I've been to New Orleans over 20 times including 19 JazzFests and one of the top 5 restaurants in New Orleans is Brigtsens. Frank Brigtsen opened up his restaurant in a house in Nola. Frank is one of the greatest chefs who teaches chefs to try and keep the Cajun Creole cuisine alive. We went for my brother & sister in laws anniversary. Every dish was fantastic and Frank came over to speak with us near the end of our meal generously talking about his passion and the state of cajun creole cuisine in New Orleans. Enjoying this great meal in this wonderful house with great service could not have been better. I quote this by Michael Oates because it encapsulates this restaurant so well: "Why do we love restaurants? One answer may lie in a small house at the outer edge of New Orleans. There you'll find the great statesman of Creole cooking and the spiritual heir to his mentor Paul Prudhomme. Over a 50-year career, Frank Brigtsen has won all the top accolades and the respect and affection of his regulars, peers, and staff -- all while weathering a catastrophic flood, a destructive oil spill, and a worldwide pandemic. But cooking is a full contact sport." read more

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There's a certain expectation that comes with dining at a restaurant built around a celebrated chef's name--an expectation not just of technical competence, but of intention, restraint, and respect for the ingredients. This visit, regrettably, delivered very little of that. The evening began on an oddly dissonant note: being asked to sit in a hallway while dining. Not a lounge, not a bar--simply a passageway. It's a small detail, but in restaurants that aspire to polish, these are precisely the moments that signal whether hospitality is an afterthought or a discipline. Even the most basic overture--the bread service--set the wrong tone. At $3.50, the charge itself isn't the issue; many great restaurants charge for bread and elevate it accordingly. Here, however, the bread was dry, lifeless, and entirely without character. If anything, it felt like a placeholder rather than a deliberate offering. The meal itself unfolded with a similar lack of coherence. The BBQ shrimp was, to its credit, excellent--well-balanced, properly executed, and the only dish that suggested the kitchen is capable of focus. Everything else, however, felt rushed, indifferent, or simply misjudged. The seafood platter was the clearest example. A majority of it leaned on undersized redfish, giving the impression of skimpiness rather than composition. The calamari arrived soggy--an unforgivable flaw for something so fundamentally dependent on texture. In a city where most restaurants serve different seafood platters, this one close to $50 was one of the most careless ones I have had. The oysters were even more perplexing: one paired with what tasted unmistakably like canned, sour artichoke, the other buried under creamed spinach so bland it muted everything around it. These weren't bold choices; they were careless ones. The eggplant parmesan followed suit--soft where it should have been crisp, lacking structure, and paired with pasta that tasted indistinguishable from inexpensive boxed varieties. At roughly $30, the absence of both protein and craft made the dish feel less like a considered offering and more like an obligation on the menu. What's most disappointing isn't that the meal had flaws--every restaurant has off moments--but that the flaws pointed in a consistent direction. This didn't feel like a kitchen taking risks and missing; it felt like a kitchen cutting corners. When soggy calamari makes it onto a featured seafood platter, and even the bread arrives as an afterthought, it suggests a prioritization of throughput over integrity. I have seen great chefs prioritize quality ruthlessly over what goes out of kitchen and the place I really wanted to support, that adherence to quality was no where to be seen. Having dined extensively at all tiers of restaurants both locally and across the country, this stands out--not for ambition or originality--but for how underwhelming it ultimately was. Perhaps it was an off night. But if so, it was one that revealed more than it concealed. read more

Brigtsen's Restaurant - Eggplant parmesan - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I know everyone loves this place, but for us, it was SO subpar. We went for a birthday dinner, and we were frankly extremely disappointed. Maybe we just ordered the wrong items and the other items are better? Maybe we just went on an off day? I have no idea how we had such a terrible experience here. This is a tiny single house that has been turned into a restaurant located off of Leake Ave. (honestly, not a prime location). Because of the nature of the building, there are not a lot of spaces for tables, and reservations are needed. You should note, if you are a couple, there is a high chance you will be seated at a small table in a dingy narrow hallway where the wait staff will always walk by you to get to the kitchen, the patrons will walk by you to get to a coat rack and/or bathroom. Some people even bumped our table. Okay, here's a breakdown of the dishes we tried: *Bread with butter ($3.50) - It was warm, but it wasn't soft or tasty. It was such mediocre bread. Save your money, it's not even worth the $3.50 that they charge you. If they make it in-house, they need a new recipe. *BBQ Shrimp ($19) - This was the only fantastic item we had. We should have ordered two of these and then called it a day. This was delicious. Flavorful and perfectly cooked. It's an appetizer, so the portion is small (6 shrimp) though. *Eggplant Parmesan ($28) - This was not great, but the redeeming quality was the sauce. The tomato sauce was excellent with a perfect flavor. Not too acidic, not too sweet, well seasoned. However, the breading was so bad on the eggplant. It was flavorless and already soggy when we received it. The pasta was overcooked and of bad quality (like cheap box noodles from a grocery store). Pasta is so easy to make... For the price, I would have expected fresh pasta served al dente. This item doesn't even have a protein, so why is it almost $30 for cheap grocery store noodles? *Seafood platter ($48) - This was overall awful. The redfish with the shrimp pesto butter were actually good, but the redfish was SO tiny (about half the size of my palm) and it came with 3 shrimp. Everything else the "platter" came with was terrible. The cornbread was so dry you needed water to wash down every single bite. The fried calamari was soggy with no seasoning to the breading. The oyster items were the worst oysters I have ever had in my life. I did not know oysters could be cooked so badly. The creamed spinach and oysters were so bland. It's like they just sauteed both in the same pan with no seasonings. The artichoke baked oysters were no better. It was just sour. Like, they mixed some canned artichokes with oysters along with some flour product and shoved it in an oven. I am not kidding when I write that I have never had such horrendous oyster dishes. Whatever you do, do not order their seafood platter. The majority of it is awful. It's considered fine dining, so you can expect the portions to be small, but when the food doesn't even taste good on top of that, you leave feeling like you should go grab something else to eat on the way home. One thing that really bothered me was the lack of diversity for the staff at the front of the house. We live in such a diverse city and for there to be zero diversity for the customer-facing staff, that rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it was a rare coincidence and they usually have other staff working front of the house too? I certainly hope so. All in all, take my advice, if you were planning on going to a restaurant in the same price range, go to Mr. B's Bistro instead. You'll get better food, better atmosphere, and you'll spend around the same amount. I felt I completely wasted my money dining here and regretted not just going somewhere else. I heard this place hasn't been the same since Covid, and I could see how that might be the case because I do not know how the prestige nor reputation could be justified. read more

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My wife took me to here for my first dining experience in a home like restaurant. Super friendly service and delicious food. We got the gumbo and seafood platter, both are delicious. I like the grilled fish with pistachios sauce the most, very unique flavor. read more

Brigtsen's Restaurant - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I've wanted to eat here forever, and tonite was the night. The restaurant is located inside a converted old home. Important to know when you are seeking reservations; there are tables in three different dining rooms, and some in the entrance hallway. Although the food is amazing, I think that the experience is best in one of the dining rooms and not at one of the two tops in the hallway. The service is friendly and efficient, as it is in all the best New Orleans restaurants. We started with the shrimp remoulade, and the New Orleans barbecue shrimp. The shrimp remoulade was interesting as it was served with quartered deviled eggs, and homemade guacamole. The New Orleans barbecue shrimp were served with a Cajun rice croquette, and the most amazing sauce. Make sure you get plenty of bread and don't leave a drop behind. Our mains were the duck, and the seafood platter, otherwise known as the "Shell beach diet". The duck was an entire half that had been boned, roasted beautifully, and served with a tart cherry sauce and dirty rice. One of the most delicious duck preparations I've ever had. The seafood platter included an amazing piece of grilled red fish topped with shrimp in a butter sauce, as well as two different stuffed oyster preparations, perfectly fried calamari with a cherry pepper aïoli, and a crock of freshly made cornbread with mudbug tails, served with plenty of butter on top. The waiter said it was designed to serve one, but the portion was huge. At the end of the meal, we were too stuffed to try dessert, but the pecan pie with caramel sauce that was brought to another table looked amazing . Highly recommended for an amazing Cajun/Creole meal in New Orleans. read more

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We dined at Brigtsen's last night for our 51st anniversary, we've dined here around 10 times. My wife got the broiled crusted striped bass with lemon crab sauce & mushrooms which was excellent. I had the seafood platter, now don't expect a platter of deep fried seafood if you order this. It was 10 times better. It consisted of crusted red fish with a pistachio lime sauce, Herbsaint baked oyster covered with cream sauce spinach, artichoke baked oyster, crawfish baked jalapeño cornbread, and crawfish calas with green onion sauce. Dessert was pecan pie with home made caramel sauce. EVERYTHING had its own distinct flavors that burst in your mouth as soon as it hits your pallet. Everything on both plates was perfect. The wait staff was amazing (as it always is) one trip here and you understand that Chef Frank truly cares about putting out a perfect meal that will blow your mind. This is not just going to supper, a meal here is a true dining experience. Hands down our favorite restaurant. Best food, best service, best atmosphere, what more could you ask for. read more

It's been a while since I visited Brigtsen's, and it's still just an outstanding restaurant all around. My friend and I each had a cup of the gumbo and I had the blackened tuna. Portion sizes are great, and the entrees come with the most delicious creamed potatoes. It's a small place that feels like you're in someone's home. Service is warm and not rushed. The star, though, was the chocolate cake. Oh, my. I don't know if I have ever had such an incredible slice of cake! read more

Brigtsen's Restaurant - Chocolate cake - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Charming! A historic but somewhat hidden gem. One of my mother's favorite New Orleans restaurants. Our table enjoyed the shrimp/deviled egg appetizer, seafood gumbo, duck and seafood platter. Coffee was delicious but the dessert menu did not garner our interest. read more

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If you're looking for an unforgettable dining experience in New Orleans, Brigtsen's absolutely delivers. I was traveling alone, and from the moment I walked in, the hostess and staff made me feel incredibly welcome--warm, attentive, and genuinely kind. The restaurant itself is set in a charming old house, which adds to the cozy, intimate atmosphere and makes the whole experience feel even more special. The food? Incredible. Every bite felt thoughtfully prepared, but the standout for me was the crab-crusted sea bass--it was truly to die for. Perfectly cooked, rich, and full of flavor without being heavy. You can tell there's real care and skill behind every dish that comes out of the kitchen. This is the kind of place you go when you want a memorable meal, not just dinner. Highly recommend! read more

NOLA classic does not disappoint, ever! Great good. Great service. Almost makes me want to move to NOLA..... read more

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Very quaint place with fabulous service. Feels like an old home turned into a restaurant- so you get that homey feel as soon as you enter. The bisque was Amazing , could have eaten bowls and bowls . All of our dishes , we mostly chose fish dishes . Flavorful and good portions. Now the dessert - omg. The chocolate cake was so good but the table was about to lose it over the pecan pie. They were about to lick the plate clean. Our waiter was super nice and attentive. read more

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Exquisite fare. So many New Orleans restaurants, and this might just have the most excellent cuisine in the crescent city. Educated, pleasant and witty wait staff attend to your dining experience with professional and friendly attention. The fish dishes are heavenly - how can each of the sides also be divine!? The pecan pie is to die for. Each dining) room of this historic New Orleans home is classy and cozy. Haute cuisine, experience magnifique. read more

I finally made it over to Brigsten's for my birthday and it truly did not disappoint. Every single dish had an amazing flavor, the cocktails were great, excellent options of wine too! I have no complaints at all. Our server Ben was also very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The vibe of the place feels like you're in someone's home and I really enjoyed how each room had its own art and section. I wish the BBQ shrimp had more shrimp because YUM! It was absolutely divine. The sauce was cooked to perfection- genuinely some of the best I have ever had in the city. The pork was cooked so well & the dijon sauce was the flair it needed. The fish was excellent as well as the duck. Truly, everything was amazing here. I'd recommend this spot & will definitely be back! read more

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For years, each time I visited New Orleans, I ate at Brigtsen's. Though I wasn't in a hurry, if it was practical, I'd dine there on the night I got into town. Starting my trip at Brigtsen's reminded me of why I was in New Orleans, and refreshed my memory of old-time menus and ingredients, and of service of a certain style. I didn't recommend Brigtsen's to everyone who asked. Some, I sent to Jack Dempsey's or Deanie's, instead. You only heard about Brigtsen's from me if I thought that you'd understand and appreciate the place. But Brigtsen's menu has grown tired, and, in a couple of recent visits, the dishes I was served seemed prepared by people* who were distracted, preoccupied by things other than prepping, cooking and presenting a pleasing meal. Also, even on a slow night, the service at Brigtsen's was rote and rushed, and left me wondering if, simply by being there, I'd imposed on the staff. These dinners weren't bad; they just weren't what meals at Brigtsen's should have been, and used reliably to be. But it's not all disappointment. I've discovered that Gabrielle Restaurant offers the experience I missed at Brigtsen's, which gives me a suitable alternative: I'll dine at Gabrielle, and check in on Brigtsen's once in a while, to see if things there improve. * An exception: "afters" prepared by pastry chef Samantha Price were textural marvels, flavor-packed creations that should have been heavier than they were. Sadly, Chef Price is gone from Brigtsen's; I hope she's doing well and is still knocking out killer desserts. read more

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Probably the best meal we've had in New Orleans. Set inside an old home, the vibe is quaint and cozy. The duck and any of the broiled fish were spectacular. We also got the gumbo and pecan pie, which was pretty good as well. Food aside, our waiter was outstanding. Made the best recommendations and was so attentive. read more

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Brigtsen's is a gift to the senses. It starts with the bread from Leidenheimer--crusty, airy perfection that's practically a love letter to New Orleans. The Crawfish & Corn Soup warms you like a kind embrace, brimming with Gulf soul. The Caesar salad is crisp and spot-on, while the pan-fried pork chop, juicy and golden, feels like a labor of love. The Shrimp Remoulade with Guacamole & Deviled Eggs is a brilliant twist, bold yet balanced, and the house salad refreshes with quiet grace. The crème brûlée? A creamy, crackly-topped dream worth every bite. The French 75 bubbles with timeless elegance, and the Fall Fashion wraps you in smooth, seasonal comfort. Brigtsen's, with that Leidenheimer bread leading the way, is a meal to cherish. read more

This is a very nice place. You feel like you're in someone's nice home. I selected three items from the Coolinary menu. The watermelon salad was more than refreshing. The selected fruit cubes were less sweet so its flavor could blend well with the mixed greens. The redfish was fantastically seasoned and lightly blackened. The avocado sour cream sauce balanced the heat from the fish seasoning and improved the flavor profile. Very good tasty fish. I finished with the creme brulee, with blueberries. The creme brulee was excellent, custardy and mildly bitter and the soft blueberries increased the flavor. read more

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We came here for Mardi Gras weekend and to celebrate a friends bachelor party weekend. It gives old house turned into restaurant vibes. The food was pricey and there isn't a lot on the menu. I got the gumbo and it was alright. My favorite was the bbq shrimp and their bread! Overall service was ok as she was quite slow getting our meals and tickets. read more

Brigtsen's Restaurant - Shrimp & Okra Gumbo with Andouille Sausage - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The cute hidden gem reminded me old school New Orleans eating! Amazing! I for coolinary (3 courses). I had the soup, airline chicken breast, and pie for dessert. Waiter was super nice and the restaurant is an house they converted which makes it more like home eating! read more

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This is a quintessential restaurant in New Orleans. This is an absolute, must try, eatery if you want to eat excellent New Orleans food. Frank Brightsen and his wife have created an excellent eating destination. Every dish offered is amazing. Try the Shell Beach seafood platter. Try the Shrimp and Grits. Try Mosby any of the offerings and just be amazed. We have been patrons for years, and have never been disappointed. Ambiance is exceptional as are the servers. This is a do not miss restaurant. read more

Always a great meal in a creole-type cottage from a celebrated chef. Bring your wife/girlfriend for a delightful evening dinner. This is a Brennan/K-Paul's influenced experience but the chef has a style that all can embrace. read more

I had the Veal with Oysters. It was the best meal I have ever had in my life. The service was excellent. The room was quiet and I found the prices reasonable for such quality. I live in New Orleans and have eaten in fine dining establishments before including this one. My compliments to the chef. read more

Outstanding service, ambiance, and food, I've been dining at Brightens for over 30 year's and every experience is better than my last. One of the best hidden restaurants in New Orleans. read more

I love every dish served. Tastes like no other One of my favorite restaurants in NOLA.

Quality of food preparation good. Caramel pecan pie was wonderful. Blackened Red fish was good but overcooked. Service very good. Very Expensive! $200 for two of us and we split the main course and appetizers. Average price for entrees about $46 in average. read more

This is possibly one of the best dinners my husband and I have had in New Orleans... and we've tried a LOT!!! The place itself is super homey and cute, you really just feel like you're having dinner at a friend's home. Mrs. Marna Brigtsen, who I didn't even realize was the host until after, was the absolute sweetest and wished every table she sat a great meal. My husband started us off with BBQ shrimp which was absolute perfection, quite literally the BEST New Orleans has to offer. The amount of flavor and richness in this dish is unlike anything we've had. A MUST GET!!! I opted to try the coolinary menu and went with the curried shrimp bisque and the balance of the curry in the bisque was delicious. I wish I asked if I could get a gallon to go!! For entrees, he went for the gulf fish while I had the red fish -- again, perfection. Both fish were prepared perfectly and the smoked corn sauce on the red fish is amazing!! Finally, for dessert we got the pecan pie and it didn't take us long not only to finish it, but realize why it's so popular. They know what they're doing, and every bite was absolute perfection. We cannot wait for our next visit!!! read more

Brigtsen's Restaurant - Redfish with smoked corn sauce, black bean salsa & avocado sour cream (with mashed potatoes and veggies) - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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This restaurant was on a list of "vegetarian friendly" restaurants that my husband found. When we got there, there was one vegetarian dish, eggplant Parmesan. When I asked about other dishes, our waitress said, no we should've let her know in advance that there was a vegetarian in the party. But they could very easily have made me a vegetable plate based on the various vegetables that were on the menu. Waitress was not kind about this. So I ordered the eggplant Parmesan. It had a very strong fried taste, and nothing special about the marinara sauce. My husband had the beef which he said was good but very very salty. Honestly, this is definitely not a "vegetarian friendly" place. There was nothing on the menu besides the eggplant Parmesan for me to eat, not even a single side. We did split a salad. Also our waitress seemed very put out that I would even ask about vegetarian options beyond the eggplant Parmesan. Overall, nothing special here and definitely not a good place for vegetarians. And even my husband, who is a died in the wool carnivore, was very disappointed with the food he received. read more

I've been to Brigtsen's enough times that they know me there. Frank, Marna, Sandy, and Rhonda always make the guest feel welcome. Even on a busy Saturday night they were able to find a spot for me. The wait staff is attentive, but not overbearing. The wine list is not overwhelming, but includes some excellent wines by the bottle and a nice list available by the glass. The small restaurants space is rather intimate. The food is always amazing. read more

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We really enjoyed our time at Brigsten's . The staff was AMAZING! Very kind and helpful with the best suggestions. I loved the quaintness of the restaurant and the music selection was perfect for the setting . Everything we ordered was pretty good, but the star of the show was the Pecan Pie! If I wasn't so stuffed I would have ordered another slice ! read more

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The only bad thing about my review is that it took my 6th trip to The Big Easy to go to Brigsten's. 6 Star restaurant with VERY moderate pricing for the food you get. Their food, charm, and excellent staff can match ( on a much smaller scale) the Greats of the city ( Antoine's, Commander's, etc). Add Brigsten's to the MUST LIST at one point. Family run in a charming house away from all the glitter of the FQ. Located on a small residential street. Our waiter ( Ben) was what I would consider a perfect representation of what a top tier server should be in New Orleans. Very knowledgeable on the food and culture of a great city. All of the staff was stellar. Chef's sister in law was hosting the night we went. A true matron of ceremonies who had everything ticking like a fine made watch. But enough gushing about the venue & staff because the food here is amazing. So many great items. Thank goodness Ben assisted. My brother and I made it a 4 course meal just to sample as much as we could. Apps course --The Butternut Shrimp Bisque; was the blend of 2 great bisque's. matched perfectly and velvety light. Flavors abound from that great gulf shrimp and chef's seasoning. Bravo! --New Orleans BBQ Shrimp wiith Shrimp Calas (Creole rice fritter) was another Homerun de gastric! ( we split this one just to get chef's version of a classic) --The Veal Sweetbreads- with Mushrooms, Capers, & Lemon Roasted Garlic Butter; I haven't had sweetbreads since I worked in a restaurant as a teenager. This was one of the best dishes I have had in a long time...in any city. Just amazing and plentiful. We then had a simple house salad course that left us thinking. What was that light dressing made from. So light, falvorful. Not acidic at all. Such a nice refresher. Entree course --Brigtsen's Seafood Platter-- Grilled redfish w/ shrimp & smoked cashew sauce- Shrimp cornbread w/ smoked corn butter- Baked oyster Fortuna- Baked scallop with Herbsaint spinach- shrimp & cucuzza dressing; an array of the chef's creativity. a great way to experience a lot of the flavors of New Orleans. --Roast Duck ala orange & dirty rice; a huge piece of this succulent fowl ( half duck!) with perfectly crisped skin. The rice had a nice little spice kick to it. Some seasons chef serves this with a tart cherry sauce. Dessert We split probably the best pecan pie we've had in memory. Of course all desserts are house made but this was a dream. Not hat tacky, sticky, over-sweet confection that most places serve. Truly a nice, light, way to end a perfect meal. Our waiter introduced us to Nocello. An after dinner liquor based on walnut. Light, not too sweet. Delish! ( I can also attest that they make a great deviled egg) Well, I know this was a long review and I could go on and on but IF you consider yourself a true Foodie, then not only is New Orleans your holy land, but Brigsten's is one of monuments that is a must visit. I think I've found my favorite restaurant in all of New Orleans My favorite city for cuisine. read more

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We had a great dinner here. The restaurant, located in a converted cottage, is understated but nice. I loved being able to take the street car here from the French Quarter. The food is solid, if not out of this world good. We had our first gumbo and enjoyed it, but then we had a better one elsewhere. My husband had the seafood platter and liked the five different components. I had the grilled filé, and it was unbelievably tender. Desserts were the weak point, with the tres leches cake being a total failure. In all, we had a lovely evening and would return. More detail on my blog (see profile). read more

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Definitely a great spot off the beaten path but did the food wow us? My colleague works local in our field office in Nawlins recommended this place so as Romans we went! Gumbo was tasty and probably one of the best gumbos we had. Veal on peppercorn sauce( i chose this over the fish because of the sauce description) first bite was promising. But as I took additional bites i felt overwhelmed-- the sauce was overpowering so I end up wasting more than half of this pricey dish. Pork chop my hubby got was better when he gave me bite for a break but still did not induced me back ti my own plate. BUT French bread with whipped butter served just off the oven was the star of the show for me along with the gumbo my hubby kindly shared with me! Service was great and professional, ambience of being in a home cook meal was okay. Now, was this "the best food you'll ever eat in New Orleans" as was preluded to by my colleague-absolutely not! Food here gives off "home cooked vibe" but definitely not the best nor worth the $60 uber to and from our hotel 5-miles or so away in the french quarter when there are many other options in walkable distance! Better off planning a reservation in advance at the Commander's Palace or paying reservation fee at Arnaud's or even Cochon! read more

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Fantastic food and an intimate cozy environment in an old house near the levee. The crab crusted fish was to die for! Service was also impeccable. Highly recommend! read more

Delicious dining experience! The restaurant looks to be a renovated house turned restaurant and brought a homey charm to the meal. You have to try the New Orleans BBQ Shrimp - best shrimp I've had in a long while and the star of our meal. The butternut shrimp bisque is also good - rich & creamy and can definitely fill you up. Both of these are great appetizers to share. The Duck Fat Sazerac cocktail was one of the best sazerac cocktails we've had so far in NOLA. The broiled gulf fish was delicious and plenty to share for 2 if you're looking for that. It came with some vegetables that were perfectly cooked and seasoned and mashed potatoes that were soft and creamy. So yummy. The pecan pie was the best dessert and came swimming in caramel sauce. For once, we didn't have to worry about not having enough sauce for the dessert. A little out of the way as it's in an industrial area/neighborhood, but well worth the stop. read more

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We haven't been in a very long time so we're really looking forward to it. We both loved our apps: gumbo and shrimp remoulade. Server was very friendly at first. We were less than thrilled with our entrees. I had crab crusted sea bass. The crust is made with crab claw meat which I don't care for. The fish itself after I scraped off the crust was a stronger taste than I like. I had asked if I could get the drum grilled instead of the sea bass but was told no. Drum is lighter and sweeter. Not sure why there couldn't be a substitute. Hubby had fried redfish with crawfish sauce and said it was ok. Server asked if we liked our food and I said I didn't care for the crab crusted or the bass. She was a little defensive and said that is why I suggested the redfish. But I don't like crawfish as I told her. She dismissed the crab crust with a shrug. I wasn't asking for anything I just answered her honestly as I thought she legitimately wanted to hear what we thought. Guess not. I do like the water carafe on the table because I drink a lot of water. Also warm bread is served. A little pricey. Parking was easy in lot next door. There seem to be a lot of regulars there so we felt a little like we didn't belong. read more

Brigtsen's Restaurant - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

If you want to get away from the crowds of the French Quarter & have a phenomenal meal, make reservations here before you arrive. 1 - this restaurant is located in a small house. The tables are small and close together. Don't come in and complain about your table. Sit down and prepare to be amazed. 2 - Have the BBQ shrimp. Trust me. 3 - I had a bite of 4 different entrees (in addition to my fish) and they were all delicious. 4 - Do NOT skip the pecan pie. It is so good the person who recommended this place suggested we start our meal with a whisky and a slice of pie. We should have listened to him. You cannot judge this pie against any other pecan pie you've had in your life. It is not gooey and cloyingly sweet. It is perfection. 5- Service was attentive and informative. NOTE- you will be publicly shamed if you do not use your bread to sop up the bbq shrimp gravy! read more

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Overall it's fine. The sweet breads are absolutely one of the best dishes I've ever had in my life. Hands down. They get a star for that. The rest of the meal was honestly kinda meh. Very heavy. Very saucy. And honestly kind of bland. I'm glad I went but I don't think I'll go again. read more

Loved the ambiance, the welcoming atmosphere and the care our server gave to us. The food was amazing. Highly recommend the gumbo and bbq shrimp for starters. My husband had the speckled trout with roasted pecans & Meuniere sauce, I enjoyed the seafood platter. I particularly loved the oysters baked with fennel from my sampler plate. I noticed the recipe wasn't in either of the cookbooks available for sell and to my shock, the chef printed that recipe, signed it and presented it to me! I'll never forget our lovely time and the care we received. read more

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A bit off the main track near the end of St Charles, this is worth visiting. Small and quaint, reserve early as their reservations fill up. Great, friendly service from a good wait staff. The food, well yes, loved it all. From the Shrimp Remoulade w/deviled eggs, to the Seafood Platter to the Double Chocolate cake, just great. Even the Bayou Bonfire cocktail was on point. We get why they have a number of awards. Go! read more

I haven't posted any of my culinary adventures from my trip to New Orleans but ever since coming back to New York, I've been craving everything that Brigtsen's Restaurant put forth in front of me. From dishes as simple as a classic Caesar salad all the way through their dessert, everything was jam packed with all the southern flavors you could imagine. The pork chop was perfectly cooked and paired with a simple yet delicious potato puree . The blueberry vinegar glaze tied everything together harmoniously. At the recommendation of the waitress, I ordered the blackened tuna that came with a beautifully smoky corn sauce. You'd think the main courses were rockstar dishes but the dessert, specifically the pecan pie, will go down as one of the best things I've ever eaten in my life. Want to know how good the pecan pie was? Well, it was featured on Food Network's first ever episode of Best Thing I Ever Ate. Shoutout to Chef Frank Brigtsen and his staff as they've churned out amazing dishes for over 30 years. read more

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