What it's like to eat at Étoile, a new New Orleans tasting menu restaurant
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A caviar dish at Étoile was a favorite. Photo: Maddy Johnston/Axios
Even before Étoile opened its doors Uptown, New Orleans was ready to welcome home its chef, a native who made his name in Birmingham restaurants.
Why it matters: Now, diners get a taste of that fanfare for themselves at every seating at Étoile, where every dinner feels like an event.
Zoom in: Chef Christopher Dupont was born and raised on the West Bank surrounded by family and food.
- A pioneer in the farm-to-table movement, Dupont's first restaurant, Cafe Dupont, has been nominated for multiple James Beard Awards over the years.
The vibe: Dupont's tasting menu-style restaurant is the newest resident inside the historic Crockerton House on Magazine Street. The space previously served as a spa, the set for AMC's "Parish," and the former LeBlanc + Smith restaurant Cavan.
- Entering the intricately decorated restaurant feels like stepping into a jewelry box. All of the walls are painted a robin egg blue with Italianate trims, and rooms are decorated with velvety chairs and romantic drapes.
The fine print: The dining room is intimate, seating only 25 people per night, three nights a week. All seatings begin promptly at 7pm.
- The prix fixe menu rotates frequently based on what local ingredients are available. Dinner is $150 per person. The optional wine pairing is an additional $75.
What I ordered: The locally-focused tasting menu includes seven courses, plus a few surprises along the way. It's set before guests arrive.
- My husband and I were encouraged to arrive early on our visit, and I'm glad we did because we were offered a small welcome drink and a tour of the property.
- Because we were celebrating my 30th birthday, we decided to opt-in for the wine pairing, which had five tasting pours and a sip of cider during dessert.
Our favorite bite of the night was a dish with Kaluga caviar served atop a buckwheat blini that floated in a moat of beurre blanc.
- A close second was a roasted Wagyu beef paired with chanterelle mushrooms, Swiss chard and sweet corn.
Yes, but: The cocktail service was a bit slow on our visit, but worth the wait.
- We loved their spiced rum fall cocktail, The Orchard.
The bottom line: If you're looking to celebrate, Étoile can elevate dinner from a meal to an experience.