Restaurant Dish: Lilette makes it easy to have a romantic meal

July 30th, 2010 by Joe Rabhan • Related • Filed Under

Restaurant Dish: Lilette

Dress code: Dressy casual

There are many restaurants on Magazine Street, but there is only one that got voted “sexiest dining room in New Orleans” by Travel and Leisure Magazine. That one restaurant is a quaint little place offering some out-of-this-world French-Italian cuisine. If you don’t go out of curiosity for how sexy an eating area can actually be, go for the food, because it could easily become your next date night spot. And the good news is that the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast in New Orleans is only a short walk to the restaurant.

The French-Italian offerings at Lilette make it a stand-out joint among the traditional Creole restaurants dotting the city. The restaurant’s Mediterranean flair comes from Chef John Harris, who recalls his fondest childhood memories in the kitchen with his Italian mother. Swing by for lunch, bring a group for dinner-the more people the more to try-or come just for the dessert and coffee, no matter what your order, the offerings at Lilette are sure to please your palate. Here is just a sample of the culinary treasures that will meet you:

White truffle parmigiano toast with wild mushrooms, marrow and veal glace

Potato gnocchi with sage brown butter and parmigiano cream

Bouillabaisse with lobster, scallop, cod, shrimp, clams, mussels and Alaskan king crab claw in a ?saffron-lobster broth with rouille crouton

Grilled Hawaiian spearfish with braised escarole, sunchoke puree and satsuma-basil butter

Littleneck clam chowder with potatoes, leeks, bacon, cream and a garlic-parsley butter crouton

After sampling these offerings and many more selections in the mood-lit, red-walled dining room of Lilette, you may start to understand why Lilette nabbed the “sexiest dining room” award. Before you invite a date, make a reservation as the dining room tends to fill pretty quickly with locals and visitors staying at New Orleans bed and breakfasts.

Better yet, book a romantic weekend stay at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast before the summer ends for your personalized foodie tour of New Orleans. Nestled in Uptown New Orleans our Garden District bed and breakfast will be just the ticket for some fun and relaxation…and some killer food, of course!

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Have you dined at Lilette Restaurant? Stayed at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast in New Orleans? Please add your comments below.

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About the Author

Graduating from the University of Georgia in 1972 with a degree in Food Science and Business, Joe served 25 years in the hotel industry with a major national brand and had the opportunity to direct hotel operations in a number of mid-sized and large resorts and hotels. Over the years, he served as Director of Housekeeping, Director of Food and Beverage and as General Manager. He is a certified hotel administrator and holds numerous certificates in food service and hotel management. Joe and his wife Bebe are beginning their ninth year of operation at the Avenue Inn Bed and Breakfast.

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