Commander's Palace - Elite Dining in New Orleans

During my recent trip to New Orleans, I had the pleasure to dine at Commander's Palace, a true treasure hidden in the Garden District. Located at 1403 Washington Avenue, Commander's Palace is a must for all out-of-town guests. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a nice out, this restaurant will cater toward all of your dining needs.

The first highlight of the restaurant is the lovely ambiance found within. I dined in a room that was adorned with hanging chandeliers, cozy tables, and mock birds hanging on the wall. Immediately upon being seated, my guest and I were offered a wide selection of wines and other cocktails. My partner chose a Jamison on the rocks, whereas I went with an ever-so-exciting Diet Coke. Our wait staff of two servers promptly brought us the house "toast," which was a crunchy, delicious order of garlic bread. During our entrees, the staff would later bring a crunchy loaf of French bread to pair with the entrees as well.

My companion began the meal with the oyster dome, which was a selection of oysters in a thick cream sauce with a hint of Absinthe. The food was served in a pastry-puff shell; upon breaking the shell, the dish turned into a flaky soup that my partner quite enjoyed. He remarked that the hint of Absinthe really added a lot of extra flavor to the dish.

For our entrees, I ordered the Harris Ranch Black Angus Filet Mignon, which was served with a potato puree and a topping of mushrooms and onions. The sauce on the filet, which I believe was a red wine creation, added a luscious, smoky flavor to the meat. The potato puree was also quite remarkable, presented in swirls around the filet. My filet was done to perfection and was so tender that I could have cut through it with just my fork. Needless to say, I was quite pleased!

My partner selected the Sugarcane Grilled pork chop, which came with a selection of crawfish and Tabasco-flavored onion rings. One of the first things he remarked about was the size of the pork chop, which was big enough to feed a small family for dinner. He was a bit hesitant ordering pork chops, as his previous experiences have not been successful, but he absolutely loved this pork chop. We spent the rest of the meal raving about our entrees.

During our meal, the staff was on top of our every need, and I only had to ask for butter at one point. It was as if they anticipated our needs before we even processed them. My companion's pet peeve is an unfilled water glass during dinner, yet his was constantly refilled, even after only taking a few sips.

We ended our dinner with the custard, a standard crème brulee dish. The custard was tasty and plentiful, and the fleur du lis pattern made of powdered sugar in the middle was an added touch. My partner, who generally does not enjoy dessert, loved this dish as well.
Above all, I would recommend Commander's Palace to anyone interested in a unique and flavorful dining experience. The restaurant also offers a special chef's menu, which pairs many distinct Southern flavors. Diners might also consider stopping by for lunch, which features 25-cent Martinis! Guests should wear dress pants and a dress shirt; no shorts are allowed in the restaurant. Although entrées may seem a bit pricy (the filet was $39, and the pork chop was around the same price), the ambiance, service, and taste are enough to rationalize the price. After all, you get what you pay for.