Galatoire’s Restaurant, New Orleans, LA
The quest for delicious food is something most of us can sink our teeth into. Heated discussions take place regularly over who has the best barbeque or the most authentic ethnic delicacy. We’ve all experienced memorable cuisine, and our measurement of the establishments in which we enjoyed those meals is often passionate.
Having had the good fortune to dine—a word I don’t use lightly–in many really fine eateries around the world, I feel at least reasonably qualified to offer my opinion on the superiority of some of them. Through absolutely no prejudice on my part, my current list contains an overwhelmingly large number of restaurants that are located in the South. Okay, maybe I’m just the least bit biased in my leanings toward southern fare, but there’s no denying it, the southern United States is home to some of the best places to eat on the planet.
Restaurants that immediately come to mind are the first list that I’d like to share with you, and it’s an all-inclusive one, incorporating establishments from all over the world. Just my opinion, you understand, but as an enthusiastic participant in food indulgence, I think I’ve assembled a diverse and substantial collection.
Restaurant reviewers usually insist on delivering a numerical grade, indicating the relative quality of each establishment, as if all restaurants were playing on a level field. Michelin and Mobile use a system of stars. The more stars, the better the restaurant. I’ve devised my own system, which recognizes that all eateries should not be judged by a single offering, but divided into categories based on what they are trying to achieve. The relative quality of each place in the category can then be judged more fairly. My system recognizes these categories, and uses a five plus-sign rating system. After I have actually visited a restaurant, I’ll take the time to rate and review it, only if I feel they are worthy of at least one plus-sign.
Several establishments that I’ve chosen to represent here have gone out of business for one reason or another, but were so outstanding during their run, that they deserve recognition. Occasionally a restaurant is so bad that I just can’t keep quiet, but I’ll treat those merely as “Avoid at all cost!”
Noja, Mobile, AL
As I continue to pursue my gastronomic passion, my list will grow and I’ll happily share it with you. To get things started however, here are my current ratings. I’ve reviewed some of these in the past on my personal blog, www.tomlawrenceblog.com, so you may enjoy reading brief postings on individual spots. Certainly not everyone will agree with my entire list, or maybe any of it, but I love to try new places, so feel free to comment and send me your suggestions.
Doe’s Eat Place, Greenville, MS
FINE DINING
L’Ambroisie ++++ Paris
The Connaught Hotel Dining Room +++++ London
Lutece (Closed) ++++ New York
Le Cote Basque (Closed) ++++ New York City
Chez l’Ami Louis ++++ Paris
La Pergola, ++++ Rome
Galatoires ++++ New Orleans
One if by Land, Two if by Sea +++ New York
Commanders Palace +++ New Orleans
NOJA +++ Mobile, AL
Bern’s +++ Tampa, FL
Café Epic ++ Columbus, GA
Walker’s Drive Inn ++ Jackson, MS
Antoines ++ New Orleans
Arnaud’s ++ New Orleans
Upperline ++ New Orleans
Warehouse Bistro + Opelika, AL
STEAKHOUSES
Doe’s Eat Place +++++ Greenville, MS
Smith & Wollensky ++++ New York
Peter Luger’s ++++ New York
Ruth’s Chris +++ Chain
Morton’s +++ Chain
Tico’s +++ Jackson, MS
Charlie’s +++ New Orleans
Jimmy Kelly’s ++ Nashville, TN
The Hunter’s Pub + Columbus, GA
Outback Steakhouse + Chain
Flemings Steakhouse ++ Chain
Bone’s ++ Atlanta, GA
Chop’s + Atlanta. GA
Hunter’s Pub + Columbus, GA
ETHNIC RESTAURANTS
Hunan Homes (Chinese) +++++ San Francisco
Karam’s (Closed) (Mexican) +++++ San Antonio, TX
The Columbia (Cuban) ++++ Tampa, FL
The Red Iguna (Mexican) +++ Salt Lake City, UT
Athena (Greek) +++ Chicago
Manale’s (Italian) ++ New Orleans
Maggiano’s (Italian) ++ Chain
Valentino’s (Italian) ++ Nashville, TN
Pompilio’s (Italian) ++ Cincinnati OH
The Mayflower (Greek) + Jackson. MS
Pete & Sam’s (Italian) + Memphis, TN
Wok & Roll (Asian) + Opelika, AL
P.F.Chang (Asian) + Chain
AMERICAN HOME COOKING
Louie & the Red Headed Lady ++++ Mandeville, LA
K-Paul”s ++ New Orleans
Red Maple +++ Gretna, LA
The Buckhead Dinner +++ Atlanta
Mosca’s +++ Westwego, LA
Emeril’s +++ New Orleans
Crook’s Corner ++ Chapel Hill, NC
JAlexander’s ++ Chain
The Tin Angel + Nashville, TN
Mendenhall Hotel + Mendenhall, MS
The Loveless Café + Nashville, TN
Sperry’s + Nashville, TN
BBQ & SMOKED MEATS
Morris BBQ +++++ Eads, TN
The Cozy Corner ++++ Memphis, TN
The Rendezvous +++ Memphis, TN
Corky’s BBQ +++ Memphis, TN
Chuck’s BBQ ++ Opelika, AL
BREAKFAST & BAKERIES
Abe’s Grill, Corinth, MS
Mother’s +++ New Orleans,
Camilla Grill +++ New Orleans
A Spot of Tea ++ Mobile AL
The Pancake Pantry ++ Nashville, TN
Abe’s ++ Corinth, MS.
HAMBURGERS & SANDWICHES
The Parkway ++++ New Orleans
Huey’s +++ Memphis, TN
White Castle + Chain
Rortier’s + Nashville, TN
MISCELLANEOUS FOODS
Doe’s Eat Place (Hot Tamales) +++++ Greenville, MS
Airport Café (Hot Tamales) +++ Cleveland, MS
Acme Oyster House (Oysters) ++++ New Orleans,
Wintzell’s (Oysters) ++++ Mobile, AL
Central Grocery (Olive Relish) ++++ New Orleans
Pannie George (Fried Chicken) +++ Auburn, AL
Sara Jay’s (Fried Chicken) ++ Opelika. AL
Chicken Salad Chick (Chicken Salad) ++ Auburn, AL
Mayflower Café (Comeback Dressing) ++++ Jackson, MS
Photo of Galatoire’s by Louis Sahuc pulled from Galatoire’s website: http://www.galatoires.com
Photo of Noja from their website: http://www.nojamobile.com
Photo of Doe’s Eat Place from their website: http://doeseatplace.com
Photo of Abe’s Grill from their website: http://abesgrill.com
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Rendezvous – Memphis …. Avoid at all costs!
Now equating to an alligator farm … for Nawthern tourists only.
I agree, the only reason I would ever go is for the lamb riblets.