NEW ORLEANS – As Carnival ends, Lent begins. Local restaurants are sharing their Lenten specials to help you eat well this season.
COMMONS CLUB
Make your way to Commons Club at the Virgin Hotels New Orleans where Executive Chef Chris Borges is featuring a selection of Lent-friendly dishes. Guests can indulge in seafood specialties like Moules Marinieres with mussels, French fries, shallots, Urban South Paradise Park beer, and pistou; Moroccan Spiced Red Snapper paired with braised chard, hominy succotash, and saffron vinaigrette; and Swordfish with grilled cabbage slaw, celery root, field peas, pistachio and Calabrian chile vinaigrette. Veggie-forward dishes include Stuffed Squash filled with sunflower tahini, baby carrots, hearts of palm, quinoa, kale and brassica; Fried Cauliflower with chickpea batter, pea masala, and mint; and Wild Mushrooms with Gumbo z’herbes with puffed rice ‘krispies’.
COMPERE LAPIN
Compère Lapin features an array of Lenten-friendly dishes perfect for the season. Start with the Smoked Fish Dip, paired with seeded crackers and smoked trout roe, followed by the bold and flavorful Fried Fish Collar with passionfruit glaze and pickapeppa salsa. Try the Tuna Ceviche, enhanced with coconut, lime, and jerk peanuts for a light yet satisfying bite. A refreshing Green Papaya Salad with mirliton, tamarind vinaigrette, and sesame adds a zesty touch, while the Broiled Shrimp with Calabrian chili butter brings a spicy, savory finish. Treat your taste buds to these vibrant, coastal-inspired offerings this Lent. The restaurant will also offer a variety of specialty Lent mocktails.
PALM&PINE
Chef Couple Jordan and Amarys Herndon of Palm&Pine will delight diners with Lent-friendly dishes like Shrimp Rampart Royale with chipotle red remoulade, guacamole, iceberg, and fried saltines; Sumac Bronzed Gulf Fish with cashew saffron rice, roasted carrots, LA Blood Orange Citronette; Butter Beans with lima bean cavatelli, speckled butter beans, dried tomatoes; and Corner Store Crudo with yellowfin tuna, pineapple big shot nựớc chấm, daikon, fresh herbs, shrimp chips.
ALMA CAFE
James Beard: Best Chef South semifinalist Melissa Araujo invites guests to enjoy Lent-friendly dishes at her Bywater and now Mid-City restaurant that are certain to tantalize even the most discriminating palate. Enjoy dishes like Camarones a la Diabla – grilled local Louisiana jumbo shrimp topped with Calabrian chile butter and Japanese panko breadcrumbs; the vegan Moros Y Cristianos – small red beans and local Louisiana jasmine rice cooked in coconut milk and herbs; Brussels Sprouts Bowl – Louisiana jasmine rice bowl with spicy peanut butter and avocado; and the Louisa Toast– Louisiana Blue Crab, soft scramble eggs, mushrooms, herbs, onions, and chive cream cheese served on rye bread.
OSTERIA LUPO
Check out the Northern Italian spot for an expansive menu of Lent-friendly dishes. Start with Marinated Mushrooms with chili, garlic, and oregano; Black Truffle Arancini; and Wood-Fired Oysters then move on to a variety of pastas and mains including Campanelle with a Porcini, Shiitake, and Oyster mushroom ragu; Radiatori with Louisiana Blue Crab, basil and Parmesan; and Gulf Fish with sun-dried tomato tapenade, Hakurei turnips, and hazelnut.
COSTERA
Known for its Coastal Mediterranean cuisine, Costera showcases seasonal Louisiana produce and Gulf seafood in a modern, casual, communal dining setting. Throughout Lent, enjoy Chef Kathryn Searcy’s special White Bean Salad with charred corn, cherry tomatoes, pickled Fresnos and salsa verde served atop a Poblano tahini puree. Other Lent-friendly dishes include seared Yellowfin Tuna with pistachio romesco and shaved fennel; Louisiana Blue Crab Salad with charred Creole tomato, buttermilk, and green olives; and seared Gulf Fish a la plancha with herb aioli, blistered tomato, fennel, and hazelnuts.
BEGGARS BANQUET
The family-owned Lower Garden District eatery is inviting diners to enjoy a variety of Lent-friendly dishes. There is something for everyone, ranging from veggie-focused dishes like the crispy Sriracha Cauliflower with Tajin and cucumber chips; Fried Green Tomatoes with burrata, chow chow, balsamic reduction, and baby arugula; and Fresh Gnocchi with Shiitake, Cremini, Oyster and Portabella mushrooms in a truffle cream sauce. Plus seafood options such as Oyster Stew served in a puff pastry with oysters, shiitakes, garlic, ginger, and tarragon and Pan Seared Shrimp with chili butter and crab rice and Pan Seared Red Fish with corn maque choux. Beggars Banquet is open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch.
TUJAGUE’S
Under the direction of Executive Chef JD Eubanks, the second-oldest restaurant in New Orleans invites visitors to delight in Lent-friendly dishes such as the Gulf Shrimp Decatur with herbs, lump crab meat, lemon beurre blanc, brown butter fingerling potatoes; Roasted Mushroom Crepes with herbed goat cheese, truffled mushroom salad, and balsamic reduction; Crab au Gratin a traditional gratin with jumbo lump crab, béchamel, finished with breadcrumbs, freshly grated parmesan and lemon.
THE BOWER
At this LGD eatery, Executive Chef Marcus Woodham will delight diners with Lent-friendly dishes like Spicy Scallop Arancini with red vinegar cucumbers, and lemon creme fraiche; Peppered Conchiglie with Louisiana blue crab, sweet corn, roasted fennel, pecorino, lemon and dill cream; Tuna Crudo with cucumber and sweet pepper relish, avocado, and satsuma vinaigrette; and Gulf Shrimp with sherry, farm cauliflower, shrimp butter, pangrattato, salsa verde, and Romano.
GOOD CATCH
Good Catch specializes in authentic Thai cuisine with fresh Gulf seafood, so the menu has limitless meat-free and vegetarian options for customers to enjoy. Menu items include:
- Spicy Clams – with basil, garlic and chili paste.
- Pineapple Fried Rice with Gulf Shrimp.
- Salmon and Scallop Ceviche.
- Panang Curry – perfectly balanced with broccoli, sweet peppers, pea eggplant and kaffir lime leaves (tofu as an optional add-on for vegetarian).
SAINT JOHN
Saint John’s brunch and dinner menu features a variety of meat-free options for guests to enjoy. Menu highlights include:
- Redfish Meuniere with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Artichokes, Arugula and Tomato Salad.
- Mirliton Ceviche with Hearts of Palm, Avocado, Cilantro, Leche de Tigre, Crisp Plantains.
- Baked Macaroni Pie with Old School New Orleans Red Gravy.
- Shrimp Yassa with Gulf Shrimp, Lemon, Garlic, Spicy Mustard, Stone Ground Grits with French Bread.
GRIS-GRIS
Gris-Gris on Magazine Street has a few standout menu items perfect for Lent meals. Highlights include:
- Oyster Pie (now back on the menu!): Poached Gulf Oysters , Sautéed Leeks, Oyster Cream, Whipped Potatoes, Charred Artichokes and Fresh Terragon.
- Catfish and Cajun Caviar Poboy.
- Cast Iron Seared Fish with Stewed Green Beans, Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions and Charred Lemon.
- Flambeaux Shrimp.
- Sugarcane Seared Duck with Roast Sweet Potato and Pecan Casserole with Sugarcane Demi-Glace.
- Caesar Salad (add Fried Oysters for the perfect meal).
