On Friday we went to Emeril’s for lunch and enjoyed they corporate rush while receiving the best service i had seen in the city as well as some delicious food. Among the members of our group, we had the daily gumbo, shrimp and coconut bisque, Emeril’s salad, and the black drum. For dessert we had the banana cream pie, lemon tart, and vanilla ice cream. There was a great open atmosphere but despite the good seasoning and well constructed flavors, the food lacked the freshness you hope for coming from the left coast.

That night we turned our tastebuds and tongues upside down at Upperline Restaurant. There we had an incredible meal that overshot the standards we had come to expect. In a home dining room feeling atmosphere, we indulged on lamb shank and a multicourse jalepeño cornbread, drum Anthony and the bread pudding. The meal was spectacular! Both the chef and owner came to talk and we actually held a lengthy conversation with the owner about Bainbridge Island and Seattle. With the personal touch and being surrounded by art of various convictions, the scene was condusive to enhancing the flavors.

As a local follow up, we walked over to creole creamery and bought some sorbet that reminded us of the intricate flavors of Molly Moons in Seattle.

A beautiful day of bountiful flavors. Geaux N’awlins.