I have always wanted to dine at Galatoire’s given its fame as well as its location on Bourbon Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter. The restaurant has two dining levels, and everyone says it is preferable to eat downstairs, which was not a problem the evening we visited since they were not very crowded. (The summer season is slow to begin with, and we were there during the midst of the BP oil catastrophe.) I loved the feel of the place, which reminded me of a much larger New Orleans version of the famed L’Ami Louis bistro in Paris - a tiled floor, bright lights, a noisy but comfortable ambiance, and everyone seemingly there to eat and drink generously. Our waiter was superb, the owner stopped by to say hello, and the overall “feel” was terrific. I also loved the food. Don’t expect refined, elegant cooking at the level of some of the finest New Orleans restaurants, but do expect delicious, classic, old style, relatively heavy cooking that could be called Louisiana bistro cuisine. My wife had their classic green salad with garlic, which is Galatoire’s version of a Caesar salad. We finished the meal with a sumptuous banana bread pudding, and their famous café brûlot, which is prepared tableside. It is quite a treat for the eyes as well as the tastebuds.

The wines were both delicious. The Billecart Salmon Rosé is my go to non-vintage rosé Champagne, and it seems to be widely available in certain cities. Perhaps the finest vintage ever made of Beaucastel’s Côtes du Rhône Coudoulet rouge, the 2007 is drinking beautifully, offering lots of black fruits, lavender, licorice, pepper, and spice. It is a full-bodied, opulent red that can be drunk now or cellared for another 10-15 years.

I love this place for its boisterous atmosphere, wonderfully talented and distinctive wait staff, and its feeling of old style New Orleans at its best.