Iris, New Orleans
Is it possible to have a bad meal in New Orleans? Except for my fried shrimp po’ boy straight from the freezer at the airport, I think not. On Friday, I had a delicious lunch at Iris. First off, the space is incredible. Bright and airy with an Iris garden motif. Totally my style. They’re also serving up a recession special: three course lunch prix fixe for $20.
Appetizer
Tasty Summer Spring Rolls (avocado, cucumber, pineapple sauce). I would have liked the fruit to be a little more prominent (maybe some orange or mango in the roll?), but otherwise, how do you screw up a spring roll? Refreshing.
At one of the workshops I attended, chef Ian Schnoebelen (a Food and Wine magazine top 10 Best New Chefs in America) also prepared this little masterpiece. Doesn’t it look like artwork? Pork belly, gingered orange, pesto, and bok choy. Yes, I had to try the pork belly. Took me right back to 1992, probably the last time I had pork.
Main Event
Chicken with rosemary gratin potatoes and roasted garlic jus. This was nothing to write home about, fine but nothing special. I guess it’s my fault for ordering chicken, typically the most boring thing on the menu. But I love chicken! I’ll try something else next time.
Dessert
Homemade sorbet of the day, banana papaya flavor. Need I say more?
