Marigny Brasserie
Backstory
Originally opened in much smaller quarters a block and a half away from the present spot, the Marigny Brasserie moved in 2002 to its present space. From the beginning some terrific chefs--many of whom left to open their own places--came through and kept the food interesting, although the changes over the years have thrown some of the regulars off balance.
Dining Room
At a commanding corner opposite Washington Square, the Marigny Brasserie is right in center of the Frenchmen Street strip of restaurants, bars, and music clubs. The dining room's clean, urbane lines and large windows contrast interestingly with the colorful parade of unique people on the sidewalk. A restaurant this cool always draws better-than-average servers, which they do indeed employ.
Why It's Essential
In its seventeen years, the Marigny Brasserie has evolved more than any other eatery in the trendy Marigny Triangle. In its first incarnations, it purveyed hip, gourmet Creole bistro-style cooking. But in 2008 owner Roland Adams started over from scratch, and shifted the style to that of a neighborhood cafe--albeit a modern one. This boosted volume tremendously, particularly among out-of-towners. However, it brought down the interest level of the food. (And the prices.) An old story.
Why It's Good
The Marigny Brasserie's menu now is a catalog of the kind of cooking made popular in the 1980s by Chef Paul Prudhomme, Mr. B's, and Copeland's, but with more than a few updates, as tastes have trended backwards into the era of homestyle cooking. (Fried chicken, for example, which is great here.) It is thoroughly credible for anyone looking for food that sounds like it's from Louisiana.
Most Interesting Dishes
<em><strong>Starter</strong></em><br /> »Fried green tomatoes, shrimp remoulade<br /> Fried onion rings, smoked onion sambal aioli<br /> Garlic Tabasco hot wings<br /> »Barbecue shrimp and grits<br /> Baked oysters Marigny (chile sauce, breadcrumbs)<br /> Crawfish cakes, corn corn maquechoux<br /> Fried calamari, sweet muffuletta succotash<br /> Cajun sliders (alligator, andouille and boudin)<br /> »Chicken and andouille gumbo<br /> »Strawberry walnut salad, blue cheese, spinach<br /> Iceberg wedge<br /> Caesar salad<br /> Grilled watermelon salad, arugula, goat cheese, candied pecans<br /> <em><strong>Entrees</strong></em><br /> »Blackened Gulf fish, dirty rice, Creole crawfish cream sauce<br /> »Roasted half chicken<br /> Baby back ribs<br /> Shrimp and crabmeat au gratin<br /> Stuffed jumbo gulf shrimp, pasta, Creole cream sauce<br /> Red beans and rice<br /> »Blackened shrimp or chicken, penne pasta<br /> Grilled salmon, bourbon barbecue glaze, mushroom risotto<br /> »Fried chicken<br /> Grillades and grits<br /> »Fried soft-shell crab, catfish shrimp or oyster platter<br /> Fried seafood combo platter<br /> Grilled alligator, andouille or boudin sausage platter<br /> Three sides plate<br /> Grilled vegetable plate<br /> Grilled, blackened or fried: chicken, catfish or shrimp platter<br /> Fried chicken livers with pepper jelly<br /> <em><strong>Sandwiches</strong></em><br /> »Marigny muffuletta (on French bread)<br /> Frenchmen Street poor boy (fried green tomatoes, fried shrimp, lettuce and remoulade sauce)<br /> »Fried shrimp, catfish, oyster or crawfish poor boy<br /> Blackened, grilled or fried chicken breast poor boy<br /> Alligator, andouille or boudin sausage poor boy<br /> »Soft-shell crab poor boy<br /> »Barbecue shrimp poor boy<br /> Grilled veggie poor boy<br /> Fried chicken liver poor boy<br /> Pork grillades and brown gravy poor boy <br /> Hamburgers (several configurations) <br /> Traditional club sandwich<br /> Cafe Marigny #1 sandwich(turkey, cucumbers, avocado, sprouts, havarti cheese, on whole wheat or Texas toast)<br /> Triple grilled cheese sandwich<br /> <em><strong>Desserts</strong></em><br /> Chocolate eruption <br /> »Bread pudding <br /> »Creme brulee<br /> Cheesecake <br /> Toasted almond cake <br /> Lemon tart <br />
Deficiencies
I dunno. I can't help remembering how good this place used to be. But one could do much worse than dining here,
For Best Results
Weekends are the only time when parking might be a problem. Don't judge the restaurant by the crowd that might be in the bar, which can get loud. The wine list is better than you might imagine.
Bonus Ratings
2
Attitude
1
Environment
2
Local Color
1
Service
1
Value
1
Wine