May 23, 2007

• Stella!

  New Orleans, LA

  
  Stella’s Cozy Exterior

  Stella is one of New Orleans’ top restaurants. It’s located in the French Quarter on Chartres St. It’s very historic and purely New Orleans.. some of the things I love most about living in this city. If the architecture doesn’t catch your eye, the food most surely will! Scott Boswell’s translation of Japanese cooking into New Orleans fine dining is an exquisite event. He was able to work with all of the Original Japanese Iron Chefs and he proved to be a great sponge as he soaked in all of their skill and transformed it into his own!

  On this night.. we had the 7 course tasting menu. A little pricey as all tasting menus are.. but very much worth it.. Here we go..

  
  Mango Amuse

  
  Nairagi Toro Tataki

  
  Asparagus Puree

  
  “Iron Chef Prawns”

  First Half
  Before you go all the way to the last picture.. I’ll give you a quick summary of the first 4 items. The Amuse Bouche..a Mango broth with Kim Chi Watermelon? The coolness off the mango refreshes you and the spiciness of the kim-chi balances perfectly with the sweetness of the watermelon. After a shot of this, we were ready to take on the rest of the meal. 1st course was the Hawaiian Nairagi Toro Tataki with Radish and Arugula. The flavorings were are as gentle as the sashimi itself. Fish was cut perfectly and dissolves as soon as it hits your tongue!

  Asparagus Puree with Mushroom flan lying underneath the soup. This is the perfect dish and the best course of the night. The creaminess and the essence of the asparagus is something I’ve never tasted before. Every spoonful was the equivilent of a “culinary enlightenment”! And that mushroom flan.. our palates stood no chance! Forth course was the “Iron Chef Prawns”. Further digging into his asian culinary arsenal.. He creates a classic Asian dish with a New Orleans flair. The flavors were definitely there.. But could have used a bowl of rice! That would have been ideal! lol

  
  Mushroom Risotto

  
  Surf and Turf

  
  Berkshire Blue

  
  Salt and Pepper Ice Cream =)

  
  White Chocolates and Cookies

  Second Half
  The second part of the meal was kicked off with the Wild Porcini and Blue Foot Mushroom Risotto. I believe this dish was a little too complex for it’s own good. Beautiful ingredients, just one too many.. English peas, Pancetta, Scallions, White Truffle Oil.. It was good, but you could get tired of it. 5th course belonged to the “Surf and Turf”, one chopstick was used as the skewer for the Seared Prime Filet Tenderloin and Gulf Shrimp Yakitori! Beautifully seared.. This main course left you feeling satisfied and unsatisfied at the same time! Loving what you get, but yearning for that one more bite!

  For the cheese course.. If you are a fan of blue cheese, I have to recommend the Berkshire Blue. This was my first taste of it and it was delicious! Served with batons of apples, toasted pinenuts in honey, and crisp toast points.. it really did hit the spot. As for dessert, Pink Peppercorn Roasted Pineapple w/ Salt and Pepper Ice Cream, Bay Leaf and Bacon! You’ve got to be thinking, “What the hell? Is this savory? Is it good?”..My answer to you, What the hell is right! No it’s sweet and Hell yes it is good! Strange and daring combinations make you a winner, only when it works out. And the subtleness of this dish is the beauty of it! My favorite component is the Salt and Pepper ice cream.. you taste the salt and you taste the pepper in the ice cream, but you’re left dumb-founded because it’s so sweet and smooth! mmmm…

  The final offering.. the white chocolates and “cookie”. Looks and feels like a brownie, taste like a cookie! Not a bad way to finish the meal off! Great service, wonderful ambience and a premium meal.. Maybe next time I’ll go back and order just a large bowl of the Asparagus Puree! =)

  Overall Rating:     (out of 7 )

  
  www.restaurantstella.com
  

  Future Entries:
  Home Cookin’.. Grilling!
  New Orleans Po Boys
  

  My new Blogring:
  Xagat-Rated
  
  Feel free to join! =)
  

  **And I tipped a deserving 25%!

  • 2:22 pm
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