potatoes, beets, and lilted Swiss chard with a balsamic reduction was the clear winner on the plate. Dessert was a pairing of vanilla bean creme brulee with Rowan's Creek single barrel bourbon... nothing beats simplicity here! The largest complaint we had that left a sour taste in our mouths from what was an otherwise delicious meal, was that of our male server. Yes, he took our orders, brought warm rolls and refilled our water glasses when ASKED, but paid no interest in us enough to accomplish these tasks by simple table observation nor could he answer a few questions about the restaurant or it's menu. I certainly saw him manage to dance around two adjacent tables with businessmen, but to neglect our patronage so blatantly by not even bothering to ask how our food tasted... was an experience killer that John Singer Sargent himself could have done without. I sincerely feel chef Sue Zemanic has a passionate sense of classic fare with an exclusive flare, but unfortunately for us, the overall dining experience was a bit tepid.
(3)Jonathan G.
Recently, my wife and I visited my son in New Orleans for parents' weekend at Tulane. A good friend of ours who lived in the Crescent City before Katrina highly recommended Gautreaus. On previous visits we were unable to get a reservation - this time, we made an OpenTable reservation a week before our visit. This place is popular so don't wait until the last minute. As previous reviewers have noted, the restaurant is located in what appears to be an old house in the middle of a residential neighborhood near St. Charles Ave. Our reservation was for 8:30 and we arrived at around 8:20. We were not seated until close to 9pm. Gautreaus is a small restaurant - less than 20 tables. It is high ceilinged and very loud, at times uncomfortably so. The tables are also arranged close together. The wait staff was attentive and knowledgeable. My wife ordered the roasted chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, my son ordered the black angus filet, and I ordered the grouper with zucchini. Everyone was very pleased with their food. My grouper was very fresh and lightly breaded and the zucchini and accompanying sauce were delicious. The portion size was a little smaller than I would have liked but the food was delicious. Our tab for four diners came to just over $200 (including the tip). Obviously this is a pricy place, but well worth it if you are looking for a special meal.
(5)Jane L.
Wonderful restaurant & one we always to to when in NO. Make a reservation & you won't be disappointed. A hidden gem in Uptown. Jane R.
(5)Mark S.
Ok, so Gautreau's has always been one of my top 5 New Orleans restaurants. It's really that good and that consistent. My latest trip did not disappoint but it did yield one surprise. Ok, let's start with appetizers........Sauteed Shrimp roasted eggplant and tomato mint gastrique quite literally was off the hook good. I slapped my momma it was that good. Also, the Baby Romaine with Buttermilk Dressing cucmbers, tomatoes, and crispy cippolini onions was a very fresh, nicely balanced salad. It was as interesting as salad can be. Ok, the last appetizer, the Duck Confit with German potato salad, Pommery mustard creme fraiche was a HUGE disappointment. I couldn't get past three bites. The duck was rubbery and chewy and the skin was not as crisp as it could have been. There was too much pommery mustard creme fraiche that overpowered everything. It was horrible to be honest and a real shocker. Let's get to the main course already........Parmesan Crusted Halibut with Lemon Beurre Blanc fines herbes spatzle, English peas and caramelized pearl onions were an incredibly light, delicate, flavorful summer dish. The fish was absolutely perfect and the spatzle, peas, and pearl onions worked well together without overpowering each other. It would be easy to call it a simple dish, however the amount of balance of flavors on the plate was really what impressed me and that takes a skillful hand in the kitchen to pull off. Next was the Black Angus Filet Mignon with Bordelaise, fingerling potatoes, port braised shallots and spinach. I've never thought of Gautreau's as a steak house (such as Besh's or Dickie Brennan's) but let me tell you something right now - Gautreau's maybe the best kept secret when it comes to steaks. Yes siree Bob it was that good. The filet could have been cut with a butter knife, as a matter of fact every component of the plate was spot on and in my opinion easily blows Ruth's Chris out of the water. It was the star of the night. Lastly, the Roasted Chicken with garlic mashed potatoes, wild mushrooms and haricots verts was a strong runner up. In a word, think if you had a French grandmother who lived in the countryside of France and you went over one Sunday for lunch and well you can imagine the comfort food aura of this dish. Most garlic mashed potatoes hit you in the face with garlic but again, the amount of balance of flavors on the plate was impressive. Everything just works very well together. Moving into dessert I'll say that the Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee was very good. Rich, crunchy on top and layered with vanilla bean flavor it was a pretty safe bet. The star however was the Chocolate Cremeaux with raspberries, vanilla creme fraiche and port-balsamic. I have already scheduled appointments with my cardiologist and endocrinologist. Rich, deep chocolate, creamy, smooth and balanced with a dollop of vanilla creme fraiche - well you could stop there but it was the port and raspberry counter balance that took this dessert to a whole other level. If I thought I could get away with licking the plate I would have done so. So there you have it, the only black eye on the night was the duck confit and it was so bad that it's ultimately what keeps me from giving this latest trip a 5 star review. Bon Apetit Peeps!
(4)Kathleen S.
Last night, my boyfriend was inspired to throw together an impromptu date night and kicked the evening off by taking me here for dinner. Wow, what a true New Orleans experience! Gautreau's is a hidden gem in the uptown neighborhood just off of Jefferson Ave (literally hidden -- there is no sign outside of the restaurant, and the building looks like someone's very nice, expensive home). I had never heard of Gautreau's before, and there is good reason for that; it seems like the locals/regulars like to keep this dining experience a secret to preserve the understated yet refined neighborhood feel. Gautreau's is a neighborhood restaurant with a menu similar to that of Upperline, Dante's Kitchen, or Dick and Jenny's -- also neighborhood restaurants (in different neighborhoods from Gautreau's) -- in the sense that they use local ingredients and stick to New Orleans-inspired fare, but the ambiance inside puts all of these other restaurants to shame, at least if you are looking to experience a romantic evening with a loved one. Other reviewers here have complained that the dining room gets noisy, but last night I guess the rain scared most folks away (plus it was Monday -- typically a dead night in the restaurant world), so my date and I were the last table (seated at 8:30) and by the time we wrapped up our three-course meal (just before 10:00), we were the only table left in the restaurant. But unlike any other restaurant I've been to, I actually felt as if they wanted us to stay and leisurely enjoy the rest of our dessert and cocktails; never once did I feel like the wait staff was dying to leave or cursing us under our breath for being the last couple there. The vibe I'm sure is quite different on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday evening -- probably more boisterous and chummy as opposed to last night's quiet and romantic setting. So, ambiance was an A+, and service was as well. The waiter recommended a first course (shared by my date and me) which was spot-on. It was a homemade fettucine (made fresh that day) with an alfredo sauce, served with garden peas and lobster. Sounds too rich to digest, doesn't it? It wasn't. It was the lightest carb-focused appetizer I've had in a long time, and I enjoyed every bite of it. Next I had the snapper, which was accompanied by a citrus reduction and served with a few small wedges of louisiana citrus (satsumas?), snap peas, and hearts of palm. The citrus complemented the sweetness in the snap peas perfectly. My date had the bacon-wrapped pork, which he said was amazing (I'm not a big pork eater myself). For dessert, we had a banana split; the bananas had crispy brulee'd sugar on top and was served with vanilla ice cream (complete with real vanilla -- lots of little black specks!), topped with a REAL cherry (pitted for us -- kind touch by the kitchen . . . who wants to spit out a cherry pit at a fine dining restaurant?). Coupled with the Bailey's Irish Cream and Jameson on the rocks, it was a spectacular end to a dining experience that I would describe as . . . bangin'. Check this place out, and do not miss it if you are ever in New Orleans and looking for a fancy place to go eat. Prices are reasonable considering the level of service, quality of ingredients, and taste. The only regret that you'll have is that you didn't go there sooner.
(5)Katrina T.
Great ambiance, delicious food. Fancy service. Steak underdone, even after sending it back.
(4)Cole T.
I won a meal tasting and wine paring through the Tipitina's Foundation (of whom you should definitely support!) and decided to take a date here the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Everything, and I mean everything, was perfectly done by all levels of the establishment. To start it off, I got a friendly reminder of my reservation the day of on my mobile phone which was quite pleasant. When it came time to leave my date and I did the only responsible thing we could and not drive to the establishment and had a very nice stroll through Uptown. The restaurant is in a converted house in a residential section of the city and as one would imagine had a very homey feel to it. We were on time and promptly seated. Throughout the evening I believe we had no less than four waitstaff come by to make sure our drinks were never empty and they were all cheerful. Since it was a meal tasting we were going through silverware and even though I tried to save a little bit of work for them they wouldn't hear of us sequestering our forks to the side of the table to use for the next dish. As for the food... I've lived in New Orleans for three years now and have done my fair share of eating, both at fine establishments and at hole in the wall joints. I used to hole the Upperline as the best meal I have had here, but after Gautreau's I have a new standard for food. This may have been the best meal I have ever had. We started out with some shrimp as a starter, followed with some scallops. After that, there was a delightful little pork plate, and the dessert was to die for! I think that was what we ended up getting out of the meal tasting, but I'm pretty sure a plate or two was forgotten since there was a wine paring. Both the food and drink were phenomenal. If you are in the mood to spend some money for some of the best food New Orleans has to offer, you have to come here; there is no question. Gautreau's earns nothing less than five stars from me and has become the metric that all other meals will be measured for me.
(5)Derek R.
I've only been there once.... The food was good and so was the service. The dining room setup is a little weird though. The fabric on the walls was a little off putting. That's really my only issue with the place. 3 stars.
(3)Jerry S.
Friends from California read the reviews here and were all excited to go. Far from the best eating experience we had for the weeks visit. Week night not crowded but full of errors. The wrong appetizers placed in front of wrong people to start so we shifted them all around. Not big but began the lack of attention to us the entire night. The duck which everyone raved about in the review was dry and cold? The other patrons were not impressed with their different ones either. The entrees came and again seemed the wrong plates to wrong people but worse it was the wrong entrees. As we were ready to eat we ate what was delivered. The fish was dry and no flavor. Tasted like poorly cooked frozen fish. The entire dish was very poorly done. As not to make things worse we did not complain just ate. Talked quietly about how nothing was as expected. The price was way too high for service and quality. I am happy they wanted to go so in the future I can tell guests do not expect what you read in the reviews. I doubt I will return. An off night would be OK but this was nothing like what you read here in these reviews. If you go expect only OK service and food and a high bill, not the best meal you can have here in the city.
(3)Jordi G.
This place definitely churns out some pretty special food. The flavors are bold, adventurous, and refined. Sue is a very talented chef and people are definitely noticing. I think i've been here 4-5 times and have certainly enjoyed the food each time. I've tried almost everything on the menu...I think the julienned kale salad is my absolute favorite! I could eat that all day. I have had 3 star dishes and have had 5+ star dishes. The food is consistent and good. The wines are fantastic and the waiters are pretty knowledgeable. I have a few things that I would change about the restaurant, if I could. First- It feels incredibly stuffy. A mix of the decor and attitude, which is a little too pretentious. Second- It is FREEZING cold in there 100% of the time. Last- It's a really slow meal. I know that nice meals should not come quickly but sometime's it's almost painful here.
(4)Becky R.
My favorite place everything is so delicious Atmosphere "New Orleans" love it
(5)A. R.
Every time I eat here, it's amazing. Patrick is an amazingly gracious host and Sue and her team continue to turn out the best food in the city.
(5)Bobby S.
Can't wait to go back! Tasty. Great service. Lovely ambiance.
(5)Lloyd B.
Good, not great when you compare among the elite dining institutions in NOLA. Went this week and we had scallops, fish special salad, smoked shrimp app. Scallops were great. Everything else was really good but not great. Service was just a-ok. Certainly check it out, but only after you've checked off all of the other big names in town.
(4)Raymond R.
Excellent food and excellent service. All menu selections are superb-- each a work of art in itself. We had the filet mignon, veal cheeks, wild mushroom perogies, and the flounder. All were excellent and memorable. Just one suggestion to Gautreau's: please bring back the Crispy Sweetbreads Appetizer and the Lemon Curd Tartlett Dessert :-) We miss them so.... Love this place :-) (Oh, by the way, this place is so "tucked away" in the shrubbery and stately homes, that's it's quite difficult to find. It's truly a "hidden gem".
(4)Katherine S.
Duck confit = delicious - I will dream of this dish. Foie gras = a cacophony of flavors including a bizarre bread? that tasted like cotton candy. Pure yuck! So bad that I ate exactly one bite and left the rest and tried to get the taste out of my mouth by swilling wine. Fish = ok, but the pan wasn't hot enough, so the breading was a weird texture and it came off greasy. The mushrooms underneath were way salty, otherwise okay. Certainly not a $32 dish. Creme brulee = burnt and the custard was more like a pudding. Not so good. Meringue = delicious So, mixed bag, way overpriced, and none of the wait staff seemed terribly concerned as to whether or not we enjoyed the food. When they cleared our foie gras and saw that it was half left over, they simply clarified that we were ready for it to be cleared but didn't once ask if we liked it and kept it on the bill. Expensive ordering mistake for us. For the money, I can easily think of at least 5 other restaurants in NOLA that I'd prefer.
(2)Leigh S.
Tucked away on Soniat, we walked past it twice. Decor inside was nice, smelled very delicious. Got seated immediately. As soon as we were seated...nothing happened. A waiter(tress) came by eventually to ask if we'd been asked if we wanted to order drinks, which of course we did, so then she says, "Ok what can I get you?" She didn't even offer wine list. This isn't a "Franzia in a box" kind of a place, friends, assuming your wind list is impressive, how about you show it off?!? Of course we hadn't even been brought menus yet. Anyway... Our actual waitress was great, just attentive enough, friendly, knowledgeable. The menu selection was decent but not exciting. Vichyssoise was on special, it was pretty tasty, but nothing exciting. Chef Susan is known for seafood so I ordered the snapper; it's served with corn, crawfish, &. pancetta. Fish was on the smallish side & cooked just the way I like it...dry. Ugh. The best part was the dishes accessories. So unimpressed, feel for certain my mother's fish is 10xs better, and I eat at her house for free. Under. Whelmed.
(2)Brian J.
My current favorite restaurant in New Orleans.
(5)Brooke A.
One of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had in New Orleans. GO!!!
(5)Shobelloby S.
OMG (And I hate using text phrases) but this place is the shit y'all. I had a vichysoisse, tripletail entree, and pot de creme chocolat. All good. I sat looking at the vichysoisse bowl trying to figure out how to discreetly lick the bowl or if it was at all possible to scrape it with a spoon until it sparkled. The Maitre D./Owner was a little stiff until I mentioned that I'm a neighbor but I think that's cuz he's just used to old white money walking in there. My waiter was wonderful, VERY knowledgable about the wine, very formal, yet warm at the same time. His name was Paul...leave him a big tip if you get him. It's expensive, but soooo worth it. Nice quiet, I want to take everyone I love their but hen I'd empty my savings out. Sigh. I should've licked the bowl.
(5)lauren p.
I would have to say that Gautreau's was probably the most disappointing part of our Southern Expedition. The fiance and I were looking to have one 'nice' dinner on our trip to NOLA, and I basically picked Gautreau's based on the selection of Sue Zemanick as a Food & Wine Best New Chef. The magazine exalted her as a pioneer of 'new' cuisine, and made Gautreau's sound like the place to be. It seemed like a great place to celebrate our recent engagement. Once we finally found the restaurant, which is tucked away in a purely residential neighborhood, we found ourselves waiting for about 30 minutes before being seated (we had a reservation). We were finally given the table closest to the door- not the most romantic spot, but the restaurant was full, what can you do? It didn't really matter, since the two large parties that were taking up most of the room were so loud and rambunctious that romance clearly wasn't in the cards. But hey, we were really there for the food right? The menu was pretty small, and fairly limited if you hate duck and foiegras as we both do. I understand that these are two big ingredients in haute cuisine, but still, do they have to be featured in almost everything? We each wound up getting a salad, both of which were fine, but nothing special. For mains, I went with a steak, and the fiance had snapper. Both were very good, but again, nothing special- and certainly not worth the large price tags. By the time dessert rolled around, we were both so underwhelmed that we split a creme brulee- again, perfectly fine, nothing to write home about. I should add that we aren't exactly high rollers when it comes to traveling, so for us to plunk down $150 on dinner, it needs to be really great. And Gautreau's, sadly, wasn't that great. I think there are much better places to spend your money, and enjoy a little romance at the same time.
(3)Jeff B.
OMG....wow. Took my gilfriend here for her birthday dinner this year and we both came away VERY impressed. The halibut and grouper we had were delicious and the syrah we hadwas a perfect pairing. The atmosphere inside was everything I expect from a high end restaurant and absolutely love how it's set in a residential neighborhood without any sign or tagging from teh outside. You really need to know where you're going to find this place as it blends in perfectly but it's definitely worth it!
(5)Marcy S.
I really wanted to give this place 5 stars until the end of my meal. I love the atmosphere and the service was almost perfect. My boyfriend and I ordered two appetizers (crispy pork belly & duck confit). These two dishes were amazing!! The duck was possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten. However, both of our entrees were less than impressive. He ordered the special...a pan sauteed redfish with asparagus, mushrooms and fingerling potatoes. It was not bad, but had much more potential. I ordered the filet...and it was seriously overcooked. I ordered it medium rare, which I consider to be cooking 101 for a place with this reputation; however, I was very disappointed to get a medium (borderline medium well) steak that was dry. If it were not for the sauce, I doubt I would have been able to eat any of it at all. The other parts of this dish were much better than the filet (gnocchi and mushrooms). Regretfully, I will probably cross this one off this list of great places in New Orleans.
(2)Brittany M.
Had dinner here while in NOLA on business, and it was a great decision. First, the place is literally in a neighborhood. I'm glad someone from our group had directions because our taxi driver sure didn't know where it was. But the hidden location makes it all the more awesome. Started with the duck confit - perfect. I've had duck confit in Paris and this is the real deal. For my entree, I had the snapper with crawfish. It was delicious - elegant creole food. The pinot noir the waiter recommended was a perfect compliment, and a fantastic quality wine. For dessert, I had to get the banana split, because inside I am 9 years old. But it was a classy banana split, so adults are in the clear. It was huge; I could only eat half of it, but that half was amazing. Perfect way to end the meal. Service was great; we weren't rushed at all even though we were the last table to leave. A definite must for a trip to New Orleans.
(5)Peter W.
Corporate event here last evening ... and while the facility does not catch your eye the food is simply remarkable. The wait staff just kept delivering one phenomenal dish after another. The monster sized fried oysters were to die for. I highly recommend the duck confit and I admit it, I had the filet. Perfectly prepared and probably one of the best steaks I have had in my life.
(5)Kiki A.
Possibly one of the best meals I've had from start to finish. Would recommend this restaurant to both locals and tourists who desire a memorable fine dining experience. Pork belly appetizer is a definite must-have. Every single entree is amazing. Banana split dessert is a great finish.
(5)KariGirl G.
I was in town for business and decided to try Gautreau's after many recommendations, it was worth the hype. While I didn't get the memo on the dress code, I was welcomed with open arms by a very inviting host. When I arrived the host offered me wine until my table was ready. The decor is what one would expect in New Orleans, very embellished but rustic at the same time. The food was very good, although the fois gras was not my favorite in preparation. I think some sort of cheesecloth was used to make the texture similar to a pate. The halibut was very good as well. One thing to note, the dress code is formal. Unfortunately I didn't know that, but was made to feel comfortable even though I was severely under dressed.
(5)Lana C.
To my surprise, only one other patron had something to say about this restaurant. I was planning to rate this place - four stars but their Duck Confit was so perfect, I have to give Gautreau's 5 stars: This is our second time at Gautreau's this month. Hidden in a residential area, you will not see a sign outside the restaurant. It is in a nondescript gray house, quaint and charming from the outside. The staff greeted us as we enter this small restaurant, reminiscence of an old house. Their cocktails are not to be taken lightly. They really know how to mix their drinks. Between the two of us, my husband and I ordered the Manhattan, the Mojito, Cosmo, Raspberry Martini (fresh crushed berries, by the way)... you're going to have to pace yourself with a diet. You cannot go wrong with whatever you order. They change up their menu so what I had last night may not be on the menu when you're there. However, I will recommend that if Gautreau's is serving Duck Confit (w/avocado and tomato/cranberry sauce) as an appetizer, you should order Duck Confit over anything else. My husband ordered Gulf Shrimps and in his defense, "I wanted to try something different". He meant that he wanted to share. This dish was so tender, spiced infused delicious, no one shared - except for me...because the husband 'wanted to try something different." *sigh* It was probably the best Duck Confit I've had since Paris- two years ago. Last time, I was set on ordering their Black Angus Filet Mignon- Medium Rare. The sides went well with the Filet but I've had many, many Filet Mignon, I'm beginning to lose sight on them. Filet Mignons have always been top notch and satisfying for me. I decided to have the fish of the day- Halibut; soft and juicy. Port with your dessert - a must because I thought the dessert was average. If you have your dessert wine to pair with your dessert, you're bound to end your evening with a smile. Very attentive service, they should be...it is a small and intimate place. Again, you really cannot go wrong with anything you order. Just don't share your Duck Confit.
(5)Rose S.
Orgasmic - truly what dining is about! We were a group of 7. From the filet, scallops, & various types of fish, all were perfection. The wine pairing recommendation was sheer genius. The desserts were a marvelous blend of flavors from the banana split to the peanut butter s'more. Scrumptous & should be on any true foodie's list of places to eat before they die.
(5)Michael S.
Single handedly one of the best meals I've ever had. Their Creme Brulee might have changed my life. Simply said, if you enjoy food and service there isn't a better place in New Orleans.
(5)A S.
An excellent modern creole meal. Sweetbreads appetizer with crawfish and the halibut entree were outstanding. Very passionate & knowledgeable, but not perfectly polished, waitstaff. Chef came out to greet diners on a busy Tuesday night in between Jazzfest weekends. I showed up with a friend whom was local without reservations and they sat us within 20 minutes. Very satisfying meal, not cheap but priced appropriately. Nice to support the up & coming culinary talent of NOLA.
(5)Flore S.
gautreau's is a beautifull restaurant, the illusion of draperies on the wall give a great abiance. it's one of those rare restaurants in New Orleans where you can actually have a fine dinning experience in your plate as well as with the wait staff( i would have appreciate a fish knife and fork with py entree instead of a " butter knife" looking" ). we shared the sweetbreads appetizer : delicious with that green sauce. my husband took the steack: beautiful piece of lean meat, confit onions, spinash ....great i took the redfish special: 3 pieces of filet on the top of new potatoes, wild mushrooms and roasted brussels sprouts. delicious. dessert: chocolate pot de crème: i don't know if it is a ganache or bavaroise but it was very very heavy after all that delicious food, it kills you! vanilla crème brûlée: one of the rare place where you don't get a catalane cream or a thick flan but actually a real crème brûlée with vanilla bean and not liquid vanilla. beside the top completely black, the cream was delicious. it was perfect
(5)Betsy M.
we had dinner here after a week in New Orleans and it was well worth the wait! Service was wonderful as was the food! Appetizers were amazing, main course excellent and dessert delicious! i had the scallops and filet, while my boyfriend had the duck and veal and we shared the creme brulee for dessert . everything was absolutely perfect. dinner with a bottle of wine and dessert was around $180 and well worth it! the location is small and is tucked back in a beautiful neighborhood so keep your eyes peeled when looking for it.
(5)Susan W.
Gautreau's may be one of the best restaurants you haven't heard of (unless you're a foodie and follow Food & Wine and James Beard Awards). Tucked away on Soniat Street, it's a great little neighborhood restaurant, yet so much more. Chef Sue Zemanick took this restaurant to a whole new level. I haven't been there in a little over a year, but I ate there a couple of times the previous year, for special occasions (and several times before that). The food is elegant, refined, and creative, with really fresh flavors. On my last visit, my parents and I each got different fish dishes, all were great (I think my father had the tripletail and my mother had the tuna and whyyyy can't I remember what I had? I have had the tripletail before, but I don't think it was that time.) It seems like everything on the menu is her creation, but there is one holdover from previous chefs- the caramelized banana split sundae. I think Uptowners would riot if this was taken off the menu. There may be better desserts, but if you love banana splits, you should order it. It's going to be the best banana split you ever ate. The last time I had it, there was an addition of banana bread, just to make things interesting. But it's the caramelized banana that makes it. Trust me. All in all, if you want a great New Orleans meal, go to Gautreau's.
(5)Geronimo G.
Carpeted.
(3)Cathryn H.
We ate at Bayona, Cochon, Commanders Palace and August, among others. Hands down, our best meal in New Orleans. My shrimp appetizer with citrus was bright and clean and wonderful, as was my husbands pan sauteed grouper and my veal chop. The banana split was wonderful as well. The setting is very intimate, the service impeccable. An absolute joy.
(5)G B.
We were very very excited for our dinner at Gautreau's . We just spent close to $500 on a dinner there and I was extremely disappointed. The waitress didn't bring the wine list for over 15 minutes. The fois gras someone in our party ordered was very good. My soup of the day - a bisque with crab - was very bland. The "crispy duck" was NOT crispy at all and very tough. My cannelloni was good - but not exceptional. Finally, the desert. We ordered the dark chocolate desert and the pound cake. The dark chocolate desert seemed rancid and sour. There as something wrong with this desert - it was just awful. We told the waitress - but she just ignored us and turned away. When we left the restaurant, the 4 of us in our party were outside chatting for a few minutes before leaving when a man - who I think was the maitre d' ran out of the restaurant yelling "SIR" - YOU TOOK THE WRONG RECEIPT!!!" We said, sorry and looked in our purses to see what we had. We exchanged receiptes with no "thank you" from the maitre d. He was very accusatory and rude. We took the opportunity to tell him about the desert. He said "I'll look into it". Not at all the kind of experience or treatment I would expect for a $500 dinner. Not recommended.
(2)John D.
My girlfriend and I decided that we're going to do a date night at a nice restaurant at least once a month. Gautreau's was locale #1, and it did not disappoint. I've grown up in NOLA, lived in Florida and Los Angeles, and this was one of the finest dining experiences I've ever had. To start the night, I had a vodka w/ olives, the glass was filled to the top. My girlfriend had a glass of wine recommended by the waiter. It was excellent. For an appetizer we had the Sauteed Gulf Shrimp with eggplant, mint, and tomato gastrique 12.oo... Absolutely one of the best thing that I've ever put in this mouth. We shared the soup. It was a yel butternut and crab bisque. Doesn't sound appetizing, but it was to die for. We split the salad as well... It was the Buttermilk Fried Artichokes with arugula and lemon tarragon vinaigrette 10.oo. Very good, but on second thought I might have tried the Bibb Lettuce with grilled traviso, toasted walnuts, red wine truffle vinaigrette 10.oo. For Dinner, I had the Crispy Duck Breast with torpedo onions, roasted peaches, wild rice, and natural jus 29.oo. It was very good, but I was sad I didn't select what my girlfriend ordered... Sauteed Grouper with creamed spinach, and short rib ragout 30.oo. This was the the best fish I've had possibly in my entire life (not exaggerating) and will order it for myself the next time we go to Gautreau's. Lastly, we split the Caramelized Banana Split with toasted walnuts, butterscotch, and fudge sauce 10.00. So FREAKIN' good. This kicked off a great tradition of date nights, and can't wait to go back to Gautreau's again for another delicious meal.
(5)c d.
awesome food but staid atmosphere
(4)