10/30/09

Hidden Gem!

by kwoody1119

We had one evening in New Orleans between legs of a trip and asked the front desk at our hotel where to eat.

It's slightly off the beaten path- but only by a block or two. We walked from our hotel, and found it fairly easily.

The staff was exceptional: friendly, helpful, and charming. Since we had our young son with us, they gave us a couple of choices that aren't on the menu just for him. Our food was excellent! The next time we travel through New Orleans, we're definitely going back!

• Pros: Excellent food, Friendly and helpful staff

07/02/09

Great hospitality

by CSMobileUser

Good food

06/21/09

great place to hang up

by dude59

Was there for a day adn really interesting to stay for a gfew hours

delicious mealsdelicious mealsdelicious mealsdelicious mealsdelicious mealsdelicious meals

• Pros: nice lunech place

05/18/09

Classic Creole

by Foodietoo

Don't go if you want "blackened" anything. It's not cajun, it's creole. And if you don't know the difference, you'll think it to be uninspired. It is not. Everything we tried was the correct amalgam of European and local flavors as it should be.

True locals eat here for a reason.

• Pros: Authentic Creole Cuisine
• Cons: None

01/05/09

Olivier's, New Orleans: Simply must-not-miss for civilized dining

by LaurieGalvan

On our third day of Amtrak travel from Los Angeles, my husband and I reached New Orleans. We enjoyed exuberant Bourbon Street at night, lurid neon signs, excellent jazz spilling out of doorways, and walking the charming French Quarter streets with cocktails in hand. Our fortunate destination, recommended by our hotel concierge: venerable, genteel Olivier's Restaurant, featuring original Creole recipes. From the first stunningly nuanced, flavor-layered spoonful of rich, satisfying gumbo to the mesmerizing spiciness of the shrimp cocktail sauce, it was a transcendent meal. The subtlety of the spicing actually changed the way I think about seasoning foods. The Creole Rabbit was a teensy bit salty, but how wonderful that a restaurant HAS rabbit as an entree! The Shrimp Creole was marvelously complex; the rice was fluffy and the vegetables properly al dente.

On the not-food-but-still-important side, they had a good wine menu. It's a wonderful atmosphere for an intimate meal: romantic lighting, quiet enough to converse, but with great jazz music as soft background. Topping it off, the service was fantastic; attentive yet discreet. Our waiter was so knowledgeable about each ingredient and detail of preparation that at the end, I just gave him an enormous hug (thank you, Scott!) That dinner at Olivier's actually made the trials of a four-day train journey worthwhile. I hope to come back. I didn't get to try the bread pudding... yet!

• Pros: Amazingly reasonably priced for exceptional quality Creole specialties
• Cons: Creole Rabbit was a tad too salty

08/18/08

not a serious player.

by kibbles99

its funny, this place has gotten several non-5-star reviews, yet it "averages" to 5-stars! how is this possible!? ive noticed they advertise heavily on the site as well.

anyway, this place is long gone -- it may have been good when the grandfather of the current chef was cooking, i dont know. but currently, its just bland, bland. tacky decor too. i think it gets by on unsuspecting tourists...

definitely not a serious player in the nola dining scene.

• Pros: in the quarter
• Cons: not worth eating at

08/16/08

Favorite Restaurant in New Orlean's French Quarter

by cathie1

We dined at Olivier's for the first time last week. We were welcomed, seated, and treated to an absolutely wonderful experience. From the welcome at the front door to the good bye as we left, we were made to feel like old friends. The salad was crisp and fresh, each entre was so pleasing to look at, you almost didn't want to disturb the sight. (You get over that quickly when you taste!)

There was a wonderful, non hurried pace that allowed you to truely enjoy the meal, the conversation, the beauty of quieter time. There is a romantic atmosphere in the high ceiling dining room with a beautiful staircase and tall windows with lace curtains. I was told there is additional seating on the second floor and they can accomodate large groups. What a wonderful place for a wedding reception.

We are already making plans to return to New Orleans and we will make Olivier's our first dinner reservation.

07/20/08

PLEASE READ THIS ONE: A local caught in a tricky tourist trap, please read review, HONEST

by kevans4

We began the night pleasantly. We had a nice table and our server was kind, honest and helpful. He cooperated with us when we got a bad bottle of wine. Once you begin to look around you notice the small things. The decor was cheap, cheesy grapes painted on the walls. I am used to some poor service because I am young but I am willing to deal with problems as long as the food was good. We began our meal with the appetizers. The eggplant special, like a dark seafood roux over perfectly fried eggplant and Pecan fried oysters. The sauce with the oysters was a katsu BBQ sauce you find at any sushi place. They were both ok, so we were all trying to become more positive about the small problems with the evening. The house dressing was good, as we had read. The problem came when the main course was delivered. Each of the four people dining ordered a different dish but the only distinction on our plates were meat. The accompany rice was seasoned with probably herds de provence, very strong and not FRESH HERBS. The carrots were so sweet it was like having dessert with your meal. The sauce on the duck was not smooth or tasty. The Chicken with cheese sauce is a overly poorly seasoned chicken breast with overcooked mushrooms and straight cheese, not sauce. The pork medallions were closes to enjoyable but still simply mediocre. The one gumbo was basically the sauce we had over the eggplant appetizer. There was random asian ingredients used throughout the meal via special sauces and frying materials. I hate to give a bad review but I would never go back. I believe it is over priced and meant for tourist to have the illusion of a great New Orleans restaurant. i just hope others do not fall for it. As if he knew there was a problem our waiter brought us free dessert. It was too late, but I did not reflect that in his tip. The meal was a waste of the 200 bill. Please choose another great new orleans place to enjoy the town.

• Pros: They fry food well but why to "gormet" for fried food.
• Cons: The food is not up to the par set by other New Orleans Restaurants! Cheap decor.

06/11/08

Fifth-generation country Creole brought to the city in style.

by Contributor

In Short
Colorful linen and smart oak walls define the term "casually elegant." Sunlight streaming through expansive street-front windows dapples diners as French Quarter visitors pass outside. Fried fish and shrimp share menu space with down-home versions of rabbit (with oyster-sage dressing) and beef bourguignon (smothered with mushrooms, onions, peppers and a molasses and mint sauce). The gumbo sampler and the taster's platter (fish, shrimp, oysters, crab cake and gumbo) provide the definitive overview.

03/07/08

Phenomenal entrees and unbelievable desserts

by xstacee

This is our second visit to Olivier's and it was during the NBA All-Star and I have to say it was an escape that my husband I needed from all the chaos of the weekend. We were greeted by a warm host and sat immediately (we did have reservations). We started with the gumbo and a house salad with Olivier's home made dressing (PLEASE BEGIN SELLING IT!!!) and I could have gone home after those delights, Our entrees were inclusive of the Platter and the catfish specialty. The flavors were rich but never overpowering. The catfish was atop well seasoned potatoes and finished off with a light gravy that I would use on everything. I had the platter and my husband and I basically shared both dishes. It was just enough food for me to stop but I had to have some of their peach cobbler with a homemade whipped cream that, honestly, I wake up dreaming about, Just to ensure we were carried out in a wheel barrell, we had 2 cups of their rich, dark coffee. One of owners stopped by to check on our satisfaction and it added just the right touch to a splendid evening. BRAVO Olivier's, you will be a stop on our itinerary EVERYTIME we come to New Orleans.

The McMullans

• Pros: Food, ambience, service
• Cons: parking