Ralph's on the Park
New Orleans, LA 70119-3613
Phone: (504) 488-1000
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Dumaine Street
- Hours:
- Tue-Sat 5:30pm-9pm, Sun 11am-2pm
Editorial Review for Ralph's on the Park – by Pableaux Johnson
The Scene
Billed as a restaurant "by locals for locals," this outstanding renovation of an 1860s-era City Park tavern blends comfortably upscale surroundings with historical imagery and a few modern design cues. Huge picture windows bring moss-draped oaks to a formal, white linen ambience that packs in well-turned business folk and inbound suburbanites. Three private upstairs dining rooms offer elegant settings for larger groups. As befits a Brennan's venture, service is efficient and polite.
The Food
The far-reaching menu is solid and local, if low on the flash factor: Expect exceptional variations of New Orleans classics (lump crab meat and tangy hot-sauce butter on fried green tomatoes) and signature seafood dishes (plump baked oysters with jalepeno cream and smoky bacon chunks). Meatless options include an outstanding starter of perfectly fried exotic mushrooms that mimic fried oysters in texture and taste. Flaky, tender baked drum is flawless, its flavors highlighted with subtle Bernaise and a crunchy-moist bread-crumb topping. Save room for the chocolaty, pudding-like Theobroma.
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Insider Tips
ParkingLeave it at the curb--the restaurant offers complimentary valet service.
When to GoWeekend early birds should reserve ahead of time for Saturday breakfast or leisurely Sunday brunch.
What to DrinkThe long list of specialty drinks includes many potables pegged as "liquid starters" safe for morning consumption.
User Reviews for Ralph's on the Park
10/30/2007 Posted by robertaltman
Quite simply: go. It is worth it, under any circumstances. You have the backdrop of City Park, separated from other restaurants and any other distractions, superb food, and excellent service. I love this place, especially for a romantic dinner or rendezvous. Good wine selection. Tourists: one of the best kept secrets of mid-city.
Pros: Some of the best food and atmosphere in the city
Cons: None that I can think of.
05/03/2007 Posted by mwill34
I'm a true New Orleanian and feel it is my duty to eat out as often as possible to support the city post Katrina. I went to Ralph's for my birthday dinner this year and found it to be dissapointing overall. The setting is fantastic. My table was drapped with a maroon ribbon to indicate a special occasion, which was nice and more subtle than a group of waiters singing to me with a sombrero. However, I imagine they have a hard time keeping trained staff post hurricane, because we had a trainee waiting on us (along with her coach). The gumbo was as bland as can be....even after emptying the salt shaker in it. The food then took over an hour to arrive and the waitress was slow to refill our drinks and we were never brought bread. The waitress finally asked us after about 45 minutes if we wanted more bread. We informed her we hadn't received any. If you're dinning at a Brennan restaraunt, one thing you expect is service and it just wasn't there. Then when the food arrived, it tasted as if it had been sitting in the kitchen for a while. I had the veal and while the flavor was quite good........it would've been better warm. Finally, the manager or hostess or whomever came over and addressed the issue. They comp'd all of our desserts. In addition to the standard birthday bread pudding, I had the strawberry panna cotta....very good. Then when we left, our car was already sitting out front at the valet desk. I assume this was another atempt to make up for the rest of the evening. I was dissapointed in the outcome, but I guess you can't be too mad. We're all trying to make the best of a bad situation.......one day at a time.
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