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The New Orleans Grill

Redefining the “art” of fine dining

By Angela Fox

When the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans decided to renovate its renowned restaurant The Grill Room, it also re-christened it The New Orleans Grill -- and commissioned three museum quality murals from well-known local artist Auseklis Ozols to adorn the walls. Each 7' X 17' mural, rendered in a defined, classic style that blends perfectly with the European and English paintings and antiques found elsewhere in the hotel, depicts a different New Orleans scene that is cleverly populated with such famous figures as Tennessee Williams and Harry Connick, Jr. Enjoying Chef Jonathan Wright's picture-perfect culinary creations while viewing Ozols' visual masterpieces gives new meaning to the phrase "the art of fine dining."

My husband and I had enjoyed dinner at the New Orleans Grill on several occasions in the past  -- yet we had never had lunch there. On the first full day of summer recently we found out what we’d been missing all these years. We also found out why Chef Jonathan Wright has been called “Britain’s culinary gift to the city” by Zagat survey and “one of three ‘Chefs to keep an eye on’ in the U.S.” by Esquire magazine. We began our lunch with Wright’s delightful twist on gazpacho – presented in a tiny crystal glass with a minute straw and a skewer of pickled vegetables. Next we enjoyed the Windsor Court Salad, the restaurant’s justifiably renowned salad that can easily serve as a light meal --- fresh greens topped with ribbons of finely chopped egg, bleu cheese, bacon, tomato and avocado.

Our main courses were just as impressive --- bouillabaisse brimming with seafood for my husband and a superbly fresh piece of Gulf fish, topped with fresh asparagus and roasted red peppers, for me. The lunch menu also includes a variety of what might be called “upscale sandwiches,” including a Lobster Club with smoked salmon, plus the Grill’s famous Turtle Soup. Breakfast at the Grill is also an event but the champagne brunch every Sunday is even more spectacular, with tempting items like traditional Eggs Sardou and new inventions from Chef Wright like Speckled Trout and Eggs “Black-eyed.” Live jazz and fine champagne accompany the festive three-course meal.

Sweets are a specialty of the New Orleans Grill and we finished our summer lunch with a flourish of delectable desserts. My luscious lemon tart featured a burnt sugar top and a scoop of ice cream topped with a candied slice of lemon.  My husband’s chocolate cake was crowned with rich vanilla ice cream and accompanied by a miniature malted milk shake. Complementing the food is the Windsor Court’s wine selection. The hotel’s sommelier maintains a world-class wine cellar that is actually built on springs to protect the 10,000 bottles of exceptional vintages from hurricanes or earthquakes.  A significant collection of Bordeaux Grand Crus crowns an award-winning list of some of the world’s finest wines.   

The restaurant is wonderfully romantic by night but we appreciated its lovely new décor even more in the daylight. Situated on the fourth floor of the hotel, overlooking the tree-filled courtyard, the view gives the impression of dining in a very elegant tree house. Fine furnishings and a warm gold, coral and cinnamon color scheme highlight the dining room’s décor. Fresh flowers are a hallmark of the hotel (the lobby’s centerpiece is an arrangement of more than twelve dozen roses) and at our lunch, every table was adorned with sunny yellow daisies tucked into miniature ceramic urns or deep pink roses and rose hips in crystal bowls. Tables are dressed with Fili d’Oro linens from Italy, Limoges porcelain china and Schott Zweisel and Spiegelau stemware.

The fabulous murals are the focal points of the room and complement the Windsor Court’s magnificent collection of European art and antiques displayed elsewhere in the hotel.  The three murals depict an antebellum plantation scene, the famed Jackson Square and the bustling French Market.  Some 42 local personalities, both past and present, pop up in the murals adding elements of history and humor. Look for French Impressionist painter Edgar Degas, who spent time in New Orleans in the 1800s, and the incomparable Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, along with notable political, social and business personalities who have shaped the city over the years. Searching out Pope John Paul II, Joan of Arc and other unexpected celebrities makes for a fun guessing game while dining at the Grill. 

Valet parking is complimentary with dinner at the New Orleans Grill.  The restaurant is open every day of the week.  Reservations are suggested and may be obtained on line at www.windsorcourthotel.com or by calling 504-522-1992. 

Photos by Virgil Fox

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