Restaurant August
New Orleans, LA 70130-2408
Phone: (504) 299-9777
- Price:
- $$$$
- Cross Street:
- Gravier Street
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu, Sat 5-10pm, Fri 11am-2pm, 5pm-10pm
Editorial Review for Restaurant August – by Pableaux Johnson
The Scene
Well-heeled diners and traveling foodies flock to this hot spot. Inside, bare brick is juxtaposed with crystal chandeliers and French provincial furnishings. Three dining areas project distinctly different moods: a comfortably plush main room; a spare, split-level wine cellar; a clubby back room. Staff is razor-sharp and well-informed.
The Food
Chef John Besh'swell-composed dishes artfully balance intensity and subtlety. His tastes lean toward contemporary French, but he's equally adept at pastas, like oversized ravioli stuffed with egg yolk, truffle and brown butter or lasagna of slow-cooked local rabbit, veal sweetbreads and grilled lobster. Entree winners include stellar Moroccan-spiced duck with seared foie gras. With the traditional courses, the phrase "three ways" marks some of Besh's best experimental work. Try foie gras for starters, lamb as an entree, and chocolate for dessert. Desserts are equally artistic in presentation and flavor.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Where to SitThe modernist wine-cellar dining room gets loud quickly. Opt for the main dining room if quiet conversation is a priority.
Save MoneyThe chef offers a reasonably priced, five-course tasting menu every night.
User Reviews for Restaurant August
05/28/2008 Posted by allisonwalsh
The food at Restaurant August was good - tasty courses with interesting ingredients. The service however was HORRIBLE. Our server practically ignored us all night. We had to ask for our glassed to be filled up from the bottle of wine we ordered, twice! Both times we were told it was finished, when it clearly was not. It seemed as if our server just did not want to be there at all. In a city like New Orleans where there are tons of wonderful restaurants, this one is not up to par. You could go to many places that have food that is just as good if not better, cost less and have much better service. It seems liek a waste to have such good food paired with bad service. John Besh should look to get new help!
Pros: Good Food
Cons: Horrible service
03/19/2008 Posted by mu83
Restaurant August is quite possibly the best fine dining experience in New Orleans. This is one of the few restaurants I have been to in recent years that lives up to its five-star reputation in service, food and ambiance. Requesting a table in the wine room will give you the best seat in the house, with a wonderful view of the beautiful second floor wine racks, and even with a packed restaurant, the acoustics are just right for a private dinner conversation. The wait staff is courteous and formal without being pretentious, and is eager to accommodate diners. The overall experience is that of a guest in someone’s impeccably decorated dining room, not of a paying customer. On our most recent visit, two of our party had dietary restrictions, and our waiter’s exact words were “Describe to me what your dream meal would be, and I’m sure we can make it happen tonight.” And lo and behold, he did. They put you at ease, and even the pickiest of eaters is sure to have an excellent meal. This brings me to the absolute best part of Restaurant August—the food. We were a hard-to-please bunch, but Restaurant August succeeded and then some. In fact, they surpassed my expectations a bit this go around—during my previous dinner there, I was pleased with everything, but underwhelmed by my dessert in comparison. But not this time—The entire meal was a feast for the eyes, nose, and most importantly the mouth, from start (beet salad) to finish (“candy bar” dessert). And the highlight of the meal was still the sugar and spice duckling. If you love duck, this restaurant is a must. Actually, if you love food, this restaurant is a must. I’ve been to more than a few of the other “fine-dining” restaurants of New Orleans: K-Pauls, Commanders, Ralph’s on the Park, Herbsaint, Arnaud’s, etc. all with their own unique offerings that make them wonderful. But on my list there is only one top spot, and it goes hands down to Restaurant August and Chef John Besh.
Pros: Food, Ambiance, Wait Staff are all five-star
Cons: None! Can't wait to go back.
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