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| - I treated a young friend to her 1st real New Orleans oysters. We began with orders of oysters on the half-shell and Pappadeaux's version of Oysters Bienville (baked cheese topping). I lived in New Orleans for years, so I was disappointed at the soup-y cheese that couldn't stick with the oyster -- took the adventure out of it completely. My favorite, Oysters Rockefeller, was substituted by their version adding hollandaise sauce to the spinach (yuck!) so we passed.
The entrees went better. I had the Shrimp with Andouille Sausage & Red Beans (excellent red beans!) and she got the Shrimp Po Boy & Gumbo combination. We topped off with Praline Bread Pudding in Bourbon Sauce. Highly recommended.
Service was mediocre. Our server was no help even tho I mentioned it was her 1st oyster outing. I tried to the point of frustration to order the appetizers, and she only regurgitated the menu to me repeatedly. I knew how to read. I didn't know how to order combo raw oysters & oysters bienville in a way she could understand, even tho I've done so hundreds of times at Felix's or Antoine's or nearly any New Orleans restaurant. After waiting 20min for our check, we stood to leave and she brought check to us at the hostess stand, so being cumbersome, I signed for a $75+ bill writing a large 15% pointing to tip line and left. Not a big thing, but my checking account was deducted for a $15 tip instead, which I would have not blinked except the service was not worthy of over 15%. For the $3.25 hustle at the register, they got the motivation to write this review. Sad, as I had looked forward to *my kind of restaurant from my old neighborhood.*
The manager did present himself at our table to clear up an allergy question, and he was outstanding. I told my friend, "Now he's like the waiters usually are in a good restaurant!" Friendly, interested, concerned, competent, professional. Not so with the overly-tipped waitress.
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