Lilette

Doesn't Recommend

swakaboo

Joined 5 years ago

Disappointing. My boyfriend and I had been dying to try Lilette and so we made last minute Friday dinner reservations a few weeks ago. We had both heard people say they had had some of their best meals at Lilette. Much to our disappointment, half the meal was barely edible, the other half was mediocre - not at all up to par with all the hype. We ordered the gnocchi appetizer and the sizzling shrimp. In fairness, the gnocchi was a good dish, but the shrimp were so overly doused in lemon that we could barely eat it. The appetizer portion was only four small shrimp, which seemed a little ridiculous given the cost of $9. My boyfriend had the sauteed grouper special, which tasted fine, but the portion size was also really small given that it was one small pieces of grouper and some mushrooms and he was still hungry after the meal. I ordered the Hawaiian spearfish after the waitress assured me how wonderful it was. Whatever you do please don't order this dish. It was completely awful. First of all, the presentation was not at all appetizing. The fish was bitter and underseasoned. It came with a puree of sunchoke that I couldn't eat. It had no consistency. It was like a thick soup plopped on the plate. I barely ate half of the dish and I had to force it down since I hadn't eaten anything all day. I complained to the waitress and she apologized and THEN told me that it was new dish and could I tell her what was wrong with it so she could tell the chef. I was a little angry about this considering the fact that she had assured me that it was a great dish before I had ordered it. They didn't even take my entree off of our bill, which I didn't make a big deal about, but expected that they would do considering my complaints and that it was clearly something that should not have been highly recommended by the waitstaff.

If you are looking for an amazing, best meal ever dinner, go to Bistro Daisy. It is hands down consistently the best restaurant we've been to in new orleans.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Smart neighborhood bistro balances Uptown bustle with European intimacy.. The Scene
Small tables dominate a well-lit room that's also sprinkled with booths. The decor is sparse, but fitting with the room's simple "corner store" feel. Since opening in late 2000, Lilette has developed a faithful neighborhood following, mostly the kind of folks who don't mind grabbing a quick bite at the bar during busy times.

The Food
Chef John Harris interprets French dishes that run the gamut from bistro classics (grilled hanger steak and frites, steamed mussels, duck confit) to more adapted dishes (tender seafood salad dressed with lemony herb-mustard vinaigrette, anchovy-basil bruschetta). He also combines Mediterranean flavors in dishes like braciola (stuffed roll of beef) with Parmigiano-Reggiano and creamy polenta. Instead of the ever-present chicken breast entree, Harris roasts tender poussin (young chicken) and bathes it in a fragrant, chunky sauce of poached garlic, earthy mushrooms and caramelized shallots.

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rojam

Joined 11 years ago

Great Food..Snooty Service!. I had a wonderful lunch there on a recent vaction to NOLA. The food was outstanding, but our waiter was such a snob that it almost spoiled the meal. At one point I asked for ketchup and he informed me "This is a french restaurant, we don't have ketchup." This was right after he felt the need to come over the the table and show me how to eat my Alaskin snow crab claws.

I have traveled all over the world and I know they have ketchup in France!

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rapplebee

Joined 11 years ago

Lilette is a true diamond in the ruff!. There is only a few choice words that can sum up what an exceptional place Lilette truely is. The ambiance is phenomonal as is the cuisine. John Harris truly is one of the latest up and coming chefs to hit the beat with a chef owned and operated establishment. I have traveled several times to Europe in particular France and John has definately mastered the culinary art of French and Italian cusine. The atmosphere is very swank and is known from time to time to be a restaurant of choice for the seen and to be seen. The black drum entree was sensational.

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disquiet

Joined 11 years ago

Tasty. Great place. If only all gourmet-style New Orleans food was this stylin'.