Discover the culinary wonders of New Orleans in 2023 with the city’s top COOLinary deals at renowned restaurants. As the vibrant dining scene continues to enthrall locals and visitors alike, these establishments have curated exceptional offerings that promise to tantalize taste buds and ignite a gastronomic journey like no other. From delectable three-course brunches featuring Grilled Watermelon Salad and Grits and Grillades to mouthwatering dinners with Gumbo Du Jour and Brown Butter Scallops, these limited-time menus provide an opportunity to experience the diverse flavors and culinary traditions that make New Orleans a true food lover’s paradise. Join us as we explore the most enticing COOLinary deals, bringing you an array of unforgettable dining experiences in the heart of the Big Easy.
Coolinary Restaurants: Top Picks for 2023
Couvant
Located inside of the Eliza Jane Hotel, Couvant is a French Brasserie with menu items that pay homage to the city’s history and regional specialties. Their dishes add a modern twist to traditional French cuisine. Couvant’s COOLinary offerings feature delectable lunch (Mon-Thu 11 am – 2 pm), dinner (Tue-Sat 5 pm – 10 pm), and brunch (Fri-Sun 7 am – 2 pm) menus. Lunch is $25
+, with dishes like Tête de Cochon, Grilled Shrimp, and Israeli Couscous Salad. Dinner is $45+, offering Blue Crab Gnocchi and Maggie’s Mushroom Tagliatelle. Brunch is $40+ with options like Stuffed French Toast Sticks and Couvant Benedict. A Boozy Brunch add-on is available for $25, along with a 10% discount on all wines by the bottle. Couvant promises a delightful and memorable dining experience.
Saint John
Enjoy Haute Creole cuisine in the heart of the French Quarter with influences from the melting pot of cultures that lent traditions, flavors, ingredients, and cooking styles to the city. Saint John invites guests to savor their delightful COOLinary offerings, available for brunch (11 am – 4 pm) and dinner (4 pm–close) from Wednesday to Monday (closed on Tuesday). Brunch is priced at $35+, with the option to add a bottle of Mumm Napa Brut Prestige for +$25. Indulge in dishes like Summer Melon Salad, Grits and Grillades, and Pain Perdu, a delectable French toast variation. For dinner at $50+, diners can relish Gumbo Du Jour, Chicken Clemenceau, and Brown Butter Scallops, among other tempting options. Wine pairings are also available for an additional $35. A culinary journey awaits at Saint John’s COOLinary experience.
Gris Gris
Gris Gris is a neighborhood restaurant serving refined southern staples on Magazine Street. Gris Gris presents an enticing COOLinary dinner experience available from Wednesday to Monday, 4 pm to 9 pm (until 10 pm on Fridays/Saturdays). For $50+ per person, diners can enjoy a delightful 3-course Prix Fixe menu with the option to add a wine pairing for +$35. The menu boasts delectable dishes like Burrata Bruschetta, featuring Fresh Burrata, Lemon Marinated Heirloom Tomato, and Balsamic with Micro Basil and Grilled Baguette. The savory Duck Confit comprises Muscovy Duck Legs, Fresh Herbs, Toasted Garlic, Mashed Potatoes with Fried Brussels Sprouts, and Honey Chili Gastrique. Other tempting options include Brown Butter Seared Scallops and more. A truly satisfying culinary journey awaits at Gris Gris.
Compere Lapin
Award-winning chef Nina Compton’s beloved Caribbean, European, New Orleans menu is a local visit for customers coming from near and far. Chef Compton invites guests to enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu for $45+. Start your meal with a choice of Smoked Fish Dip with pickles and seeded lavash, Apple & Mirliton Salad with mango-herb vinaigrette, or Baby Lettuces with tomato vinaigrette. Main course options include Fried Chicken with jerk honey butter and coconut grits, Ricotta Gnocchi with blackened Summer vegetables, and Brown-Stewed Gulf Seafood with cilantro rice. Dessert options include Mango Crème Brûlée with coconut and lime and Bread Pudding with cashew, rum caramel, and brûléed banana.
Jack Rose
A manifestation of New Orleans’ love of celebration through food (and drink), Jack Rose brings an eclectic and fun dining experience to the Garden District. For their very first COOLinary participation, Jack Rose will feature dinner and brunch menus created by award-winning Chef/Owner Brian Landry. Priced at $50 per person, a three-course prix fixe dinner starts with Calabrian Chili and Fennel Sausage with rapini pesto, Parmigiano Reggiano, and ciabatta, followed by Linguini Frutti Di Mare with clams, mussels, shrimp, and saffron broth. End on a sweet and refreshing note with Cool for Summer, composed of lemon ice cream and watermelon-basil consommé. Jack Rose will also feature a COOLinary brunch menu for $50 per person. Enjoy the Calabrian Chili and Fennel Sausage, Crab Cake Benedict with poached eggs and Creole hollandaise, and Cool for Summer dessert. Brunch is available Saturday & Sunday, and dinner is available Wednesday – Saturday.
The Bower
Located in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District, The Bower will feature a three-course prix fixe menu available Monday – Saturday for $49 per person. Starter choices include Whipped Feta with house pickles and grilled baguette, Crispy Pork Belly with pickles, peach BBQ sauce, frisée, sunflower seeds, and oregano, and “Chicken Fried” Bay Scallops with spicy corn sauce gribiche. Mains feature a choice of Confit Chicken Quarter with heirloom cherry tomato, sweet corn, summer peppers, local goat cheese, and oregano vinaigrette; Spicy Ground Shrimp Spaghetti with oven-dried tomato, aged balsamic vinegar, parmesan, and breadcrumbs; and Braised Short Ribs with crispy new potatoes, summer pepper piperade, torched Spanish blue cheese Glacage. For dessert, enjoy the choice of Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Luxardo cherry and rum sauce or Flourless Chocolate Cake with salted caramel and whipped cream cheese.
Tujague’s Restaurant
The second-oldest restaurant in New Orleans, Tujague’s COOLinary menu will feature a three-course prix fixe menu for $49 per person. Start with the choice of Caprese Salad with Roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, sweet onion, and balsamic drizzle; Chicken & Andouille Gumbo with Louisiana popcorn rice; or New Orleans Barbecued Shrimp with grilled French bread. Mains include Gulf Oyster and Tasso Pappardelle with spinach, smoked tomatoes, and tarragon Chardonnay cream sauce; Pork Schnitzel with spaetzle, pickled summer vegetables, and creole mustard demi-glace; and Grilled Gulf Pompano with chaurice sausage croquettes, pico de gallo, and lemon butter sauce. End your dinner with a tasty dessert choice of either Blueberry Cobbler with spiced crumble topping and vanilla bean ice cream, or a classic Crème Brûlée. The COOLinary menu is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday.
Birdy’s Behind The Bower
One of the newest Magazine Street hotspots is bringing a new boozy brunch to the Garden District. Bubble waffles, bottomless mimosas, and a brunch charcuterie board that you MUST try are just a few of the favorites at BIRDYS. The charming Instagram-worthy spot will highlight a two-course lunch menu Monday – Friday for $25 per person. Starter options include the choice of Blueberry Avocado Salad with arugula, blueberries, radish, avocado, cherry tomatoes, chia seeds, toasted walnuts, and honey white balsamic, plus a Chai Spiced Chia Pudding with toasted coconut, macerated berries, and cacao nibs. Mains include the Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Hook’s White Cheddar, chevre, fig jam, balsamic caramelized onions, and served with a choice of a side salad or house-made tots; and Fried Soft Shell Crab with cornmeal-crusted buster crab, farm tomato salad, green goddess dressing, and caper remoulade.