Gautreau's Restaurant

A longtime NOLA tradition that has seen its share of ups and downs, Gautreau's (and its haute Creole food) is currently experiencing one of its "ups." Having said that, there are other restaurants in town that more swiftly spur us to ... more

A longtime NOLA tradition that has seen its share of ups and downs, Gautreau's (and its haute Creole food) is currently experiencing one of its "ups." Having said that, there are other restaurants in town that more swiftly spur us to repeat visits. But it's hard to fault Gautreau's, a classy "old-timey" restaurant (dress up just a touch; you'll fit in better with the formal locals) with a menu that changes frequently. Here's what we had recently: the sweet mixed greens with pears, goat cheese and a port vinaigrette -- a marvelous salad in a town not known for salads (we wish it were larger), and the arugula salad with Gorgonzola vinaigrette subtly accented with herbs. Pork chops are novel-thick, set on sweet potato hash with braised red cabbage and apple-sage butter. Sautéed drum fish comes on caramelized-onion and spinach risotto with roasted red pepper aioli. Flourless chocolate cake is ubiquitous in this town, but here is the place to have it, where it's soft and fudgey. less