Bistro Orleans
3216 W Esplanade Ave, Metairie, LA 70002, USA
Metairie 2: Orleans Line To Houma Blvd
Metairie has not often been the home of neighborhood cafes for which New Orleans proper is celebrated. But there are a few such, and they have a way of being fun and good to find. Bistro Orleans is one of these. Taking over a space in a strip mall that has been home for a number of good to superb restaurants over the years, Bistro Orleans has that blend of seafood, sandwiches and Italian food which, with a few daily specials, adds up to the neighborhood flavor.
Backstory
In 2012, Bistro Orleans began its life in a well-worn space hidden behind East Jefferson Hospital off the main traffic streams. In 2014 it moved to a much more agreeable spot on West Esplanade, just off Causeway Boulevard. That address resonates with memories of past restaurants there, notably the extinct five-star French restaurant Crozier's. For the last five or six years it was Chad's Bistro, whose fried seafood boats brought a good bit of attention.
Dining Room
Anyone who ever dined at the old Crozier's will recognize the layout and decor, with a big main dining room and a smaller one right behind it. Sets of walls with a cross-shaped footprint make the big room's tables more intimate. The oyster bar is the first thing you see. Behind it is the liquor bar, which almost seems to be in a different suite.
Why It's Essential
Metairie has not often been the home of neighborhood cafes for which New Orleans proper is celebrated. But there are a few such, and they have a way of being fun and good to find. Bistro Orleans is one of these. Taking over a space in a strip mall that has been home for a number of good to superb restaurants over the years, Bistro Orleans has that blend of seafood, sandwiches and Italian food which, with a few daily specials, adds up to the neighborhood flavor. [caption id="attachment_41578" align="alignnone" width="480"]<a href="http://nomenu.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/BistroOrleans-Catfish.jpg"><img src="http://nomenu.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/BistroOrleans-Catfish-480x320.jpg" alt="Fried Des Allemands catfish platter. " width="480" height="320" class="size-large wp-image-41578" /></a> Fried Des Allemands catfish platter. [/caption]
Why It's Good
The kitchen's specialties are concentrated in a few clusters of similar dishes. They make an excellent red sauce, giving birth to a dozen or so good pasta dishes with a wide range of proteins. The seafood platters could be cooked with a bit more boldness, but they already achieve some distinction. The catfish is wild-caught from Des Allemands--a claim very few restaurants can make. A full-fledged oyster bar greets you on the way in, promising the bivalves on the half-shell as well as a host of grilled and bakes oyster dishes. Daily specials are attractive for both their goodness and their value.
Most Interesting Dishes
<em><strong>Starters</strong></em> Crab cake, artichoke sauce Calamari, fried, marinara sauce Hearts of artichoke, fried, marinara sauce Grilled stuffed mushrooms Chicken and andouille gumbo Cream of oyster and artichoke soup <em><strong>Entrees</strong></em> Red beans and rice, sausage or pork chop Veal, eggplant or chicken parmesan Crawfish Madeline (crawfish, artichokes, eggplant medallions, pasta, cream sauce Spaghetti and meatballs or Italian sausage Breaded veal cutlet, fettuccine Alfredo Boats of fried oysters, shrimp, or catfish Fried catfish, oyster, shrimp or combo platters Fried shrimp, crawfish, catfish or oyster poor boy Roast beef poor boy Meatball poor boy Italian sausage marinara poor boy <em><strong>Desserts</strong></em> Bananas Foster Bread pudding Carrot cake
Deficiencies
There's a consistency problem across the menu. The good dishes (outlined above) are very good, but some of the others (the seafood gumbo being the most notorious) could use new recipes. The cocktail bar needs an enhancement of its range of skills. If the place has a web site, it has hidden it very well.
For Best Results
They run many good daily specials here, notably the involving oysters and the catfish.
Bonus Ratings
2
Attitude
1
Environment
1
Local Color
1
Service
2
Value