Many of us seasoned travellers take the time to research dining and drinking options before we leave so that we are not stuck eating Pizza Hut and drinking Lite beer. My favorite tool? Trip Advisor. Now TA is not fail proof because a great many of our fellow travellers really like the aforementioned Pizza Hell, or IHOP or .... While researching New Orleans eateries I kept stumbling across enthusiatic patrons raving about how wonderful K-Joe's is, but as that the restaurant has been around a short time I was a bit wary, until a friend and former NOLA resident confirmed that it was indeed as good as the reviews claimed. We are ecstatic at our decision to give them a try.Chef Joseph Faroldi was born and raised in the French Quarter to an Italian mother which gives him an inborn understanding of what fine food should be, but then he added to his knowledge by attending the Culinary Institute of America. He prepares wonderful Cajun and Creole dishes with a bit of Italy thrown in for good measure at surprisingly reasonable prices.
The Gumbo was a veritable melange of wonderful flavors with the chicken and andouille finely chopped and lots of other spices and floaties evident. It was the only restaurant that we tried where we felt that the gumbo was truly homemade. The heat was insidious and the spice burn slowly increased as the soup level went down and it perhaps could have used a bit more salt, but delicious nontheless. The Red Beans and Rice accompanying was thick and rich and had quite a spicy kick. The Etouffe was more of a marinara sauce with a rich tomato base as was the Jambalaya, both a nod to his Italian heritage and all for less than $18.00.
Our other entree was a juicy, tender filet mignon with mashed potatoes infused with butter and garlic. The only downside of the evening was the accompanying vegetables which had been cooked way beyond the point where you could still identify them as veggies. $19.95! Hell yeah!Find out for yourselves why K-Joe's was packed while the venerable Antoine's, located across the street, was empty. This is my recommendation for great traditional creole and cajun cuisine with superb dining options at reasonable prices and the finest Gumbo that we found in New Orleans.
K-Joe's Restaurant
720 St. Louis Street
New Orleans, Loisiana
Tel. 504-566-8900
http://www.k-joesrestaurant.com/
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