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| - With all due respect to the guy whose name sits above the restaurant, my coming here had less to do with Emeril and more to do with my hankering for some clam chowder. Sure, I was a bit curious, having seen his shows when they were still on the Food Network. However, seemingly like his popularity, it feels like his food (and this place) might be a few years past their prime...
Unlike with my experience at another famous restaurateur's spot just a short walk away, my meal here proved to be rather underwhelming (the fact there were only a few groups here for lunch should've been my first tip). True to Emeril's roots, the menu features several Cajun classics like gumbo, oysters, and shrimp po'boys. However, for some reason, their lunch offerings felt a bit narrow. Either that or maybe their stuff just didn't sound all that appealing...
-- CORNBREAD...FREE
(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/emerils-new-orleans-fish-house-las-vegas?select=obkp07XqvgDSo74G3wXfiA)
It was definitely pretty cool to get cornbread instead of the typical sort of bread options, but I can't say they were anything special. While it did have a nice flavor to it, the texture felt dry and brittle with every bite.
-- FALL RIVER CLAM CHOWDER...$10
(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/emerils-new-orleans-fish-house-las-vegas?select=d33g1gwyqcn7k40u2PYC6A)
Thankfully, the one thing I came here for didn't disappoint! The potatoes were tender, the consistency was just right, and it wasn't all that salty (which I was legitimately worried about). It could've used more clams, but so could every clam chowder in the world.
-- CRYSTAL FRIED SHRIMP PO-BOY Dressed with Lettuce, Tomatoes, and Pickles served with Creole Seasoned French Fries...$16
(https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/emerils-new-orleans-fish-house-las-vegas?select=cC38Iqx34IcZVl195SWz6Q)
This seemed like a good pick for something light, but it totally missed the mark. While shrimp were fine (sweet, lightly battered, just enough Crystal hot sauce), the rest of the po' boy was awful (I ate two bites and left the rest). Sadly, even the fries missed - decent flavor, but not very crisp.
In addition to how underwhelming the food was, I thought the service was pretty unremarkable as well. A couple of workers were nice, but, again, it was in stark contrast to my experience at Wolfgang Puck's, where the entire staff was super warm and friendly. Clam chowder or not, Emeril's might have been good enough a decade ago, when options weren't nearly as plentiful. But now? Please.
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