"Chef Melissa Martin is best known for her Uptown, tasting-menu–centric project and a duo of James Beard Award–winning cookbooks; that Uptown endeavor is characterized by prix fixe tasting menus and communal dining and occupies a more city-centered setting, in contrast to Martin’s new country-style opening across the river." - Beth D’Addono
"This gorgeous Uptown restaurant was originally a private residence in 1898, so it’s natural that you’d find homey, Cajun cooking inside. The communal-only seating means you’re probably going to be eating with folks you’ve never met before, which can make a meal especially fun if you have a particularly social group that’s along for the ride. The food is all Louisiana flavor, with big cast iron pots delivered to the table stuffed with rice and crawfish etouffee, or small, hand-shaped bowls of crab claws. Plus, if you love the experience, the restaurant often does full buyouts for small weddings and other gatherings." - chelsea brasted
"A tasting-menu–centric, communal-table spot where dishes change frequently; one memorable service paired stuffed crabs with a vivid summer panzanella of acidic tomatoes, crisp cucumber, crunchy croutons, butter beans, dill, and sesame seeds, all lifted by a charred scallion vinaigrette puckered with white balsamic. The meal is shared family-style, so expect artful plating and generous portions to be divvied up at the table." - Henna Bakshi
"This gorgeous Uptown restaurant was originally a private residence in 1898, so it’s natural that you’d find homey, Cajun cooking inside. The communal-only seating means you’re probably going to be eating with folks you’ve never met before, which can make a meal especially fun if you have a particularly social group that’s along for the ride. The food is all Louisiana flavor, with big cast iron pots delivered to the table stuffed with rice and crawfish etouffee, or small, hand-shaped bowls of crab claws. Plus, if you love the experience, the restaurant often does full buyouts for small weddings and other gatherings." - Chelsea Brasted
"Built around Melissa Martin’s bayou cuisine, this supper-club-style restaurant presents food in a family-style, communal way—think passing pots of soup and heaping plates of biscuits—because that’s how the chef experienced meals growing up. Staffers described the format as both romantic and practical: it preserves the intended shared experience while allowing the kitchen to fire a limited menu efficiently. Front-of-house practices lean into managing human interaction—training servers in conversational tricks (bringing out bread early to prompt sharing, steering topics, seating strategies that wrap larger parties around smaller ones) so shy or mismatched guests can still enjoy the meal." - Jaya Saxena