Now, I don't often go to media lunches/dinners because I think it's important for me to be treated like the average "gal on the street" when I am reporting back to y'all on this fine blog of mine. BUT! Sometimes, it can be a whole big barrel of fun to get royally spoiled and this happened to be one of those times.
Let me preface this a little by saying I am one of those unfortunates who never had the opportunity to visit the famed Gabrielle Restaurant before it was damaged, never-to-return, during the levee failures in 2005. But, now that Chef Greg Sonnier is at the brand new Kingfish in the French Quarter, I finally was about to sample some of his most excellent cuisine and I couldn't be more excited. Plus, I was hanging out with two other chefs, Greg's wife Mary and Kristen, who was recently named Executive Chef at Sainte Marie Brasserie. I swear to you, mine is the coolest job EVER!
So, as soon as we were all together, drinks in hand, the food started rolling out from the kitchen and I didn't think it was ever going to stop. Unfortunately, my pictures weren't a awesome as I like them to be because there wasn't a lot of natural light where we were sitting. Plus, we were all anxious to dig in! Anyhow, here is the run down on all the delicious dishes I got to try, pic by pic. Next time I go to Kingfish (which should be quite soon), I promise to procure some porn. In the meantime...
First, we got to share a couple cups of Smoked Rabbit Gumbo with French Sorrel sausage and topped with dirty, brown basmati rice. It was thick, rich and utterly devoured in mere moments.
While we were finishing off the gumbo, our server slapped down this huge plate of Sweet Potato Waffle Fries with guava-garlic butter...yes, I said guava-garlic butter. Oh...My...GAWD! I can't even explain the awesome mouth-joy I experienced with these magnificent fries. DO NOT leave Kingfish without trying them. You've been warned...
Next, they brought out a bunch of plates to share, starting with this fresh, bright Roasted Gold Beet Salad with Sartori cheese, tasty pea-shoot greens and roasted pistachios tossed in a sherry vinaigrette.
We reluctantly shared an order of #Duck (insert Twitter joke here) served with hollandaise, sassafras catsup and topped with a cage-free egg. This dish was gobbled more voraciously and more speedily than the waffle fries...what does that tell you? I only wish my photo could do it justice...
We also shared an order of the Shrimp Prima - Jumbo Gulf shrimp stuffed with blue lump crab meat and wrapped in prosciutto served atop a candied pecan slaw. I enjoyed this dish so much that I ordered it for my entree, which (as my stomach later told me) was entirely gluttonous and unnecessary, but I was glad I did it anyway!
As if that wasn't enough, we also were brought out a plate of Eunice Stew, which was stewed pork and grits with roasted corn, fresh herbs, jalapeno sour cream and manchego cheese. Though this dish was really quite wonderful and homey, it was a hot summer day and seemed way too heavy for the season. Now, would I inhale this stew during a cold, stormy day in midwinter? You betcha.
For their entrees, Lorin and Kristen ordered the Pescado Borracho or mojo-marinated fish tacos topped with a Napa cabbage slaw...
...and Mary chose the Stuffed Quail with pickled mirliton and cornbread dressing, wilted greens and mayhew gastrique...
...and then we had dessert. We did! We shared a delightful slice of Bourbon Pecan Pie...
...and a creamy, cool Chocolate Pot de Creme.
Phew! So, I am full just writing about all this food. Can you imagine how stuffed I was that day? Not that I'm complaining! It was a wonderful lunch with three fabulously talented ladies and I could not have asked for more. Keep in mind, the menu has changed at Kingfish since this awesome lunch, but I highly doubt you'll be disappointed, not to mention those miraculous fries are still there...so HURRY!
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