Waterstreet Bistro
Anecdotes & Analysis
The gourmet Creole bistro is the most popular kind of white-tablecloth restaurant on the South Shore, but even with the multiplication of restaurant options on the North Shore, few bistros can be found there. The Water Street Bistro is one of the best of its kind, with a menu pulling together Creole, French, and Italian dishes in a pleasantly rustic dining room right on the Tchefuncte River.
Backstory
Chef Tony and Constance Monroe opened the Water Street Bistro in 2004, taking over a converted cottage on the Tchefuncte riverfront that has seen a number of previous restaurants come and go. (The most recent was a Sal & Judy's copy operated by that couple's daughter.)
Dining Room
The look of the main room is simple and antique in a country style that fits perfectly into the little community of Madisonville. (In fact, the place could use a little more decorating.) Plank walls, an exposed-beam ceiling, and bent-wood chairs create most of the feeling, with a bar in the rear and many windows looking out into the river.
Why It's Essential
A small, inconspicuous, but atmospheric restaurant, the Water Street Bistro's riverfront location and good cooking of basic Creole dishes make it worth remembering. It's the southernmost eatery in the Madisonville restaurants row, which keeps getting more interesting. It is capable of surprising you with its sophitication, but doesn't always do so.
Why It's Good
The kitchen at the Water Street turns out polished versions of its list of familiar New Orleans dishes. The ingredients are of good quality, with sauces and garnishes that bring the eating well within the range of sophistication. The Sunday bring is one of the two or three best on the North Shore.
Most Interesting Dishes
»Soup of the day<br /> Scotch smoked salmon<br /> »Crab claws<br /> »Sauteed crab cakes<br /> »Blue cheese salad<br /> Mixed green salad<br /> Spinach and goat cheese salad<br /> »Fish of the day<br /> »Grilled shrimp, sundried tomatoes, olives, capers, artichoke hearts, baby spinach, feta cheese<br /> Shrimp Chardonnay (garlic, basil, zucchini, squash, carrots, green beans, shiitakes, linguine)<br /> »Panned veal, fettuccine<br /> »Veal chop, marsala and mushrooms<br /> »Filet of beef, parsley butter<br /> »Rack of lamb, dijon mustard, bread crumbs<br /> »Roast duck half , fig port wine reduction<br /> Bread pudding<br /> »Pecan amaretto french toast (brunch)
Deficiencies
The location creates the expectation of more local seafood than the restaurant usually offers.
For Best Results
It's my experience that the specials here are almost always more interesting than most of the standing menu. Make a reservation, especially on weekends. The restaurant is small and popular.
Bonus Ratings
1
Attitude
1
Environment
2
Local Color
1
Service
1
Value
Holiday Ratings
0
Thanksgiving
2
New Year's Eve