maciek M.
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Gallier’s Seafood & Oyster Bar: Where the Gulf Winks at You Over a Bread Pudding
If you’re wandering Carondelet Street wondering whether New Orleans still knows how to flirt with your taste buds, Gallier’s Seafood & Oyster Bar is your answer, and it’s not subtle. This place doesn’t whisper “Cajun charm”; it shouts it from a soft-shell crab Poboy while jazz plays in the background and your server, Jam, makes you feel like royalty with a side of sass.
Let’s start with the Gallier’s Oyster Special, a dozen Gulf gems so fresh they probably had brunch plans before landing on our plate. Chargrilled, Rockefeller, raw and Creole, each one was a briny sonnet. I briefly considered writing a thank-you note to the ocean.
Then came the Soft Shell Crab Poboy, which arrived like a crustacean superhero in a French loaf cape. Crispy, golden, and unapologetically messy, it was the kind of sandwich that makes you question your life choices, in a good way. The remoulade had enough kick to start a second line.
The Seafood Penne was a creamy fever dream of Gulf shrimp and crawfish tangled in pasta like they were rehearsing for a Mardi Gras float. Cajun Alfredo sauce clung to every noodle like it knew it was the star of the show. I would’ve licked the bowl, but Jam had already brought extra bread like the intuitive legend she is.
And then, bread pudding. Not just dessert. A spiritual experience. Warm, custardy, and doused in a bourbon sauce that could probably negotiate peace treaties. It was the kind of finale that makes you want to stand up and applaud. I didn’t, but I did make eye contact with Jam and whisper “respect.”
We returned the next day, because of course we did. This time, Kenneth took the reins, equal parts gracious host and flavor whisperer. He offered spot-on suggestions, served up charm with every plate, and even gifted us a recipe for a Fanta-based drink that tasted like summer in a glass. If Jam was the stylish aunt, Kenneth was the cool cousin who knows all the secret menu hacks.
Final Verdict:
Gallier’s isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a civic celebration in edible form. Five stars for the food, the flair, and especially for Jam and Kenneth, who deserve their own float in the next parade. If you’re in New Orleans and not eating here, you’re missing out on a love letter written in oysters, bourbon sauce, and a splash of Fanta.
