WFDT?

Kalua pork loco moco

Dirty rice stuffed smoked chicken.

Roast Beef Po-Boys and Fries.

thighs grilled indirect heat
collards
pasta salad
Texas toast

Friend,

As you know, Mother left me alone this weekend. She told me to go to Impastato's, but I did not want to drive her car. Instead, I took the streetcar into the Quarter earlier this evening and had a nice meal at Irene's.



Once upon a time, I thought Irene's was a delicious Italian restaurant, but my opinion has mellowed through the years to conclude that it is a solid, but not great, Italian eatery. I do not think the menu has changed in all my years.

To avoid the virus, I chose to sit outside. The new patio is quite lovely, and it is the first time I have sat there. The sun was setting, but the warmth of the day still radiated up from the bricks and slate. There were portable heaters to make up for any difference between that heat and the heat needed to be comfortable.



The service, as is the norm at Irene's, was exceptional. It started with a complimentary toasted cheese and tomato Italian bread. The picture looks better than its taste. I would prefer a regular Leidenheimer loaf with warm butter or an knotted Italian roll from Angelo's.

It is my opinion that all Italian meals should be no less than five courses, so I ordered five courses for me, as I would if I were eating at any authentic Italian restaurant. My first course was the ravioli in red sauce.



It was wholly adequate, but not exceptional. The sauce reminded me of the Pomodoro sauce I have recently found at Sam's in the refrigerated section. My next course is the best item on the Irene's menu, Oysters Irene. They were exceptional. At just $10 for six, these are the same price as most charbroiled oysters in the city. I might even recommend you purchase a full dozen as an entree.



Third courses in Italian dining should usually be a salad. I got the Caesar, which is delicious. The dressing I believe uses real anchovies and raw eggs. It is reminiscent of the Caesar from the old Eiffel Tower restaurant, except this one is not prepared table side. I asked my waiter if he would make it table side and he said the restaurant does not offer that service.



My fourth course was labeled an entree, but it is always a small portion, so I consider it another primi. It was an average lasagna. I would not get it again.



For my secondi, my waiter recommended the lamb a'la Provence. I should have taken that recommendation, but I had not had duck in some time, so I tried the duck St. Philip. It left much to be desired and I would not get it again. It was one of my least favorite duck dishes from a restaurant. The grapes make the dish feel cheap, as if I were being served a snack at Vacation Bible School.



When it comes to Italian food, I prefer Creole Italian, like Impastato's, Gendusa's, or Sandro's to French Quarter Italian.

Yours,
TulaneLSU

Pictures make it look very good.

Ate a huge lunch at Kenner Seafood, so I just had a protein shake and crackers with cheese.

Venetian pork chops
Sautéed mushrooms
Grilled romaine
Stags leap Petit verdot