Went to Stella

My boss treated us to dinner at Stella last Sunday. I wasn't sure what to expect since I've only been to a handfull of fine dining restaurants in the French quarter. From the menu, one appetizer stood out and so did the Duck which was prepared 5 ways. Other than that, I found it difficult finding something appetizing from reading the menu. The did use a good bit of creme' fraiche (made me laugh from south park).

We got the tasting. I got the wine pairing to go with it.

Started with two amuse bouches, a grilled/then chilled shrimp with a shot of mango purée. Next was a duck wonton in a creole sauce. Both really good.

These may be out of order, but you get the idea.
1st course was a fancy baked potato soup. Made with truffle oil, andouille, and shallots. It needed salt and pepper which were not on the table.

Next course was served in an egg shell with the top cut off. Lobster scrambled eggs with sliced winter truffles. Also needed s&p.

Next was a wild mushroom and truffle rissoto. The rissoto was well seasoned and good. But the dish was missing a main component. The rissoto should have been served as a bed for something... Anything. It did not stand alone very well... But was good.


Then, a baked turbo (sp? ... White fish) in an Asian inspired broth with radishes and seaweed. I thought this was well seasoned and up to par for a $150 tasting. Not mind blowing, but very good.

By this time, the wines were catching up to me and my memory gets fuzzy. We had lamb and something else for the meats course. I remember it being very well done.

Next was the first of two desserts. Vanilla panna cotta with a cumquat chutney and a pecan sugar glass. Favorite course.

Next dessert was very forgettable. But they did bring out a large assortment od chocolates and sweets as the meal has ended.

The wines were AMAZING. No way could I remember them, but their pairings were spot on! Best part of the whole meal. I recognized a couple of wines as being pretty damn expensive.

The service was very formal and almost pretentious. I realize people come there for that, but it's almost like it is designed to intimidate. They would parade around the table and set everyones food down at the same time, then regurgitate the words of what the course was. You could tell the servers/runners had no clue what they were serving and merely were reading from their head... Nervously. They forgot a couple drinks too... Which happens, I understand.

Why do these places serve fruit infused iced tea when all you want is regular tea? I don't get that. I want iced tea, don't give me apricot and mango tea. The presentation for the tea was cool though. The ice was frozen with liquid nitrogen so the glass was spewing fog, like dry ice, and they poured the tea in from a small kettle.

All in all it was nice. Not amazing, not unbelievable, but nice. I would order from the menu next time unless they finally put s&p shakers on the table.

For $150 not including the wine... meh.

Eta: forgive my typos, written from my tiny hand held device with big thumbs.