The crispy pork cheek is like the most fancy cracklin' imaginable! It's rich, perfectly crisp, and absolutely delicious. Yet somehow it's rivaled by the best dirty rice I've ever tasted. The Porterhouse Pork Chop sauce paired very well with the lightly herbaceous Lucky Rice. My wife's duck leg confit was cooked to perfection and the portion size was just enough for those with a smaller appetite. But the taste I had I would have wanted more. All Paired very well with the well-priced '23 Greenwing Cab. read more

Our experience at Saint John on Monday was memorable, but unfortunately, for all the wrong reasons. First, our waitress appeared to be under the influence of some kind of stimulant. She was extremely fidgety, unfocused, and spoke in a rambling manner, which was an immediate turnoff for all of us. One member of our party of is vegetarian. The waitress offered to have the chef prepare something off-menu for her, which we agreed to as long as it wasn't pasta-based. While the rest of us received our starters and mains (Wedge Salad, Baked Macaroni Pie, Oysters Saint John, Baked Crabmeat Remick), nothing was brought out for our vegetarian guest. We asked twice for bread and butter for her while she waited, but it was repeatedly forgotten. We also inquired about the status of her meal. Eventually, our main course, the Shrimp Yassa arrived, and still no vegetarian dish. When we asked again, it seemed as though this was the first time anyone had heard about it, based on the confusion and chaos that followed. Keep in mind, there was only one other table of eight in the restaurant at the time. The chef then offered Mirliton Ceviche as an apology, in addition to the "special" he was supposedly preparing. We waited another ten minutes before asking yet again about her entrée. Once again, the waitress seemed confused and claimed the ceviche had been offered instead of the special. She had to return to the kitchen again to sort things out. After all of that, the vegetarian meal finally arrived: a "deconstructed pizza" with grilled eggplant as the base. While the complimentary dessert offered to make up for the "miscommunication" was appreciated, it did little to make up for the overall disappointing experience. As for the food itself, the Baked Macaroni Pie was dry and nearly inedible, and was barely touched. The oysters were good, but not exceptional. The Shrimp Yassa was just average. Overall, the food was decent, but nothing stood out or felt memorable. Given this restaurant's reputation and rave reviews, we expected a far better level of service and quality, especially for the price. read more

I went for the Easter Sunday Drag Brunch, and I will absolutely be back again! The performers were amazing and thoroughly entertaining. Once they said they do this every first Sunday of the month and every Sunday during Pride, I suddenly had new weekend plans in June. The restaurant opened pretty much on the dot at 11am and seated everyone quickly. There's a coat rack and umbrella bin, and several servers at the end were right on the money reminding people to grab those. The dining area is beautiful with an open kitchen where you can't really see them cook the food but definitely as it's pushed out. I want to come back and check out the bar in front, very stylish. The food and drinks were also great. One of my friends and I both had the "I Been Hoodooed" which was rum-based. My friend had the vodka-based "Princess Peach" which she also enjoyed. For apps, they had the Oyster Saint John which is oysters three ways. I'm not into oysters, so I got the Smoked Crabmeat Remick which was excellent, maybe just a little too oily. I mean, crab meat and bacon, let's geaux! For the main meal, my friend had a salad because she's boring (just kidding), but the presentation was incredible. My other friend had the Boudin Benedict, and I had the Pork Belly Cassoulet which was basically white beans and pork. Everything was amazing! The only reason I took off a star is because of our individual service. The server was definitely there for the Auto Grat and disappeared way too often. Other tables were getting food before we even got our drinks, and she was not at all attentive. I will at least give her credit for her knowledge of the menu. Everything we ate and drank has plenty of pics here already, and I was too caught up in the experience to bother taking any. Sorry! But everything looks just like the pics other people took. read more

We grabbed a late dinner here after a long day of travel and could not have been happier with the meal. You simply CANNOT pass up those three oyster preparations for their signature app. It defies description how transformative the dish is with tender succulent oysters, perfectly crisp fried oysters and a puff pastry filled with oysters. I'll be craving that dish for ages. The chicken entree with potatoes, mushrooms and bacon was absolutely delicious so don't let folks tell you not to order chicken at a fine dining establishment. Poppycock! Get this moist tender delight and enjoy every bite. The only sour note was an Italian salad that was inedible due to the level of some type of hot pepper or something on it. Six of us tried it and all agreed something had gone south as its fiery heat assaulted our tongues but the waitress refused to remove it from our bill. Very bad service for a party that spent over $500 on wine and food. They can do better. It's a nice intimate place to enjoy a meal and some nice wine. read more

Saint John - Oysters three ways - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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First time dining at St. John Restaurant on St. Charles Avenue, right on the streetcar line downtown, and it was such a great experience. I went for a dinner party, and the ambiance immediately stood out -- beautiful space, warm, and inviting. I love trying new restaurants even though I have my go-to spots. The appetizers and food were incredible. I ordered the beef short rib for my entree, and it was absolutely delicious -- perfectly tender and full of flavor. The turkey necks appetizer deserves a special shoutout because WOW... that alone is worth coming back for. Service was attentive and thoughtful throughout the entire evening. We truly felt taken care of from start to finish. Amazing food, great atmosphere, and excellent service -- I'll definitely be back! read more

Saint John - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Upscale creole, white linen tablecloths and clean silverware. Very unlike on Bourbon and at the real creole joints. This is a little ways from Bourbon, so the crowd is better, the party can't be heard from here. The food is great, the oyster 3 way appitizer was the best! Four oysters poached in double cream served in a ramican, in the center was oysters in puff pastry with whipped crab stuffing on top, four more fried oysters for decoration. Yum. Get the corn ! Second best after the oysters. The menu is pedestrian Norlins. A beef stew, redfish, a filet, rack of lamb, a nice shrimp dish, a roasted chicken something, pork chop, a burger. Nothing off the chart, not really a creole place, but a really nice place to eat a nice dinner with great service. read more

Saint John - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

The food here is always a pleasure. While I am sorry they have transitioned the inside from the more traditional feel to its current vibe over the last few years; the food is still of the highest quality. You cannot go wrong with their rabbit gnocchi; which was a first for my gf. Yes the ambience has changed but the quality remains and I will continue to enjoy coming back. read more

My first drag brunch!!!! It was so fun, the food was great, ambiance immaculate, drag queens gave a SHOW. My only regret is we had to sneak out a litttle bit early to make it to the airport in time. I got the pork belly white bean cassoulet. Creamy and beany is a great combo although I might've overeaten a bit too much the past couple of days and the pork belly was WAY too fatty for me. (Duh, it's pork belly, that's not the restaurant's problem) read more

Saint John - Pork belly white bean cassoulet - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Really excellent, creative food. Red Drum fish entree and crawfish bread app were really really good. As were the turkey necks which you don't see at nice restaurants but were meaty and very delicious. Gumbo was also excellent with tins of flavor. Bananas Foster served tableside was very good. Our server was very attentive. Room is fairly grand and has some beautiful art but it is a little bare in places. read more

We went to Saint John in their new location for the Sunday drag brunch. We had a fantastic time. The new location is beautiful and spacious. The show was great and the food was delicious as always. I started with a Bloody Mary. It could have been a little spicier for my taste, but it was really good. We started with the BAKED CRABMEAT REMICK which was Louisiana Blue Crab, Smoked Bacon, Parmesan and French bread. It was so tasty. I ordered the REDFISH MEUNIÈRE as my entree. It was accompanied by Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Artichokes, Arugula & Tomato Salad. I added the sauteed crabmeat and it was fantastic. My husband ordered GRITS AND GRILLADES which was Creole Beef Daube Debris, Stone Ground Grits, Caramelized Onions & Peppers, Sauce Béarnaise. He loved it. I tasted it and also loved it. The service was fantastic and the prices were reasonable. I can not wait to go back. It was a fun time. read more

This place is an up-and-comer. The entrance is somewhat awkward. You spend the meal looking into the kitchen. (At least from where I sat. I don't know if that's a positive or a negative truly.) The staff is exemplary. Again, know that all of the behind-the-scenes resturant work is done right in front of you. Wiping plates, cleaning knives, folding napkins. It's all done inside the dining room. Is this a negative? I don't know. The important thing is the food, right? They have an oyster dish w/ a puff pastry that is (almost) worth a trip to New Orleans for. It's certainly one of the best bites in all of New Orleans. ( Right up there with Drago's flame, broiled oysters, and the Commanders Palace lacquered quail.) Really the food was all very good w/ that oyster dish being EXCELLENT. Deserts were good. Clean Resturant with clean bathrooms. read more

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Kiarra our server was GREAT! She smiled, it was very pleasant, she checked on us, and was simply wonderful. This dinner was for a special occasion (birthday dinner). I enjoyed my meal and my mom. A few others didn't care for their food. I heard one cousin who doesn't complain. But he said the burger was solid as a rock. I felt it and it definitely was super hard. A few people ordered the short ribs. One person said hers was just right. One other person said it needed more flavor, but it was tender. I never had issues like talking about it at Saint John. I will continue to dine there.... I doubt if my cousins will return. The army was nice. Very clean. Cool artwork. read more

Saint John - Crab dip - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Great Service- I enjoyed our server, he was knowledgeable and also wasn't afraid to ask questions for me- we opted to eat things that were house scratch made mostly- the bread pudding was a highlight And we didn't even try any entrees it was all starters then dessert. The Mac Pie was the show, best thing we had honestly. It was executed extremely well, funny tho that with the sauce it tasted distinctly like a beef a roni. The ambience was tasteful, some very cool artwork in the hall- but the bar area was cooler then the main restaurant, because the slatted wood thing feels kinda dated at this point reminiscent of a standard hotel restaurant read more

Saint John - Vegan Ceviche- mm Heart of Palm - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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NOLA has probably way too many restaurants trying too hard to be "local cuisine", but Saint John strikes the perfect balance between soulful southern cooking and an upscale gourmet vibe. We had an event that was going to take place during the better part of the evening. This leaves our dinner choices at 5 PM rushing to the event, or rushing from the event to get to a restaurant towards last seating. I was thrilled to see that St. John is one of the few restaurants recommended to us that was open for lunch. The restaurant was fairly quiet with only a few tables occupied . The weather outside was sunny but blustery, so being able to sit in the front dining room and enjoy the sunshine without blowing away was awesome. Service was prompt and knowledgeable but never intrusive. Well crafted Bloody Mary hit the spot. The only problem you will have at Saint. John is deciding what to order. I decided on rabbit fricassee as a bit of a novelty, and I do enjoy rabbit. Only when it was delivered and I was digging in did it click with me that this is the most upscale version of "chicken and dumplings" you will ever have. Hearty and comforting without being heavy, and amazing flavors. We had been advised to order the brown butter corn and that certainly did not disappoint. The roasted okra had something on top that I asked about - a gremolata? The server took the time to ask the chef about some of the ingredients to share with me, including the fact it was made without any breadcrumbs so it was actually gluten-free. I'm not opposed to gluten - it was just so wonderful I had to inquire about it and it makes me really happy when a server indulges my curiosity and checks with the kitchen. I've learned not to poke at my husband when he decides he's just in the mood for a hamburger. It sounds dull to me, but this was the most flavorful burger and I honestly can't even tell you why. It just was quality, fresh, seasoned beef served with thin fries. So good. I wished I could have managed to find a spot for some dessert, but as it was we took a bit of hamburger and the sides back with us. But not the rabbit fricassee - I practically licked the bowl. This place has made my short list of someplace I can't imagine not dining at while in NOLA. read more

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I appreciated the service here, Anna was fabulous, but we were literally the only table at 6 pm on a Sunday. When we asked about wine pairings, she asked the chef what was best and let my friend have a small taste before committing to a glass. The dining space was dimly lit with a view of the kitchen. I liked seeing the action. We ordered from the coolinary options. I was disappointed in the food. Overall, it lacked flavor and my friend's seafood was overcooked. I took the rabbit fricassee home and seasoned it. The dessert was the best part but even then, the rum sauce was lacking on the bread pudding. I'm sad because I wanted to love this place. read more

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One of the best restaurants in New Orleans! Ambiance: Beautiful! Feels like New York. Decor and furnishings are top notch. Service: Professional. Our server was dry this visit, but the supporting staff were personable. The server was much more hospitable on our first visit. Food: Baked Crabmeat Remick: 10/10; best thing I put in my mouth. Oysters Saint John: 9/10; deelish! The fried oysters are fire. Patatas Bravas: 9/10; reminds me of Brabant potatoes; seasoned, crispy exterior, creamy interior Redfish Meuniere: 9/10 Smothered Turkey Necks: 8/10; tender; sometimes needs salt Brown Butter Corn: 8/10; think Wing Stop. Shrimp Yassa: 7:10; you will find better shrimp and grits elsewhere Bread Pudding: not sure, but they said it was sweet, and they ate most of it Strawberry Nojito: 9/10; half the drink is ice Tall, Dark, and Handsome: 9/10 read more

Saint John - Bread Pudding - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Absolutely fantastic experience I requested upon reservation and also arrived slightly ahead of time to inquire about a birthday surprise or something I could add to the table and Makenzie suggested the festive Mardi Gras tres leches cake (which appeared with candle) so very sweet- The food was amazing: oysters three ways, macaroni pie (see pic!), the redfish, patatas bravas and all the cocktails Love love love read more

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While the service was good and the restaurant is vibes, I was very disappointed in the food. It was bland and the seafood was over cooked. The only thing worth eating was the strawberry cheesecake. It was so good it made me wonder if they made it. read more

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Hands down, this is now one of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans. From the warm, genuine hospitality to an inventive menu where every dish delivers on flavor, this spot is a must. We came in for happy hour and started with the spicy red bean dip--something I hadn't had in years. Paired with crispy pork cracklins, it was packed with flavor without feeling heavy. It instantly gave summer snack vibes... the kind of thing you crave on a porch with a cold drink. The boudin egg rolls? A standout. I've had versions elsewhere, but this one takes the crown--perfectly crisp, juicy (not dry like some), and taken to the next level with that pepper jelly. Oysters three ways was another win. I love when a restaurant experiments with one ingredient to deliver multiple textures and flavor profiles--and they nailed it. Even the "regular" fries surprised us--nothing basic about them, especially paired with their homemade ranch. Don't skip them. And to finish? The bread pudding. A little crisp on the outside, warm and soft inside--absolutely worth every single bite and every calorie. Already planning my return visit. This place is a gem. read more

Saint John - Bread pudding - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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We went for Sunday brunch as St John was listed as one of top brunch destinations. The dining room was attractive but we were really disappointed with the food. The gumbo was so fishy tasting it was inedible. It was way overpriced for portion sizes. The server acted like they wished they were anywhere else... can't say I blame them! read more

5 star food! 5 star hostess! 1 star waitress. She was slow, cold and unaccommodating. I want to write down her name here in case you get here and ask for someone else. That's how upset we were. Amazing food! The oyster trio was the star for me. Gumbo was good. Wished for more spice and a little more richness. But good. The Mac and cheese was good. Everything was good. Thoughtfully prepared! I would come back, most definitely! read more

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Happy hour on Sunday is pretty nice! Discounts on appetizers, wine and cocktails. Attentive servers in a bright space by the bar read more

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Loved the food! Truly pleasantly surprised by how good both dishes tasted. Our server Sean was wonderful too read more

Saint John - Crab - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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I had a private dinner here in the 2nd floor and left wanting to come back the next day. First off, the service was excellent. We had a fixed menu so I wasn't able to explore the menu, but everything we had was excellent. Special call out for the key lime pie. It was amazing and easily the best key lime pie I have ever had. Very easy parking next door. read more

Saint John - Key lime pie was the best I have ever had. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Gonna give credit because it was Lundi Gras and they were tired...wish we visited before they hit the wall. Concierge from our hotel switched our rezzie to go here because it was easier to get to during the parades (this was the only reservation we didn't make for ourselves). Felt like they wanted us out of there. Knew it was my husband's 50th (literally asked us as they seated us) and they still didn't offer dessert or do anything for us. Food was good, but overall strange experience and wish we went to Gris Gris instead. read more

We wanted to love SJ, but we just liked it. The food was excellent (pork cheek, oysters Saint John, gumbo). The ambiance and cocktails were just ok. The dining room isn't cozy - it is a bit cold and plain. The cocktails we ordered (Hoodood, Honeybear) sounded good, but had too much lime and lemon and lost the other flavors. read more

My family and I went to Saint John for dinner on Friday night. It was just a short walk from our hotel and the menu items looked appealing. When we arrived, we were seated quickly. Our table was right in front of the kitchen, so we could see everything going on. Courtney was our server. She was awesome, but she was basically the only server around, so service was a little slow. Still, it wasn't her fault since the place seemed pretty understaffed. We started off with some cocktails and appetizers. Most of us ordered the Louisiana seafood and andouille gumbo, and it was pretty tasty. For entrees, we ordered various dishes, like the Creole beef daube, redfish meunière, smothered turkey necks, challah back burgers, and the baked macaroni pie. The burgers and redfish were the table favorites; while, the braised short ribs and the macaroni pie were the least favorites due to the lack of tenderness of the short ribs and dryness of the macaroni pie. We enjoyed eating here, but we'd love to see more staff to make the dining experience even better in the future! read more

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Excellent food, wine, and service! The oyster Saint John is INCREDIBLE, as is every pork dish on the menu! Highly recommend! read more

Saint John - Pork belly - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Food is 5 stars. Service is 5 stars. Location is quiet and nice to sit outside. Street parking can be challenging so we paid to park in the paid lot next to the restaurant. We love GRIS GRIS so when we found out it's the same owner and chef we were IN. The rabbit was insane. The filet is covered in smothered blue crab. the block of Mac and cheese I am eating for breakfast as I type this. Oysters 3 ways is unique and a wonderful way to try 3 items. Also gumbo is seafood based and on point . Drinks were delicious as well. Love it here . read more

Wanted to love it- the restaurant was recommended by locals. We got there, were seated and it took 38 minutes to get our drinks and the service didn't speed up from there. The dining room was only half full so being busy wasn't the issue. The crab dip was good as was the beef Daube. The best part of the meal was the corn in brown butter side. read more

This is somewhere between a 3.5 and 4. The food was okay. I ordered the rack of lamb. I expected a bit more flavor from the jollof rice, but the lamb was cooked really well. The flavor of the lamb was just okay. The veal Parmesan looked great, but the taste of veal was lost in the cheese and sauce, so it ended up tasting like chicken Parmesan. There was a miscommunication with our server, and once we asked for a correction to our appetizer, it seemed as though our server was done with us, and the level of service changed, which was a tad disappointing. We were happy and surprised to receive complimentary champagne to celebrate our anniversary- the bubbles were great! Overall, it was a good visit. I will keep this on my New Orleans restaurant list that I share with friends, but I would not highly recommend as much as some other places. read more

Saint John - Veal Parmesan - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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Besides the beautiful location and amazing happy hour, the chef introduced himself and sent a complimentary daily crudo . Filet was cooked perfect and the Oscar topping was a nice touch. I had the friendliest of bartenders, Mackienze was a delight. Definitely making this my regular spot. read more

Saint John - Daily crudo - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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SO and I had dinner here on our first night in NOLA. This restaurant has a dress code and is great for date night. Everything we ordered was amazing: shrimp yassa; chicken bonne femme; and bread pudding. The grits here are one of the best we've had...cream cheese is in the recipe. Additionally, their bread pudding (forgot to take a pic) is also one of the best we've ever had. Friendly and professional wait staff along with great food made for an amazing dinner! read more

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Everything was on point. The decor is basic tuxedo, but with a relaxing vibe. Perfect place to relax and treat oneself to some stellar fare after a long day of ground pounding in NOLA. Our server, Anna was an absolute joy. The kitchen runs like a well-oiled machine. Now to the food. Impressive. Beautiful, perfectly prepared dishes with amazing flavor layering. This place is not to be missed. read more

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I went for happy hour and had a delicious dirty martini and frites/mussels for under $20. So good. read more

Saint John - Happy hour treat - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

Amazing food! Five star food with a more casual but classy atmosphere. Great drinks. I wanted to try everything on the menu. Service was amongst the best I've had. Truly professional wait staff. Worthy of the very best restaurants. read more

Saint John - Turkey necks-fantastic...must have! I'll come back just for these. - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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New location. Same great food. I had the pleasure of attending a private dinner party at this phenomenal restaurant. The space was intimate and the window view of St. Charles Avenue was soothing. The servers were attentive, patient and professional. The curated menu was a great representation of the restaurant and what we all love about New Orleans. read more

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Saint John was a valuable surprise for Happy Hour. We ordered the spicy bean dip with cracklins and the truffle fries along with some wine. The servings were as generous as they were delicious. I don't think anyone should eat that many pork rinds by themselves, so definitely take your friends. Wine was well chosen, rose' was extra crisp, so I switched to a red, which I loved. Atmosphere is urban NOLA; clever, efficient and artsy, but, not old school. A little bird told me they have a fun Drag Brunch on Sundays. read more

Ughhhh Instagram let me astray! Their official page was so enticing and it's safe to say we were less than impressed by the current menu and platings we saw across the restaurant. Went in for the lunch rush at 12pm and only 3 tables filled. Malbec was actually pretty solid 8/10 and the crab dip was veryyyy bacon forward. Didn't have the seafood vibe I was hoping for. We decided to end our Saint John's excursion there and had entrees at another spot in the neighborhood. read more

Saint John - Cajun/Creole Near Me - New Orleans, Louisiana

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OMG! Delicious. Everything was amazing, from the service to the food. The drink were also great. Everything was spot on.