This is part one of a sampling of my eating orgy during my recent trip to The Big Easy. What follows are some of my most flavorful dishes from my upscale dining in New Orleans.

Favorites from Sylvain — where we dined with Beth D’Addono (the current president of Les Dames d’Escoffier New Orleans) — were:  my classic Sazerac cocktail made with rye whiskey and bitters, both Peychaud’s and Angostura, in an Herbsaint rinsed glass ($11); the marinated beet salad with local citrus, pumpkin seeds and coconut milk farm cheese ($11); and the cast-iron cornbread served with a spicy Three Brother cane syrup butter ($7).


Sylvain
French Quarter
625 Chartres St
New Orleans
(504) 265-8123
sylvainnola.com/

At GW Fins, I liked their original “scalibut” — a composed dish with Alaskan halibut, topped with sea scallops arranged on top to resemble fish scales, sitting atop Royal Red shrimp risotto, snow peas all in a pea shoot butter ($38).

GW Fins
French Quarter
808 Bienville St
New Orleans
504.581.3467
gwfins.com/

What a treat o celebrate my friend’s birthday at the quintessential New Orleans restaurant, Commander’s Palace! They do it right including a turquoise ribbon wrapping the white tablecloth, a bouquet of balloons and special chefs’ hat. Plus good food.

We went for brunch, where along with an entree, Commanders offers 25 cent martinis. Yes, 25¢ with a 3-drink limit.

Some favs were the ancho-citrus glazed Gulf shrimp with fire-roasted cauliflower, sweet potatoes, petite carrots, sweet peans and crispy artichokes in a citrusy spiced coconut curry broth ($24), the corn-fried briny Gulf oysters over pickled corn relish with poblano peppers, shaved shallots and arugula with a remoulade sauce ($13), and their mint chocolate chip (my fav flavor) ice cream in a crisp pecan tuile with chantilly cream and chocolate ganache ($8). Don’t miss.

Commander’s Palace
Garden District
Commanders Palace’s Home
1403 Washington Ave
New Orleans
504-899-8221
commanderspalace.com/