Osborne H.
Yelp
For nearly a year, or more, I've wanted to try Clancy's. I surmise you would label me a tourist or visitor. Doesn't matter. We all are tourists once we leave our environs. I visit a loved one in New Orleans. (People on other websites love to point out tourists.)
I'd read good and not so good reviews. Worried they would be snobby. Wondering if I'd be dressed nice enough. But one review stood out: He/she had one of the best date nights here. Luckily, mine copy and pasted the latter.
Initially seated in main room. Back in the left corner. The rowdy conversations and acoustics were overwhelming. Even before pouring our water, the kind man who seated us somehow knew something was off and I was distressed. (That main room is something else. It's as if everyone is shouting.) He swiftly, but without pretension, moved us to the room next to the bar.
From reading, I knew to ask for the soft shell crab as not on the menu. I felt like the luckiest kid at Christmas when he retorted indeed they had it that night. I unwrapped the gift I wanted. I think I did a big YES. One of the most memorable meals of my life. Memorable because it was 50/50. 50 for the meal. 50 for the staff. Of course the soft shell was divine as were the vegetables served...and the martini. But what made it so memorable: the staff. Very kind and attentive. Very genuine. Not once did my water glass go unfilled. Staff nearby, but not stuck up. I haven't had such attentive and kind service in decades. I grew up going to restaurants in Chicago. It reminded me of those restaurant times. Where the meal and amazing staff go hand-in-hand. I suppose at some point I'll hit up the holy Trinity in the FQ, but I can't wait to come back to Clancy's at Christmas.
I thought of two people as I dined: Tom Wolfe, the author, and Anthony Bourdain. Not sure why. Wouldn't be surprised if Wolfe had a meal or two at Clancy's. I did ask our kind server about Bourdain and he said to his knowledge, he never visited. He would have loved it. I also thought of a book I read long ago: Hug Your Customers by Jack Mitchell from the department store in Ct. I know, corny title. But on the plane ride home, I kept trying to figure out where I'd read or felt something like this. It was this book and restaurants I visited as a kid in Chicago. So I was lucky to have one of the best dining experiences in a very long time. The soft shell and the incredible staff.
PS - I also LOVED the staff at Bluemercury. I've been into the skincare game a long time. Used to visit their only store in DC back in late 90's. Fully expected them to be stuck up. Anything but. So kind and attentive. Can't wait to go back. No one had attitude.
I have 4 tickets left for the streetcar. Can't wait to see your city again. Tourist or not, thank you.