201 Royal Street
New Orleans, Louisiana
Signature Dish: Barbecued Shrimp
We flew into New Orleans on a Friday evening and immediately began execution of the weekend dining plans that were made on the flight. Our first taste of NOLA cuisine was at Mr B's, part of the local Brennan restaurant dynasty. Gumbo and tomato bisque were the soup selections chosen to preempt the main course. Delectable on their own right, the soups were also excellent partners for the hard crusted French bread that seemed to provide never-ending crumbs on my lap (if only I had a mini dust buster).
New Orleans, Louisiana
Signature Dish: Barbecued Shrimp
We flew into New Orleans on a Friday evening and immediately began execution of the weekend dining plans that were made on the flight. Our first taste of NOLA cuisine was at Mr B's, part of the local Brennan restaurant dynasty. Gumbo and tomato bisque were the soup selections chosen to preempt the main course. Delectable on their own right, the soups were also excellent partners for the hard crusted French bread that seemed to provide never-ending crumbs on my lap (if only I had a mini dust buster).
The entrees included Mr. B's signature dish, barbecued shrimp, as well as a red snapper with jumbo sea scallops. Prior to serving the shrimp, the waiter donned the shrimp partaker with a bib to facilitate the necessary shucking. The shrimp were served in the shell - head and all - and matched the size of Brandi's palm. Coming from North Carolina, the BBQ sauce was unlike anything that graced our pork. Instead, the shrimp was swimming in a runny, buttery sauce that was as sinful as any club on Bourbon Street. The sauce was so tasty that it seemed a waste not to soak up every drop with the provided bread. Although the BBQ shrimp may have been the most scrumptious dinner item we had in the Big Easy, the red snapper was almost as tasty. The snapper was accompanied by an orange fennel butter sauce that was such a pleasure to the palette that the fork was assured a slow withdraw from my mouth with each savory bite.
The meal ended with our favorite bread pudding in New Orleans. This Bennan family recipe had all of the sinful ingredients such as eggs, cream, butter, and a warm Irish whiskey sauce. Unlike the mushy, condensed texture of most local bread puddings, this one had just enough of a more fluffy yet whiskey-soaked feel that was the most pleasant to the mouth. An unsweetened cafe au lait was served up as a perfect compliment to the dessert.
Overall the dining experience was tops for us throughout the entire weekend. I told Brandi that if we never had a meal as good as this one, I would not be disappointed. The food was so good, that failure to meet the taste "high" was merely the expectation. But don't let me take away from the service and friendliness. This was among our top service experiences as well. The result is our highest rating - and highest recommendation of any food establishment in the city. When in New Orleans, be sure to dine at Mr. B's Bistro and feast on the barbecued shrimp and finish with best bread pudding around.
