Jamila's
7808 Maple St, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
Uptown 4: Riverbend, Carrollton & Broadmoor
We don't have many Northern African restaurants in New Orleans, and this is certainly the only one essaying Tunisian food. It's a blend of Middle Eastern and French cooking, such as unique as it is exotic. The food, surroundings, owners, and prices come together to make first-timers rave about the place.
Anecdotes & Analysis
Jamila's appears again and again in my dining history. In 1993 Jamila's hosted the second Eat Club ever held, feeding us all night with almost everything on its menu, with wines for $15 per person. So we know they're generous. In 2014, we held our Eat Club pre-cruise dinner in which I showed up on the wrong day--something I will never live down. That cruises included Tunisia. The weather wouldn't let us go to that North African land, but we at least got a taste of Tunisian food at Jamila's.
Backstory
Jamila's serves the food of Tunisia--an interesting cuisine that blends French and Middle Eastern flavors. Appetizers and soups tend toward the French side of the equation, with the flaky pastries of the Middle East filled with rather rich fillings. The dominant entree is couscous, steamed over the boiling broth in which the meat part of the dish is cooking. The menu covers a great deal more ground, including food familiar enough for the timid eater. This is a total family operation: Mom is the chef, Dad waits on all the tables, and the two sons help out.
Dining Room
The main dining room is loaded with memorabilia from Tunisia. Another dining area inside an enclosed carriageway offers further seating and space for big parties.
Why It's Essential
We don't have many Northern African restaurants in New Orleans, and this is certainly the only one essaying Tunisian food. It's a blend of Middle Eastern and French cooking, such as unique as it is exotic. The food, surroundings, owners, and prices come together to make first-timers rave about the place.
Why It's Good
Moncef and Jamila Sbaa and their sons run the restaurant in person: Moncef not only serving most of the tables but shooting the breeze with his regulars, too. In the kitchen, Jamila cooks delicious versions of the familiar Middle Eastern dishes, and adds to it many unique dishes and couscous, made from scratch in genuine couscousiers. Everything's made from scratch, including the merguez--the classic Northern African sausage.
Most Interesting Dishes
<em><strong>Starters</strong></em> Steamed mussels, garlic, white wine reduction, fresh herbs Brik au thon (phyllo dough stuffed with tuna, potatoes, shrimp Phyllo dough stuffed with shrimp, potatoes Merguez (sautéed lamb sausage, tomatoes, bell pepper, spicy sauce Grilled shrimp skewers, tomato, garlic basil vinaigrette Escargots, Calvados butter, fine herbs and parsley. Jamila's crawfish, zucchini and spinach bisque Lentil soup (vegan) Salad Tunisienne (tuna, apples, bell peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, vinaigrette. Salad Houria (mashed carrots, caraway, spicy vinaigrette, tuna and olives. <em><strong>Entrees</strong></em> Grilled fillet of amberjack, roasted garlic, bell pepper chutney Fillet of Atlantic salmon, Dijon mustard crust, beurre blanc Mediterranean shrimp, garlic, white wine, sun-dried tomatoes spinach, linguine Grilled 8-oz. filet of beef, pommes lyonnaise, sautéed vegetables, green peppercorn sauce Mechoui en brochette (grilled marinated lamb skewers, couscous or basmati saffron rice. Couscous with fish, vegetables au jus Couscous with chicken Couscous Royal (lamb, merguez sausage, chicken, vegetables Couscous à l'Agneau (lamb, fresh vegetables au jus) Tajine spicy chicken, potatoes, olives, marinated lemons baked in terra cotta dishes, saffron rice Tajine of boneless braised lamb, served in terra cotta dish, marinated lemon, basmati saffron rice. Vegetarian pasta or couscous <em><strong>Desserts</strong></em> Baklava Makroud (semolina cake with pitted dates in orange blossom syrup) Creme brulee Tiramisu White or dark chocolate mousse, strawberry sauce.
Deficiencies
When they're busy, things slow down. But nobody seems to mind.
Bonus Ratings
2
Attitude
1
Hipness
1
Local Color
1
Service
2
Value