What an experience! One of the best meals of my life with the most amazing service. We made reservations, but it looks like they will accommodate walk ins too. When you make a reservation, I had to provide a credit card and deposit of $50/per person. You get your deposit back in the form of a credit of your bill. Additionally, there is a dress code, so making reservations helped us know what to pack in advance. It was my husband's idea to check out one of Emeril's restaurants and I'm so glad we did. Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted my a friendly host that took us to our table. All the tables faced the open kitchen, which was neat! This was the start of our magical dining experience. We were greeted by Brett who was one of the waiters. We had a team of three waiters - Brett, Chris, and another young man... his name slips my mind right now. The three of them we so kind, knowledgeable, and provided the best service of my life. Hands down this wasn't dinner, it was a magical dining experience. After our first round of cocktails, we were presented with a menu. Everything is so thought out including the presentation. The menus were wrapped like gifts with a wax seal! Felt like a present! In the dining room, there are 3 options - 3 course menu, 8 course classic menu, or 8 course seasonal menu. Going into the night, I thought I would have selected the 3 course menu. After learning that the 8 course menu takes you on Emeril's cooking journey for the last 30 years that was our choice. There is an option to do a wine pairing too. I opted for this. Loved the education about each wine and why it was paired with each course. Our dinner journey started with complementary appetizers - blue fin ahi, cheese tart, and a rabbit puff pastry. Our first course was a salmon cheesecake topped with Emeril's reserve caviar paired with a rose from champagne, France. Our second course was an oyster stew paired with a port from Portugal. Our third course was a gulf shrimp raviolo paired with a domaine haut white. Our fourth course was the potato Alexa paired with a white. Our fifth course was the lobster paired with a Pinot noir. Our sixth course was the filet paired with a red. Our seventh course was a sorbet with no pairing so we could clean our palate. Our eighth and final course was the banana cream pie paired with another delicious wine. The portions weren't too big, which was nice since there was so much food to try. This being my first Emeril restaurant, I was really happy to select this tasting menu. read more

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Wow! Dip your spoon into this broth and you can feel the thick yet silky broth. Then see tons of great ingredients that come up for your first bite. Mine had a nice amount of chives on top that added great flavor. The depth of flavors within the broth was amazing! This is a "must stop again" when I come back to town! read more

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Wow! I fear this experience has ruined me. I only want to eat at Emeril's for now on. The coordination of the staff, the timing of the dishes, the care in every detail exceeded my wildest dream of enjoying a meal. Jason was amazing, knowledgeable and personable. We will be returning soon. Thank y'all! read more

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I don't eat dessert often but Emeril's banana cream pie is one of my favorites. I have only had it in his restaurants in Las Vegas. We were recently in NOLA and didn't have an opportunity to eat in the restaurant. However, after dinner one night I decided to get a slice of pie to go. I was really looking forward to enjoying it however it was a big disappointment. I paid around $17 for a small slice and they also changed the recipe. I was so upset. There's no comparison to the new vs. the original. My suggestion, if it ain't broken, don't try to change or fix it. Check out the photos to see for yourself. read more

Emeril's - Original version of his Banana Cream Pie :-) - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Dear Emeril and Team, During my recent visit to Emeril's, I saw a painting on the wall that truly moved me. It was of Emeril sitting down, seemingly after a shift, looking tired but deeply dedicated. That image spoke volumes about the hard work, passion, and perseverance he poured into this business--day after day, striving to serve food that brings happiness to people. Seeing that painting reminded me of how fortunate I was to be part of his journey, working for him at NOLA back in 2000. It's inspiring to see what he's built and how the legacy continues with his family. I'm incredibly grateful for the experience and wish him and the team nothing but the very best. Warm regards, Ertugrul Sevtap read more

When you are in New Orleans, you have to try Emeril's. Period. I was too late to book the tasting menu experience but got a table at the wine bar where we ordered a variety of dishes including raw oysters, foie gras, truffle burrata, BBQ shrimp, gumbo, duck confit pot pie, andouille sausage, banana cream pie, vegan apple pie, and chocolate s'mores. Everything tasted like you would expect food at Emeril's to taste - fresh, rich, full of flavor and delicious. The service was great as was the ambiance. It was truly a great meal and when you can try a bite of everything, that makes the experience so much better. Definitely recommend eating here if you get a chance. read more

Great service & hospitality. Truly an experience. Bartender was absolutely fantastic making mocktails that were delicious! The gumbo was great & the dessert was decadent! read more

Food was excellent ! service was great ! restaurant in perfect place right on the casino !! read more

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Had lunch at Emeril's, I expected it to be great but was still blown away. Only a few items in the abbreviated lunch menu but each and every one was excellent and surprising. Every item, it felt like they had somehow prepared it so you tasted only the most distinctive and enjoyable flavors of each ingredient. The flavor of the sea without being fishy. Creamy stew without being too rich. Banana and caramel that wasn't cloying. One of the best meals I've ever had for sure. $190 for lunch with a mocktail, coffee, tax and tip actually felt like a great value. read more

This review is for the Wine Bar portion of the venue, which has a different menu than the main dining room. The ambiance in the Wine Bar section was great -- uncrowned, quiet, dark yet warm. And the staff were lovely: attentive and friendly, and it was evident they were each trying hard to make sure we had a great experience. There were a couple standout dishes for us: the crab gumbo and the chicory ice cream. We also both loved our drinks -- "full proof" Weller from a special barrel for him, a gin-based drink for her. That said, a few dishes were sort of "meh," especially for the price. The bread was fairly dry (thank goodness for lots of delicious butter!), and the few sprigs of broccoli weren't especially memorable. I also felt like the red snapper portion was a little dainty for $30, though it was tasty. So, I think the lesson is: come here, but focus on the classic dishes and New Orleans flavors to get the most bang for your buck. read more

What an experience! Emeril's roles out the red carpet, or should I say green carpet? This fine dining experience starts from the online reservation that provides helpful reminders and details leading up to your reservation. As you arrive you're greeted by name. Seated by staff who ensure your coat is checked and your purse has a small stool to sit on. The servers start by asking if you have any dietary needs. Which is super helpful because I don't have to feel terrible asking a bunch of questions: they just know the menu and can steer you in the direction necessary to avoid eating anything that may cause a reaction. They have an extensive wine menu with knowledgeable staff who provide helpful recommendations. We had a Riesling and Prosecco. Both were perfect. Then, they have a build your own three course meal. After selecting the BBQ shrimp, redfish, and sorbet. We were brought out a lovely amuse-bouche to prepare our palates. All I can say, nothing could prepare me for some of the best tasting, well-prepared, delectable food I've ever eaten in my life. The flavors, REHS textures, the aromas...BAM! (I had to do it lol). But seriously, Emeril's is a 10/10. I will not go yo New Orleans without making a reservation to enjoy dining with Emeril. read more

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I have not eaten the food here- but we did sit at the bar for drinks. The service is honestly what saved this place for us, bartender was insanely friendly and on top of it. Unfortunately the drinks were nothing spectacular, classic basic Vegas cocktails. The interior- picture this- it's 2000 Y2K didn't end up happening and your family is remodeling their kitchen. You pick out only the finest shades of yellow and brown to paint the walls and only chrome fixtures featuring colored acrylic accents. It needs a facelift but kind of cool to see the blast from the past. read more

Emeril's - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The New Orleans taste was not there. The service was excellent however I, can't say the same for the food, I would give it a low C-, no flavor the entire meal was a bust. This is not the first time I was disappointed with the food at this restaurant. The first time I thought a made the wrong selection. The Hamburger and fries were pretty good, that is what my wife order and that was pretty good but very expensive. I, can't in good conscience recommend this restaurant. (Average price $100 including tip. read more

Walked into an unwelcoming, uncomfortably racist environment. No people of color dining, only the staff. The initial greeter took us to the very back of the restaurant when we past many empty seats to get back there. With all the great food here in New Orleans, it's only Emrils name and his reputation that keep this place open. After being seated in the rear of the wine bar, we ordered from the small plate menu. The shrimp & lobster dumplings & the Caesar Salad were the best things on there. I asked the manager about the seating (once he appeared) and he had no explanation as to why we were seated back there bay asked if we'd choose to sit elsewhere but by that time we had food so choose not to move. It was an experience that I never have to have again. There are entirely too many food choices on this city. I'll go to GW FINS 10 more time before I ever spend my money for poor service and worse food at Emerils again. read more

We were in New Orleans and decided to eat at one of Emeril Lagasse's restaurants. This is one of those 3-course dinners that are totally worth the cost because everything is high quality and you get little surprise bites here and there. The inside is modern, large open space, and the servers are very attentive. We went on a not very busy night so the staff were very fast with everything. Everyone was super nice and friendly. We did the 3 course meal. First they bring you these little bites, one was tuna tartare, one was goat cheese(?), and one was like a cheese puff (similar to the ones in Brazilian steak houses). Then your meal actually comes. My three courses were Blue Crab Gumbo, Filet & Daube Glacé, and chocolate soufflé. The Gumbo was very good, however, holy moly, sooooo salty. I could feel my blood pressure going up. The second course was also very good, but I recommend not getting the gumbo if you're going to get the filet, because by this time, I was starting to get full. The filet was so good though, perfectly medium rare and honestly, I'm really glad I got it. I also made the mistake of ordering oysters...big mistake. The chocolate souffle was amazing and it comes with a little quenelle of ice cream. My husband's three courses were Potato alexa (which I should've gotten because it was much lighter), filet & daube glacé, and the banana cream pie. He said everything was really good and everything also looked beautiful. Great meal, great service, great ambience. My eyes were bigger than my stomach in this situation but it really was worth it. read more

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The food, service, wine and ambiance are all indicative of a 3 star Michelin restaurant. It's a set tasting menu every night with a couple of upgrade options. You have 2 dinner menu options and 3 wine pairing options. The food was as good as Gordon Ramsay's Royal Hospital Road tiny restaurant. read more

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Thank you. Yes, Emeril runs the show. Yes, it's amazing. Yes, it's worth every penny. I have eaten at James Beard and Michelin restaurants. Emeril delivers on flavor, quality, and service. If you have the means then you have no excuse but to take on this culinary experience. Thank you Emeril and team. You all have created a memorable experience for us. read more

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A total disappointment! We ordered 8 dishes to share amongst the five of us. The food was so oversalted! Service was okay and ambiance was so-so but the round table seating was great. read more

Had a great evening at Emeril's and did the tasting menu. The service was fantastic and one of the best parts of the evening was talking to our server who started as a dish washer in one of Emeril's other restaurants. Emeril saw his potential and started moving him up on the company. Now he is tending to customers every night at this location and he was fantastic. I am always impressed with companies who provide opportunities to those within the organization to promote and he made a damn good choice. When you sit down, you will get either a white or black cloth napkin depending on the pants you wear. Many people do not pay attention to this or realize why this is done, but this is fine dining and depending on your clothing, you will get the color that will not leave any lint showing on your clothing. Very classy and a lost process in many fine dining restaurants but clearly Emeril is all class. Each dish was meticulously put together which was very clear by the presentations. Each dish was hot, and multiple servers came out at the same time to present the dishes at the same time to each of us. Again, something most restaurants do not do unless they are structured to be this way each and every time. We received a full explanation of everything in the dish and with each dish was a sauce. Sauces are something that are under appreciated but I am also starting to get into sauces with my dishes as they really enhance and compliment flavors and also make for a great presentation. Rather than describing all the foods, you can look online at the tasting menu and see what you are in for. Now, keep in mind, this is not a cheap meal, and some say it's quite expensive but you are going for a dining experience, incredible food and fantastic service. We received all three and really enjoyed everything. You were not rushed, the timing of the dishes was perfect with plenty of time between courses to converse and relax. Clearly staff as they walked by would watch each table (I saw them) from a distance to know when everyone was done with each course. If you get to New Orlean's, I would definitely recommend going to Emeril's (this location). 5 stars read more

Emeril's - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Omg so Terrible! Made a special stop here for my sister because she wanted their classic banana cream pie but live an hr away. I took a bite of it in the car and thought it was not good and quite terrible. No banana flavor at all. I was surprised she would like something like this. We normally have the same taste in food. I took it home and she opened the box and was like. This is not the banana cream pie. She then shows me what it SHOULD look like. And no wonder ! The two look nothing alike and apparently taste nothing alike! And it still cost a whopping $16 for this tiny piece of pie that taste more like a bland flan. I'm telling you. ZERO flavors! It's like two thin slices of banana laid on top. The pie custard is plain and no flavor. My sister was so upset and i am as well since it was a waste of time and money for me. I almost bought two slices and their pork mole because my sister swore by it but luckily I did not! I would have been disappointed and that would have been a waste of $75. Man so disappointed in Emerils restaurants. I'll Prob avoid his chains from now on. This left a bad taste for me, literally! read more

Emeril's - Not the same banana cream pie!!! Waste of $16! - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Omg this place is amazing. Everything. Service was great, food was delicious, wine knowledge was everything, cocktails well balanced. Such a great experience. We can't wait to go back. read more

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The food is absolutely, insanely incredible. But I will give this as an honest review of a foodie. I am not an upscale snob and will only dine at places like this once a year. For good reason, a meal for two cost us $350. So I will review this from a middle class prospective lol Let you tell you my honest thoughts: Pros: Lobster was absolutely worth the price, that dish was amazing. The gumbo starter plate is worth the $18. I love that they provide you with appetizer plates and dessert samples for free. They are amazing and help relieve the pain of the prices. The reisling they have on their menu was one of the best I've ever had! They also have a lobster appetizer (can't remember the name) which was the best meal of the night. Cons: The prices. Yes everything will be cooked to perfection with all the right flavorings, but some things are insanely priced. The cocktails for example, their cocktails are $35-$50/drink. That's just insanity. The side salad will cost you $16 which had nothing special to it, so not worth it. Overall, it's a bragging right to say you ate at Emerills. The service was beyond amazing and the food was incredible, but from someone who is perfectly content eating chicken wings for breakfast, lunch and dinner (I'm a Buffalo gal), I have been mourning my bank account ever since. read more

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Many restaurants claim a dining experience. They are serious about it here. Everyone should dine at a restaurant of this high level especially in New Orleans. You can watch the entire kitchen cook your meal with a glass enclosure. Also you get a tour of the kitchen and see the food you will eat. They offer two different full course meals. I went with the less expensive option but upgraded to the quail and also selected a wine pairing. There were 7 different courses to the meal and a special wine was paired with each. It was fantastic. The portions are small but because you get so many you'll have a full stomach. The service was impeccable. A story behind each meal was given by my server and with each pour of wine. Desert was magnificent, banana cream pie and a local snow cone. Plus a piece of king cake to go. I liked the trout the best. The coffee filled beignet was another favorite. How this restaurant doesn't have a Michelin star I will never understand. My memory of this experience will live forever and you should go there too! read more

Emeril's - Kitchen tour - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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This review is for the salon. Honestly - I'd skip the salon if you think you are going to get the Emeril experience. I'm not 100% sure what Emeril has to do with this place anymore other than his name. I had the beef tartare and the snapper as the market fish. Both were fine, but the prices for the dinner in the bar and the drinks were a lot and I can't say the food stood out so much to make this a must do in NOLA. If you are going to come here - make every effort to get into the main dining room (don't forget your jacket). The offering of the tasting menus is going to be a far better experience for the price than sitting in what felt like a hotel bar with a very limited offering on the menu (other than drinks which are 70% of the menu). read more

We reserved at the wine bar because we weren't feeling the tasting menu. Great small plates (best gumbo I had in NOLA) and a Great Wall-o'-wine. Pricey (of course) but worth it. read more

Emeril's New Orleans was an amazing experience, I'm so glad they re-opened during our vacation. That's right, since the beginning of the pandemic, Emeril's was closed for 20 months. The night we dined, Emeril was in the kitchen and he looked laser focused. First time here, I'm going to make my waiter work! I asked for a tour of the restaurant. I was shown where the restaurant stores their wines. They also have a private dining room that you can see their various wines. Years ago, I set up an IT system for tracking wine at a restaurant called Veritas in New York City. It's kinda my thing to see how a high end restaurant operates. Let's get to the drinks! I started with the Millionaire Old Fashioned. Made with high end Bourbon, Cognac, Rum and topped with gold flake?? Like a boss! I was about to order a French 75 for my wife but our waiter explained there is a specialty cocktail "punch". Served in the spirit of New Orleans, the punch comes in a mini punch bowl and a cup. Interesting. To start, I ordered Emeril's BBQ Shrimp and it comes with a Rosemary Biscuit. Emeril isn't fooling around, if he puts his name on it, it's a signature dish. Man, the shrimp was bangin'! Perfectly cooked and dusted with some heat, Emeril's New Orleans should make this as a main dish. For my main dish, I want heat! I chose the Andouille Crusted Salmon with side of Caponata, Pecan and Creole Meunière. Creole Meunière sounds krazy, still unsure what was served to me. The Caponata was rolled like manicotti, very very unique. Fish is my birthday wish and so I chose the salmon with Andouille Crust. Not too spicy but just the right amount made this entree a well executed chef'd up dish. *Bam! (Can we still say Bam?) Now for dessert, we've had the banana cream pie a few times in Universal Orlando, it is ah-mazing! For the ending to our dining experience, I chose the Chocolate Souffle. Made with an incredible Orange Semifreddo, the Souffle comes dressed with a Grand Marnier Suzette. This is Souffle heaven, piping hot and satisfies every chocolate craving. Perfection. Emeril sent to the table amuse bouche both before and after our meal. It's a Tuesday night and I'm counting 60 covers at 7pm. The place is packed and I see Emeril in the kitchen like a jungle cat looking over every aspect of the kitchen. For me to stick my head in the kitchen and say: Emeril, come and take a picture with us. Say Bam for us. I wouldn't want to see that side of Emeril! My wife has on her phone a picture we have in our kitchen of Chef Emeril and her parents from the 90s. He was at a book signing on Long Island and he graciously took a picture with them. Emeril's New Orleans, welcome back. read more

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Superb service and staff. You won't be disappointed. I ordered the classic tasting menu over the seasonal. For your first time the classic menu will not disappoint. Make reservations and enjoy a special occasion. Can't wait to come back. read more

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Nothing! The food wasn't that good and to pay $4.00 for a piece of bread that I thought was complimentary LIKE MOST restaurants...was even more disappointing! read more

After watching Chef Emeril on tv for years, I had to try his restaurant in the heart of NOLA. The inside is so elegant and the service is really nice, quick, and friendly. Everything came out really fast too. The wine and drink selection is nice and tbh the glass of Riesling I had was probably the best glass I've ever had. We got the bbq shrimp for appetizers and it was so good. I'm not really into bbq but the appetizer was amazing. We also got complementary appetizers that had a lobster tart, yuzu oyster and pumpkin soup. I got the lobster entree and it was phenomenal. I love how creole cuisine was elevated. For dessert, we actually ended up getting complementary pastel de nata, a macaron and a blueberry jelly. Overall, this was an amazing experience. Everything was just so good and service was great too. read more

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Hands down one of the best meals we have ever had, and can promise you you'll feel the same - the tasting menus are exceptional. Also recommend the wine pairing! read more

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Ole lady and I came here a couple months ago for an over-priced dinner. Yeah, I get it... It's Emeril's slick and all that... The cocktails were good - tho very very expensive. 35-bucks for an olde fashioned. dats ridonkulous. As is typical with most of these high-end/booshie places, the apps were better than the MC. and dat was the case here... Of course after a couple 30 dollah cocktails and apps you can't even taste (or remember) the maine coarse. idk man, it was pretty good, not great. i doubt i would return. Not for 300 bucks for two, no i wouldnt.. wasnt worth it. read more

Easily the best restaurant experience Ive ever had. From the staff to the food to the views to the hospitality. They made my husband and I feel like family. It's been several months now since we've been there and I can't remember the tastes or the textures of the food, only that it was amazing. However, I can and will always remember the way the restaurant made me feel. Well done Emeril's. read more

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Always watching chef on TV, and have the honor to meet him years ago, visiting his iconic flagship restaurant is icing on the cake. No introduction needed for Chef Emeril who puts New Orleans cuisine on the world map for foodies! On a bonus point, Sommelier Johnny is here. Met him back as a director of wine at the famous Alexander's Steakhouse in San Francisco years ago. His wine list has so ways impressed us. To hear that he managing this wine program here, we stoked to visit! The food at the salon was fantastic, since we had no reservation, so the tasting menu was out of the question. Although I've followed their Insta account, a few dishes at the Salon that I've wanted to try. This was perfect! * The salmon was delicious as it looks, juicy in the middle, flakily and simply perfect. * The pasta bolognese was tasty. * The andouille sausage was delicious. * The blue cheese dip was surprisingly good and generous portion. * The salmon tartare was solid. * The banana dessert was great. Now, Cocktail game here is strong, so come thirsty my Yelp friends! * Sazerac is must when you are in New Orleans, delicious, with Rye, Demerara, Peychaud's Bitters, Absinthe. * Nutcracker Manhattan was perfect, Rye, Nocino, Falernum, Pecan & Chicory Bitters. * Alluring Novella, Tequila, Mezcal, Passionfruit, Pineapple, Lime, Habanero, my hubby loved it and so did I. I can have 5 of these myself ;-) so smooth! The wine list is impressive, of course, by Johnny Patrick Slamon, the man! By the glass was plenty for you to choose, pairing with your dishes! Impeccable service from start to finish, we had an amazing time. We can't wait till we come back to try the tasting menu! read more

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You have to get a Charred Lemon Drop and an Old Fashioned! Then pare that with the Lobster Bisque or Pan Roasted Fish or Heritage Chicken and you're all set for a very tasty meal! Very nice elegant but not stuffy atmosphere with nice instrumental pop music in the background. The service was great with the waiter checking on us but not hovering! read more

We ordered a lot of food, including the BBQ shrimp, scallops, bolognese pasta, mussel carbonara, duck pot pie, oysters, s'mores dessert, and tuna tartare and absolutely everything we ordered had great flavors and was delicious. Absolutely would recommend as it's great food, fantastic service, and a cool scene. read more

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It's an extraordinary restaurant which is no surprise. I'm not sure you can get a bad meal. The interior is upscale but doesn't seem like classic New Orleans. Service is attentive. read more

Emeril's - BBQ shrimp appetizer. Possibly the best shrimp dish I've had. Fresh and flavorful, it has a steak like texture. - New American Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Amazing! From service to food and drinks everything was superb! I had 3 course tasting menu with bbq shrimp as appetizer - you get 5 big shrimp that alone could be a meal, perfectly cooked a bit sweet spicy and juicy, definitely have to try if you're at Emeril's. Also before our apps we got delectable selection of amuse bouches they were all soo good especially salmon cheesecake bite. For my entree I picked filet with oyster mushrooms and black garlic bordelaise, steak was cooked to perfect medium but black garlic sauce tied everything together! As for dessert I had banana cream pie - sinfully good, not overly sweet and banana was not overpowering but with dulce de leche sauce everything together made it a perfect bite! My son picked picked different dessert - chocolate soufflé with orange semifreddo and Grand Marnier Suzette which was so light and just perfect! At the end of our meal we got selection of sweet bites and bonbons and they were all superb! One of my friends got Classic tasting menu that's 5 courses and other got seasonal tasting menu that have 7 courses - wow! All were heaven to look at and to eat. Art on a plate! It's a upscale place, pricey but very well worth it! Everybody was nice, knowledgeable and professionaI. We even saw Emeril himself that night, he was there for new seasonal menu and we also saw cameraman following him around! But our service was exceptional regardless of added pressure I'm sure staff was feeling because of him being there! read more

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Truly a top-notch restaurant. Everything is amazing. There's nothing bad I can say about Emeril's. Everything was attention to detail - the ambiance, the service, and the food are phenomenal. The restaurant's elegant decor creates a welcoming atmosphere that adds to the overall dining experience. The staff is knowledgeable and attentive, ensuring that every need is met. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, each expertly prepared and bursting with flavor. From the appetizers to the desserts, every bite is a culinary delight. The presentation of each dish is a work of art, reflecting the care and skill of the chefs. One of the best experiences my husband and I ever had. BAM! read more

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REVIEW OF WINE BAR - I rarely go to nice restaurants so this was a special occasion. And yes... the wine was great. But I was disappointed with the lack of choices on the menu. There was only ONE item I could eat on the entire menu -- the roasted veggies -- since I don't eat pork or shellfish. That said, the roasted veggies were great and definitely not something I'd usually order. The problem was that at around 9pm we were seated next to a mother and her CHILD. This totally destroyed the experience for me since the seats were pretty close. I know Emeril's can't discriminate but this was a WINE BAR at 9pm so I expect an elevated experience. Plus, it seemed like almost every seat at the wine bar was empty so I have no clue why the mom and her son were seated next to us. I wanted to order dessert after my veggies, but Emeril's was no longer a place I wanted to be. In the future, I hope the restaurant takes children into consideration -- at least at later hours at the wine bar -- or at least puts children further away from other customers. I'm a mom with three kids and when I'm out, the last thing I want is to sit next to other people's kids. read more

I legitimately chose to go to Emeril's to give the restaurant a chance. I had read that Chef was making a real effort to do something special and new with the restaurant. So I made a reservation. I took a leap of faith despite the culinary caricature of "BAM!" culture. On a very personally significant day, which I gently delineated on my reservation. I'm visiting New Orleans, mind you. It's 90 degrees and sticky out. I called ahead of my reservation to inquire about attire, about the dress code. No hats, no flip flops, button-down shirts required on men. I had the receptionist read the full dress code twice, including one word three times which I didn't understand her say (it was "hats.") I wore tailored, black designer shorts and a sleek black buttondown shirt with sneakers. I asked about the sneakers several times because I thought I'd walk 18 minutes from my hotel. I looked chic, and prepared for the Louisiana summer weather. Upon checking in with the maitre d, he quickly informed me that there were no shorts in the dining room and he turned me away with attitude. Kids, I've got to keep it real with you. The maitre d was in a drab, ill fitting suit, his hair was a mess, and his face was glossed in a thin layer of alcoholic off-gassing film. He was slunched over in an unhealthy way. He may not have wanted me in his dining room, but I wouldn't have wanted him on my block. This maitre d, who I was consummately polite to, charitable, even, told me no shorts, and said that he could reschedule me. When I tell you that the way I was given the offer of come back some other night like I was a *total* screw up for DARING to appear in shorts... it was demeaning and unkind. I told him that I *triple* checked the dress code. He remained unemotional and absolute. He made it clear that the mistake was wholly mine. Emeril's could take or leave my patronage. I called the restaurant for their email address to relay my experience to them. Maybe they had no idea that their front of house staff was driving business away. Instead, the general manager called me back to simply reiterate that the restaurant had a no shorts policy. No "I'm sorry about that" no "please come back during your visit and we'll make sure you have a great time." Just "that's right, we don't allow shorts." Here's my point. And I worked in restaurants, in fine dining for YEARS before leaving the industry and I've literally dined at the world's best restaurants since: even in not being dressed in accordance with their policy (I looked great, btw) he could have extended anything at all toward me in the way of warmth or empathy for the misunderstanding. He could have made me want to reschedule. He could have treated me with dignity and made me feel valued. But the restaurant acted like they were doing me a favor by letting me through then door, only to turn me away like I had clearly lost my mind to cross their threshold with exposed knees. I acknowledge my part in the misunderstanding around their dress policies- even though I took decisive measures to inquire and they sent me no info about what to wear. What I can't accept was their tone deaf approach to hospitality. Kiddos, anyone who is willing to pay a deposit and make a reservation at your restaurant... it's such an act of good faith. That person deserves your actual kindness the very instant you learn their name. And if you play your cards right, they'll tell other people about their experience of you. It was my recently deceased mother's birthday today. I was hoping to land somewhere where joy and kindness led the experience. Instead, I ran into a laughable attempt at exclusivity and a general manager who doubled down on this impoliteness. Pass on this place. They don't want or deserve your support. read more