Th9s was our fifth visit and I was disappointed to learn that the long time manager Mike Smith had recently departed for Texas, but I was recognized and warmly greeted (big hug) by Santino, the Maitre d. I requested a table in the Garden Room, but it was temporarily closed due to work on the front facade so we were seated in the Wine Room. We ordered the 3-course $18.80 lunch special. I started off with the housemade crispy Andouille cake with green onion creme fraiche and baby greens. My entree was a 3 ham (Tasso, peppered wild boar and Parma) salad with creamy roasted garlic-artichoke dressing sounded better than it tasted, but the frozen bananas foster mousse dessert made my cares go away. Ms. Westie chose the Creole vegetable bisque followed by beef debris en Planket, slow roasted and braised beef tenderloin in a spicy jus over French bread with shoestring potatoes and horseradish emulsion, plus the aforementioned mousse. We consumed a total of 5 martinis at 25 cents each: 2 juicy cupcakes and 3 Commander's Palace.
Pros: $18.80 3-course lunch, ambience, service
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