Well, it’s the most wonderful time of year again, here in New Orleans. No, it’s definitely too early for Christmas, but the temperatures are rising to the mid-90’s, so that means it’s time for Coolinary!

Coolinary is that fantastic month when restaurants put out special discounted menus for brunch, lunch, and dinner, in an effort to draw customers in during slow months and allow people to see what these restaurants have to offer. Since there are over 100 restaurants participating this year, I decided to
highlight a few deals that I think are going to be worth your while. Keep in mind tax and gratuity aren’t included in these prices, so be sure to tip your server well.

Brunch

Brown Butter: Cajun, Soul Food Creole, American- only available Saturday and Sunday
Highlights: Brunch Burger, Honey Cluck’n Biscuit, Poutine and Eggs
Price: $22

Bywater American Bistro: Vegetarian, Seafood, Italian, Creole- not available Monday and Tuesday
Highlights: Smoked Tuna Toast, Confit Chicken Caesar Sandwich, Lamb Neck Sandwich, French Toast
Price: $29

Messina’s Runway Café: American, Seafood, Burgers- only available Saturday and Sunday
Highlights: Crawfish Stuffed Trout, Grilled Lamb Chops, White Chocolate Bread Pudding
Personal Note: I love the old style vibe of this café and I love the fact that it’s located in the Lakefront Airport for an extra romantic feel.
Price: $24.95

Commander’s Palace: Creole Cuisine- available daily
Highlights: Turtle Soup, Cochon De Lait Eggs Benedict, Louisiana Wild White Gulf Shrimp, Commander’s Bread Pudding Soufflé
Price: $37-$39

 

Lunch

Antoine’s Restaurant: French, Creole Cuisine – available daily, all year!
Highlights: Watermelon Salad, Shrimp Creole, Picnic Fried Chicken, Pecan Bread Pudding
Personal Note: With their low priced lunch, you can feel fancy all year! This is one of the best spots to take visitors who want the classic New Orleans dining experience.
Price: $20.19

The Grill Room at Windsor Court Hotel: American, Continental, Contemporary- available daily
Highlights: Short Rib, Crispy Chicken, Seared Tuna, Corn and Bacon Maque Choux, Mac and Cheese, Gumbo of the Day, Seafood Jambalaya
Personal Note: I love the variety of choices you have with their Coolinary menu and it’s a nice excuse to have an “upscale” lunch with some friends. Be sure to get a cocktail or mocktail to get the full experience!
Price: $19.84

The Munch Factory: Creole, Contemporary, Cajun- not available on Monday
Highlights: Gumbo, Crawfish Grilled Cheese, Shrimp and Grits, Veggie Burger
Personal Note: The Shrimp and Grits here is amazing and rich with huge tail-on shrimp! I paired it with an order of their onion rings and there was plenty enough to take home for later.
Price: $19

Katie’s Restaurant: Creole, Contemporary, American- not available on Sunday
Highlights: Crawfish Beignet, Classic Burger and Fries, Boudreaux Pizza, Fried Shrimp Poboy and Fries
Price: $19

Mr. B’s Bistro: Creole, Seafood, Contemporary- not available on Sunday
Highlights: Seafood Gumbo, Pan Seared Swordfish, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Pork Belly Pasta
Bloody Marys and Martinis available for $1.50 on weekdays with entrée purchase
Price: $20

Audubon Clubhouse: American Cuisine- not available Saturday and Sunday
Highlights: Cheesy Debris Fries, Clubhouse Burger, Catfish Poboy, Smoke Sausage Poboy, Bread Pudding
Personal Note: This is one of my favorite Coolinary spots for lunch. If it isn’t too hot, eat outside on the porch under the oaks!
Price: $20

Muriel’s Jackson Square: Creole Cuisine- not available Saturday and Sunday
Highlights: Stuffed Mirliton, Blackened Mississippi Catfish, Chicken and Andouille Etouffee
Price: $19.95

Tony Mandina’s: Italian Cuisine- not available Sunday and Monday
Highlights: Parmesan Crusted Pesto Chicken, Italian Sausage and Eggplant Trapani, Oysters Rossa
Personal Note: This restaurant is on the Westbank, but it’s worth the trip. The cozy feel inside makes you feel like you’re in a Scorsese movie. It’s definitely “old school” New Orleans.
Price: $15

Filmore in the Oaks: American Cuisine– available daily
Highlights: Wedge Salad, 11 oz Ribeye, ½ Fried Chicken, Fish Almandine, Selection of Homemade Desserts
$0.25 martinis, limit 2 per person
Personal Note: My lunch here was excellent. This spot is the country club for the City Park Golf Course, so it has an upscale/casual feel. Not only do they have a great Coolinary deal, but they have a daily happy hour, starting at 2 that includes half price cocktails and free gumbo with the purchase on an entrée.
Price: $19.99

Dinner

Carrollton Market: Contemporary, Creole, Continental, American- not available Sunday or Monday
Highlights: Farmers’ Market Tomato Gazpacho, Roast Beef Debris Cannelloni, Braised Beeler’s Pork Shank, Buttermilk Panna Cotta
Price: $39

Charlie’s Steakhouse: Steakhouse- not available Saturday, Sunday or Monday
Highlights: Thin and Crispy Onion Rings, 10oz Filet, 14oz Center Cut Strip, Potatoes Au Gratin, Creamed Spinach, Steamed Vegetables
Personal Note: Charlie’s is a great neighborhood place with a laid back atmosphere. I love this spot because it’s classic New Orleans and you can get a good steak without dressing to the nines.
Price: $39

Brigsten’s Restaurant: Creole, Seafood, Cajun- not available Sunday or Monday
Highlights: Shrimp and Okra Gumbo, Catfish-N-Grits, Pan-Roasted Pork Chop, Grilled Redfish, Vegetarian Stuffed Mirliton, Pecan Pie, Bread Pudding du Jour
Price: $39

Palace Café: Creole, Seafood, Contemporary, Cajun- not available Saturday and Sunday
Highlights: Crabmeat Cheesecake, Shrimp Remoulade, Shrimp Tchefuncte, Catfish Pecan, Cauliflower Gratin,
Personal Note: The Crabmeat Cheesecake is a MUST. It’s so decadent and delicious that it’s pretty much a meal in and of itself. It’s so good that when I had it the first time, I actually went home and looked up the recipe! If it wasn’t so rich, I would eat it all the time.
Price: $39

The Pelican Club: Contemporary, Seafood, Creole, American- available daily
Highlights: Creamy Corn and Crab Bisque with Cognac Duck, Shrimp and Andouille Gumbo, Pelican Club Baked Oysters on the Half Shell, Little Gem Lettuce Wedge Salad, Local Fried Catfish, Shrimp and Oysters, Crispy Almond Chicken and Chinois Salad, Paneed Gulf Fish with Jumbo Lump Crabmeat, Warm White Chocolate Bread Pudding, Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie
Personal Note: Not only is The Pelican Club one of the nicest restaurants in New Orleans, but the food is unprecedented. They have so many options for Coolinary, that it was difficult narrowing it down to just a few highlights.
Price: $39

La Petite Grocery: French, Bistros, American- available daily
Highlights: Smoked Fish Dip, Baked Rigatoni, Grilled Gulf Fish, Crispy Chicken Confit, Buckwheat Peach Cake
Personal Note: I love the romantic atmosphere here and Chef Justin Devillier never disappoints. This is one of the “musts” of Coolinary 2019.
Price: $39

Hippie Kitchen: American Cuisine- available daily
Highlights: Lump Crab, Creole Tomato, Jerk Chicken, Eggplant Napoleon, Fruit Cobbler, Chocolate Rum Cake
Price: $30

Red Dog Diner: Creole, Breakfast, Bistros, American- not available Friday, Saturday or Sunday
Highlights: Spinach and Artichoke Dip, Crab and Corn Fritters, Parmesan-Crusted Chicken, Griddled Fish and Grits, Banana Pudding
Price: $27.95

K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen: Cajun, Steakhouses, Seafood, Contemporary- not available Sunday
Highlights: Gumbo, Turtle Soup, House Salad, Pan-Fried Flounder with Chartres Street Jambalaya, Classic Shrimp Etouffée, Blackened Stuffed Pork Chop Marchand de Vin, Bread Pudding
Price: $38.95