re: The allure of Mandina’s

Posted by VOR

Member since Apr 2009

63540 posts

Posted on 6/22/18 at 7:30 am to BlastOff

Mos as is terrific. Indisputable, imo.

Oysters Mosca and spaghetti bordelaise

Posted by NOLA Tiger

New Orleans

Member since Sep 2006

824 posts

Posted on 6/22/18 at 8:59 am to the paradigm

As discussed in the thread, I don't think anyone would use "great" when talking about Mandina's. They do seafood and Italian dishes well. The gumbo and turtle soup are both above average. Personally, I like the fried seafood (oysters, shrimp and soft shell crabs) and eggplant parm. With kids, they are very accommodating and have plenty of options on the menu. They are not on the radar of James Beard, but you know what you are getting there.
If the Canal Street operation was in another city (i.e. Baton Rouge), it would be one of their better restaurants.

This post was edited on 6/22/18 at 9:09 am

Posted by Athis

Member since Aug 2016

11631 posts

Posted on 6/22/18 at 9:39 am to the paradigm

I always get the seafood eggplant. It use to be a special on a certain day but they moved it as regular menu item. We went one night and my GF got the rib eye..it was excellent.

Posted by In The Know

City of St George, La

Member since Jan 2005

5248 posts

Posted on 6/22/18 at 10:16 am to NOLA Tiger

We had Mandinas in BR. It failed.

Posted by NOLA Tiger

New Orleans

Member since Sep 2006

824 posts

Posted on 6/22/18 at 2:50 pm to In The Know

You had a version of Mandina's in BR and just like the version of Vincent's in BR, it failed.

Posted by the paradigm

Moon Township, PA

Member since Sep 2017

5417 posts

Posted on 6/22/18 at 5:05 pm to NOLA Tiger

It was essentially the same food in a different city. In fact, I think it was an alternate location they opened when the NO location was damaged and shut down after Katrina.

This post was edited on 6/22/18 at 5:07 pm

Posted by geauxpurple

New Orleans

Member since Jul 2014

12366 posts

Posted on 6/22/18 at 7:46 pm to the paradigm

There is something to the nostalgia argument. I like the food but I have always considered it the quintessential New Orleans neighborhood joint, and I mean that as a compliment. I find myself in that area around lunchtime on occasion but the reason I don't go there as often as I used to is because I think the food at Katie's is better.