I've been here a ton of times and am just now reviewing it, shame on me! It's usually pretty easy to get a table without a reservation. I would recommend getting the groupon or living social deal ($20 for $40).
Service: Can be slow to nonexistent at times. I almost always find myself searching for the wait staff. This is especially true if you're seated upstairs. Takes forever to get your check.
Ambiance: The restaurant is in an old 2 story house. Tables are really tight. The "booths" are even tighter. Lots of nice photography from Nola on the walls. A huge porch style dining area off the back. Live band upstairs. About upstairs....seating is sardines in a can. The tables are almost touching along the window. Upstairs is usually very loud. I'm sitting here listening to a woman scream over the music about how many times a day she pumps to feed her baby. Along with a guy making jokes about his penis....sigh! The bar is also upstairs FYI.
Food: Great food. It makes up for the loud people and so so service. My go to is the diane, a mushroom based dish with either chicken, shrimp, crawfish or all three. Because I'm difficult I get it with blackened chicken and crawfish over mashed potatoes rather than white rice. My other faves are the fried catfish and the bbq shrimp. Too dang good! They also makea decent hurricane. I've heard Sunday brunch is good, haven't been yet though.
They also offer complimentary valet on the side street next to the restaurant.