The New Orleans Wine and Food Experience

What Is This "New Orleans Wine and Food Experience?":

Experience New Orleans through her cuisine, art, and music, all the while enjoying wonderful wines from around the world. Usually held in mid-May, the event involves numerous restaurants, hotels, art galleries, museums, and antique shops that will be the gathering places for those who love to "wine." Below we list some of the participating restaurants and menus for the Wednesday dinners.

Premium Fine Wine Dinner Featuring John Folse:

On Tuesday May 19, at 7:00pm, winemaker Pierre Seillanand his wife, from Chateau Lassegue winery in Bordeaux, will present their wines. Chef John Folse will prepare a meal of Crabmeat Lasagna, Plantation Speckled Trout, pan-seared plume de veau, and chocolate blackout cake. Tickets are $125.00 per person, in advance. The location is at 625 St. Charles Avenue, on the Fourth Floor.

5 Fifty 5 at the Marriott Hotel:

The menu includes Charbroiled Oysters and Fried Green Tomatoes, Prosciutto Crisped Louisiana Shrimp with Citrus Salad, Lobster Gazpacho, Manhattan Strip Steak with Truffle Fingerling Potatoes, and Hazelnut Gianduja Terrine with Creole Cream Cheese Sabayon. Wines are from the Fritz Winery. Price is $75.00.

Antoine's:

The menu here at Antoine's will include Soufflé Potato, Shrimp Canapés, Seared Scallops, Oyster Foch, Medallions of Chateaubriand, and Cherry Jubilee Crepes. Wines are from the Napa Cellars Winery. The price is $85.00.

Muriel's Jackson Square:

Muriel's will feature Crawfish Beignets, Corn Fried Oysters and Asian Beef Salad, House Smoked Redfish, Wood Grilled Quail, Pan Roasted Breast of Duck, Pepper Crusted Bison Strip Steak, and Angel Food Cake. with lemon mousse and fresh berries. The winery is Foxen. Cost is $95.00.

The Rib Room:

Located at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel, the at the Rib Room will include an Amuse Bouche, Crab, Shrimp and Crawfish Short Stack, Chef’s Garden Lettuce Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes and Fresh Herbs, Herb Poached Louisiana Speckled Trout, Twin Filet Mignon (One topped with crab meat, asparagus, the other with foie gras), and a Chocolate Glazed Chocolate Tart. Trinchero Family Estates will be featured. The cost is $125.00.

Melange at the Ritz Carlton:

The menu at Melange will feature Paper Thin Sliced Scallop Ceviche, Celeriac and Parsnip Soup with Caviar Foam, Twice Baked Spring Onion and Goat Cheese Soufflé, Hickory Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, Creole Tomato Crusted Big Mouth Bass, Lavender Brown Sugar and Mustard Crusted Double Bone Rack of Lamb, and Hazelnut Bombalini with Smoked Chocolate Anglaise with Chicory Glace. Cakebread Cellars will be the featured wine. Price is $95.00

La Côte Brasserie:

The Hors d’ oeuvres at La Côte will be Crawfish Creole Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppadew, Alligator Beignets, and Tabasco Sweet Heat Boudin Croquettes. Then there will be Day Boat Scallops with Watermelon Rind Jam, Orange Mirliton Salad, Duck Pastrami and Foie Gras, Tasso Crusted Red Fish Porcini, Crusted Venison Loin with Blue Cheese Gnocchi, and Louisiana Strawberry Pain Perdu with Satsuma Ice Cream. Wines are from the Eberle Winery. The price is $75.00.

Royal Street Stroll:

One fun activity during the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience is the Royal Street Stroll. Royal Street Stroll will be on Thursday, Tickets are $75.00 in advance and $90.00 that night. (They are non-refundable.) This is probably the definitive experience which combines a look at rare antiques and fine art, while listening to live jazz and enjoying the outstanding wines offered at each stop.

More Going On:

From 7:30-10:00pm on Thursday, The FEASTIVAL the first celebrity chef gala hosted by Jon Besh. You can meet some of the greatest celebrity chefs in the country, who will prepare their signature dishes paired with select wineries. The fun will take place at Harrah's Theature, Harrah's New Orleans Hotel & Casino. It will cost $150.00 per person.

Grand Tastings will be held on Friday from 5-8p.m. and Saturday from 1-4pm. Many offerings from 75 of New Orleans best chefs will be paired with wines from around the world. New Orleans musicians will play and new festivities surround the food and drink. The cost is $89.00 each day, at the Superdome.

Also on tap is a "Discover Wine with Robert Mondavi" tour, with wines from the estate. There will be a tasting bar and tasting stations to help you learn about food, wine, and entertaining. Cost is $89 in advance, $100 at the door.

For more information, try the New Orleans Wine and Food Experience website.