You know I’m all about good eats and great deals. There are a few special food events coming up that I thought you might want to check out. Some are happening for a few weeks while another is one day only, so be sure to mark your calendar!

Criollo, 214 Royal St., celebrates National Caviar Day (July 18) with specials running through September. 

• Southern Fried Chicken & Caviar – 1oz Kaluga Caviar, Whipped Buttermilk Ricotta, Gaufrettes, Lemon-Chive Crepes – $95
  • Served during lunch, Monday – Friday from 11:30am – 2pm
  • “Fried chicken is a southern staple, especially here in New Orleans, and the addition of the Caviar elegantly takes this classic to the next level.” – Caleb Chafin, Director of Restaurants & Bars at Hotel Monteleone
• Grilled White & Green Asparagus – ½ oz Kaluga Caviar, Pancetta, Cured Egg Yolk, Lemon Butter Sauce – $50
  • Served as a side dish during dinner, Thursday – Monday from 6pm – 9pm
  • “Asparagus and caviar are the perfect pair because asparagus is naturally low in sodium and goes well with caviar by taking away some of its saltiness without changing the flavor. The citrus Beurre Blanc is an ideal sauce as the cured egg yolk completely elevates the flavor.” – Caleb Chafin, Director of Restaurants & Bars at Hotel Monteleone

Broussard’s, 819 Conti St., Celebrates the Summer Tomato Crop

Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard is celebrating summer with a special prix fixe dinner menu featuring tomatoes in every dish. Chef Jimi Setchim has crafted specials for dinner service. These dishes are also available on the a la carte menu.

“June in South Louisiana means it’s tomato season,” said Chef Jimi. “Tomatoes are one of the most versatile vegetables we have, and they are so plentiful this time of year. On this menu, we use them fresh, smoked, roasted, and marinated, we use them in consommé, sauces, and as jam. There are so many delicious ways to enjoy them.”

Chef Jimi’s prix fixe dinner menu includes a choice of starters: Redfish Ceviche with tomato consommé and cherry tomatoes, Summer Tomato Panzanella, and Redfish Croquette with marinated summer tomatoes. The featured entrées are Roasted Airline Chicken Provencal with roasted tomatoes and truffled tomato jus, Seafood Bouillabaisse with spiced tomato broth, and Crispy Confit Duck Leg with smoked tomato sauce piquante. For dessert, Chef Jimi presents Whipped Mascarpone Mousse with summer berries, spiced tomato jam, candied fennel and milk chocolate biscotti and Cherry & Cherry Tomato Cobbler with ginger crust and buttermilk ice cream. The price of the tomato prix fixe dinner menu is $60 per person.

Check out the full menu here.

Bakery Bar Hosts Holly Jolly July on Tuesday, July 25

Bakery Bar, 1179 Annunciation Street , will host Holly Jolly July on Tuesday, July 25th, at 6 PM. For additional information on the dinner and for reservations, please visit Holly Jolly July. 

The intimate eatery celebrates Christmas in July with five-course tasting dinner, partnership with The New Orleans Mission, and giveaway

Bakery Bar in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District, known for its imaginative cocktails, weekday brunch, and a fusion of Latin American and Creole cuisine, is excited to announce “Holly Jolly July,” a one-night-only five-course dinner on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.  The restaurant will partner with The New Orleans Mission and accept toy donations on behalf of the organization, as well as have a special guest appearance by “Mrs. Claus.”

Bringing the jolliest day of the year, Christmas, to the Big Easy this summer, Executive Chef Lydia Solano, a dual citizen of Costa Rica and the United States, will lead the culinary team in creating exceptional dishes, showcasing her roots and culinary expertise. Guests can indulge in an array of savory and creative dishes priced at $65 per person with an optional $50 cocktail pairing (tax & gratuity not included). The menu follows:

Welcome Punch

 Peach-infused bourbon, honey, lemon, mango, soda water, and peach garnish 

First Course

Watermelon Radish Ceviche

Cocktail Pairing:  Gin, house-made watermelon gastrique shrub, champagne, and watermelon radishes

Second Course

Coconut Soup

Cocktail Pairing:  Rum – coconut puree, Genepy Des Alpes, and soda water 

Third Course

Crawfish Pasta

Cocktail Pairing:  Rose Sangria – Rose, Cathead bitter orange, Cathead raspberry, grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, hibiscus syrup, soda water with seasonal fruit garnish

Fourth Course

Lamb Barbacoa

Cocktail Pairing: Mezcal Negroni

Fifth Course

Peppermint Bark Doberge with Gelato

Cocktail Pairing:  Choc-quito – chocolate take on the classic rum, cinnamon & cream Christmas cocktail

Don your merriest apparel for a chance to win a gift card redeemable at Bakery Bar, Debbie on the Levee, or at debbiedoesdoberge.com. 

Upcoming events:

Chef Meg and Company Dinner Series at Commander’s Palace, 1403 Washington Ave.

These events will take place August 16 and September 12. 

For the third year in a row, the Commander’s Family cannot wait to bring everyone together again by hosting Chef Meg & Company: A Commander’s Palace Dinner Series. When Meg Bickford became Executive Chef of Commander’s Palace in October 2020 during the pandemic, two of the things she missed most were the camaraderie of the industry and dinner parties with friends. Now that we are finally able to do so, we are shooting for both and inviting friends over for a dinner series while doing some good for our friends at Café Reconcile. And this year, we have an extra reason to gather – we are celebrating 130 years! 

Each Chef Meg & Company dinner will take place at Commander‘s Palace and includes a welcome cocktail, a collaborative five-course tasting menu with wine pairings, and a coupe de milieu cocktail. Collaborating, cooking, and having a grand time together is what this dinner series is all about!

Chef Meg & Company brings together distinguished New Orleans chefs that are alum, friends, and respected colleagues of the Commander’s Family, including Amy Mehrtens and Martha Wiggins.

In addition to bringing in top New Orleans culinary talent, the Chef Meg & Company dinner series will feature cocktails from Commander’s Palace’s own Team Cocktail, who will be whipping up some delicious welcome cocktails and a coupe de milieu cocktail with the assistance of our friends at Cafe Reconcile. And let’s not forget the 5 courses of delicious wines! Our Wine Guy, Dan Davis, will be on hand to talk through what makes each wine pairing perfect.

Chef Meg can’t wait to celebrate and cook with this amazing roster of industry pros!

All dinners are 6:15 PM – 9:15 PM and take place on the 2nd floor of Commander’s Palace, which is accessed by climbing one flight of stairs. 

Go here to make purchase your tickets for this unique event.