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Started By
Message
OMI Restaurant on One Calais Ave near Essen Lane
Posted on 3/28/13 at 11:21 pm
Posted on 3/28/13 at 11:21 pm
Good news for the fans of original owner /cook of KOI restaurant on W. State St. near LSU. After the sale of the original KOI restaurant, he decided to re-open a new restaurant by the name of OMI after a hiatus of a year and a half.
Restaurants that used to be at the same location on One Calais Ave never did well because of difficulty in getting in and out of One Calais Ave onto Essen Lane without the benefit of a traffic light at the street corner. Now it is not an issue it is connected to Franciscan Drive either via the Drury Inn parking lot, or a connecting street now open at the end of the block, Franciscan Drive has a traffic light at the corner with Essen Lane right at Rac-Trac gas station.
Recently went to try their authentic northern Chinese cuisine as I have always been a big fan of their Chinese food; didn't get disappointed at all as it is identical to what I used to get at the old Koi Restaurant. Japanese food is solid and reasonably priced. That's why the old Koi restaurant was such a huge success when they first opened near LSU.
I am ecstatic about their comeback! There is no other place in Baton Rouge that offers this type of authentic Northern Chinese cuisine.
Restaurants that used to be at the same location on One Calais Ave never did well because of difficulty in getting in and out of One Calais Ave onto Essen Lane without the benefit of a traffic light at the street corner. Now it is not an issue it is connected to Franciscan Drive either via the Drury Inn parking lot, or a connecting street now open at the end of the block, Franciscan Drive has a traffic light at the corner with Essen Lane right at Rac-Trac gas station.
Recently went to try their authentic northern Chinese cuisine as I have always been a big fan of their Chinese food; didn't get disappointed at all as it is identical to what I used to get at the old Koi Restaurant. Japanese food is solid and reasonably priced. That's why the old Koi restaurant was such a huge success when they first opened near LSU.
I am ecstatic about their comeback! There is no other place in Baton Rouge that offers this type of authentic Northern Chinese cuisine.
9
Posted on 3/28/13 at 11:31 pm to ccw
Great news, good his Chinese menu is back in BR, hope he makes it in that 'restaurant killer' slot.
Wish Taste of Asia would've lasted too.
Wish Cafe East owners would've opened a Cafe East in Chinese lite BR, and not Sake Cafe in Sushiville BR.
Wish Taste of Asia would've lasted too.
Wish Cafe East owners would've opened a Cafe East in Chinese lite BR, and not Sake Cafe in Sushiville BR.
Posted on 3/29/13 at 8:42 am to ccw
I was going to post about this the other day but never got around to it. Wish them the best of luck but no matter how good the food is, that location will always suffer. Plenty of other locations in BR with easier access.
I have a client on One Calais and it is a nightmare getting in and out. I've started cutting through the Drury Inn when I need to make the left on Essen but not everyone knows about it or the connecting street.
I have a client on One Calais and it is a nightmare getting in and out. I've started cutting through the Drury Inn when I need to make the left on Essen but not everyone knows about it or the connecting street.
Posted on 3/29/13 at 8:51 am to liuyaming
So I ate at Koi in the past year from the Chinese menu. Is that still his original menu/recipes?
I'm excited as driving to Koi is very much out of the way from P-ville. My wife and I actually considered going there last night and decided we didn't want to make that big of a drive.
I'm excited as driving to Koi is very much out of the way from P-ville. My wife and I actually considered going there last night and decided we didn't want to make that big of a drive.
Posted on 3/29/13 at 2:34 pm to liuyaming
quote:
I have a client on One Calais and it is a nightmare getting in and out. I've started cutting through the Drury Inn when I need to make the left on Essen but not everyone knows about it or the connecting street.
You can cut through the Drury Inn parking lot if the gate arms are up.
As one approaches the east end of One Calais Ave., you will find that Franciscan Dr. comes off on the right at the stop sign. That will bring you to the traffic light stop at Essen allowing controlled access onto the Essen southbound lane.
This post was edited on 4/1/13 at 10:55 pm
Posted on 3/29/13 at 2:41 pm to RaginCajunz
quote:
So I ate at Koi in the past year from the Chinese menu. Is that still his original menu/recipes?
Yes, as he is the original chef who opened up the Koi Restaurant on W. State St. I would say the present Koi Restaurant under a different owner/chef is not as good as the original, with smaller serving portions :( .
OMI restaurant pretty much offers the same Chinese food menu with two additional dishes. One of my all time favorites : Moshu Pork was very generously portioned!
It should be easier coming from Prairiville. When coming down south on Essen, if you can't turn left onto One Calais Ave because of traffic, you can always turn left at the next traffic light one block down at Franciscan Drive (corner of Race-Trac ) either hanging a U turn or just go down Franciscan Dr which will bring you on the east end of one Calais Ave.
This post was edited on 4/1/13 at 10:58 pm
Posted on 3/29/13 at 3:19 pm to ccw
Sweet! I'm sure I'll try it out sooner rather than later now. Now if someone would just serve real dan dan noodles in this city! (or state!)
Posted on 3/29/13 at 10:35 pm to ccw
CCW - thank you for this post!
My wife and I went tonight and had a great experience. The food was head and shoulders above Koi. The portions were indeed larger, the menu was larger by quite a few dishes, and the preparation/ingredients were even better.
I was excited to see Chong Qing Spicy Chicken on the menu!
It's pieces of very crispy, tender fried chicken coated in a spicy oil that has sichuan peppercorns ground into it. I guess they fry the chicken and then wok it with the whole chilies and sichuan oil. It's my favorite chinese dish anywhere. I've only found it at Sichuan specific places in Dallas and Houston.
I also had the cumin pork. I've ordered that every visit to Koi, but this version was even better. The meat was better, moister, more tender. The coating was better. The bamboo shoots were fresher. I've never had bamboo that good. Normally it's rubbery garbage from a can. This was identifiable as real bamboo.
This is on the rotation. I don't think I can eat Chinese at any other place in town now. Luckily, my wife works down Essen, so she can take-out and bring it home when the craving hits.
ETA: the owner, chef and waiter were so friendly it has to be mentioned. We have a 5 month old, and the owner checked on us multiple times to make sure the AC wasn't too cold. He was really friendly and great with the baby as well. I was blown away by the whole experience. The chinese chef came out to make sure everything was good.
My wife and I went tonight and had a great experience. The food was head and shoulders above Koi. The portions were indeed larger, the menu was larger by quite a few dishes, and the preparation/ingredients were even better.
I was excited to see Chong Qing Spicy Chicken on the menu!
It's pieces of very crispy, tender fried chicken coated in a spicy oil that has sichuan peppercorns ground into it. I guess they fry the chicken and then wok it with the whole chilies and sichuan oil. It's my favorite chinese dish anywhere. I've only found it at Sichuan specific places in Dallas and Houston.
I also had the cumin pork. I've ordered that every visit to Koi, but this version was even better. The meat was better, moister, more tender. The coating was better. The bamboo shoots were fresher. I've never had bamboo that good. Normally it's rubbery garbage from a can. This was identifiable as real bamboo.
This is on the rotation. I don't think I can eat Chinese at any other place in town now. Luckily, my wife works down Essen, so she can take-out and bring it home when the craving hits.
ETA: the owner, chef and waiter were so friendly it has to be mentioned. We have a 5 month old, and the owner checked on us multiple times to make sure the AC wasn't too cold. He was really friendly and great with the baby as well. I was blown away by the whole experience. The chinese chef came out to make sure everything was good.
This post was edited on 3/29/13 at 10:37 pm
Posted on 3/31/13 at 9:20 pm to RaginCajunz
RaginCajunz- I am really glad you went and had a great gastronomical experience! I can tell you know your authentic Chiniese food.
The Chef/Owner, I heard, used to be the chef for some Chinese officials in a northern province in China. So, he is the real deal. It is an art to be able to cook food with the fragrance and heat of the wok; he has that touch, like a lot of the cooks in the great Chinese restaurants in big cities, including ones in Asia like Hong Kong.
Went there again tonight and had some other dishes that I had missed since they sold Koi Restaurant. Had the bamboo shoot with pork.
Next time you go, try Moshu Pork, which is white pork slices with scrambled egg and Chinese tree mushrooms. ..One of the most tasty dishes I've ever had. Their Garlic Eggplant is a "killer". Their pork rib with sugar and vinegar is also my all time favorite. Their green pepper and beef tastes great, and they do their vegetables quite well; try their string beans next time, if you are in the mood for such.
BTW, talked with them about Dan Dan noodle. They know how to do it!
The Chef/Owner, I heard, used to be the chef for some Chinese officials in a northern province in China. So, he is the real deal. It is an art to be able to cook food with the fragrance and heat of the wok; he has that touch, like a lot of the cooks in the great Chinese restaurants in big cities, including ones in Asia like Hong Kong.
Went there again tonight and had some other dishes that I had missed since they sold Koi Restaurant. Had the bamboo shoot with pork.
Next time you go, try Moshu Pork, which is white pork slices with scrambled egg and Chinese tree mushrooms. ..One of the most tasty dishes I've ever had. Their Garlic Eggplant is a "killer". Their pork rib with sugar and vinegar is also my all time favorite. Their green pepper and beef tastes great, and they do their vegetables quite well; try their string beans next time, if you are in the mood for such.
BTW, talked with them about Dan Dan noodle. They know how to do it!
Posted on 3/31/13 at 10:43 pm to ccw
That is all around good info! I'm stoked about the Dan dan noodle possibility. I've had them several times out of state and loved them. I had them at China Rose in Metairie, but they weren't the same.
Thanks again. We were itching to go back already, this just made it worse.
Thanks again. We were itching to go back already, this just made it worse.
Posted on 4/1/13 at 8:22 am to RaginCajunz
This place sounds amazing. Thanks for the heads-up. 
Posted on 4/1/13 at 10:00 am to ccw
Indeed.. sounds like a Food Board "ultimate destination".. will check it out.
Thanks
Posted on 4/1/13 at 10:09 am to ccw
Is that what that restaurant is called? I go at least once a week. 
Posted on 4/1/13 at 10:15 am to ccw
spamburger spamburger spamburger spamburger
It'll be closed inside of 9 months. Worst location in BR.
It'll be closed inside of 9 months. Worst location in BR.
Posted on 4/1/13 at 10:22 am to TigerSpy
quote:
spamburger spamburger spamburger spamburger
It'll be closed inside of 9 months. Worst location in BR.
Hopefully the interstate/intersection improvements make life better there. The food is certainly worth the trip. I've never been to any other restaurant there, nor have I ever been tempted to. This is on heavy rotation now.
To put it in perspective, I feel as positive about the food and management after 1 visit as I do about Roma Pizza in Pville.
Posted on 4/1/13 at 1:40 pm to TigerSpy
quote:
spamburger spamburger spamburger spamburger It'll be closed inside of 9 months. Worst location in BR.
You are correct about the location; however, that prob. was an issue in the past now that there is a connecting road to the road one block away that has a traffic light at Essen Lane allowing you to go south on Essen.
This place does not serve "spamburgers"! Only Japanese and authentic spicy Northern (Sichuan area)Chinese food.
I am free to admit that I am a fan of what this chef can produce, and I am posting this to share with everyone that this kind of cuisine exists in Baton Rouge. Definitely a place for the adventurous food lovers. ( A lot of LSU students and faculty staff can attest to that while they owned and ran the previous Koi Restaurant on W. State Street).
I am maintaining a positive attitude about this restaurant making it here when others failed. A lot had changed since; the road now NOT a dead end, and the neighboring Drury Inn, Springfield Suites and Fairfield Inn should help.
This post was edited on 4/1/13 at 11:08 pm
Posted on 4/1/13 at 1:55 pm to ccw
Stopped by a little while ago and picked up a menu. The inside of the place looks amazing. Unfortunately, it was totally empty. The menu looks very intriguing; my only qualm is that I don't know what half of the things are. I wish he'd have put some descriptions of the dishes.
Here are some that I have no clue about:
Tiger Head Meatball
Omi Pork
Mei Cai Pork
Taro Pork
Yanjing Beef
Spicy Oil Beef
Memphis Fish
Also, isn't Moo Shu Pork (mentioned in an above post) pork that is served with pancakes and plum sauce?
Here are some that I have no clue about:
Tiger Head Meatball
Omi Pork
Mei Cai Pork
Taro Pork
Yanjing Beef
Spicy Oil Beef
Memphis Fish
Also, isn't Moo Shu Pork (mentioned in an above post) pork that is served with pancakes and plum sauce?
Posted on 4/1/13 at 2:36 pm to Warchild
quote:
Stopped by a little while ago and picked up a menu. The inside of the place looks amazing. Unfortunately, it was totally empty. The menu looks very intriguing; my only qualm is that I don't know what half of the things are. I wish he'd have put some descriptions of the dishes.
My wife, my baby and I were the only non-asian folks in there Friday night. I think the peddle the Sushi to the masses. Everyone in there was eating off the chinese menu though. They'd do themselves a huge favor by marketing to the Chinese menu as its a great differentiation.
I've tried Dim Sum twice and found it fell flat. Plus the environment was questionable. This place was super comfortable. I couldn't tell you what any of those menu items or either. Every time I go, I figure I'll be googling on my phone before ordering.
Posted on 4/1/13 at 2:41 pm to RaginCajunz
they have any noodle dishes?
Is there a menu online?
Is there a menu online?
Posted on 4/1/13 at 2:42 pm to RaginCajunz
How many restaurants have come through that location?
Can anyone list some names
I remember Vincent's and El Charro
Can anyone list some names
I remember Vincent's and El Charro
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