rev:text
| - I had high hopes for NOLA.
My boyfriend's family lives in New Orleans, and we visit yearly. When I first walked into NOLA, my first impression was that this is kind of like the Disney World version of New Orleans. It is over the top, cliche, and kinda cheesy. That's fine, I can deal with that. Cheesy can be fun, and the music was great. I tried to keep a positive attitude.
I ordered a Sazerac, a classic New Orleans cocktail, and it was served warm. It was also very heavy on the absinthe rinse. Friends have told me they've had great Sazeracs at NOLA, so I'm hoping this was a fluke.
Next, I tried the alligator appetizer. It was pretty tasty, but the presentation was not great. The tiny nuggets of fried alligator were dwarfed by the huge rectangular plate they were served on. It just seemed like an interesting choice. The red beans and rice dish was pretty awesome, but it wasn't as good as those I've had on the Gulf Coast. They weren't as thick and creamy, and they were lacking in spice (a bottle of hot sauce fixed that). Overall, NOLA did not do justice to the awesomeness that is New Orleans cuisine.
I love New Orleans, and I want to love NOLA. I'll definitely give it a second try.
Some perks: live music, $5 valet parking after 5 (for all of Market Square), good service, fun ambiance
|