Antoine's
When you’re home for Christmas and home is New Orleans you hit all your favorite places. The Roosevelt, Windsor Court, Cafe du Monde, Copeland’s, Daiquiris and Cream, The Poboy Company-these are just a few places for “light” and tasty bites. But if you’re really lucky you head to one of the much loved establishments in the Quarter for a special family dinner
Like Antoine’s.
I’m not sure if y’all know this but Antoine’s is the oldest family run restaurant in North America. Opened in 1840 the current owner lives above the establishment and has a special table she eats at every day. This means that not only does Antoine's have history, it has personality as well. 12 rooms of personality including those specifically for certain Carnival krewes during Mardi Gras, such as the Rex room.
We dined in the 1840 Room, a room that was as decadent and lovely as the meal itself. From beginning to end we were treated by our waiters Terry and Jeff to the most attentive service and impeccable suggestions. We were fortunate to still have the Reveillon menu available to us, but other than a few Poinsettia’s ( a champagne cocktail mixed with cranberry juice and triple sec) we opted for some traditional faire.
Pommes de Terre Soufflées, Huîtres Bienville (baked oysters on the half-shell with pimento, onions, and peppers), Poulet sauce Rochambeau, Epinards Sauce Crème, and Pompano Pontchartrain were some of the mouthwatering courses we enjoyed, but when it came to dessert, as most Southern girls do, I listened to my Daddy’s suggestion.
We ordered the Omelette Alaska Antoine.
This is a very well-known dessert which I’m sure many of you recognize. Filled with vanilla ice cream with pound cake on the bottom and egg white meringue on top, it is flambayed on the outside to perfection. Antoine’s is on one side, the date of establishment is on the other, and everyone was very, very happy!
With full hearts and tummies we walked back to the Royal Orleans to the sound of mournful jazz music, but our family? Happy as clams-or oysters!
Thanks for joining us at Antoine’s. We hope you’ll get reservations for lunch or dinner so you too can enjoy one of the best tastes of New Orleans as well. Happy New Year y’all.
