Cochon, New Orleans
My other over-the-top New Orleans meal was at Cochon. This was by far my favorite dining experience of the trip, and is now added—with Mr. B’s—to my ultimate New Orleans restaurant list. Also please note: this is the meal when I ate more red meat in one sitting than I have in my entire life.
Let me set the scene. It’s around noon on Friday, and although I had already had breakfast and a bag of M&Ms (not to mention over-indulged for three days prior), embarrassingly, I was ravenous. This is also around the time that I started thinking, “Screw it, there’s no turning back. If I explode, so be it.”
First we checked out Butcher, chef Donald Link’s new, more casual meat market. It smelled like southern heaven. The place was packed, with no open seats. I started to panic. I wanted meat, and I wanted it now.
Chefs prepping food at Butcher
Unfortunately it wasn’t feeding time yet. First we were to take a tour of Chef Link’s operations. Not exactly looking forward to seeing how the meat I was soon to devour was prepared, I spent a lot of time in the pastry room, collecting more smells, wanting to die a little bit more each minute. But it was interesting to learn that Chef Link does most of the food preparation in house.
Chef Donald Link’s meat locker
FINALLY it was time to sit down. I thought I was going to eat my menu, but the food started rolling out and it was no holds barred in my race to stuff my face. This is a restaurant I hope to revisit often, and what’s more, it’s extremely affordable. Here are the highlights.
Black Eyed Pea and Pork Gumbo. This was insanely good. The recipe’s here!
Wood-Fired Oyster Roast. As much as I wish I liked slimy oysters, they just don’t do it for me. Oh well, pretty presentation.
Cochon Muffaletta from Butcher. House made meats, provolone, pickled peppers, and olives. One of the best sandwiches of my life.
Fried Alligator with Chili Garlic Aioli. I ate alligator. YES! And it was my favorite dish, outside of dessert! Granted it was fried and tasted like Chinese food, but that’s not the point. Notice the glazed over expression. I was in the zone.
Time for dessert. I vaguely remember shouting out, “let’s get one of each!” Oops. What follows are some of the best treats I’ve ever had.
Cochon Cookies.
Pumpkin Pie with orange whip cream and pecan toffee.
Pineapple Upside-Down Cake with coconut-lime sorbet and dulce de leche.
