Andrew M.
Google
I recently dined at Saint Claire in Algiers, New Orleans, and wanted to share my experience, particularly about their outdoor seating area, which deserves more attention than it currently receives.
**The Reservation Process & Seating Transparency**
When I made my reservation online, I was required to provide extensive personal details, including credit card number, full billing address, city, ZIP code, telephone, and email, which felt excessive for a simple dinner reservation. More importantly, I discovered that only outdoor seating was available, but this crucial information isn't mentioned anywhere on their website or Google profile. For the benefit of future diners and the restaurant, I strongly encourage the owners to add detailed information about their seating options to both platforms.
**The Outdoor Dining Experience ⭐⭐⭐⭐**
Once we arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by the charming outdoor space. The screened-in patio is located off the back of the main house and features an eclectic collection of tables, chairs, and tableware that gives the space character. Some of the chairs reminded us of old school chairs—hardwood seating with minimal back support—so comfort may vary depending on where you're seated. The tables tend to be quite small and narrow, though this actually makes the petite plateware seem perfectly proportioned when your dishes arrive.
The location itself is stunning, with 200+ year-old sprawling live oak trees providing natural shade over the patio area. We enjoyed a lovely breeze flowing through the screened space during our visit, though I imagine the experience could differ significantly on particularly hot or cool days.
**The Food ⭐⭐⭐⭐**
We started with gumbo, crab cake, tarte, and meatballs and biscuits. The dishes varied in intensity—the meatballs were surprisingly spicy, while the crabcake was more subdued and could have used a bit more punch. The standout was definitely the duck and andouille gumbo, which was very good with generous portions of beautifully braised duck throughout.
**Service ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐**
The service was excellent throughout our meal—attentive, knowledgeable, and welcoming.
**Final Thoughts**
Saint Claire offers a unique dining experience in a beautiful setting. While there's room for improvement in communication about seating options and the reservation process, the combination of good food, excellent service, and that magical outdoor space under ancient oaks makes it worth a visit. I'm giving it 4 stars overall and hope the owners will consider updating their online presence to showcase their lovely outdoor dining area better.