The Dakota in Covington

I did not have a good expierence after they moved, my wife went a few times after and feels the same. She told me once that the fries were the highlight of the meal and for a place like that for that price everything from the time you walk in until you leave should be excellent. I have not been back in a while to give another chance, maybe I should.

Longtime lurker but I thought some people might want this.

The Dakota's Crabmeat and Brie Soup

Makes 3 quarts

1/4 cup butter
1-1/2 pounds fresh Louisiana blue crabs
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 medium carrot, diced
3 ribs celery, diced
1 clove garlic
2 bay leaves
1/4 cup brandy
1 cup white wine
2 quarts water
1 quart heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3/4 cup flour
8 ounces Brie cheese
Pinch salt
Pinch white pepper
Pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 pound picked jumbo lump crabmeat

Heat 1/4 cup butter in pot; crack open blue crab shells with a heavy meat mallet or hammer. Add blue crabs to butter and saute for five minutes. Add vegetables and bay leaves; continue to saute for three to four minutes.

Add brandy, white wine and water; bring to simmer over medium heat and cook for 30 minutes. Remove crabs and vegetables; add heavy cream.

Meanwhile, in separate small skillet, melt 1/2 cup unsalted butter and blend in flour until smooth and creamy; simmer over low heat for one minute. Once stock with cream has come to low simmer, add flour and butter mixture to stock mixture while constantly stirring; cook for four to five minutes.

Remove outside rind from Brie and discard. Cut cheese into one-inch cubes and add to soup, stirring constantly until cheese dissolves completely. Season soup with salt, white pepper and cayenne to taste. Strain soup through a fine strainer; add jumbo lump crabmeat and serve.

Ate dinner there last month with my wife. The food was good, not great. The wine list is very good but that would not be enough to get me there for dinner again. There are simply too many better restaurants within three blocks that have better food and are better values. I will, however, continue to grab a glass of wine at the beautiful bar after dinner elsewhere.

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The food was good, not great.

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Agreed, especially for the price point. It's expensive and the menu entrees haven't been updated in quite some time now.

Thanks for the insights everyone. Giving me something to think about.