No inside scoop, but I can't say I'm surprised. I've probably been to the "new" Juban's ten-ish times, to include lunch/brunch and dinner, and in all of the rooms. So no expert, but enough to have formed an opinion.

We went to the OG all the time when I was a kid, had hoco and prom dinners there, bridal showers, bridesmaids' luncheons, rehearsal dinners, etc. It was one of the top special occasion restaurants in BR.

The renovation is very pretty IMO, but the overall experience is just lacking somehow. I can't decide if it's the menu, pace of waitstaff, noise level in the atrium, etc. I keep going because it's pretty, and it's Juban's (should be a fantastic experience), but it just doesn't do it.

To add, I also feel this way about SoLou. Can't put my finger on what exactly is off about it.

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Posted by RIPMIKEVI

Baton Rouge

Member since Oct 2016

32 posts

Posted on 10/19/23 at 12:35 pm to HouseMom

Kiva has no business managing a restaurant.

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Posted by doubleb

Baton Rouge

Member since Aug 2006

36614 posts

Posted on 10/19/23 at 12:56 pm to HouseMom

quote:
To add, I also feel this way about SoLou. Can't put my finger on what exactly is off about it.

The acoustics are bad. The seating is bad. The tables are too close together. (So Lou)

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Posted by GLG20

Baton Rouge

Member since May 2018

4 posts

Posted on 10/19/23 at 1:03 pm to HouseMom

Juban's (the old restaurant 83-early 00s) was a family restaurant, operated to make you feel welcomed and your experience to be special. That's what it was originally created to be by the people that opened it. Even working there felt like a family. Expansion and different "philosophies" changed that in the 10s. Now it was overhauled and brought in a new direction. Neither one will ever be what it was, what you grew up with.

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Posted by kimmieb

Member since Aug 2007

80 posts

Posted on 10/19/23 at 1:47 pm to HouseMom

I agree with your post 100%. I loved the old Juban's and went all of the time since college when it opened. Spent a ton of money there, more than I should have. It was special, the waitstaff was special, the wine list was special and the food was special. The remodel is indeed beautiful but, I think most people are afraid to say that the food is just okay because of the famous chef. For the price tag, I've been going to Mansur's as my go to lately and it used to be my #2. I might be in the minority but, I love high quality, simple food and Boudin dip with saltine crackers (Jubans) and corndogs with cotton candy (Soulou) just isn't it for me. They even somehow managed to make the sensation salad at Juban's not good anymore. I'm trying not to be too critical bc in my heart I still love Juban's and kept waiting for it to get better this time around. I also can't figure out what the obsession with that restaurant group has with lobster when we have an abundance of fresh local shrimp and crab available. It's like no one wants to say it because we are supposed to like Juban's but, the food is lackluster now. Hoping this is a positive change and they simplify and improve the food. I sure would love to have the oyster carousel and smoked salmon appetizer back. And please get some decent olives for the martinis.

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