From my recent solo travel to New Orleans: On Sunday, after my Katrina tour, I had planned to go to the Napoleon House for lunch so I could try their legendary Pimm’s Cup and a muffaletta. I got there, and it was closed. (I wasn’t the only potential customer who was surprised and disappointed by this.) Undeterred in my quest to try a muffaletta, I walked up to Bourbon Street and went to Arnaud’s Remoulade.
Remoulade is a good, casual, inexpensive restaurant right in the middle of the action on Bourbon Street. It has a bar on the left as you enter, and a more diner-like counter on the right, and tables all through the place. I sat at the counter on the right and quickly ordered a muffaletta (my first). On this particular day, the several televisions throughout the restaurant were all tuned in to the Saints football game. I am not a football fan, so I didn’t follow it, but I smiled at the periodic cheers that went up from the group whenever the Saints prevailed.
What did I think of the muffaletta? Since I have no basis for comparison, I have no idea how it stacks up to others in town. But I liked it. I enjoyed the olive salad that covered the cold cuts and the bread was not too hard or too soft. It wasn’t too big for me, which is saying a lot, since I’m a light eater. I ate the whole thing. It cost $10, which seems a little high to me for a sandwich, but I was pretty hungry, I wasn’t going to shop around. There were cheaper food items on the extensive menu, but I had my heart set on trying that muffaletta. The only negative I have is that the toothpick holding part of the sandwich together had broken off in the sandwich, and I nearly swallowed it. Whew–that was a close call. Also, my server was not as attentive as he could have been, but I’m quite sure that was because of the football game. It wasn’t that big a deal to me. I would definitely eat here again, mainly for the prices and variety of food offered.
If you’re looking for a quick, cheap bite to eat in the French Quarter, give Remoulade a try. Located at 309 Bourbon Street, it’s open 7 days a week from 11:30 am to midnight.
on Jan 27th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Being at the counter is often a recipe for bad service too.
on Jan 27th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Being at the counter is often a recipe for bad service too.
on Jan 28th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Really? I’ve always had great luck sitting at counters and bars. You’re sitting right in front of whoever is stuck working back there, so they can’t really ignore you. Unless, as in this case, their face is glued to the football game.
on Jan 27th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Really? I’ve always had great luck sitting at counters and bars. You’re sitting right in front of whoever is stuck working back there, so they can’t really ignore you. Unless, as in this case, their face is glued to the football game.