I've only been there once, but my experience there didn't live up to the reputation. Service was spotty. I had the redfish, and it was good, but that's all. 4 of us at the table, and we all sampled one another's meals. None of it blew me away.
(3)
Julie M.
Love, love, love this place! Sat out in the courtyard. Had quail salad, lamb, mojitos and dessert! Just go!
(5)
Gene c.
My wife and I had lunch, nice atmosphere in what appears to be an old home in the French Quarter. We started off with the garlic soup for my wife and I had the turtle soup both were excellent. I had the butter fish which was cooked perfectly and my wife had the mushroom ravioli which was excellent. The food was truly incredible. The service was slow and the two people assigned to our table were not trained to serve and frankly I do not think they cared.
(3)
Bria D.
Sadly, Bayona wasn't particularly memorable. My dining opportunities have been curtailed considerably since having my son, so I had really hoped to have an outstanding meal from Bayona--and I didn't. My lamb was good--just good. My heirloom tomato salad was okay. My Manhattan was at it should be. Service was appropriate. The atmosphere was adequate, if a bit stuffy. Tim Robbins was there. There wasn't anything objectionable. I'd just expected more.
(3)
Gus S.
Fantastic experience, the veal and the rabbit are highly recommended. And the quail is to moan for! We were 6 for dinner and the service was great.
(4)
Matt C.
Ohhh lets talk about being a bad boy... I walk in (or should I say stumble) in here 3-makers manhattans deep, plus I had a beer on the walk over. Oh yeah, so I'm feelin' good at this point. We came here for my Mothers Birthday dinner and I was, for lack of a better term... an obnoxious a**hole all night long. I'm definitely not welcomed back, nor do I want to go back - its just too embarrassing. I spilled (fortunately it was only water), all over myself. I was real bad boy. I thought I was Mr. K. M. (shall remain nameless) like at the Fifth Floor in San Francisco back in December of 2000... ref: yelp.com/user_details_re… Absolutely not welcomed back to the restaurant. The next day, after receiving a stern talking to from my girlfriend about my mis-behavior, I asked her what I had for dinner. And she told me the venison. Which, after she refreshed my memory, I do actually remember enjoying, the few bites of it that I had. Oh, and there was no dessert that night either. My party, wanted to get the eff outta there after my crash & burn performance. It happens occasionally.
(4)
sydney t.
My favorite restaurant in new orleans and I've been coming here for years. I don't say this lightly that it is my favorite restaurant. This is where I bring people who have never been to new orleans or those who have only lived here as students. Everyone else should know about it already. Shrimp with black bean cake and the quail salad are always amazing.
(5)
Judy C.
By far the best dinner in NOLA that I've had ever. Bravo Chef Susan. The balance between the sweet and savory foods are to die for, and the service is just down right amazing. Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to make a reservation, we didn't get in until 9!
(5)
Gillian H.
We visited NOLA last week for the first week of Mardi Gras festivities (Family Gras!) and brought our children to Bayona for an earlier Friday evening reservation. Thrilled with the fellow at reception; he made sure to secure us what turned out to be a boon in seating as our 5-year old passed the heck out right after she finished her dinner. (long day at Uptown parades!) I don't think many bring children and I can only interpret the initial look on our server's face to be "oh lord, how did I get this table" -- don't feel like we all quite clicked, but it worked. Regardless, we have two children with excellent manners and tastes; our 12-year old devoured the sweetbreads appetizer and tackled the lamb chop; he also finished off my pork chop. The wine list is mostly French; if you're not familiar, they had a wonderful sommelier who helped us pick a nice white. We trend more towards Italian wine and were struggling. Excellent evening -- as always, wide range of attire, and we were the only group with children. Our son sent his compliments to the chef and we were hoping to get Susan to come out to see him, but it didn't work. He's such a little foodie and would have been tickled pink =) We'll be back! :)
(4)
Mike F.
#NAME?
(3)
Adrienne G.
Eating vegetarian in the Big Easy isn't all that easy - and knowing this from our 12+ years of visits, we spent a lot of time before this year's vacation, researching our options & luckily we found Bayona! Jazz Fest dinner on the docket.....you *definitely* want to get rezzies ahead of time! Since there was no "real" veggie entree on their menu, even before we could wonder, our waiter was nice enough to make a special trip over to review their entire menu & what they would be able to offer as entrees for us veggies ( we had let them know ahead of time about our restrictions ) Started out w/ drinkys - included the Stormy Morning w/ elderflower & violet liqueur & sparkling water. Mr had the Smoking Jacket & while we both liked the whiskey & blueberry & chocolate tones, we felt this would have been a perfect after dinner drink. The elderflower was much more of a refreshing starter drinky Split a couple of appies - 1st was the Chilled Tomato & Beet Soup. Very pungent tomato but the beets totally held their own. A few bites into this soup we were loving it but after a few more, it started to taste like ketchup - you might want to split this soup to keep on the refreshing-side of things 2nd split was the Mushroom Crouton - all kinds of awesome. Piece of toast w baked goat cheese on it & served w marsala-marinated mushrooms My entree was Lentil Salad w/ tomatoes & creamy goat cheese dressing. Nice vinegar taste & refreshing on such a warm night Mr chose the Asparagus Risotto w/ Smokey Mushrooms, Zucchini, Yellow Squash. This is usually a side dish served w/ their steak option but they were kind enough to leave out the meat and we didn't have to pay the meaty price! Creamy & lightly flavored w/ the asparagus, I found myself skeptical about the mushrooms.......they tasted to me like they had been cooked in a beefy sauce - but I will also admit that smoky flavorings always trigger my meaty-paranoia, so while this may have been a truly veggie dish, I had my doubts & did not ask to confirm Best dessert wine EVER was the '09 Muscat Alicante Casta Diva. I am so totally tracking this down!!! Sweet, fruity & a huge honey base. This was heaven in a glass & went perfectly w/ the strawberry buttermilk cake w homemade pistachio semifreddo Thanks Bayona for kicking off our New Orleans visit in the yummiest way!
(4)
John C.
Excellent culinary experience!! Our party of 7 had the fixed price Saturday lunch, a three course "light lunch" event where you select from a list groupings for your three courses. Different every week, very creative but so delicious. Highly recommended for a slow lunch in the French Quarter.
(5)
Mark B.
The setting is lovely, effortless, and elegant. The sweetbread apps were delicious; the duck was probably the best I've had recently. I recommend without hesitation.
(5)
Rose S.
Susan Spicer needs Gordon Ramsey!!! Scallops were grisly & only one out of the 4 had sauce. My friends fish was undercooked & had to be sent back. 1 couple actually got up & left when we were there & the other 2 tables up in the attic were comped wine or an entree due to the issues in the kitchen. Mushroom veloue was unimpressive. Not sure how often she checks in but seems as if Susan has lost sight of her cash cow.
(1)
Melanie C.
One of my favorite restaraunts in New Orleans. Food is consistently good. Romantic setting. Can't say anymore than the other reviewers. Its all been said!
(5)
Will H.
We have had the pleasure of visiting Bayona on both of our most recent visits to New Orleans. It was so terrific the first time that we knew we had to go back, and we were glad we did. In a city with countless fine restaurants, Bayona is a treasure not to be missed. Bayona is a short walk from the revels of Bourbon Street, but its tranquil setting is a French Quarter experience of a different type. We experienced one meal in the house and one meal in the courtyard; both are gracious and beautiful settings. We started off with cocktails; the Fascinator and the Cucumber Julep were both delicious. There is a very good wine list, with selections by the glass, bottle, and (something we appreciate) half bottle; our wonderful server (hi, Jane!) helped us select a terrific white wine that paired with both our entrees. The food at Bayona defies easy description, but is terrific. One page of the menu consists of signature dishes that have been on the menu twenty-plus years; the other page features specials that rotate daily. Follow your bliss and you won't go wrong. Our standout dishes were the sweet potato brioche with maple butter (all the starter we needed), my special that had some of the best tuna I've ever tasted, and the marshmallow chocolate dessert special with the beer ice cream. I wish I remembered more details, but the specials will be different when you go anyhow, so just go! We completely understand why so many friends recommended we visit Bayona while in New Orleans. It will probably become the place we need to eat once each trip. As our server said, it's a "jolly good meal"; you should try it.
(5)
Erika C.
So in the light of day my former love looks a little older and none the wiser. I have been to Bayona on most if not all of my trips to NOLA. I had strong feelings of love and devotion. I remember with fondness my first meal in their dining room in 2000. I wax poetic to many a friend about their brioche. I would dream of the brioche. I had a solo venture on my latest trip. $115. 2 glasses of wine, garlic soup, pumpkin brioche which now must be ordered and has a $5 charge, and monk fish over lentils, espresso. Starting at the beginning: wine reccomended not at all what I described to be looking for; garlic soup doesn't play as well in 2014 as it did in 2000; brioche was dry and not really appealing; monk fish was delicious and cooked perfectly the lentils were not delightful; and the espresso was just fine. I was a little sad leaving that evening knowing that I may just not return to Bayona.
(3)
Stephanie N.
I'm only giving them 1 star for the service. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and it has been my biggest regret ever! We tried the garlic soup, mussels, quail salad, porkchops, and duck. Everything was flavorless! The only good thing was quail! Other then that I don't recommend it to anyone. I was so disappointed and upset because I looked so forward to it. Way to ruin his birthday!
(1)
Belinda C.
Last night our travelling troupe of foodies hit Susan Spicer's Bayona. Hands-down it was decided that Bayona was the best we had this time around in NOLA. To quickly address any negative reviews because of wait; I think these naysayers do not understand the EXPERIENCE of a restaurant like Bayona. Overall, Bayona delivered one of those "close your eyes and savor life" experiences and those moments should never be rushed. We arrived for our reservation and had our choice to take pre-dinner drinks in a cozy foyer or the courtyard. The wait gave this group time to engage in conversation and scope out Bayona. First (and now final) impressions: Sophisticated yet casual; intelligent and witty. Our dinner reservation was late so some of the menu items were sold out. Upon being seated, our waitress immediately informed us of sold out items and ran (not fast walked but ran) to the kitchen to claim the last Red Snapper. The menu offered such creative pairings that we wanted to order everything just to taste; and that is very close to exactly what we did. Starters: Salads, Veal Sweetbreads, and Crawfish Beignets. Dinner: Red Snapper, Lamb Loin, Duck, Rabbit, and Hake Veal sweetbreads were exceptional (I highly recommend) but tonight, Crawfish Beignets stole the starting show so much that we put in for two more orders. Bayona's Crawfish Beignets set the bar as probably the best around. Out came our main courses. Upon tasting my duck, I was certain that I had ordered the best plate until I tried everyone else's dish. I tasted the red snapper (really really good); then the hake (reminds me of Chilean Sea Bass), then the rabbit and lastly the lamb loin. Every bite was better than the first. While every plate was exceptional, we decided the best dish of the night went to the lamb loin. This review would not be complete without a tip of the hat to Bayona's team who round out this restaurant's personality: intelligent and relaxed; knowledgeable and lively.
(5)
Essential S.
Crowded. Noisy. Slow service. But I don't care, because this was a fine meal from beginning to end. And I'm ever-so-grateful they could squeeze in a party of out of towners, when they were clearly booked to the rafters. The wait in the lounge was aided by the appearance of a Driving Glove cocktail. At this late date, I don't recall the ingredients, but IIRC it was a tasty variation on an Aviation. Once seated, I started with yuca, zucchini with beans and chipotle crema. The yuca was not quite 'crispy' as advertised, but that's my only quibble. Continuing my Latin theme, I opted for the chile-dusted duck breast with duck tamale and 'Oaxacan' mole. The duck was prepared perfectly, firm but not dry, tasty as hell. I can't vouch for the authenticity of the mole, but it was delicious, and the tamale was wonderful. The tomatillos and taters provided some excellent counterpoints to the rich duck. Care with ingredients. Care with balances of tastes. Care with preparation. The whole was really top notch. A little cognac to savor while reminiscing over the meal, and then off to further night adventures in New Orleans.
(5)
Veronica T.
I came here for lunch after a long morning of walking around the French Quarter. It's located on a quiet street away from a lot of activity but still a really charming memory for me of the French Quarter. Service was incredible. Everyone was so polite and helpful. Best service of any restaurant in NOLA. Food was great too. I ordered the roasted garlic soup because I heard Emeril is a big fan. Most amazing garlic flavors ever. Also ordered the duck pb&j. So many different flavors and textures in this sandwich. They gave a generous portion of duck too which is awesome. Four stars because this was the most expensive meal I had during my stay in town, and I just don't know if it compares (food wise) to some of the other amazing restaurants we went to.
(4)
Sara U.
So I'm taking the cue from "veteran elites" -- not fair to review restaurants based on one visit especially when consistent quality or lack thereof is big part of how great a restaurant is (or isn't)! Anyway, long story short, I'll provide my thought but keep in mind I am a one time visitor (albeit an especially fabulous one). We were greeted very warmly as we came in and were seated immediately, in line with our reservation time. The restaurant feels traditional but festive, a serious dining establishment that doesn't take itself too seriously. This place has a lot of mirrors in it. The ladies room is micro and there is a mirror directly to your left. Well, I was kind of drunk and I thought my reflection was another person that I was about to bump into and I actually apologized to my reflection. The girl at the sink probably thought I was on acid. Just know ladies - the bathroom is tiny and mirror-laden. The curveball was our waiter. I couldn't tell if he just thought we were dumb, unsophisticated tourists who wouldn't tip or if he was just THAT in the weeds, but we detected a hint of brusqueness -- like we were annoying to him somehow. He didn't try at all to be friendly or conversational, but he was efficient. Food - goat cheese crouton app was the best item. Salmon very good. Cocktails - I had a Sunny Morning? Shady Morning? Something Morning. Delicious, I could had several. Apple tart dessert was amazingly spiced!! I want to ask ole boy what it was spiced with but didn't because as mentioned he was not a Chatty Cathy. I want my thanksgiving apple pie spiced like that! The only thing I didn't enjoy was the duck, but I don't think it's a reflection of Bayona I think I just don't like duck. I've given up. We spent $185 (that's tip and all), we both had two drinks including champagne.
(4)
Paul S.
Perfection. We sat on the patio on a beautiful evening, had attentive friendly service, and ate some of our favorite bites of food ever. My partner and I share all dishes and each of us would dig into our dish and think nothing could be better until we switched. We had a smokey andouille sausage with sweet potato dumplings and greens that was heaven in a bite. The scallops special was joy. The shrimp with black bean cake was also quite good. For mains we had the duck with tamale and mole and a special of pork brisket with pickled vegetables and a sauce I could drink. Dessert like all else. Can't wait to return.
(5)
Callen B.
Some of the best food I have had in New Orleans! Our server was super knowledgeable and attentive adding in recommendations that really made the meal! Though the menu seems to be meat heavy and not fit for vegetarians, the kitchen was incredibly accommodating and made some fabulous dishes for us! I would go back in a heartbeat!
(5)
James P.
Susan Spicer's restaurant has been on my list, so this came with some high expectations. They didn't fall short at all. We went for lunch and sat out on the patio, which was really nice and peaceful from the street noise. Our server was great and very helpful with making recommendations. We had the goat cheese and mushroom bruschetta appetizer and it was really good. Hot, flavorful, and not overwhelming - worth it! For lunch we shared deep fried pigeon salad and the duck PB&J. The salad was a combo of flavors ranging savory to sweet and was really tasty. The duck was served on grilled bread and was amazing - messy but really good. Cashew butter, duck, and preserves go well together! Highly recommend you try this place for the experience and the food. Cocktails looked great but didn't try them for lunch!
(5)
Sharon O.
Bayona is kind of like the Commanders Palace's younger, less popular, attractive little sister. It's kind of tucked away, it's trendy, the food is top-notch, and the service impeccable. Like Commanders', they serve 25-cent cocktails, amazing shrimp n' grits, a fixed-menu option, and the service is attentive to special occasions (except you don't have to wear the tacky paper chef's hat...) Anyway, eating lunch at Bayona was hands down the best meal I had in New Orleans. Each dish was incredibly complex and well constructed. The sweetbreads are rave-worthy for a reason- they are JUST THAT GOOD. Crispy, but melt in your mouth with flavor. The thought of licking the plate came across my mind more than once. The shrimp n' grits were spicy, creamy, and cooked to perfection. The PB&J was an adult version of sorts: duck confit, caramelized onions, chunky cashew butter, and chili pepper jelly on toasted wheat. The side salad of sliced apples and celery also added a bit of a "ants on a log" dimension, which I dug pretty hard. This is a legit sandwich. The homemade whiskey-pecan ice cream was soft, smokey, and came with a homemade sugar cookie. The 3-course meal for $25 was also a great value. You may think that 24-cent martinis may have a cap (you can only get three at Commanders for lunch) and they will be pretty weak. WRONG. I was feeling pretty silly after three, and my waiter told me I could keep 'em coming for as long as I wanted. I was a pretty happy camper.
(5)
Lyn B.
Amazing restaurant. Delicious food. Try the lamb.
(5)
Lisa D.
Food is amazing. Though we are from Texas, my husband ordered the brisket. Delicious. My shrimp and grits were amazing, the ONLY ones I have ever liked. Pimento cheese in the grits - yum. We were there for our 30th anniversary, and we couldn't be more happy. Definitely go to Bayona! Oh, service was exceptional. Thanks justin and Alex!
(5)
Jessica W.
This was the best restaurant I've ever been to in my life. The service was SUPERB; our waitress was knowledgable, friendly and helpful. We decided to try the pork cheeks to start, served with a pear kimchi. To die for. For an entree I had the lamb loin, which was perfectly cooked and just amazing with goat cheese and a Zinfandel sauce. For dessert we had the sorbet, which was a perfect, not too sweet way to end the best meal of my life. Everyone needs to go.
(5)
Yasmin R.
One of my first meals upon moving to New Orleans was at Bayona. The food is described as Mediterrean, but like many other restaurants in NOLA, its really more fusion. They take some of the flavors from NOLA and the Mediterranean and create some of the most delightful, well proportioned, and tasty dishes. The presentation of each dish was prepared with care.
(4)
Lisa W.
Ate dinner with work colleagues. Able to get last minute reservation. Although I don't eat organ meat I tried my friends veal sweatbread, which was surprisingly tasty. The fish dishes, especially the snapper was excellent. They were out of our first two wine choices, and recommended a third. It paired well with the meals and they knocked a little off the price. We ended with the chocolate crepe dessert, the mousse really brought the flavor out. We split it 4 ways and it was a great way to end our meal and savor the last bite. Air temperature was cool so women bring a jacket just in case.
(5)
Allie S.
Delicious food with prefect portions. You'll want to dress up a little bit a this place definitely deserves it. Our server was amazing and had fantastic knowledge about the menu. When you want a nice date night in NOLA, this is the place to go.
(5)
Mike M.
I am not giving Bayona 1 star because the food was bad. It was good. I am not giving Bayona 1 star because they took so long to cook our entrees that we had to leave before eating dinner so we could make a 9 o'clock Preservation Hall show. (note: we sat down at 7 and when I asked when the food was coming at 8:30 they admitted they hadn't started cooking it yet). I am giving Bayona 1 star because they treated us TERRIBLY when we realized we would have to leave before we ate so we didn't lose our reservations at Preservation Hall. Our server came over TWICE to tell us that it was our fault and that we should have given them notice that we had only 2 hours to finish the meal because their restaurant is SO FANCY (emphasis theirs). (note: during the trip we also ate at Sylvain and Herbsaint, which I would recommend over Bayona and were able to finish up in well under 2 hours. Amazingly, they can somehow be really fancy and get you out the door in under 120 minutes) The manager also came over to shirk any responsibility and let us know that he was basically sorry we were sorry. Thanks for that, as the person who made the reservation I wasn't already feeling bad enough. Then, for one final kick in the ass on the way out the door, our server admitted she was a "salesperson at heart" and asked if we would be interested in buying drinks for the road since they don't sell them at Preservation Hall. No thanks, I'd rather drink the sludge on Bourbon Street then patron their business. There are too many great restaurants in New Orleans where the staff and management actually treat their customers with kindness when things don't go exactly as planned. I'd give them zero stars if I could.
(1)
Ali B.
While visiting New Orleans on business I had the pleasure of dining at Bayona. The property has a lot of character and old-style New Orleans charm which, as an out-of-towner, kept me feeling at home in the New Orleans dream. I ordered the Bayona salad, sweet potato brioche bread, the duck entree and the ricotta tart for desert. The salad was fresh, had a great home-made vinaigrette and flakes of sharp reggiano cheese. The brioche rolls were a delicious accompaniment to my salad and worth ordering. The duck entree was very good but I honestly enjoyed the sides it came with more than the duck. Maybe I should have ordered fish or the steak? I don't typically eat duck and although it was pretty delicious it wasn't one of those WOW meals you're talking about for days. (My business colleague ordered the grouper and said it was to die for.) The ricotta tart desert came with a home-made apricot sorbet and satisfied my sweet tooth. Our server was pleasant and we didn't feel rushed. Overall, i had a great time. My food was excellent and I would recommend this restaurant to a friend.
(4)
Meg H.
A very good lunch. We started with the shrimp and black bean cake. I wasn't too fond of the cake. Probably my least favorite thing I tried during the meal. The goat cheese crostini was very good (not really much commentary needed though; it takes like a crostini with goat cheese and mushrooms on top. The Madeira in the mushrooms was great). For entrees my companions had the lamb and seared trout while I had bbq shrimp and grits. It was all very good. There was something about it that wasn't quite special enough for five stars, but maybe that's because I came for lunch.
(4)
Aaron S.
One of the finest places I've dined. Certainly one of the top 5. I'll be very explicit. I came here with my colleagues for a late and tired dinner. I'll sort of stick to my direct meal: Apps: Parisian Gnocchi with pancheta and greens. It was excellent, and the blue cheese fondue was a perfect pairing to the otherwise very delicate gnocchi. A solid 4.5 stars mainly because the pancheta was few and far between. Entree: The rabbit. Dish came with a southern fried rabbit leg, rabbit stuffed with sausage and an almost wasabi flavored filler. Starch was a pureed sweet potato, and grilled brussel sprouts finished it off. It was an absolute home run. Perfectly delicate fried leg (best I've ever had). As not a huge fan of sweet potato OR wasabi, the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed it was enough to say it was as good as it could be. 5/5 and it's not even close. Finished with a great Charteusse, poured liberally, and bites of the pear and bread pudding take. Also excellent on both accounts, though the initial jolt of the drink felt like my throat getting shot at point blank. 5/5. This restaurant certainly cares about their food and they do an excellent job in all facets, especially service. Very knowledgeable staff, quality ingredients, and a general lack of pretentiousness (though they could afford to be) makes it a solid 5/5 and one of the best restaurants I have eaten at.
(5)
S B.
We were recommended Bayona as one of the best restaurants in the city. Friends have raved about Susan Spicer's menu and location. These reviews led us to reserve a table for four before a show at the Saenger Theatre. Very elegant and still somehow cosy. Even dressed in black tie, it was comfortable. The ambience was so perfect, we didn't realize how long we had been there and had to hurry to the show. The food came hot and beautifully plated in perfect portions for everyone to try a taste. Great flavors - very savory with a bit of a kick. The wine parings worked flawlessly and we all agreed that Bayona was a great choice. Glad our friends recommended this restaurant and I am defiantly recommending it in return.
We arrived early for our reservation at 8:30 to find the room almost empty. We wanted to have drinks in the courtyard but all the lights were already turned off. We were told that it was a slow night, the kitchen would close at 9, and we should order promptly. We were not informed of the special prix fixe options and cocktail offers, which I later found out about, after having shelled 300 bucks for our dinner for 3. On the plus side, the food is still very good. However, given the prices, the reputation, successive calls I got prior to our visit from the restaurant as a reminder of the reservation, which bordered on the pushy side, and the awful feeling of being rushed, it was a very uncomfortable evening. Our server was mostly absent during dinner, getting the gruff host to slam the pitiful cheese plate on our table, minuscule amounts of cold cheese, as a final slap on the face.
(1)
Tyler S.
Started with the crawfish , garlic soup , lamb , then Nutella . The food was all delicious! The female server was an over the top engaging eccentric, partially obsessive compulsive and board line annoying. The meal took over three hours to complete and the wait time between courses was unacceptable . I would love to eat the food again,however I am not sure if I would endure the whole experience again to get it .
(4)
Warren C.
Our waitress came to the table like a bull in a china shop-- she also kept referring to people by where they were sitting and what they were wearing "the girl in the green dress" we had people join us later and she kept referring to them as the joiners-- we also ordered bread and were told that it typically comes with dinner to expedite the ordering process-- (what if we don't want to be rushed??) I just tried to ignore her-- the food was absolutely amazing -- all of it- had the Australian lamb loin medium rare with goat cheese -- wowza. Veal sweetbreads with a mustard sherry was beyond tasty! If you go out to restaurants often then check this place out-- just don't expect service to match food. If you are celebrating a special occasion-- look elsewhere.
(3)
Greg E.
First, the food was delicious; service not so much. They put our group a corner. The AC blew like gale force wind; the menu almost took flight. When we asked the server to turn it up...zilch. Manager later appeared and he did find a way to turn it up for the moment. Thanks. It started to blow again later. When one of our party declined to order dessert, the server snatched the dessert menus from our hands so fast that even if we'd wanted to peruse the menu no amount of speed reading could have accomplished the task. Our server was probably the rudest person we encountered on our trip to New Orleans. That said, the food was flavorful.
(3)
Chris L.
Wow, damn tasty meal! I almost passed this place by--the entrance is off of a courtyard, so pay attention as you're walking by. The good: service was impeccable; my Bombay Sapphire & Tonic strong like Popeye (and only $7!); the foie gras torchon was SUPERB (rich, smooth & creamy, & buttery; it's served with a house made jelly, poached apple, & large croutons); the mustard & herb crusted Pork Chop was simply amazing. Smoky and tart from the crust; cooked a perfect medium. I wish I were alone in the room because I would have gnawed on the bone at the end of the meal. The bad: not a fricking thing. BTW, the portions are huge. HUGE, Jerry.
(5)
Swati S.
This restaurant never disappoints. It is always outstanding. The service is impeccable, the atmosphere classy and the food is wonderful! Chef Susan Spicer executes everything in her kitchen with precision and hires staff to run the front of the house with equal precision. I've been eating here for years and love how the menu has changed and yet kept a few things the same. I don't even know where to begin to tell you how much I love this restaurant. I could take a stroll down memory lane and tell you about Thanksgiving in 2007 where I managed to feed carnivores and vegetarians all in 1 meal here. I could tell you about my birthday lunch in 2008 in the courtyard, with the water fountain bubbling and the banana tree flowering. So many amazing meals, and today's meal was no exception. So, let me tell you about our 3 course meal today. This summer they are doing 25 cent martinis and $25 3-course lunches, Wednesday through Saturday, I believe, in honor of the restaurant's 25 year anniversary. A long time gf and I got together and we thoroughly enjoyed our delicate lemondrop martinis. We had 2 each as they were so exquisitely perfect. We shared an appetizer, or a starter, of arancini. This was a unique presentation of arancini in that there was a soft boiled egg in the middle and it was only 1 large arancini. It was very tasty and was surrounded with a little bit of fresh arugula, plenty of chanterelle mushrooms and a teeny bit of pancetta. Delicious and seasoned perfectly. For our 3 course meals, my friend went with the soup of the day, and I went with the Bayona Blue Salad. The Bayona Salad with Parmesan cheese shaved or blue cheese crumbled is one of Susan Spicer's signature salads and my salad today was perfect as always. Light, refreshing, healthy and tasty, but not too filling. My friend loved her grouper which was one of the entree specials on the menu for the 3 course meal, and I adored my Italian sausage stuffed bellpepper with rapini and barley (I think that's what it was) on the side. My dish was OUTSTANDING! I think the sausage was homemade with fennel and it was so perfectly done. I couldn't believe how amazing the dish was as I'm not a huge sausage fan. I ordered it to try something different and was so happy that I pushed myself. It was served steaming hot and dressed with tomatoes and capers cooked down on top of it. It was just amazing. Our 3rd course, which was the same for everyone, was a choice of 1 scoop of house-made ice cream. Options today included vanilla bean, dark chocolate, brown butter pecan and a pomegranate-lime sorbet. I had the dark chocolate and my friend had the brown butter pecan. She ate hers so fast, I forgot to ask how it was! I savored every morsel of my dark chocolate. The ice cream came with a house-made sugar cookie that was so delicate that it was like a wafer. It was hard to resist eating the entire cookie, but I was full! The icing of the meal, I forgot to tell you all, is that Chef Susan Spicer remembered my name from all these years. Once she saw my name on the reservation books, she came out to welcome me and my friend to lunch. What an honor from an amazing woman! I can't believe she still remembers me!!!!!! I hope she has another amazing 25 years at her restaurant!
Food was well-prepared but not terribly exciting. Service was attentive, but unnecessarily stiff--nearly cyborgean. Waitress told us the menu hadn't changed in 29 years. D'oohkay. The specials seemed unremarkable at first listen so I ordered the menu lamb. It was cooked to perfection, and the pinot reduction was pretty on point, but the steamed green bean side was bland and kind of a wasted opportunity. I'm 44 years old, and I noticed pretty quickly that when I walked in, I was at least 15 years younger than every other person in the establishment. Not to say age is an indicator of fine taste, but there was clearly no invigorating sexy food action happening here on this night. Felt more country clubby than culinary mainstay. Among the least interesting or memorable food experiences of my week in New Orleans.
(2)
M W.
Dinner was so good we tried lunch the following day and were not disappointed. It is one of the top three finer dining experiences I have had in New Orleans. Shrimp and grits and sweetbread were outstanding
(5)
Dave D.
A favorite. Chef just knows what things taste well together. Never too fussy or self-conscious, just really high quality. Salmon, the black bean cake, the sweetbreads, it's all good. The deserts are not always up to the standard of the rest of the menu, but that's minor quibble.
(5)
Chevonne W.
This is a very nice and authentic place if you want to feel like you are in New Orleans. It looks inside as though it used to be one of the houses from the late 1800's. the service and food was very well put together. I would go back for sure
(4)
Suchita J.
We went there in sept with work people. Everything was awesome. I ordered the lamb and it was the most tender lamb I have ever eaten. My husband said his duck was pretty amazing too. A coworker ordered the sweetbreads and he's french and said they were really good. Drinks were good , our waitress was friendly and desserts were great !
(4)
Carl J.
I get to NOLA about twice a year. The Smoked Duck Breast PBJ is like Christmas! The service is great and a great off-the-Bourbon-street-path locale to enjoy creative New Orleans cuisine.
(5)
Kim M.
When there's a special occasion, this is the place that I want to go to. I only go for lunch, b/c they have the most amazing duck pb&j. When I tell people about it, they're usually hesitant, but then they taste mine and are instant converts. I believe it has cashews butter and maybe pepper jelly? It's phenomenal, and my mouth waters now thinking about it. The sweet breads are also fantastic; they get it just right with the size and delicate, flavorful sauce. I feel a little stuck in my ways just getting those two dishes every time, but I'm always more than satisfied with them. The staff is also very accommodating, and the place gives off old New Orleans charm. I can't wait for another reason to go back.
(5)
Laurie T.
My friend and I sampled the January fixed price lunch special. I must say, I have had better at this fine dining French Quarter establishment. While the sparkling wine was overflowing, the dish I sampled was shallow on flavor. I ordered a rabbit pasta dish which consisted of a few dry strips of meat tossed together with wide fettuccine noodles and a small amount of cream. The cup of soup that preceded the meal was far superior to the main course. The wait staff, who were numerous, was very attentive, so I can at least say the service was good. If you go, try the seafood. They always seem to get that right.
(3)
Rachelle O.
Brand new Hostess and busboy very nice. Waiter was not friendly or attentive. Waited 1.5 hours from time of order to receive entree. Quail salad was superb. Everything else didn't WOW me.
(3)
Emrich S.
We had a terrific meal. The welcome through the goodbye, the staff was terrific. Some would find the menus limited and eclectic, but everything was stupendous. Loved starting off with the Smoking jacket, great cocktail, Rabbit entree, and chocolate hazelnut tart and wine pairing was a home run finish.
(5)
Lisa S.
Sweetbread is a lust and must. Scallops perfectly prepared. Lemon semifreddo dessert paired with Sauternes delightful finish to an elegant, moderately priced New Orleans dinner experience!
(5)
Jerry M.
As always, Bayona was incredible. It's been a long time since I've visited, but the food, ambiance, and service have remained top notch. The dining room is classy without feeling stuffy, the service is attentive without being pushy, and food is delicious and creative without being too cute. The mainstays of the garlic soup, sweetbreads, and goat cheese crouton with mushrooms were perfect. The crispy quail salad, Bayona salad, and sweet potato brioche were delightful as well. Moving on to entrees, the mainstay artic char was perfect, as were the duroc pork chop with balsamic chipollini onion and the pastrami smoked flat iron steak. For dessert, the pear bread with poached pear is perfection. Not over the top sweet, but just enough to finish off a great meal. Bayona is a classic New Orleans restaurant and will remain one for a long time because of how well they deliver great food in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, with professional and engaging service.
(5)
Anne M.
Very disappointing meal due to slow, slow service. Got drink order wrong. Three of us served while the fourth person waited a good 15 minutes longer for her appetizer even though it was the same as another member of our party. Check was calculated incorrectly. Food was good, not great. Would not recommend.
(2)
Braun M.
Everything about this experience (business dinner) was amazing.. the service (and in particular, our waitress) were spectacular. This is what nice dining is all about.
(5)
Kim N.
Good, but I would not go back. On the plus side, the food was really good. I had the artichoke and oyster bisque (YUM!) and the duck breast (also yum). My mom also had the soup and she had their fish special (can't remember what it was). The restaurant was relatively small and I didn't really care for the ambiance. There was just nothing special or unique inside - I felt like I was just in someone's plain house. Despite our table being available when we arrived, we were asked to wait in their lounge area for several minutes and order a drink (this seems to be a typical ploy with a number of restaurants in NOLA). Our server was rather curt and would disappear for long periods of time. It took so long for us to get our entrees (at least 30 minutes after our soup bowls were cleared) that we didn't have time to stay for dessert. But the thing that really bothered me was that the fish special was listed in the menu as $28. Our server advised us that the fish had been changed, but didn't mention a price difference. Sure enough, when we received the bill, it was a higher price than listed in the menu. Now, it wasn't a HUGE deal (it was only $3 more), but just on principle I think that is rude. We realized it as we were walking out and as we had somewhere to be, we had to just let it go. Not a fan of the bait and switch though.
(3)
Paul S.
the house of Bayona has proven the test of time. if you are looking for really good food and excellent service for a special night out in the french quarter, this place should be on your list of considerations. we had perfect service and all the food was done to perfection. none of it is cheap, but the prices of bayona reflect the location and susan spicer's culinary history. the garlic soup, we knew the recipe is published, but we wanted to try the original before attempting it ourselves at home. both were good (home version and bayona tasted the same). we also had the scallops (appetizer), and the duck.
(4)
Danielle J.
Been to Bayona twice during my most recent nola visit - once with boyfriend, once with friend and boyfriend, and the food (while I ordered the same thing both times, the salmon) is my favorite in nola. While the service the second visit wasn't great (but the courtyard was!), the food is always so good it makes up for it. We'd made reservations at muriels for a friends first visit to nola in a decade, and as usual, were having difficulties finding places that served non gulf (or fried, or stuffed) fish, so I knew that bayona would be a safe bet (cancelled muriels). She ordered the salmon too and loved it (its served on top of a sauerkraut that doesn't involve meat), and while I forget what my boyfriend ordered (some meat, probably pork), he loved his as well. If you're looking for somewhere that has fantastic non cajun/creole food options, and also a great courtyard (and indoors ambiance, albeit more formal), bayona is always a safe bet!
(4)
Steve I.
After walking by Bayona literally every week or so I decided to finally eat here. A friend and I came here Monday for dinner. Bayona is located in a 200-yr old (or so) cottage and the setting is wonderful and cozy. We ordered the sweetbreads to start off with. My friend ordered the salmon and I had the peppered lamb loin. For dessert we split the sweet potato tart with caramel, cinnamon, and marshmallow. We also had a half bottle of red wine. The staff was very helpful with recommendations and also very attentive during our visit. The sweetbread was just ok to us. We both agreed that next time we would try something else besides the sweetbread. Both of our entrees came with mashed sweet potato and we both thought it was awesome! My friend's salmon was wonderfully cooked and my lamb loin was very filling and full of flavor. The dessert though was the star of the meal. It was pure heaven! The enclosed picture says it all. We enjoyed our food immensely overall. Bayona is a classic New Orleans restaurant to me. It has all the charm and consistently great food as your Commander's Palace, Galatoire's, or Antoine's.
(4)
mahim r.
Excellent food and great ambience. The reason I give them 4 stars instead if 5 is because of Restaurant August, which is a class above. If you are visiting NOLA, no doubt you will eat at more than one place. This should be in the top 5 of your list. Excellent food, reasonable prices. You will not be disappointed.
(4)
Corinne G.
Excellent food and fabulous service.
(4)
Erin W.
Good food; I hesitate to say great though. Pork chops were slightly tough and chewy, seasoned well. The mango salsa accompany the chops was tasty. Creamy cauliflower soup was very good. Creamy garlic soup was great with bold garlic flavor! Stuffed rabbit was delicious. Red snapper was fresh tasting and cooked appropriately. Mango flan was amazing!! Service was so so. Servers were polite, but not overly friendly. Glad we went there once to try it. We probably will try other restaurants the next time we visit NOLA.
(4)
Kathleen D.
It's such pretty restaurant; the uniquely decorated dining rooms, floral arrangements, and oil paintings. When I think of Bayona it's all flowers and delicacy here. Which means that my husband and I stand out like a couple of sore thumbs. Like two of Sissy Hankshaw's enormous thumbs, who really enjoy that cream of garlic soup. The garden is so lovely too. I'm saying words like, "Lovely." Lush tropical greenery- I'm tellin you! Private garden courtyard. Come on! If our last visit hadn't fallen on such a chilly, grey morning, wouldsa snagged them seats. It's the cutest. And you know me I'm not usually all on and on about ambiance. I care about the food, don'tcha know? Usually I'm all trying to be poignant about every restaurant meal, while editing out a lot of cursing about how great whatever dish. I love to curse for emphasis and appreciation! So the point is, to mention so, I'm a bit taken with the cottage setting, kid. Anyway, before we first went to Bayona- on the website I clicked on the dress code link they have, out of curiosity, I mean, seriously I only have it in me to dress up so much. Only so much. The requested attire at Bayona is, "casually elegant, or business casual." The place really does carry that vibe. It feels all pretty and special, and with plenty of white haired gentlemen look businessy. It all matches. The food is well prepared, refined, fresh and with flashes of globally influenced ingredients, too. Despite the fact that Susan Spicer's recipe for cream of garlic soup has been in my possession and repertoire for quite some time, (thank you Food & Wine Magazine), I still have to order the OG version here, every time. That golden soup is so deeply roasty, luscious and garlicky. Ridiculous. I might add that this soup too is a warm, comforting coat for the tummy; especially for one that may have been a bit unhappy as a result of drinking antics a night before. And by the way, speaking of Food & Wine, I have been reading that magazine over at my Aunt's house since I was a little kid. I read about Chef Spicer as one of their Best New Chefs when I was like, 11? That's a long time ago, dude! It's been nice to be able to eat at Bayona when I grew up. The restaurant has been around for over 20 years now. It does feel like a classic French Quarter place there on Dauphine, on the street once known as Camino De Bayona, when New Orleans was the Spanish capital of Luisiana. Yeah, I took a photo of that chipped tile historical marker on the courtyard wall. So, I like I says, I always get the garlic soup. I've had great salads here too. For lunch though, I always get that uncommon sandwich concoction that is the Smoked Duck, Cashew-Peanut Butter and Pepper Jelly Sandwich on toast. I had to try it. Creamy, salty + smokey pulled duck+ sweet with that spike of pepper jelly: I dug it. I likes to do it again. My husband and I always end up sharing everything we order anyway, but those two are my must-orders. In fact, a few weeks ago we went to Bayona for the "Saturday Light Lunch"- three courses for $25. Depending on what you order it can be a really light lunch- example: the mussel crostini was one lil toast and mussel with some herbage. Salads and soups are some heartier selections. And have I mentioned the soup? Oh I have. Our server informed that the course selection groupings were just guidelines but you could even pick three of the same if you so hankered. Well, I didn't do that, but along with the perfect cheese plate, I did go garlic soup, annnd the flaky puff pastry filled with smoked duck and cashew butter with pepper jelly... even though other selections looked tempting... and bites of the ole boy's choices were super good too. I guess it's like the old saying goes, "Once you go duck, jelly and 'butter, you can't order nuttin other."
(4)
Roxanne L.
So, my boyfriend (yelpie Paul R.) tells me that he made a promise to himself that he'd show me the best of NOLA. Bayona claims: Our Restaurant Gives You New Orleans. Our Menu Gives You The World. I am not at all surprised when he took me to Bayona. To those who have not ever been here and are contemplating on coming here...this place is quaint and located in a pretty hidden spot. There's a delicate and tasteful sign out front but unless you're looking for it, chances are you will probably miss it. Similar to Katrina R.'s experience, it was dark with a slight drizzle the night we went, which contributed to the difficulty to locate the venue. We were running a little late but the staff was was really attentive and welcoming. We were seated by a window/door in the dining area. As I have mentioned, Bayona is quaint and the setting is pretty intimate. Prior to our visit, I did some research on Yelp and UrbanSpoon etc and the Veal Sweetbreads with Sherry Mustard Butter came highly recommended. And nope, the tangy, perfectly cooked sweetbreads bursts with flavor and was just as magical as everyone made it sound. It was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend it too. I was deciding between the Grilled Duck Breast (with Pepper Jelly Sauce and Wild Rice) and the Peppered Lamb Loin (with Goat Cheese and Zinfandel Sauce). Our server recommended the lamb and wow, I have never had such wonderfully prepared meat of any kind. Seriously. I had my lamb prepared as medium rare and medium rare it was. The center was a deep shade of pink without blood seeping out and the outer edges weren't charred but cooked to what I would say perfection. The seasoning was amazing and the goat cheese really brought out the flavor. It didn't overpower the subtle Zinfandel sauce like I thought it might. Paul really pampered me with the Bayona dining experience and set the bar high for restaurants in NOLA. My experience dining there is simply outstanding. I could not have asked for a better meal or a better evening.
(5)
Amy B.
As others have noted, the food was incredible, but the service was leisurely. In Bayona's defense, the pace of life in New Orleans is more laid back than my home region of New England, and slow service seems the norm here. That said, several people in our party were uncomfortably warm in the attic dining room where we sat, and the server was not quick to help remedy the situation. Oh, but the food was really good. I shared a gratin appetizer featuring oysters, greens, and sausage, then moved on to the special rabbit dish. I had initially ordered the red snapper special, but the waiter let us know he did not have enough of them for the several of us who'd ordered it; I switched to the rabbit and did not regret it. My sister-in-law let me snag a smoked quail leg from her salad and it may have been THE best thing I tasted at Bayona. The bread and sweet potato muffins served with dinner were also fresh and delicious. Desserts were the culinary low point, despite being pretty good themselves; we shared a chocolate hazelnut tarte, deconstructed carrot cake, and lemon buttermilk pie. The pie was the best of the three by far. I also liked the rioja we drank and the glass of sherry I enjoyed with dessert. Bayona has an extensive wine list and I liked the decor of the open wine shelving around the attic dining room, although I was curious how they keep the bottles at temperature in such a warm space. Overall, I'd recommend Bayona for a special meal. The food is too good not to try. I'd probably ask to be seated downstairs in the hope of a more comfortable environment.
(4)
Doug B.
Our night at bayona started off bad when we arrived five minutes early for 7:00 reservations and were made to wait while they seated people with 7:15 reservations. We ordered salads and our main courses. My wife ordered the pork at the recommendation of the waiter who proceeded to ask her how she wanted it cooked, having never been asked that before she took his recommendation of medium. We received our salads quickly and they were good. However it then took nearly a full hour to get our meals...which were cold. My wife was unable to cut her pork chop which appeared to be undercooked even at medium. The manager offered to pay for dessert, so we accepted assuming we were just expecting too much. On looking back I should have asked for a much larger discount. We went to a similarly priced restaurant the next day and got better food (it was actually hot!), better service, and didn't wait an hour. I do not recommend this restaurant at all. And we'll not ever return. Lesson learned.
(1)
Sarah H.
My husband and I come here at least twice when we are in New Orleans on vacation. The service is simply incredible! I could go on for days about how fabulous I think this place is! It worth every penny every time. My husband is a finicky/picky eater with some strange food issues, no "weird" meat, no onions, all kinds of hang ups BUT he has loved every dish that comes out of Chef Spicer's kitchen! No joke he has said she could cook him anything and he would eat it. The sweetbreads are a must have, we get them every time(husband loves them even though I think they could be considered "weird" meat). I love the Stormy Morning drink, my husband says it reminds him of a purple sweet-tart candy! Get the quail salad, its tasty and Mr. Frank says if you don't like it you're not an American. And if rabbit is on the menu get that too! Its a nice slow dining experience which I enjoy, after all who likes to feel rushed? Also you can trust these waiters and waitresses for honest recommendations to other local restaurants.
(5)
Eric Y.
If you're in New Orleans, you absolutely need to go to Bayona and get the sweetbreads. Don't think, just go. It may have been the best dish that I've ever eaten. It was that delicious. The other dishes are enjoyable but the sweetbreads were out of this world.
(5)
Amit A.
One of the best restaurants in town. The foods complexity, taste layers and combinations were truly amazing. Drinks were stout and tasty. Service was great. All in all, we'll be going back!!! A great night!!
(5)
Katie L.
Excellent dining experience. Make your reservations well in advance. If the weather's nice, enjoy the courtyard - which is lovely. The food is wonderful and the service is friendly and attentive. I started with a daily special of cauliflower soup with macrona almonds and lemon oil - heavenly! For dinner I had the duck breast prepared with southwestern flavors and the waiter paired a lovely Cote du Rhone wine - delightful! Wish I'd saved room for desert.
(5)
Charles H.
ROASTED GARLIC SOUP, QUAIL SALAD: 23 year favorites! VARIED ENTRÉES: 8 people can have 8+ different proteins at one sitting; SHABBY (but not chic) paint-worn trim, threadbare seating, peeling wallpaper. I love Susan Spicer! About 20 years ago a glowing review of Bayona came out in the NY Times and referenced that she was one of 3 female chef's that were the vanguard of locally grown, seasonal and sustainably-sourced ingredients. I was intrigued and actually tried the other two: Alice Water's Chez Panisse in Berkley, and Bev Gannon's Hali'imaile General Store in Maui. All three have amazing menus appropriate to their location. Bayona is usually among my guests' favorite dining experiences and despite negative reviews I've never had bad service, but then I learned years ago to flirt and chat-up wait staff so as not to be "out of mind". The restaurant is beautiful, AT NIGHT, the epitome of the gas lit creole cottage with classic terra cotta walls, oily black green shutters, and huge sprays of flowers on the round pillared banquettes. But if you go for a reasonably priced prix-fixe lunch you can see the wear and tear. Attention to detail should extend beyond back-of-the-house food preparation.
(3)
Holly J.
Bayona has a great space and fabulous service. All of the food that we had was in the "very good but not great" category, excepting the sweetbreads which are worth the trip by themselves. I'd love to give it another try and eat in their lovely courtyard.
(4)
Carolyn G.
Oh, Bayona! I have been to this restaurant several times in the past when visiting New Orleans and have always had wonderful dining experiences. I am sad report, however, that this visit was an exception. I'm not sure if the restaurant was short-staffed or just busy, but the service was terrible and the hostess and waiter were not that attentive. I am truly disappointed because Bayona has always been one of my NOLA favorites, but I will not return because of this experience.
(1)
Gabe B.
Some of the best food I have eaten in my entire life. A staple every time I go to the big easy. The Smoking Jacket is... Epic. High-end? Yes. Worth it? More than. Go. Just go. You will thank me later. :)
(5)
Cest L.
We were lucky enough to pick the right time to try this restaurant! For the Saturday lunch they offer a fixed price menu, three items for $25, and it is a bargain! The hostess and wait staff all agreed that Saturday was the best day to try this place. There were three sections to the menu and you could pick one item from each. For starters I had the beet salad and my companion had the garlic soup, both were excellent. The beets were prepared just right along with the spicy greens and vinaigrette along with their house-made cheese. The garlic soup had a thick creamy texture but what made it exceptional were the little garlic crisps were sprinkled on top. Next course was duck rilette, fried duck liver and a poached egg. I love liver and this liver was a wonderful fried to perfection piece of greatness! My companion had the grits with lima beans and Tasso which had a wonderful flavor. For the last course I opted for the cheese plate and my companion had the smoked duck with cashew butter in a puff pastry. The cheese plate was good, but the duck was awesome! I would have never thought that combining smoked duck and cashew butter would taste that good! We will add this restaurant to the "we have to eat there list" when in New Orleans!
(5)
Kari C.
Lunch at Bayona was fantastic! Jane and James, our servers were amazing, and took very good care of us. The 3 course Saturday light lunch menu ($25) was not only delicious, but a very good value. I only wish it would have been a weekday to take advantage of those 23cent martinis! Overall, best meal (and dining experience) the entire trip. As far at the stand-outs... the quail was to die for, and do NOT miss the Smoked Duck and Peanut-Cashew Butter in Puff Pastry with Hot Pepper Jelly. SO unique and so lip-smackingly deeelish!
(5)
Timothy B.
Let me start with the most important part; if you skip the quail salad you are making a huge mistake. The quail salad is really probably the best salad dish I have ever had. The sweetbread appetizer is very good. The wine list had some fantastic hidden gems that were very reasonably priced for the age and quality of the wine. Only thing I regret is the main course I ordered, the mole duck. I had already decided the protein I wanted and the preparation (while very well done and would fit exceptionally well on any modern Mexican menu) just didn't fit with the other flavors. My error, good dish, but at the wrong time for me. My friend and I had been told that service can be at a leisurely pace so we requested expedited service at the beginning of the meal and the pacing was fine.
(4)
Erica B.
Susan Spicer is one of my hero's! I've been to Bayona a couple of times, once in the "off" season and the other time was with a group of girl friends during second weekend of 2013 Jazz Fest. Both times I was impressed with the service, the atmosphere -The patio is lovely when the weather permits, and inside I felt like I was in a girlfriend's living room!- and of course, the food. I've had the shortbreads, shrimp and black bean cakes, crispy smoked quail salad, rabbit roulade, and my mouth is watering to get back to try more of the deliciousness that is on that amazing menu! The night my girlfriends were all there, we asked if Susan might be able to come say hello so we could meet her, and she DID!! Such an amazing woman!! AND, recently, Susan Spicer and Bayona sent sue chefs to the Bay Area to serve us up at the Sweetwater music hall during a show with the New Orleans Suspects! I had the craw fish turnover... OMG. It was a PERFECT flaky pastry filled with a delicious, hot craw fish stew. I could have eaten 3 more! Alas, I didn't want to be a glutton! But I probably will be because I'm heading back to NOLA in the fall and I will for SURE be hitting up Bayona again! THANK YOU SUSAN SPICER!!
(5)
Karen N.
This meal was like a roller coaster. A roller coaster ride where the meal started at the apex and then slowly meandered down a curve going down. The appetizer started off amazing! Everything in between became more and more lackluster. The veal sweetbreads with sherry is amazing! If I could have three portions of just that - this would easily be a five star review. The flavors of the sweetbreads compounded with the sherry is phenomenal. However, one normally orders a main course after an app. I was stoked after the appetizer expecting the same caliber of food - not so much. Imagine when you meet someone out and about who seems to have it all together... just to find out they still live at home. That was my main course. So much so that I can't even remember what it was. (Shrugs) The dessert the table ordered was a plate full of different small bites. Unimpressive again for my taste buds for such a lovely location and beginning. To speak of it musically, the night started with a forte and with a steady decrescendo ended in silence for me. Would I give it another chance? Those sweetbreads alone would do the trick.
(3)
Yichen C.
A great part of our affection for this restaurant came from the waitress there. There were only one waiter and one waitress when we visited, and the waitress remembered every single dish with all the ingredients and cooking methods and did a 5-minute, elaborate introduction to the full menu without the aid of any memo. That was AMAZING. Regardless of how many years she has worked there (presumably a lot), that's a difficult job for anybody. Anyways, she did a wonderful job making us feel at home, and the dinner was very pleasant. The restaurant itself has a little nice family-restaurant touch to it, and the setting was cozy and classy at the same time. The food was quite good, too - we loved the eggplant foie gras dish :)
(4)
Richard B.
Heavyweight champion in a city with the highest food standards in the US. The duck in date molasses could classify as food porn; about the most sinfully delicious dish I have had in NOLA.
Chef Susan Spicer is one of those famous chefs that still cooks at her own restaurants... both Bayona and Mondo... but this review is about my favorite of the two, Bayona. Simply put, this is one of the true treasures of New Orleans cuisine and a really world class restaurant. The physical building is wonderful... right in the middle of the Quarter... a creole cottage with a wonderful courtyard. It is elegant in that comfortable Creole way of making things nice, pleasing to the eye but not stuffy. But while the decor is classic and inviting, it is the food that is the real star. I have been eating here for years and can honestly say I've never had a bad meal at this restaurant... and have had only exceptional food when Chef Spicer is manning the kitchen. When you go, don't forget to order the Sweetbreads (as an appetizer) and then enjoy the signature Garlic Soup if you've never had it before... The entrees change, but her Scallops are always amazing as is whatever fish is being presented. If you see anything with an Asian twist, do yourself a favor and order it.... she has a wonderful way of marrying her cuisine with Asian flavors ... a really special treat. The wine list is wonderful as well and Shannon, the resident Sommelier, is wonderfully approachable and is always anxious to help you pair a great wine with your meal. If you have never tried this jewel of a restaurant, do yourself a favor and make a reservation the next time you're in the Crescent City. You will be thrilled you did!
(5)
Bill L.
We stayed at the Dauphine Orleans, and would walk by Bayona each day at least 2 or 3 times. We finally decided to check out the menu, and as we were reading, a man stopped his car to shout out to us that we should just go in and eat - it's that good. Well, that seemed like a good sign, and while we had somewhere else to be at that moment, we vowed to come back the next day. Unfortunately it was raining that next day, so we couldn't enjoy the outdoor eating area, but we were still excited to try the duck sandwich we had found on the menu. The prix fixe looked too good to pass up, and my wife and I both opted for it. It included a salad, soup, and entree, plus a glass of champagne. Eh, why not? We're in New Orleans, right? The salad was good, but not earth shattering. But that's okay, because the next two courses were some of the best things I've ever eaten. I had the garlic soup for my second course, which was delicious. Garlicky, creamy, a little spicy - it was everything I dreamed a soup could be. My wife had a butternut squash soup, which was also fantastic. We both ordered the duck "PB&J" for our main course. Two thick slices of bread were stuffed with decadent, juicy duck. Cashew butter and a pepper jelly made up the "PB&J" part. Goodness gracious. This was one of the top two or three sandwiches I've ever had. I love me some duck, but was surprised at just how well everything worked together. I did wish there was a tiny bit more pepper jelly, but that's really picking nits. The thing was out of this world good. The next day we saw a couple reading the menu as we walked by. I casually told them to "Do it." as we passed them. We turned and saw them heading inside.
(5)
Jessie S.
Sorry, but this place has terrible service. We ordered apps, wine and entrees so I thought we would be well taken care of as a group of 8, but we were not. Our meals took over an hour to get delivered and when we mentioned it to the waitress, she didn't have an apology. I'll take my money elsewhere because I feel like when you pay that much for a meal, you should get outstanding service and a respectful waitstaff. Very disappointed!
(1)
Alexa X.
Appetizer: 1. Sweetbread--this is why i gave the restaurant a 4 star rating. Soft and melting. Note that this is not bread but rather some kind of gullet or stomach meat. The texture is like snail only less chewy. 2. Onion pie--A friend ordered it and I had a bite. It's just so-so. Entree: Rabbit stuffed with sausage with smothered greens(see pic): the rabbit was very tender, and the sausage in it gives it a variety in texture and flavor. I would give it a 3.8 rating. Dessert: 1. Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Tart with Earl Grey Ice Cream and Strawberries -- the ice cream was amazing, and is a nice side to the tart. The tart itself is very heavy and creamy. 2. Mango Cheesecake Flan with Pistachio Crust and Blackberries -- although mango flavored flan is rare, the flan on the whole is ok. The texture is closer to cheesecake than to the light flan, and thus not for someone who prefers a more jello-ish texture. 3. Carrot Cake--Ordinary only. The service was great. Waiter very helpful and nice and willingly to accommodate.
(4)
Mickey M.
I did not order a starter and had the rabbit roulade as my main (a bit light portion-wise but delicious). My companion had the Caesar salad (overdressed but the dressing itself was tasty) to start and the Alaskan salmon main (good). For dessert we shared the carrot cake, which came out in an orb covered in frosting. I had ordered it thinking it would be a traditional cake, but it came out looking more deconstructed than traditional. The dessert course was the most disappointing -- the orb was difficult to penetrate (like frosting that hardens if you leave it out), and the cake itself was very dry. Also, the accompaniments on the plate (diced pineapple and dried, cut carrot) were appalling. Overall, the food (dessert course excepted) was pretty good but the service was incredibly underwhelming. Our waiter did not check on us in over an hour (we were here for 2 hours total) and neglected to refill our wine glasses. When we finished that atrocious dessert the bus-boy came over to refill our wine glasses because we had more than half a bottle of our wine left. Our waiter's negligence was unacceptable.
(3)
Seth B.
Susan Spicer is the new queen of New Orleans cooking. The character in the show Treme is loosely based off of her. This top dining spot in New Orleans is nestled in the French Quarter with a great courtyard if the weather permits. When you walk in they will make you have an obligatory drink in their Florida room but once you are buzzed a culinary delight awaits. Always a large list of daily specials with the solid mainstays always available.
(5)
Perrey L.
Ever since I went on my first cruise, I found the experience so delightful, so fulfilling, so, well, for lack of better descriptors, so experientially orgasmic, that I occasionally have a very vivid dream that I'm on a cruise. I mean I live through the whole seven day experience. I dream up new friends, crazy foreign waiters, foreign outings, drunken karaoke, injuries, the whole bit. Like after having dreams of lost loves or finally bagging Ryan Gosling, I tend to wake up sad as I face the cold reality of my workaday, hamster wheel life. Ever since I ate at Bayona, I have had new dreams... dreams of tangy, perfectly cooked sweetbreads, kinky rabbit three ways, exploding fonts of delicious spicy Spanish wines, perfect service, and basically the best of everything epicurean... you get the picture. Just like I was "happy with my life" before I went on my first cruise, I thought I had tasted some of New Orleans' best cuisine before I ate at Bayona. Not so! If you have not been, get thee to Bayona. You will not regret it. In fact, you'll never be the same...
(5)
Stacey A.
Cashew butter. Pepper jelly. Duck breast. Sandwich. Go to Bayona for lunch and eat it and be full and fat and happy.
(5)
Mary T.
We were very disappointed last night when we arrived at Bayona at 10:01 and asked if we could get dessert and drinks and we were told the kitchen was closed. The restaurant was still 70% filled, so clearly there dessert station was not closed. My husband and I had come from a show at the Saenger. The hostess was polite enough so we couldn't complain but we both got the feeling that she just didn't want to deal with us. I've worked in restaurants before and a manager would have happily sat us. There were plenty of open tables. It's too bad because Bayona is usually one of our favorite restaurants.
(1)
Kelly D.
Not feeling this place . Service is very spotty. You are welcomed to wait in a lovely sitting area but the hostess forgets to bring your drinks. amateur hour! By the time you are seated in the dining room, which is noisy and crowded, the menu is sparse and limited. The redemption is in the actual food- quite good a solid three stars. Well prepared and delivered hot. With all the competition in this town for dining this place needs some training up.
(3)
Mike B.
We started the meal with smoked Mediterranean salmon, then the strawberry and grapefruit salad and then finished the meal with the bbq shrimp...delicious. ..we will be back....Michael and Sara where splendid with recommendations and service.
(4)
Edward G.
My experience here was so New Orleans, Ben Kingsley to my right a woman dressed in crocs to my left. The dining room was quaint and quiete allowing for easy conversation. Now down to the brass tax, the rabbit was cooked perfectly and the sweatbreads are among the city's the best. The desert menu was lacking which prevents me from giving five stars. Rservations were easy to get and compared to the average FQ restaurants, Susan Spicer's french quarter gems distinguishes itself.
(4)
Gabriela R.
Bayona is a nice little restaurant in the French quarter. The staff were really friendly and accommodating. The had a great wine list. Everything was wonderful except thee food. I had the flat iron steak which was bland and the side of pickled cabbage I believe it was, wasn't a nice touch. My husband got the pork which was juicy but not spectacular. Maybe it was an off day. When I go back to Nola I will give Bayona a second try
(3)
John B.
This was a pretty disappointing experience. I lived in New Orleans for 4 1/2 years through 2003 when Bayona was one of the best restaurants in the city. I went with 2 friends who have lived in NOLA since that period (or before); all of us have great respect for New Orleans restaurant culture and plenty of experience eating great food in New Orleans restaurants.. The meal was not awful, but there was a great deal of underperformance. The worst offense came fairly early after I ordered a potato and artichoke soup, a special. When the waiter delivered the dish, one of my friends, noting the smell of the soup, extracted the acknowledgment from the waiter that they had run out of potato/artichoke soup and had instead brought out a chicken soup of some sort. I asked them to take it away and instead asked for the garlic soup my friends had ordered, which was okay, but not amazing. I don't fault them for running out of a special. I do fault them for deciding my order and putting the burden on the customer to a) find out about the unrequested substitution and b) order an alternative. They didn't bring out another menu and certainly didn't apologize. Other aspects of the meal were also lackluster. My main course, a red snapper dish, tasted fine, but was room temperature and had obviously been sitting out for 10-15 minutes at least. One of my friends said her dish was also lukewarm, rendering one of the side dishes inedible. Other shortcomings that might otherwise have been overlooked included that the waiter had no idea about the difference between competing bottles of Sancerre wine. We were also seated about 30 minutes after our reservation time. Again, this would have been excusable if the rest of the experience had lived up to expectation. All in all, the 3 of us were all just really disappointed. Susan Spicer enjoys a lot of good will among NOLA residents for producing innovative, great food all these years and for standing by the city through thick and thin. As a former resident, I have fond memories, not only of Bayona, but of other Spicer creations that have changed hands (Herbsaint) or evaporated (the late great Spice Inc. in the Warehouse district). I live in New York now, so I'm used to mediocre, overpriced restaurants. But that won't fly in New Orleans, at least not with locals.
(3)
Nick K.
Simply put, Bayona is incredible. The food is delectable, the service is impeccable and the decor is warm and inviting. Our meal at Bayona was the capstone of our trip to New Orleans. For appetizers, we enjoyed the goat cheese crouton, the shrimp and black bean cakes and the cippolini onion tart. For the main course, we enjoyed the flat iron steak and the pepper-crusted lamb. For dessert, we enjoyed the cherry sorbet and the chocolate tart. Everything was amazing! It was a truly memorable dining experience.
(5)
Marc C.
The small plates for weekend lunch were fun and I was surprised that I left totally full. The ice cream my friend had seemed like a boring choice but was actually great. The service was great, the chef made an appearance in the dining room, and there were a lot of colorful local characters and tourists joking around a little. The quail salad was another small plate I really enjoyed.
(4)
Vida K.
My date and I went to Bayona for the Saturday lunch where you can order three small plates for twenty-five dollars. I ordered the garlic soup which was creamy and garlicky and quite delicious. I loved the crunchy bits of garlic floating in the soup. We both ordered the Gambas al Ajillo with smoked potato stuffed in piquillo pepper. This dish was amazing and beautifully plated. This dish was wonderful with hints of garlic and pepper. The stuffed peppers were simply delicious! I then ordered the cornmeal crusted floulder with pimiento cheese and grits and greens. This was wonderful! The grits were so delicious and cheesy with just enough spice from the pimiento. The flounder had a bit of crunch to it, but a tad bit salty, but all the same delicious. The greens were spicy and very, very tasty. My date ordered the rabbit and dumplings and he quipped that this was his favorite dish he had in New Orleans. It was beautifully plated with small spoon sized dumplings on top of the very meaty rabbit stew. We had a reservation for 11:30 and were promptly seated at a nice table by the window. The service was extremely good. Throughout the lunch we had three people waiting on us! Our favorite restaurant!
Susan Spicer has long created exceptional food, and though some chefs' complacency allows them to rest on laurels, such is not the case at Bayona. We had the quintessential divine New Orleans lunch there yesterday to celebrate my mom's birthday. Everything was sublime. The artichoke-potato soup; eggplant "caviar" with kalamata tapenade; asparagus salad; and sinful barbecued shrimp were the best any of us can remember. Jane, our server, made the whole event even more special.
(5)
Rob K.
There's a good reason it's rated one of the best restaurants in NO. Outstanding food and service, can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Highly recommended!
(5)
Hiroko N.
We went there for dinner, both the foods and service were phenomenal. We had a wonderful time. Everything was good but sweetbread is something not to miss.
(5)
Jen L.
Whilst wandering in the FQ, we decided to pop in here for fancy drinks. I remembered my delicious and inventive cocktail from a few years ago. We stopped in and asked the hostess if we could just order drinks and sit in the lounge (other wise known as the area where you park yourself while waiting for a table). The drinks were delicious. The hostess was gracious. And the A/C was glorious. It was a lovely respite from the more basic (and cheaper) drinks we were partaking of.
(4)
Lauren C.
I was hesitant to try Bayona as the menu was small. However, the concierge at our hotel recommended that it is a great dining experience with food picked fresh daily. The restaurant is extremely cute with a courtyard in the back and a warm southern charm inside. The only negative is it gets a little cold with the air. The waitress was extremely knowledgeable about the food and wine list. Her recommendations were on point and she was very accommodating about my boyfriends nut allergy. The food was amazing and definitely tops my list of best restaurants. The food was superb from appetizer to dessert. We got the following: -appetizers -shrimp and black bean -cippolini with Monterey cheese and onions -goat cheese crouton - sweet potato brioche with maple butter- had it come with the entrees and was warm, light, sweet and salty. Perfect combo -entree -pepper crusted lamb- so good and I'm not a lamb person. Cooked perfectly and tender - flat iron steak - cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful Desserts -cherry sorbet-AMAZING. My favorite of the two -chocolate tart- good but enjoyed the espresso ice cream more than the tart. Must try on your trip to New Orleans! Will definitely be back !
(5)
Miryam H.
SATURDAY LUNCH special: 3 courses for $25 was an amazing way to get to know one of NOLA's acclaimed restaurants. They are not rigid on what you chose, so if you want all savory dishes and no dessert - you can do that too. The portions were good for sharing and delicious. The view of the street and courtyard is fabulous. Give yourself time for lunch since the pacing is spread out. Don't rush and just enjoy the food, drink and conversation. Definitely an authentic New Orleans food experience. You really feel like you're a part of a local's Saturday afternoon.
Had a very nice dinner experience. The waiters were on point and very patient as usual. I couldn't help but find great displeasure in the selection of desserts and pastries though. Sub par at best. And the taste is nothing to praise either.
(2)
J F.
Super disappointed in the food here. We made a reservation before our trip to New Orleans and were excited about tasting Susan Spicer's well know farm to table cuisine. We got there at 7 and it was not busy. We shoulda known then! The ambiance is nice, though it gets a little loud. The service is disconnected and impersonal. This service system with a lead server, a runner and a busser should allow the lead server to spend more time with the guests, but not here. The servers weren't communicating and the lead server didn't spend much time at all at the tables. He was a little cold as well which didn't make for a fun dining experience at all. The busser literally dropped the bread on the table with the olive oil without a word or a smile and ran off to the back. Now for the food. The first big downer was ordering the foie gras. I'd asked how it was prepared and told it was seared and served with a mousseline. Nope. it was floured and pan fried to a crisp! Foie gras should never be served well done and this was beyond that with a crispy crust on the outside that made me think it may have been dropped in the fryer. NASTY. A pork appetizer "egg roll" which wasn't expected, I have to give them that, it was actually a thin omelet stuffed with an ambiguous filling we couldn't identify. The sweet potato brioche were the best part of the meal. Light and flavorful. Overall the food was uninspired and dumbed down to mainstream. The flavor combinations seem to have no real point. For example the "Chile-dusted Chappapeela Duck Breast and Tamale" had no bite at all and the duck skin wasn't crisp (I don't mind fat but I like CRISPY fat, that's where the flavor is!) The steak was served with potatoes and green beans and a ho hum demi-gaze. No wow factor. Overall the flavors are muddy and the dishes pedestrian and the service stilted and ineffective. I wouldn't recommend it much less go back. There are SO many great restaurants in New Orleans!
(1)
Jason P.
My wife and I had reservations for dinner here on our first night in New Orleans. We had heard great things about this restaurant. We were greeted by the hostess and immediately were seated. The atmosphere of the restaurant is extremely cozy and welcoming. Our wait staff came over and introduced themselves. Our glasses were immediately filled with water, and our waitress helped us pick out a great bottle of wine that turned out to be rather inexpensive but VERY good! We started out with a Bayona salad which was perfect. I ordered the LA Legacy Hanger Steak and my wife ordered the Veal Sweetbreads with Sherry Mustard or Lemon Caper Butter, of which the staff brought both dipping sauces. I will say that the idea of Veal Sweetbreads did not sound good to me. They were fantastic! My wife and I both liked the Sherry Mustard sauce more than the Lemon Caper Butter, but both were very good. My Hangar Steak was perfectly done! It came with Roasted Bliss Potatoes, Green Beans, Bourbon Bacon Jam, all of which was melt in your mouth amazing! This was a fantastic restaurant, great experience from the second we walked in the door to the moment we left. We would highly recommend it to anyone going to visit New Orleans!
(5)
matthew m.
This place is THE BEST! Yelp doesn't like short reviews but that's all you really need to say. Do yourself a favor and get a cocktail. The Royal Daphene is great. Very complex. The duck with mole tamale thing is crazy good. This place is for foodies. Don't come here if you are a schmuck.
(5)
Brandon A.
I'm a bit upset with myself for being a native New Orleanian and only recently having experienced the wonder that is Bayona. Hands down one of the most famous establishments and most famous chefs in NOLA. They have a wide array of cocktail choices and naturally a pretty robust wine selection, but the stars are the service and the food of course. Immediately upon entering you are seated in a waiting area for people waiting on reservations, it's more like a living room than your typical bench in a doorway at most restaurants. You are situated right next to the famous courtyard on either a sofa, or a small table and one of the attendants passes around a drink menu. The food menu is a combination of an ever changing rotation of items and several staples that have been on the menu for years. I went with the signature menu specifically the Sweetbreads for an app and the Lamb Loin for an entree. Great place for a fancy date night, birthday celebration, proposal etc.
(5)
Christina T.
I didn't start following chefs until I heard of Susan Spicer and this restaurant. I like the feel of the place. Formal...waiters were plesant. I ordered the scallops which it was my first time having scallops and they were incredible. I would definitely go back here. The are accommodating to vegans and vegetarians with their menu items which is sometimes hard to find.
(4)
David M.
We had a spectacular lunch! The Duck PB&J was complex and beyond delicious. Housemade whole grain seeded bread around nutty sweet rich and delightful duck and duck's delicious friends. I want to go back and make a meal of just the Pimento Cheese Grits we got as a side. The salty-sweet kettlecorn ice cream may be the best ice cream I have ever had. The passionfruit sorbet had a twang that rocked our taste-buds after the sweet rchness of the ice cream. Lovely 24 cent drinks were had as a part of their anniversary celebration menu. The service was top notch as well! Here's what we had and I unreservedly recommend every last bit of it! Eggplant Caviar Olive Tapenade, Feta, Herb Croutons Mojama mende smoked and salt cured tuna Hot & Sour Soup with lemongrass and pineapple Roasted Garlic Soup Smoked Duck "PB & J" Cashew Butter, Pepper Jelly, Apple-Celery Salad, Wild Flour Multigrain Pimento cheese grits Chocolate Mousse Cake with Coconut Jam and Passionfruit Sorbet Kettlecorn ice cream
(5)
Shereene M.
This spot was recommended by a friend and it's definitely a cute spot. I wish it was nicer out and we could have sat in the courtyard. The inside isn't really my taste but very old school NOLA. We had the scallops and rabbit which were very good but nothing I was in love with. It was good but didn't blow us away that we wanted to come back.
(3)
Angie A.
Chef does this amazing 3-course "light lunch" on Saturday for $25 prix fix. The incredible menu is explained by Jane, the leader of a team of expert servers, who were warm and friendly, but perfectly attuned to the casual pace. My husband started with Chef's classic garlic soup (sublime) and I had the best Caesar salad ever (with arugula!). We moved on to fabulous stuffed quail and Chef' famous sweetbreads, just spectacular. By now we were deciding to download Chef's cookbook. We finished with the duck/ cashew butter and pepper jelly puff, and chocolate panna cotta: the perfect end to the perfect lunch experience. Can't wait to go back for dinner!
(5)
Regina L.
Went for my SO's birthday. The crispy quail salad was good, though the quail seemed a touch overcooked. I pretty much never send food back in a restaurant, but I did not eat the chilled Moroccan beet soup. It was strangely devoid of beet flavor; in fact, it didn't taste like much of anything. The shrimp and black bean cake was okay. The shrimp were nicely cooked, but the bean cake had a bit of an off-putting texture. Crawfish phyllo: okay, but very rich and had a cream cheese taste. I didn't manage to finish it. For entrees, my SO had the salmon and I had the sweetbreads. Both came with the same exact sides: butternut squash puree, roasted potatoes, and green beans. The puree was good, but no better than what I could make at home. The potatoes and green beans were pretty boring. The salmon was good, if a bit more rare than the medium rare that it was described as. The sweet breads. Oh, what a disappointment! They were overcooked and were not the creamy delicious bites I was expecting. There were a lot on the plate and, to be honest, I would have preferred fewer and had them better prepared. I did not finish my entree. We had 4 glasses of wine, but opted to skip dessert. In short, we had a $160 mediocre meal. I SO wish we had gone to August!
(2)
Ian A.
Ughhhhhhh.... We had a reservation but were a little late aka 10 mins I guess that means back of the line we sat happily in the front I asked for a drink it never came but finally we got sat... Waited the guy who gave us water was nice.. Our server Ashley was nice too but come on I'm here 3 hours no food... The manager just came up to me and was so inappropriate so rude....he tried to strong arm me by claiming the police were coming
(1)
becki f.
We had a very disappointing experience here- celebrating our anniversary on Valentines Day. After making reservations 60 days in advance, we arrived and our table was not ready, When we were seated, we were asked to leave the table because it was 'a regular's' table. We were escorted back to waiting and offered cocktails for our trouble, which we were eventually charged for. Once we were seated, the service was inattentive. We asked for bread when it was being offered to tables around us, and then chastised for not knowing it was only 'on request'. We watched while others were offered a chef's special tray prior to dessert, which we were never offered even though we ordered a full course meal including appetizers, starters, entrees, dessert, coffee and port. It was great when the chef came around and saw other tables, skipping ours. Apparently, being a regular is what matters here. Our travel agent had made arrangements for us to have a special anniversary evening- but no one even acknowledged our anniversary. The food was actually pretty good but couldn't overcome the service. I am no longer a Susan Spicer fan. We had a good time laughing about this, but really?? Do not waste your time on Bayona with so many great restaurants in NOLA.
(1)
Eric L.
DO NOT EAT HERE IF YOU EXPECT TO FINISH IN DINNER IN 2.5 HOURS!! Our group had a 7 pm dinner reservation. Our entrees were not served until 9:15 pm. Their official closing time is at 9:30 pm. The food was not bad but it was hardly great either. Is this worth waiting for with glacial service?
(2)
Yolanda F.
Disappointing...the fast food equivalent of New Orleans cuisine. Quite honestly, you'll probably enjoy it if you're a tourist. As someone who married into a New Orleans family and spends a lot of time here, I know the difference. The menu was solid, but uninspired. The service was lackluster, at best. We had to ask for drinks multiple times. The split pea soup came out with our two appetizers, after we'd complained about the lag in service. The manager, who we'd complained to, was rude and dismissive. The soup was lukewarm and tasted as if it had come out of a can. The fried oysters over warm spinach salad was ok. The shrimp, crawfish, and goat cheese in phyllo dough was seasoned well--it was by far the most interesting thing we had. We split the lamb loin entree. It was underwhelming, to say the least. It was very unevenly cooked (we'd ordered medium, but it appeared to vary from medium rare to medium well). The sides were far better than the lamb. The atmosphere also left a lot to be desired--there was a table of drunken tourists a few tables away. Overall, Bayona is unimpressive. If you're visiting, do yourself a favor. Get out of the French Quarter and try Upperline or Jacques-Imo's.
(2)
Julie M.
We came here for late lunch Saturday, so got to pick three small plates from the menu. The cocktail menu looked delicious, but we settled on sharing a bottle of moderately priced Gruner. I'm a HUGE seafood fan, so was disappointed to hear that they were already out of the scallop and pampano plates. Instead I chose to start with the garlic soup, which was yummy. Next I had the oysters, which were pretty darn good. Finally came the shrimp (the substitution item for scallops prepared the same way) and they were fantastic...and they even included one little scallop as a surprise! The food was good, but the atmosphere and staff were sort of stiff, which perhaps took away from the experience. If I came back, I would like to sit out in the courtyard.
(3)
Julia R.
Food was great but service was terrible!! Waiter was less than enthusiastic to begin with but we then had to wait 45 minutes for our entrees with no sign of our waiter during that time (with the restaurant being near empty). When asked about the status of the entrees we were told that everything was made from scratch and we should expect that kind of waiting time (false...). Since we had five guests, gratuity was directly added to our bill... Being less than enthusiastic about the service we asked why it was added and we were yelled at saying that it's just the way it is and that we just need to pay the bill. The food is good but the service needs to seriously improve to justify the prices they are practicing!!!
(1)
Kristin U.
Charming and warm. Inventive dishes, yes. I would have liked to give this restaurant 5 stars. Everything we had was excellent, from the sweetbreads and croutine, to the pb&j duck and shrimp and grits. I just wasn't blown away like I had anticipated. Maybe dinner would make that happen.
(4)
Abby N.
One of my favorite meals in New Orleans. The ambiance and service were spot on. We ordered mostly from the daily menu which included a ravioli appetizer that was amazing. Plate licking good. I wish I had some of that sauce right now. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Xavier W.
Bayona's performance went from penthouse to outhouse in less than 30 minutes - and stayed there for the next two-and-a-half hours. Yep, 3hrs for a birthday dinner for two. Highlight: greeting and initial appetizer service - veal sweetbread rocked. Lowlights: - hour to receive entree' (post-salad) - entree' cold (expected after forgotten) - medium steak came out rare - sent back - tri-tip steak all gristle and sinew. Lower quality than cheapest bad Chinese. - desert took 30 min - it was a scoop of ice cream - table 6 feet away got free desert and happy birthday sang to them. (They had set our table up with same happy birthday logo - guess they forgot during the marathon wait) We won't be returning.
(2)
Bob B.
One time visitor. Thought this was a great meal. We had just arrived in NOLA that afternoon and just met up with sister and husband and we had a lot to catch up on. We requested and were provided a patio table, very comfortable this particular evening and quiet. Started off with cocktails followed by Veal Sweetbreads, the Bayona Salad and finished with the Lamb Loin. All was excellent. The wine list is reasonable although they seem a bit proud of the Cabernets so we order a Syrah that was great. We shared the Chocolate Bourbon Panna Cotta for dessert! I can't say I have an opinion on the wait staff one way or the other. We were so wrapped up in our conversations and the meal, I hardly noticed so, that's probably a great comment! At the end of the night, we paid $100 pp, I would absolutely return and absolutely recommend to anyone!
(4)
Tracy S.
I'm writing this review to say how delicious one appetizer was, it was the best appetizer I might have ever had in my life! The goat cheese crouton w some sauce I can't remember the name! The restaurant has a standing menu on the left side of the menu and a seasonal menu on the right side. One of the appetizers on the left side is the best I have ever ever ever had! The goat cheese croutons states that it has mushrooms but I requested those to be moved! It was amazing, they also have fried blue cheese balls (not the correct name) but the goat cheese is much much better!!! I also had a strawberry salad which was yummy and the grilled salmon served w potatoes, green beans, carrots and butternut squash! This was a delicious meal! I was too full for dessert but my dinner mates said the chocolate tart with the early grey ice cream was magnificent! The only weird thing is the women's restroom, the mirror is set up so when you walk in you think you are bumping into a stranger but really it is just you!
(5)
Neil B.
We came here based on a recommendation from a server at Restaurant August. It was nice and we'd come back but I prefer some of the other restaurants we ate at. The most memorable thing here was the actual location of the restaurant being located in the French Quarter. The inside is unique and intimate since it is a converted house. It looks like you need to make reservations since the place was packed. You should eat here if you are visiting NOLA and enjoy eating at fine restaurants.
(4)
Jinyoung P.
This review is for the Light Lunch on Saturday. It was my birthday on Friday and I had made a reservation for K and myself to try Bayona for the first time at this brunch. It's a three plates for $25 deal and you can pick any three dishes from their menu. Not necessarily one from each category; you could order 3 desserts if you wanted to! When K and I got done selecting what we wanted, it actually ended up being two from each of the categories. We ordered the cream of garlic soup and an omelette with asparagus and shiitake. Both of these were delicious. While eating and talking, K spilled quite a bit of the garlic soup and despite the number of staff walking around, no one noticed that we needed their attention. This was probably the only time we felt like service was lacking. For the second course, we had Pork Spiedini and Quail with greens and something that had the consistency of grits and I can't remember what it was exactly. The best part in this course was the greens in the quail dish. Neither K nor I really liked the pork and the quail was okay. I hadn't ordered the shrimp dish which sounded really good because K is allergic to shellfish and I wanted to share everything with him but I really wished I had ordered it because my second course was mediocre. The last course was amazing. We ordered the Smoked Duck and Peanut-Cashew Butter in Puff Pastry with Hot Pepper Jelly, which everyone should eat this at least once in their lifetime, and Pumpkin Beignets. K took a bite of the pumpkin beignets and let out a "wow" that showed me that he *really* enjoyed the bite. I followed him and it was indeed very delicious. Then we dived into the duck and peanut-cashew butter, and oh. my. god. It was my favorite thing of the whole meal. My fork kept going back to the duck and K at one point said, "You're not eating the beignets anymore, huh?" Our server told us that this was a puff pastry version of the same dish that is served as a sandwich at lunch. I am going to make time to go all the way over to the Quarter to go to Bayona for lunch one day and order this sandwich. It was that good. The only other negative thing we experienced was the lady at another table who kept staring at us with a mean look. I'm not really sure why she chose to focus on us rather than on enjoying her meal and her company, but whatever. Being an interracial couple, we get a lot of looks pretty much anywhere we go, so sadly we are used to it. I loved my experience at Bayona and will definitely try to be back soon.
(4)
Mort F.
The food's decent enough -- I'd give someone else at least 3 stars, but a place of this caliber should be held to a higher standard. They fancy themselves at the top level of New Orleans haute cuisine, but tonight they fell woefully flat. The service is simply nothing special. And here's the big problem: one of our entrees showed up cold, and when advised of this all they did was reheat the hell out of it, turning everything into a tough, dry, tasteless mass. Sure, dessert was belatedly comped, but it was too little too late. The ambience is okay, the cocktails were tasty, and the wine list -- though a bit pricey -- was definitely acceptable. But if you really want a fine dining experience in or near the French Quarter, try nearby Restaurant August. *Those* guys know what they're doing. Bayona's an also-ran as far as I'm concerned.
(2)
Margaret D.
Had lunch here today! Delicious! My husband had the bayona salad as his starter, I had grilled shrimp with a black bean cake. Husbands entree....the to die for. .shrimp and grits! Not feeling hungry, I had a salad with goat cheese and strawberries! Highly recommend Bayona!
(5)
Scott N.
no question here. had a friend come into town and lucked up with a table on the second saturday of jazz fest. since we had a long night ahead of thievery corporation melting our faces, we just snacked on some apps. the sweetbreads. oh, good god almighty - those sweetbreads. perfection, if not a frog's hair away. i regret not having ordered another plate of them. goat cheese crouton - perfectly rich and two pieces was just enough because of the richness. i could've eaten two but had to save room for... the rabbit. served with mini sweet potatoes. now this app could have been substituted for a meal. it was pretty big for an app. the rabbit was perfectly cooked - crispy on the outside and not dry at all. had zero expectations of being disappointed in any way at all. this was my first bayona meal in probably 5-6 years, and thankfully it has not changed. one of my top spots.
(5)
Patty S.
The living room waiting area and courtyard are just beautiful. We also really enjoyed the staff and our server was wonderful. We did not love our meal. Our favorite item of the night was the goat cheese croutons with mushrooms. Yelpers recommended the garlic soup (which was way too thick and garlicky) and the sweetbreads which were a disappointment. The rabbit special also lacked flavor. Overall we were bummed by this meal.
(3)
gabe c.
Let's be frank: this place is clearly living on past glories. We ordered the quail salad, the sweet potato brioche with maple butter, the sweetbreads with the sherry mustard, and the rabbit roulade special. Of them all, the rabbit was the most flavorful, but the deep fried rabbit piece that came with the roulade was almost entirely flavorless - as if you were eating breaded tofu. My wife's sweetbreads required a ton of salt to bring out any flavor whatsoever, and came with a small set of vegetables and very bland mashed sweet potatoes. To quote her: "everything was bland." Finally, our actual waiter was very personable, but his server was quite unfriendly. Both showed up so infrequently that we finally asked to have our wine bottle left at the table rather than in the ice bucket for them to serve us. Don't waste your money. Go elsewhere - we adored Sylvain, both for the service and food.
(2)
Sherry G.
Weekend dinner here. They have 2 menus here: one which comprises house specialties and a changing menu. I ordered their salmon from the original menu while other people at my table ordered duck, rabbit, and bass. All the proteins were cooked to perfection and the decor was beautiful. My big issue with this place is how uninspired the food seemed. I thought the salmon was prepared beautifully, but the sweet potato mash, green beans, and Yukon gold potatoes were thoroughly boring. Amongst a sea of great, tasty food, Bayona doesn't really stand out.
(3)
Carlos A.
I heard about the sweetbread. OMG, this was delicious. I highly recommend it. Very well prepared. I followed with the rabbit which was again delicious. I will return here.
(5)
Joe M.
Dopest lamb in the quarter. I give it 3 hand grenades up. Wine list blew my dome to pieces.
(5)
Nick W.
0 Stars for service, 2+ Stars for my meal, don't know if I'll return... Party of 5 for a mid-evening meal and I really wasn't impressed. I have been to this restaurant a number of times in the past and it has been pretty hit or miss. The food is usually pretty good, nothing spectacular, but good; I just always seem to have an issue with the service. If dinner is $400+ I don't want to: -flag down a server for a drink, especially if it's my dates drink -ask for a refill on water -have to explain how a dish is prepared because the server doesn't know -wait 30+ min after the finished entres have been picked up for my server to return I'm pretty understanding, but this was just a poor performance with very little excuses that I could see. The restaurant wasn't that overly crowded, they had more than enough staff (though none were paying much attention to us), and we were not the overcomplicated and needy table. MY OPINION, go somewhere else because it's not worth it.
(2)
Cici L.
Food: Chef Susan Spicer's meals did not disappoint! Everything from the veal sweetbreads to the Italian sausage stuffed rabbit to the convey rise farm duck breast were melt in your mouth amazing! They were all incredibly tender with the perfect amount of spices, herbs, and sides that complemented each other without being overwhelming. I also tried the Bayona Schrub which was an interesting sort of incredible. The first sip sends a fizzy explosion into your mouth and you're not sure what to think, but the after taste lingers sweetly on your tongue, and you know you've ordered the perfect drink. Ambiance: It seems to be a converted house with outdoor seating area and two indoor seating sections. The section my friends and I sat in was freezing with the vents blowing right down on our table. In passing by the other indoor section, it seemed to have been 10 degrees warmer. Other than temperature issues, the inside was quaint with furniture that looked like it would belong in someone's home. Service: I expected better, especially for such a highly rated restaurant. From the moment we made a phone reservation to the service we received when seated, I would have thought this was a McDonald's with incredibly disgruntled workers. The hostess on the phone gave us times that were only available for parties of 4 when we specifically told her we had 5, I guess assuming it would be okay to ditch one of our friends for her scheduling convenience. When we were at the table, the waiter only cleared 2 of the 5 plates, constantly passing by us while glancing at our dirty dishes. Likewise, the waiter told us our entrees were going to take longer than expected, and insisted we order more appetizers to pass the time. Would I go back? Possibly, because the food was so delish, but I'd be hesitant.
(3)
Kim H.
Wonderful meal with a delightful, funny, unpretentious wait staff. The crispy Quail salad was one of the best dishes I've ever tasted, both savory and sweet. Lamb loin was cooked to perfection and the goat cheese was a delicious was to balance out the peppery sauce.
(4)
Zach D.
If possible, dine on the patio. It's surrounded by plant life, well shaded, and very quaint. Very cool spot. We had the $25 per person Saturday Light Lunch, which consisted of 3 tapas sized plates per person. Shrimp Salad with Noodles - very tasty and light. Great way to start off the meal, as it really does taste and feel like a salad, even though there wasn't much in the way of greens (except for avocado, which is always appreciated). Scallop with Curry - not even a big curry fan, but this was pretty good. Scallop was cooked just right (and it was huge), and the curry wasn't too overpowering. Pastrami Open Faced Sandwich - Eh, this wasn't that great. The pastrami was a little dried out, the horseradish wasn't all that hot, and the side of coleslaw/sauerkraut/whatever that was wasn't all that great. Flounder with Grits - nothing amazing here either. The sauce was some kind of mud sauce (I think?), but didn't add all that much flavor. The grits were pretty good though. Veal with Pasta - one of the better dishes, the veal was tender, juicy and flavorful. The pasta had some sundried tomatoes. Overall, good flavors that complemented each other well. Smoked Duck Puffed Pastry with Cashew Butter and Pepper Jelly - this is what Bayona is known for, and sad to say, I don't entirely get it. Yes, I thought it was good, but not out of this world good. I suppose they get points for the novelty/creativity of it, but I just didn't think all the flavors jived perfectly. The price is totally reasonable for what you get, and the atmosphere is awesome. While some of the dishes were less than stellar, still had a really nice leisurely lunch here. Oh, and dress up for this place. It's on the classier side, and you'll feel like a fool if you roll in in a t-shirt and the old timers next to you have on blazers.
(4)
Trish T.
Don't understand the hype on this place - other than the patio has really nice ambiance. The staff is friendly enough, but the food is mediocre, at best. My husband and i are total foodies - and love all types of food from fancy to BBQ shack. We ordered the garlic soup Yelpers gave good reviews to - but it really was plain jane stuff. The plain green salad w/ blue cheese was good. We ordered the duck and the lamb dishes - both also given decent/good reviews by Yelpers. The duck was less than decent. The lamb was pretty good (best part was the sweet potato side), but neither dish measured up to the amazing food you can find in this amazing city. I would HIGHLY recommend u not waste your time or money (and believe me - i hardly ever review a restaurant this harshly - but this place is a waste of time for your taste buds!!).
(2)
Patty S.
We had two hours before we had to leave for the airport so we decided to eat close-by our hotel. We went into Bayona (without a lunch reservation). They were very gracious in letting us have a table, knowing we wouldn't be there long. I am so glad we chose this place to end our NO culinary vacation. My husband and I both ordered lunch salads. The salads were wonderful and the menu has such delectable offerings, we were sorry we didn't come here earlier in the week. Everything hollers elegance at Bayona: the service, linens, ambiance, and menu. When we make our next trip back to NO, Bayona will be the first culinary visit on our list...this time for dinner!
For most of us, this is a special occasion spot, but by no means a bank-breaker. It's a classy spot with a killer wine list. The patio is gorgeous and I'm looking forward to dining al fresco when the weather is nicer. There are more than a few reasons Bayona has been in business for over 20 years. One of them is the killer shrimp and black bean cake appetizer. Another is the lamb loin with zinfandel sauce and goat cheese. The star of the show was rabbit done three ways: sausage, fried leg and breaded/fried liver. Each was served with a great accoutrement that gave the dish some depth and complexity and showed off the skills of the kitchen. I wish I could remember what those side dishes were, but then there were the drinks. We tried a different glass of wine with each course after starting with a very well made Manhattan. Lots of interesting stuff to choose from. A blend from Alsace, a spanish godello and a superb Pinot were the standouts. The bottle list is enormous and looks well priced. The staff (from the hostess to the food runner) was super nice and answered all of our questions. They even gave us a good recommendation for a chill spot to have an after dinner drink in the quarter--The Bombay Club. Well done. Looking forward to coming back with a larger group.
(5)
Lance P.
Amazing food and great service. Enjoyed a drink in the fabulous courtyard before eating. Accidentally ordered a $350 bottle of wine (meant to order a $54 bottle, but misread the wine list!) When I got the $500 bill, my wife and I were both in shock. After a quick Q&A with the waiter, I paid the bill and left. The waiter felt so bad for my obvious mistake that he phoned me in the cab home to tell me that the manager had decided to give my the bottle at cost. How cool is that?
(5)
Mary T.
Fine at lunch time.
(4)
Mark W.
You can't go wrong here even if you tried, and I did try . . . very hard. Our waiter suggested, among a variety of offerings, the beef sweetbreads. The common misconception, according to our waiter, is that sweetbreads consist of brain matter and other organs not usually consumed by Americans. Wikipedia appears to be perpetuating this "misconception." In fact, beef sweetbreads consist of only one organ, the thymus, which is located in the region of the throat. With the gauntlet thrown down, I felt obliged to rise to the occasion and order the sweetbreads. Now I'm not saying that I'm going to seek out every restaurant that offers sweetbreads, and I probably wouldn't trust anyone other than Bayona's, but it was good even though I was eating an organ and I don't even know what it does for cows. Do people even have a thymus? It sounds useful. When we asked if Susan Spicer was working at the restaurant, the waitress said that we would have to wait for the table of nine. As we were already seated, my dad asked what that meant. We were told that the table of nine had already requested here. So my overbearing dad (his son is the only one who thinks this) asked if we could be next. At the end of the meal and to our great surprise, she appeared out of nowhere. And not just for a hand shake or a quick wave, but for a conversation that lasted between five and ten minutes. That is something that I'll never forget even though my overbearing dad did most of the talking and I had thymus breathe.
(5)
Susan W.
Bayona is one of New Orleans' great restaurants. It's been around for so long (20 years?) that it's easy to overlook how modern and innovative it was when it opened. When I think of Bayona, I think of great Louisiana food with a twist, utilizing the best local and seasonal ingredients, but dishes with French, Mediterranean, and Asian influences show up on the menu as well. Chef Susan Spicer shines the most with specials or even special dinner menus (such as the NOWFE wine dinner I attended in 2009 or the champagne dinner I attended a few years before that). In addition to dinner, Bayona is also ideal for a nice lunch. One of my favorite dishes, lunch or dinner, is the goat cheese crouton with mushrooms and Madeira cream, which is delicious. Another favorite, available only at lunch, is the smoked duck, cashew butter & pepper jelly sandwich- YUM. I have eaten many great meals at Bayona. It's perfect for special occasions, dates, out of town visitors. The ambiance is upscale and fancy, yet still manages to be comfortable. I love the (tiny) restroom, which is covered in New Orleans toille. There is a beautiful waiting area, overlooking the charming French Quarter courtyard. If you are looking to have a lovely meal in New Orleans, go to Bayona.
(4)
Adam E.
We decided to try Bayona even though we didn't have reservations, assuming we'd either be turned away or get in for a very late dinner, which was fine with us. Luckily, someone canceled and we were able to be seated in about 5 minutes when we arrived around 9. And our table was outside on a gorgeous night. Even better! The atmosphere in the courtyard is truly amazing. There are banana trees, lush plants and cute little lights that looked like stars with tealight candles in them. It's hard to believe you're only a street away from the nastiness of Bourbon, other than the odd bass-blasting car that rolls by. It's serene and fancy enough, without being obnoxious. I hate dress codes, even though I usually look pretty sharp. Bayona says they're business casual, but they were fine with my higher education uniform of a button down, sweater vest and nice jeans. The food was outrageous. I got something called wreckfish, with kefir lime rice and bok choy. It was refreshing and so unique. The wreckfish was a sturdy white fish, cooked perfectly so it was buttery and moist with a nice crispy coating on top. The cute lights didn't let me investigate this coating thoroughly, but it tasted pretty awesome, whatever it was! The sides were similarly delicious and well-crafted. The rice was sticky and matched the fish impeccably, as did the bok choy. A bite with a little of all three on the fork was perfect, and totally worth the effort of corralling. This meal was easily the best part of my New Orleans trip, and one of the most delicious meals I've had anywhere.
(5)
Irwin S.
Most of the time I eat out, my focus is on the food, but at Bayona I found myself aware of both you exquisite food and seamless, human staff. What magnificent dishes with layers of flavor, texture, and presentation. The veal, the fish, the Arnold Palmer sorbet! What a magnificent staff with stunning professional acumen and vibrant, spontaneous, human interactions. It is really possible to get that professional structure of service and human connection. I can only imagine that this is a reflection of how staff is treated by management and owner. You provided me with one of the best New Orleans food experiences. Frank P.
(5)
Paul E.
Worst restaurant experience ever. Split our group into 2 tables - and then brought meals 30 minutes apart. Unapoletic mngr Brian Baynes felt it was worthwhile to argue and refused to make good or take responsibility. Just an amazingly poor and unbelievably bad attitude.
(1)
Michael M.
Awesome experience at Bayona last Saturday.We had to do early (6:30) reservation time,buit were seated upstairs immediately-love the smaller dining space up there! Terrific service through out. The lamb was outstanding. Always a must-do on our visits to NOLA!
(4)
Michael P.
I have dined around the French Quarter, and this was the first overall amazing dinner. The Staff, ambiance, food, and over all just a great experience. Do not expect a quick dinner here, it is one you will want to savor. I loved every dish they put out, all the way to the cappuccino. I would highly recommend, bringing a nice outfit and making a reservation at this place. It is not on the cheap side nor is a casual, but WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!
(5)
Beth W.
Highlight of my trip, food wise. I can't find a single thing to complain about. The restaurant is obviously upscale, so expect to spend some $$$. Tried two appetizers, one with goat cheese/toasted crouton, and the other with scallops. Both were top notch. For an entree, had a fresh snapper dish that left me wanting more (but I was too full to keep going!). Everyone at Bayona was friendly, welcoming, and very informative/knowledgeable about the dishes. Our drinks (Sazerac and Reisling) were quality as well. A true dining experience, to be savored slowly and remembered. Go if you are looking for a nice and special, perhaps romantic evening! Your food will be beautiful and delicious, your hostess and waiters will be helpful, and you will feel special.
(5)
Christopher T.
We'd gone out earlier in the night for a light dinner/happy hour because friends could only get a reservation for 6 people at 9pm. This place was still super busy when we arrived. The fiancee and I just split a couple things but we were pretty happy with our order. We started with the Grilled Ahi Tuna, it was very good, I'm not usually a big fan of sweet pineapple sambal types of flavors but this was done really well, highlight of the meal. We ordered the Hangar Steak next, I was very happy with this order but we ordered it medium and it came medium rare, almost closer to rare. I wasn't too put out by the undercooked steak but my fiancee was rather unimpressed. The flavor was still there, but the temperature wasn't even close to what was ordered. We finished with a simple Caesar style Romaine salad that was wonderful, simple, and the perfect ending flavors for our meal. Most people at the table got wine but we stuck with Pimms Cups on our last night in New Orleans, they were pretty good but after the pelican Club the night before nothing was going to compare. People in the party were raving about the celebrity of the chef, Susan Spicer. I loved the design of the entry but was less than impressed with the interior. It was pretty simply done, which is usually just fine by me, but nothing overly impressive. I'd be happy to go back again, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
(3)
Glenn J.
When in New Orleans your trip is not complete unless you eat at Bayonas . Garlic soup a must. We had pork chops with sweet potatos and collars greens. Tripletail on sticky rice and bok choy. Susan Spicer continues to be a top 5 chef in New Orleans.
(5)
Mitch N.
For all the great reviews, I was very very disappointed. My hanger steak was poorly executed by not being cooked consistently throughout. One half was vary rare, the other half med-rare. The desert was lack luster, almost un-memorable. I would go as far as saying it was purchased at the local supermarket bakery and spruced up a bit with sugary swirls on the plate. The only thing worth mentioning was the lamb sweetbreads. They were cooked to perfection with the right amount of salt applied. This is not sweetbread for your unedumacated folks, this is the thymus gland from an animal. But for all the reviews here saying how good it is, I was let down.
(2)
Daniel W.
after going to Restaurant August the night before... we made our way over to Bayona the next. It is located in the French Quarter, but away from the drunks, tools, and all around weirdos. It feels and was quiet, quaint, and sophisticated. We heard of this place from the restaurant Rue Dumaine in Centerville, OH and chef Anne Kearney and her husband Tom Sand. We had to get suggestions from them for the trip to New Orleans. The list included Bayona and Anne and Susan Spicer are friends. There was a really good selection of wine. When ordering, we explained that one of us was vegan. The waiter asked her to give him a list of some of the vegetables on the menu for the Chef to make a dish for her. We both thought that was slightly weird and were not used to it, so she just starting saying every vegetable on the menu, until he finally stopped and said that would probably be enough to make something. Some Sobu noodles, mushrooms, a bunch of other things which looked and tasted really good. I had the Flounder special with some really good mushrooms, and potatoes. It was one of the best fish dishes I've ever had. Its a really relaxing beautiful dining room and a great time. I highly recommend it. other observations. we asked one of the servers if we could have some olive oil for the bread. Since it was known that there was a Vegan at the table. He came back and slammed it down on the table. I'm going to say he didn't know his strength and not let it effect my review. The guy on the table next to us ate his really big pork chop in about 3 minutes. Then after he had a chocolate dessert and coffee, which he destroyed in maybe 2 minutes. I think he was an Arkansas Hog (Razorback) so of course it then made sense.
(4)
Camilo M.
One of the best restaurants in a city full of great restaurants. Got there early on a Friday with a party of 7. No bar, but the lounge area is a chill place to have a few drinks before dinner. Cocktails are all worth trying. Unlike what other reviewers have experienced, I thought the service was excellent. Food was 4/5, but the service makes it a 5/5. I think I tried everything on the menu. Only thing I didn't like was the sorbet. Menu was not the same as the online menu. Great overall experience.
(5)
Andrea H.
We headed to Bayona because my friend knows chef Susan Spicer. I would have never known that such a cute place existed so close to Bourbon Street. It's surprisingly quiet and charming. When you walk in, you feel like you are walking into a quaint country house, complete with an adorable patio. It had been raining, so we missed the chance to sit out there, but I will definitely be looking forward to it next time. The chef came out to visit our table. She was friendly and down to earth. We ordered, but asked her to send out some of her favorite dishes if we were missing something. The next few hours were a blur of delicious food and wine. Sweetbreads, rabbit, cheese, you name it, we had it and it was all amazing. The service was impeccable and our server never missed a beat. I even found a new favorite zinfandel. Yum. I'm just sorry I missed this place for so long.
(5)
Jenny M.
Wow! Absolutely Fantastic! We were in New Orleans for 3 days, and this was the best dining experience by a mile. The patio was romantic and tropical and elegant. The service was good, our one complaint was that it took a while between courses, but that's probably due to a small kitchen. And, the food was OUT OF THIS WORLD! In particular, the Goat Cheese Crouton with Madeira Mushrooms & the Rack of Lamb with Goat Cheese & Zinfandel Sauce.
(5)
Mary E.
One of the best perks of working in the French Quarter is the proximity to so many of New Orleans' best restaurants. I met my friend Marcia for lunch at Bayona recently. Chef Susan Spicer is one of the most talented chefs in New Orleans and I was excited to get back there. We opted for patio seating on a perfectly gorgeous October day. We were a little early for our reservation. Co-owner Regina Keever was on hand to welcome us. Once seated, our server Jane and her team took our drink order and introduced us to the menu. Jane was professional, informative, and fun. She knew the menu well and her recommendations were spot on. We both started with the golden beet salad: perfectly roasted baby golden and red beets on a bed of thinly-sliced fennel and arugula. The salad was divine! For an entree, Marcia ordered the scallops. Served in a creole sauce with quinoa, the scallops were perfectly seared. I got the sweetbreads with sherry & mustard sauce. The sweetbreads were the best I've ever had! Wonderful combination of flavors and textures. We were celebrating Marcia's 40th birthday so we just HAD to have dessert. Wise decision. We chose the flourless chocolate cake (pure deliciousness!) and the ginger-peach sorbet & ice cream (a fantastic fall dessert). The lunch prices at Bayona are reasonable: salads and appetizers range from $6-$9 and entrees range from $14-$16. The dining room is lovely and romantic. Dining al fresco this time of year in Bayona's courtyard is a quintessentially New Orleans experience! Brett Anderson agrees and rated this courtyard as one of the 8 that beckon in fall in the Crescent City. Whether you choose to sit inside or outside, the food, service and ambience at Bayona ensure a terrific dining experience. (Pictures available on "Native Palate.")
(5)
Megan M.
Went here for the Saturday light lunch. It was good, but not as good as I was expecting given chef Spicer's recent fame. So here's the deal: Saturday lunch at Bayona, you can pick 3 small plates from a long list for about $25. Pretty good idea, no? So I got crab beignets; a combo of cornbread, shrimp, sausage (I think) and greens topped with a fried egg; and pumpkin soup. The first part of our meal was some fantastic, warm homemade bread. Great start. Next, the crab beignets were a bit of a letdown. I kind of thought maybe I shouldn't get them when I placed my order, as I thought they could go toward tasty or bland, but I ignored my gut and went for them. And yes, they were boring, bland and blah. Wouldn't get them again. The pumpkin soup was creamy and satisfying. I liked the addition of macadamia nuts, but it wasn't super special. The last course was the best. A perfectly cooked egg, perfectly cooked/seasoned collards and a unique flavor combination. Wish the whole meal had been as good as this portion. Service was pretty good, although a little lagging on the coffee refills. Our servers were also taking care of a big table, though. Our main server, Kenneth, was super friendly and gave us a rundown of must-do events for that evening. We ended up taking his advice and heading to d.b.a. to see a band. We had a great time! So, my meal here was a decent value and it was just fine, but with so many other awesome places in NOLA I don't think I'll be rushing back.
My best and favourite meal in the French Quarter. If you want to include all New Orleans then La Petite Grocery is my choice for best New Orleans restaurant...but Bayona has a great outdoor seating area. be sure to request when you make your reservation. The bread plate is quite nice with warm brioche. Be sure to ask for more than one because you are going to want another! The food is quite nice and delicately prepared. We had oyster soup with croutons...excellent. I had the scallop pho which was amazing. For mains which i dont normally get we had the hangar steak and the striped bass. Both excellently prepared and plated. Service seemed a little harried as though there was not enough help, but the job got done. Took 2 hours for dinner. The prices are decent enough. 150 for 2 and we had 2 glasses wine, 2 apps, 2 entrees, 3 desserts, 2 cappuccions, tax and tip...
(4)
Gonzalo C.
The menu was short but very interesting and food was very well done and presented. The service was less than what I expected and way to "folksy". Our server kept calling everyone " guys" and "folks" which I found irritating. The main course took a long while to arrive and nobody came to ask if we needed anything while we waited. We had to flag someone to get our water refilled. The prices area reasonable and the ambiance is very nice. I would probably not go back though due to the service.
(3)
Mary Katherine B.
Bayona was chosen to celebrate my mother, brother and his girlfriend being in town. And Bayona did not disappoint. Reservations necessary, but I called the day before. There were two different menus; one daily special and the longstanding one. We started with the sweetbreads and caper lemon butter, cucumber and melon salad and Southwestern seasoned sweet potato soup. Then they brought out a fresh bread platter with butter and I would have been satisfied with just that. French bread, rustic with sesame seeds and a yellow roll that was so out of this world that I had to hold the table. The sweetbreads had the cleanest tasting livery flavor and were lightly breaded and panned, drizzled with a lemon caper sauce and cubed beets, potatoes and mushrooms. The salad was light and cool; tossed with a minty creamy vinaigrette with purslane and arugula. The soup was a little salty, my only complaint. For our main dishes, I ordered the Niman Ranch pork chop, perfectly cooked and juicy, with braised endive, perfect and garlicky and cheesy macaroni. Brother got the hangar steak. Susie got the salmon with this delicious bed of sour cabbage...amazing. And my mom got the special tuna with kim chee and brown rice, I thought it was very bold of her to order something she wasn't familiar with. We all ordered dessert and passed it around. Me-peach tart with buttermilk ice cream, Jim-red velvet ice cream, Mom-bourbon chocolate thing, Susie-banana chocolate torte. All amazing! My only complaint is that it took a little while for our waiter to get our dessert order that I almost wanted to skip it. Otherwise, a truly special meal
(4)
Heather K.
Our waitress, Jane maybe, was fantastic! So knowledgable! Cream of garlic soup was great and the pork chop was to die for. Went great with a good recommended bottle of affordable red wine!
(4)
Leigh S.
Holy wow! It took me forever, but I finally made it to Bayona! So worth the wait and I already know what I'm getting the next time I go! First things first...the location is gorgeous, traditional FQ charm, courtyard, converted home. Intimate but not intimidating. Now the food. Signature dishes on the left of the menu, daily specials on the right. I have never had so much trouble deciding what to eat! The decision wasn't helped by the fact there are multiple dishes the include goat cheese (Bless you Ms. Spicer). With four of us at the table collaborating, we managed to get a great variety. (Side note: do not come here with someone who doesn't share!) I decided on a special appetizer: fig salad with goat cheese(!) and the signature entree of salmon- the most delicious I've had! Fresh, spicy & crisp! Around the table: black bean cake (flippin' fantastic), lamb chops with goat cheese (my choice for next time), and sweetbreads (unreal). The best thing was the simplicity of the dishes. No over the top concoctions, just out & out perfect combinations and technique. Even though I was totally stuffed, there had to be dessert! Mango cheesecake & honey blueberry tart....amazing! I have never had a better food coma!
(4)
Alyson O.
I don't think Bayona was originally on our radar when planning out where we wanted to eat on our trip to New Orleans, but we just so happened to be staying right across the street so we decided to try it. We had lunch there and it was wonderful. We started with the crab salad with avocado and tomatoes. Really simple but great. We shared the smoked duck, cashew butter and pepper jelly sandwich and the sweetbreads with sherry mustard vinaigrette for lunch. The sandwich was messy but awesome! It came with a simple apple and celery salad on the side which was good because the sandwich was fairly heavy. The sweetbreads were so good. I had never had sweetbreads and these were a perfect introduction. They weren't what I expected at all--they were soft and creamy and perfectly seasoned. I expected something way tougher and more iron-y tasting. I would love to try dinner here sometime.
(5)
Glenn F.
The menu doesn't adequately describe the dish. Sit back and order, because all of the food is delish. Get the Bone-in pork chop. You will be pleased.
(4)
Sandra N.
My four friends and I dined at Bayona on December 23, a busy holiday night in the French Quarter. The experience was superb! Our server Pat H was attentive without hovering. Our meals--all five of them--were delicious. The wine pairings suggested were spot on. And the atmosphere was "dress up divine" without being pretentious. Susan Spicer is a wizard and I wish I could steal all her staff into my real estate office!
(5)
Dante J.
Sadly, I just had to abandon dinner at a place I have wanted to eat for 15 years-- After 90 minutes, our entrees had not arrived, there was no apology, and there was certainly nothing offered to make us feel better (like a round of drinks) or even bread plates. No, they don't owe me free anything, but again, there was no apology. Sometimes restaurants rest on their laurels and reputation. Maybe it's time for someone to make better use of that beautiful location.
(1)
Alison C.
Start with garlic soup. Entree scallops were great. Duck jelly onion sandwich! Great combo of flavors with exceptional bread (love to take a loaf home please). Cheesecake exceptional. Service is fast and attentive. Great lunch. Gracious and tasteful.
(4)
Shanna H.
If I could assign a 4.5* I would. So close to a 5. Food and service were impeccable. It was our anniversary and the staff went over and above to help us celebrate. My husband loved his rabbit and my snapper was delish. Excellent wine choices to boot.
(4)
Chip M.
Delicious Food! The lamb was exquisite. Wound up here independent of checking Yelp, which is never a good idea. Now that I've checked Yelp, I see some patterns in what I experienced. Our waiter was tool. And not just a tool in the passive sense, but in the active sense. When anyone in our party asked what something was, he responded in the most condescending voice I can imagine. Hopefully this was a one time experience, the food was awesome- maybe they'll get better waiters!
(2)
Texas T.
Overall ok - but lacked service. Had reservations for three. We arrived 30 minutes early and the host directed us to the lounge because we were early despite their being plenty of available tables. After waiting for 20 minutes the host stopped browsing Facebook, and said, "We're going to go ahead and seat you." We easily could have been seated when we arrived. We ordered 4 meals from the Saturday light lunch, and some dishes were hit while others not so much. Here were the opinions from our table. Great: Bayona Salad, Angels on Horseback (prosciutto wrapped oyster with spinach sauce on toast), Mussels dolmas, miso onion misho with crab (a gelatized miso soup), white chocolate tart, and key lime dessert were hits. The food items that were not liked by the table include: carrot macadamia basil gazpacho, salmon beignet, and the fat (cocktail). When we were done eating, we were not asked if we wanted anything else (which we did), and we were not even offered coffee. The bill came and that was that. For the price, I expect better service from the host and wait staff. Would I go back? Yes, but definitely not to the Saturday light lunch.
(3)
Mark M.
I've been mulling my Bayona dining experience over in my head for the past few days, and the more I think about it, the less impressed I was with my meal there. I was really expecting a bit more. My wife & I ordered a cocktail each. I, the Stormy Morning cocktail (which was delicious). She, the house specialty Bayona Manhattan. And then we waited. And waited. About 10 minutes later our waiter returns to tell us that the bartender is out of an ingredient and can't make the house Manhattan. So she orders a regular Manhattan instead, (which was solidly good). However, by the time the drinks show up, we've already been here for 20 minutes, and no one has taken our food order yet. (And it wasn't busy either). I started with the veal sweetbreads in sherry mustard appetizer, which were the best sweetbreads I've ever had. So they definitely get points for that. My wife got the heirloom tomato salad, which while there was nothing wrong with it, wasn't all that exceptional either. For the main courses, my wife got the lamb, which was excellent. Cooked perfectly (medium rare) & seasoned perfectly as well. The side dishes that came with the lamb, however, were unmemorable. There was a bland sweet potato puree...and I can't even remember what the other side was. I got the rabbit roulade, which was a letdown. The polenta and greens (mustard?) that came with it, however, were well-seasoned. I'm not sure if it's that I'm spoiled by having access to such good food in NY, (I can think of at least half a dozen places in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that serve better food for cheaper prices), or if I have just come to expect a certain caliber of dining experience when I'm spending the kind of money that an establishment like Bayona commands, (for these prices I expect water refills without having to ask for them, and napkins refolded when I leave the table), but I can't honestly say that I'd recommend this place (for the prices they charge) to anyone I know. It was a very hit or miss dining experience, to say the least, and that's being generous in my assessment.
(3)
Carly C.
I have been to Bayona twice now. "It's good" is the best way to describe it. If you are looking for good fine dining, then this is a great place. The appetizers are more flavorful and unique, while I find the main entrees rather "typical" of fine dining options. I look for that "wow" factor and Bayona just hasn't given me that yet. The flavors are good, but nothing out of the ordinary. Our wait staff was very nice and attentive. Overall, nice place.
(4)
Eating And Living Well U.
The food is delicious here. I am deducting one star for the clustered upstairs attic I was seated at. I was fortunate enough that I was not asked to move to have a wine removed from the cellar that I was sitting in front of. The upstairs is a very cramped room with wines stacked up behind you. So if they need a wine that is behind you I suppose you have to stand up. I ordered the house salad and it came with a very good dressing but no other veggies which was disappointing. My date ordered the veal shortbread with lemon capers which was just exquisite. Very delicious and well done. I ordered the salmon that was very light and buttery and didn't taste too fishy for me. It was well done. The waitress stated that it was sushi grade so I ordered it medium raw. I was happy I didn't order the another dish I was eying, the whole fish I saw served to another table. The waitress had stated that it had a lot of bones but was delicious but I could tell she was steering me away from the whole fish and I'm glad I didn't get it. My date got the flounder that was prepared in a soy-citrus-teriyaki style. He enjoyed it very much but I thought it was a bit more fishy than what I would normally like. We didn't get desert because we were really full after the meal. All in all, a great place to eat but you do have to pay for it. The tab came around $120 w/tip for 2 appetizers, 2 entrees and for one glass of reisling.
(4)
John R.
Disappointed. Out of the gate, I got told that we couldn't order an appetizer until we were ready to order the whole meal. Really? The economy is that good that the kitchen can dictate when I can eat? Foolish, foolish, foolish. Food was fine, service was okay, price was high. Mushroom soup wazs outstanding, everything else I could get at any number of places for half the price and twice the service. Sorry guys.
(2)
Chris A.
I cannot rave enough about Bayona. I am a native, and frequent Bayona regularly. Best deal is Saturday lunch - $25 for 3 small plates (choose any from the menu, although it is arranged in three sections of starters, savories, and sweets). The service is great, although my favorite server, JHB, is the best around at knowing her job. If you go to the "Old Line" restaurants - Galatoirs, Court of Two Sisters - the list is long, you will get more pomp & circumstance... waiters in bow ties, and a presentation of 200 year old recipes prepaired by cooks. If you want to be served by a James Beard Award winning chef that combines fresh local ingredients with her own sense of style in an atmosphere that is relaxed, upbeat and not stuffy - jeans and a nice shirt are fine - no jacket required here. The left side of the menu is always the same - been so since they opened. The right side changes with new dishes rotating in with delicious favorites that return regularly. They have a great wine list that will please the most discerning person. The main dining room is usually quite lively, and can be a bit noisy. The two other small dining rooms can be quite cozy, and there is an upstairs room for large gatherings that many don't know about. I cannot articulate how much I enjoy going to Bayona. My friend's parents come in from Lafayette every weekend for the Saturday lunch - it is worth the 2.5 hour drive. It is also a great way to sample many of the different flavors Susan and her team of Chefs puts out of the kitchen. The portions are small, but three are just right for getting you ready to stroll around the Quarter on a beautiful day. Any more and you'd need a nap. And just a hint - its pronounced buy-ona. Call for reservations way ahead or plan to eat at 6:00 or 9:00 on Fridays, weekends, holidays, etc.
(5)
Lana C.
"Regarding the Smoked Duck Cashew-Butter Sandwich, it may be the single, greatest sandwich I've ever eaten. It was actually so good, the chef might as well just quit because he/she will never ever make something that good again. The sweet heat of the jelly mixed with the nuttiness of the butter and the smoke of the duck melded together as the perfect symphony. This is the one dish I would definitely recommend here." - said the husband. We made reservations ahead for lunch. My plate was good, but I didn't pass out in my chair like my husband with his duck sandwich. Although his plate was oddly delicious, mine was a bit rich and salty. (I expected some New Orleans dining to be too rich and salty for my palette.) I am not sure if the .19 cent martini was a lunch occasion at Bayona's or that it was their anniversary week, but the .19 cent martini was a delightful surprise. We usually have lunch at Commander's Palace for their .25 cent martinis... All in all, dining experience was quiet, intimate dining area. Very charming court yard for those who'll dine outdoor. The waitstaff tends to look impatient but I would be too, with all the choices you have to make with their wide range of meats on the menu. I returned to Bayona's on a Saturday and they did not have the duck sandwich. Although my girlfriend enjoyed her gulf shrimp immensely, I have to say that their double expresso, no sugar or cream is mind boggling delicious...perfect*
(4)
Mark B.
Had dinner on a Friday night. My wife loved her Stormy Morning cocktail, I found the cucumber cocktail too sweet. The smoked quail salad was great. We also ordered the crispy pork belly. This was ok, perhaps not a fair data point because I don't generally like this type of high fat dish. For main courses, we had the Pacific Salmon and the Wreckfish. We got a great wine suggestion from the sommelier (a German Riesling) and the fish was really good, but not amazing. Vegetables were fantastic. Hmm, maybe we should have gotten the lamb......
Take it from a local. The BEST restaurant in the city... I love that Susan Spicer is still a working chef. I went to dinner there last night and asked if she was in the kitchen. Of course she was and then she came to speak to our table. Kudos to Susan!
(5)
Deanna T.
Pricey dinner, decent food but nothing to write home about.
(3)
Jonathan R.
This is one of those place that had fallen off my radar for a while but I had been meaning to go back and try. I am glad that I did. We went there for lunch recently on a trip home that included plenty of great meals. I have to say that I would probably give this closer to 4 stars but the setting, the unique offerings and the very reasonably priced lunch, made me round up. It is nice to sit outside but we opted for inside as it was a pretty nasty day out. We started with a duo of dips (eggplant caviar and tapenade). The waitress informed us that there was no actual caviar involved in the dish but it was supposed to be a special of the restaurant. This was fine but probably my least favorite thing that we tried. We also had the goat cheese crouton with mushrooms, which while a relatively simple appetizer, it was full of flavor and definitely something I would recommend. For lunch, we had the smoked duck, cashew peanut butter and pepper jelly sandwich. It sounded too interesting to pass up. The duck was moist and tender and the peanut butter actually worked well with the duck flavor. My wife got the fried oyster omelet which she was very excited about as oysters and omelets are too of her favorites. Even though we were pretty full by that point I managed to make room for dessert--satsuma empanadas, with a caramel ice cream and a peanut brittle. It was good but I felt like something was missing and the components didn't work as well together as they could have. Overall, a very enjoyable lunch and with entrees ranging from $11-$15, I will definitely go back on my next visit to town.
(5)
Puddytat C.
Absolutely superb. We loved every dish, seriously. This is 10 times better than NOLAS Restaurant. Such a major disappointment there. Try this. No matter what you order, it will be outstanding. Been here twice and both times were outstanding and the visits were years apart. One of the best for fine dining. LOVE IS IN THE AIR.
(5)
Rachel W.
Take advantage of their specials and the waiters' recommendations. The menu is nicely organized, with Susan Spicer's more traditional French flavors on the left and daily specials with interesting world flavors on the right. The duck from the regular menu was superb. We also ordered cocktails--the cucumber julep is refreshing for a hot day, and the bayona manhattan is strong, smooth, and classic. Seating is intimate, with the restaurant spread out through a series of parlor-like original rooms. Perfect for a romantic date or a special night out with a small group of good friends.
(5)
caleb g.
I've been a gastro-stalker of Susan Spicer since her first restaurant, Savoir Faire in 1985. She has always delighted, innovated and nurtured-she cooks for the pleasure of her customers, not to stroke her own ego. That doesn't mean she lacks imagination or a passion to outdo previous efforts. Bayona was great when it opened over 20 years ago, but it really hit its stride the last few years. When I was an omnivore, I never missed a chance at her sweetbreads, served different ways, though the sherry mustard butter version is a local legend. As a pescetarian now, I always have delicious choices and am never disappointed. Her menu changes with the season, so instead of name checking favorite dishes, let me say I've never heard a disappointed word from any of my tables. All of this fine food is served in one of the most welcoming, adorable settings by a marvelous staff. During our rare mild weather spells, I can't recommend the patio enough-it is lovely.
(4)
Deborah B.
So on this, my 7th trip to NOLA, and 2nd time to Bayona, I find myself still in love with the food, the wine, the atmosphere at this fine dining establishment. We stayed across the street at The Dauphine Orleans, so were just steps away on a night when it was cold(by NOLA standards) and rainy. We were escorted to our table, a banquette in the back. We were greeted by a very tall and handsome southern gentleman -with a great southern accent and very easy on the eyes. We ordered drinks and perused the menu.The menu has a section of items that were all original to the restaurant when it opened, and that will probably always be on the menu, then the second page has specials of the day. Later we selected a pinot noir to go with our meal. The app was gnocchi with crab, and for dinner I had to have the salmon with charcroute with gewuertztraminer (sp??)(From the Original menu). Still very good, but afterwards thinking it was definately overcooked. Desert was a mint chocolate and bourbon ice cream. So good!! My S.O. had the flourless chocolate cake also incredible. Everything was great the servers were very friendly and helpful, and one, as I mentioned was REAL easy on the eyes! My only complaint(if there really is one) Is the lighting in the restaurant, maybe a little more romantical, and our seat was right next to where the kitchen is, hence, there is a constant flux of noise and commation right next to our table, and does notmake for a very relaxed state while dining. And, this is one of those places where if someone is kinda loud, they can pretty much hear their entire convo word for word, as there seems to be no background music, or it is too quiet to drawn out annoyingly loud dinner converstations. Also, the meal seemed rushed somehow. There was no time to luxuriate between courses, but some people may see this as a plus. Since I really love this place I wanted to take my time with dinner. Maybe on our next visit we will try and make that clear. All in all, an amazing restaurant, but somehow this time I wasn't as blown away as my 1st visit. But I will be back.
(4)
Victoria W.
Bayona is real classy without being pretentious, and it seems as though all sorts of people dine here and mix comfortably. With such a nice atmosphere I was afraid our bill would be astronomical, but I believe dinner for two (3 courses with beers) was about $100. I had the best salad I ever ate in my life here, and I would definitely come back if we make a return trip.
Some local reviewers praised the place as the best restaurant, so decided to try for a dinner. The atmosphere outside and the entrance was nice and quiet, much better than most restaurants. Although the website said it's business casual or elegant casual, there are several other parties with pretty casual attire. I think the most impressive dish was fried oyster for appetizer while scallop was also very good. Veal sweetbread was very good dish and it's nice to have choices for sauce. Duck breast and liver was great, too and all red wines I've tried was good. Any questions you can ask Scott, who's knowledge and professionalism was impressive though other servers were great as well. Their garden also seemed nice, so lunch time during the weekend might be good time to visit as well.
(4)
Jenny A.
I am a local...a local foodie....who on an absolutely beautiful day in nola went to bayonna with my husband and my puppy to have lunch on my birthday The reservation was made one month in advance with courtyard seating requested. We were told the courtyard was open weather permitting. When we arrived, the courtyard was closed due to "weather". It wasn't hot; it didn't rain; I just don't think they had the staff. We tried to compromise; they refused. However, they were happy to let us order $150 worth of wine and take out, which we ate in Jackson square. Susan Spicer had the pleasure of making me cry on my 35th birthday. I will NEVER frequent her restaurant again and will make a point to tell others of my horrible service experience. Clearly, the local customer who is willing and wanting to spend $100/head on a lunch isn't worth her time to accommodate. She can.....
(1)
Kris K.
We loved loved loved this place! Best caesar salad in the world. The fish dishes were perfectly prepared. The chef/owner came out and talked to some of the diners. It was a charming and lovely and gracious spot that more than lives up to its reputation.
(5)
Stacy F.
I was in New Orleans for work-related reasons last week and went to Bayona with colleagues. The food was excellent! Unfortunately, there were no oyster dishes on the menu that evening that I recall (oil spill related, maybe? Unfortunate). My appetizer was the goat cheese crouton with wild mushrooms and that was outstanding. My main dish was a rabbit dish and this was also excellent. I'm sometimes wary of rabbit dishes because it can be a little gamy but this was great rabbit. I don't recall what I had for dessert but I chose it because it had lavender in it and it was fantastic! Our waitress was wonderful and I chose my dishes based on her recommendations. Wine list was excellent. I did find that after a few glasses of wine, the mirrored bathroom was a little confusing and I wasn't alone since the person who was in it before me and the one entering as I was leaving also commented on it :) If I lived in the area I'd make Bayona a regular dinner option, for sure.
(4)
M S.
Solid quality food, presentation and service. Everything was wonderful and my meal was excellent.. Chef came out to greet and chat. I really enjoyed the experience but I have to say Bayona did not feel like a place that I could find only in NOLA. It is most certainly a spot loved by locals but on a short trip to New Orleans from places like Atlanta or NYC you might benefit from a trip to Clancy's or Upperline.
(3)
Karen G.
Wow, what a disappointment. Service was the worst I have seen in many years.. Totally ignored. We weren't even sure who belonged to us. We arrived at 7:30 and our entrees were delivered cold at close to 9:30pm. $35 hangar steak, cold, so tough you couldn't chew. Striped Bass - fresh but totally uninspired preparation. Funny part...Harry Shearer (SNL and Simpson voice overs) sat next to us. He had been waiting longer than we had and the waiter finally showed up and asked him what he wanted for dessert ! He hadn't gotten his entree yet ! No one minds waiting if the food is knock out good. Food tasted knocked out already. Only bright side - their famous garlic soup. Even though it was just this side of burnt, still exquisite depth of flavor. SUSAN SPICER NEEDS TO VISIT THIS SINKING SHIP
(1)
Bonnie S.
Hubby and I Treated ourselves to dinner at Bayona during the 2012 Jazzfest. Lovely setting, good service. There was a good-sized between appetizer and dinner which we didn't mind since the waitstaff was attentive during that time. We just had seconds on our Abita Amber Ales and enjoyed the experience. The food: good to amazing. Good: scallop appetizer, salted caramel ice cream. Very good: lamb in Zinfandel sauce, pork chop with Parmesan polenta (first non-desiccated pork chop I've had in a restaurant in a long time.) Excellent: olive oil cake with sour cream ice cream. Amazing: fried green tomato appetizer with crawfish remoulade. I could have had it for dinner and dessert too -- fabulous dish! Each dish was beautifully plated and presented. Obviously this is a restaurant that cares about the total dining experience, making it a good value despite the high cost. Highly recommended. (p.s. yes, the bathrooms are tiny. Large size people will have an interesting challenge navigating them. But they are spotlessly clean. I've seen a lot worse in expensive restaurants.)
(4)
Darren S.
Unexpectedly one of the best steaks i've ever had. Other dishes varied from very good to excellent although the bread wasn't terribly impressive. Service was very good and ambiance was cozy and warm but a bit cramped. We appreciated the chefs efforts to provide sustainable foods, local when possible. I'd absolutely go back for the steak again! 4.5 stars
(4)
Laura F.
We spent 8 fabulous days in New Orleans eating our way through the city. Our itinerary was literally scheduled around where we wanted to eat lunch and dinner each day. With so many wonderful restaurants in the city, we had to carefully plan where we wanted to eat to make sure we hit everything we wanted to try. After eating at Galatoires (horrible), Red Fish Grill (good but not unique), Irene's (always tasty), Cochon (good but not as great as it was made out to be), Stella (stuffy for our taste), Muriels on Jackson Square (good), Upperline (good), Jacques Imo (great place), Commander's Palace (good) ... our two favorites were GW Fins and Bayona. Bayona is set in a converted house in the French Quarter. They have a lovely romantic courtyard but it is way too hot in the summer to dine outside. We ate there for dinner and loved the our experience. The food is delicious - they use the highest quality ingredients, everything was perfectly prepared, the flavors and textures are well balanced, and they have a great selection of options. It was great food but not pretentious. The service was warm and friendly. And the meal was very reasonable compared to the other restaurants in New Orleans. We loved Bayona so much that we returned on a Saturday for their three "small plate" lunch for $25. This is one of the BEST DEALS in New Orleans. I was expecting tapa sized plates - these were not small but normal sized plates (see photos). The food was amazing and I still dream about the duck wrapped in puff pastry and the 4th of July dessert created for that day (a trifle with toasted vanilla cake, watermelon sorbet, whipped cream, and blueberry compote - what a brilliant combination of flavors, temperature, and textures). We were thrilled that Chef Susan Spicer published a cookbook last year so we immediately bought a copy which the restaurant had her sign for us! Definitely go to Bayona during your trip - you will not be disappointed.
(5)
Jimmy K.
Amazing sweetbreads, and the goat cheese crouton is out of this world. The chef has an amazing talent for seamlessly combining the breading and the thing being breaded--almost magical in fact. The atmosphere is really nice--classy, and charming, with the courtyard and the gas lamps outside adding to the overall charm. Inside there's a nice mantle and chandeliers--feels very homey. But definitely upscale--come dressed well! I have spent much time in New Orleans and have eaten at all the top spots, and I gotta say that despite my skepticism when looking at the menu (I'm not a fan of mustard or pickled things, both of which there were lots of) I rank this among the city's very, very best. The kind of place that even if the menu item doesn't sound amazing or quite to your liking, it somehow will be. Dessert was also amazing.
(5)
Greg G.
One of the best meals I've had. We did the Saturday brunch which has certain items to select from. All three courses were delicious and full of flavor. Only gripe was the lady in the front. Makes you feel like an idiot if you don't have reservations and wasn't welcoming like the other staff. Due to this, reservations recommended.
(4)
Thomas C.
120 bucks for lunch, the center piece of which is an upscale PBJ sandwich? Sounds like a joke? Tastes like a dream. The duck-onion-cashew butter sandwich was as good as advertised. The cream of garlic was v. good, as expected, but the chilled V5 with horseradish sour cream was superb. The wife had the bar jack, and enjoyed it much. The appetizer, however, was an another highlight - the goat cheese crouton. That along with the chilled tomato soup will be the two items I will endeavor to recreate for the beloved at home.
(5)
Amanda A.
I would have rated this place higher had they had a better selection for vegetarians. That being said, it is a very nice establishment. The menu changes, with gems like *honey lavender ice cream* (swoon) and their goat cheese appetizer. The service was pretty snappy, the wine and port lists awesome. Bathroom was tiny with mirrors EVERYWHERE (be forewarned that it is disturbing). It is definitely a great joint for foodies, however a little spendy. Ensure you go with a big appetite!
(3)
Tom L.
OMG..This place is the BEST!!! The menu changes daily, super fresh ingredients, awesome service & ambiance..A must do in new orleans... so we started this culinary journey with cucumber juleps in the waiting lounge. Its a bayonna signature cocktail with cucumber infused vodka and it is to die for... first course kobe beef wrapped asparagus (special of the night) oyster gratin (signature item) both were delicious, well flavored, and awesome presentation main course: chicken special (can't remember the name) which was awesome and rabbit..soooooo good, esp. since its so rare to find rabbit on the menu excellent rioja wine pairing suggested by the staff. dessert: mango cake - delicious chocolate cake paired with 18 year old port Make your reservation NOW!!
(5)
Beth S.
I have been to Bayona many times and have always been eager to return. This time, no. Clearly Susan Spicer was not in the kitchen! Our food was served raw despite be ordered medium; really, raw pork??? Our server was no where to be found to help fix things. Another server helped us and said let's start this over. Apparently that meant reheating the same meat to rare this time. Noting approached medium. Even though we were vocal in our disappointment nothing was done to remedy the situation, we were told "this is how the kitchen does it", No office of a drink or dessert to help make things right. Such a disappointment, it was the first reservation I made when I planned this trip to NOLA.
(2)
Celeste L.
Unfriendly hostesses. Tables too close together. Waitress literally shoved into me and didn't bother to utter an apology. Wine is kept on the second floor, which is hardly cellar temp. Fish (sea bass) was fresh and nicely prepared but lukewarm to cool. Bread was literally worse than Wonder Bread. Despite the cramped space, allowed a stroller to be parked right mext to the table. As the mother of three who often brought my kids to good restaurants, I didn't expect to park a large stroller amongst the already cramped tables.
(3)
Brian R.
Amazing...go here....not much more to say. Not typical N.0. fare but just great. The sweet breads and duck were perfect.
(5)
Dana C.
We went there for lunch right before the start of jazz fest and were very underwhelmed. The service was so slow that we almost left and I kind of wish we had. I will say the salads are good but actually, and I know this sounds a little crazy, too big. I guess that's a good thing considering it was a pretty expensive lunch. I was really excited to try the duck pb&j and I was super disappointed. The bread was burnt and there was so much jelly on the sandwich that I had to eat it with a knife and fork as the bread was too soggy to pick up. I ended up just eating the duck and trying to wipe off the excess jelly. I can't really remember what my husband had except that it was just okay. Our server had some lame excuse for taking twenty minutes to take our order and get drinks like "it's jazz fest soon." You didn't know this already? That's why, at a restaurant of this reputation, you would prepare ahead, right? Have extra staff on hand and not have customers wondering where their food is while they watch the chef take photos with other customers and sign copies of her book. I don't think I'd try this place again when I know how much it costs. Too much of a risk, especially considering how many excellent restaurants there are in NO for much cheaper.
(2)
Barner J.
OMG.. amazing food, great atmosphere and wonderful staff. I will go back when im in back in NOLA.
(4)
Chris C.
Bayona is as good as it gets for truly delicious and creative meals. Just make sure you go for lunch. Unless you make a lot of money, or are visiting from Europe and can ridicule how petty the value of the dollar has become ... Food: Like I said, superb! And perfectly proportioned too; you get the feeling a lot of thought has been taken in the kitchen in terms of presentation, proportion and of course, taste. Makes me not feel bad about ordering an appetizer and sharing two entrees and a dessert. Start with the Smoked Duck Cashew Butter and Pepper Jelly sandwich. It won't soon be forgotten. They cut it diagonally into two beautiful slices, so it makes it easy to share with a dining companion. Unless they cut it unevenly, in which case, you will probably be playing 21st finger to see who gets the bigger slice. We broke all the rules in our New Orleans food excursion and went to Bayona more than once. Not only that, we went on consecutive days. The lunch menu changes daily, with a few constants (like the aforementioned smoked duck goodness), so I encourage experimenting with different entrees. Everything we ordered was great, and perfect to share. Highlights include the scallops and pork and shrimp dumplings in chili aioli and the baked drum (local fish) with couscous. Wasn't HUGE on the meat platter entree of stuffed quail, lamb brochaise and sausage, surrounded by a mound of lettuce and needle-thin pommes frites, if only because the dish lacked the diversity of flavors and textures that seemed to be a staple of everything else on the menu. We shared the stuffed empanadas for dessert the first day. There were 2 and were accompanied by a scoop of spicy cinnamon gelato. Can't remember exactly WHAT the empanadas were stuffed with (waiter said it was a local fruit) but they were delicious, and again, perfect for sharing. At the end of the meal, I ordered a double espresso, which was garnished with a brown sugar cube and a chocolate-covered almond on the plate. I am half-Cuban and have been drinking espresso for most of my life, so I understand and am all-too aware of the perils of ordering a watered-down, overpriced one at similarly fancy establishments with delicious cuisine but disappointing coffee. I'd have to take the 7 train over to Queens, or worse, fly to Miami to get a truly memorable espresso. But Bayona is the real deal. So real that I ordered a second double espresso immediately after downing the first. Nice-sized double too, and not overpriced. Service: Our servers were attentive and extremely helpful on both occasions, even offering us advice on other restaurants we might enjoy during our stay and answering every question about the menu that we had. Atmosphere: Bayona has its own little private courtyard on a side street in the French Quarter that leads to its entrance. When it's nice out (ie: NOT 30 degrees and raining), I can imagine really enjoying the outdoor seating via the patio that is adjacent to the courtyard. Still, inside is marvelous. There are three rooms, each with their own signature. You get the feeling you are in a villa in turn-of-the-century America, because you are. The house remains intact, and so are all the classical accompaniments: piano, lush floral arrangements, gurgling fountain and all. Value: As I said, go for lunch. It was good enough to warrant an immediate repeat visit on a 4-day vacation in which we originally declared not to go to any restaurant more than once. Check out the dinner menu online if you're curious, but I doubt there is really anything you'll truly be missing if you opt to go for lunch, except maybe that loan you may have taken out after spending so much on vacation...
Chef Susan Spicer finds ways to showcase local foods/ingredients in her culinary creations. Bayona has a great, rotating menu of delectables for both lunch and dinner. If you've never been there and want to sample the food, try going to lunch on the weekend and asking for the pre-fix. It's something like $25 for 3 smaller portions of regular entrees and/or desserts.
(4)
Brian S.
Great food and wonderful experience a not miss!
(5)
Greta P.
"I have officially added Bayona to my "Must Eat New Orleans Restaurant" list. The atmosphere, the service, the presentation, the menu creativity and lastly the unique and fabulous taste of everything makes this the perfect dining experience. I can't wait to return for lunch and dine on the patio."
(5)
Tanya W.
We heard the food was good so we decided to try Bayona but had a horrible experience... The entire meal took over 2 hours, not including any type of dessert (who knows how much longer that would've taken!). Our appetizers were good and the service started out great, but after that things went down hill quickly. It took more than an hour to receive our entrees and when we did the pork was so over cooked that it was dry and tough. The waiter started to walk up to our table but turned around when he heard us talking about how disappointed we were... He never came back to our table. We finally got up to talk to a manager and he had a bit of an attitude asking why we didn't tell our server then huffed saying he would take it off our check. No apology and no attempt to make things better. We had a bill exceeding $400 and he treated us like we came in to eat bread and water. It was very disappointing and we will never go back to Bayona.
(2)
Jamie W.
We went here for our first night on our recent trip to New Orleans. Service was great, the restaurant itself has nice ambiance. Overall, I was not overly impressed with the food except for the goat cheese cracker with mushrooms. We tried the garlic soup and while it had a nice consistency, the garlic was overpowering and just a little too much. For my entree I had the rabbit. Not bad but nothing phenomenal either.
(3)
LaRu E.
Bayona was amazing. they food was unique yet classic. flavors were out of this world--amazing combinations that you'd never know could work. you can't go wrong with any dish!!
(5)
Calvin H.
Disappointed is my general review. The location is stunning, but the decor is dated and not in a historical way. I will assume that the rather large size of our party was an issue, but we weren't the only large party and frankly if they couldn't handle it I would have appreciated them simply telling us. Another highly regarded restaurant did tell us that...it was much appreciated. After being seated fairly late, but by a very gracious front door team, our waiter came out to tell us how the menu worked. He seemed scared or unbearably bored We could barely hear him and he didn't even bother to see if we wanted wine. We tracked down a wine list and had to request to start with a couple of bottles....forget assistance with choosing. On to the food. I started with the eggplant caviar. Wow. Boring. My husband had a nice salad. My friend had the veal sweetbreads and was underwhelmed. Frankly no one was raving about what they chose. But no one thought it was bad. Appetizer course over. 45 minutes to an HOUR later we received our entrees. By then I was so irritated that I didn't even want dinner. But then they sat a lukewarm piece of over cooked "seared" fish in front of me. I really didn't want it then. Again, no one really commented on their meal...and we are a group of enthusiastic diners. So it wasn't that great. We skipped dessert since we were in New Orleans and had better things to do than wait around for more mediocre food. There was jazz to be heard a mere block away! In summary, the front door staff was wonderful, the service was horrible, and the food was ok. I do not understand the rave reviews I have heard here and even from chefs I know. Just to be clear also, we are a ridiculously polite group of people who came prepared to love this place. Other than the fact there were 8 of us, we were a very easy group. All I know is that none of us will return.
(3)
Jennifer H.
The food here is superb! I had the Duck and I literally wanted to lick the plate. My friend had the Veal sweetbreads and I think the smile on his face was the biggest of the whole trip to NOLA. He also had the quail salad and stuffed rabbit, all of which he loved. The chef has won many awards and been featured in every foodie magazine/newpaper you can think of. For good reason, this place is amazing! Need to dress nice, so despite the heat, make the effort....
(5)
Kerry Y.
Food was great. Service was slow and the waiter was inattentive at best. We ordered a $420 bottle of wine. The cork was so dry that it broke and the waiter stuck his finger in the wine. We refused the wine. He brought another bottle. We ordered another $240 bottle. We wanted to bring our own wine, but it's not allowed. One person in our party wanted to treat for the wine, so requested a separate bill. When the bill arrived, she was charged 18% gratuity. We were fine tipping on wine, but inquired if it was customary. They said yes. The waiter was rude, so we asked to speak to the manager. The servers response was he's just going to tell you the same thing. To call the manager,Brian Baynes, defensive is a gross understatement. He was angry at our group for spending $1,000 in his restaurant. He insisted that they did us a favor by doing separate checks and accused us of trying to get out of tipping for the wine. He said the bottle we sent back was fine and now he was stuck trying to figure out how to get rid of the Peter Michael (2005) wine that his server botched. I waited tables for 10 years and this was the worst customer service experience I've ever had. It could have been handled so much better. I would not return.
(1)
Rachel D.
The food is good, no doubt. I particularly liked the duck-PB&J concoction, but everything we tasted was yummy. And the patio is lovely. However. When we sat down for the saturday "light lunch" (3 small plates for $25) our server asked if we wanted a cocktail or possibly a glass of champagne. Well sure, champagne always sounds good to me. She neglected to mention that the champagne cost $18 a glass. The drinks weren't included on the menu. Maybe it's my fault for not asking the price - but you feel gauche asking, in such a classy place. anyway, I felt kinda conned. Note to servers: If we're cheap enough to go for the $25 lunch then maybe, just maybe, we don't want to spend an almost equivalent amount on a single glass of bubbly.
(3)
Donya M.
Best meal we had all week! Sat out in the courtyard - very romantic. Dress is casual to dressy. Make reservations.
(5)
Scott T.
Susan Spicer's Bayona is my favorite of the top notch restaurants in New Orleans. Everything thing from the wine to dessert continued to blow me away with deliciously mind bending dishes. Staff was brilliant and the setting is equally enjoyable, a treasure all should experience. I would come here to propose to my future wife and based on what Bayona has to offer I assume she would automatically say yes!
(5)
Kym H.
My boss's attorney Sam R. lives in New Orleans and what better way to explore food than through the eyes of the locals? Sam recommended Bayona and it was amazing. From the moment you walk in they greet you with smiles and immediately take a drink order while you wait. The drinks are charged to your reservation. They have a cute place very small and quaint with a beautiful outdoor patio if you wish to have your drinks outside. Since its summer which means New Awlin's is hot and humid we decided to stay indoor. Bayona's head chef Susan Spicer is amazing with her flavor pairings and decadent ingredients. I had Rabbit stuffed with sausages. I think rabbit in New Orleans is like chicken in California, it's plentiful and in every restaurant there's at least one rabbit plate. It was wonderful to all my senses from smell, sight, taste and touch. There's multi-texture in the food, different flavors marrying, and the smell just makes one melt. A must try in the FRENCH QUARTER. I'm so glad Sam sent us here. The only reason I didn't give them the 5 star is their dessert, I had a banana torte with ice cream and it was not to my liking. But it is definitely different if you would like to try it.
(4)
Sara Z.
Went here our 2nd night in NOLA and was very impressed by the entire evening. Bayona is a quiet restaurant about a block from Bourbon which you barely see unless you are looking for it. Food: hands down the best I have experienced in new orleans. Highly recommend the peppercorn lamb with goat cheese and zinfandel sauce. Even the green beans were cooked to perfection. Lobster risotto and flank steak were also fantastic. -5 starts! Service: Excellent, clearly very upscale but without the uppity attitude. -5 starts Location: beautiful, we didn't get out to check out the courtyard which looked beautiful thanks to the weather, and the inside was simple and a converted townhouse. -3 stars Overall one of the best meals i've had! Highly recommended.
(5)
Rebecca V.
I am a native New Orleanian who has been wanting to try Bayona for a long while and finally tried it a few nights ago. While the ambiance was charming and the food very good, I was so surprised by the unprofessionalism of the waitstaff that I came on Yelp to see if other diners commented on this as well. The staff was very casual and hurried, more interested in joining in the loud kitchen conversation than focusing on customers. I called at 8pm and asked if they had a table available around 8:30; the hostess told me that they stop seating tables at 9pm but if we got there before 9pm we wouldn't need a "rez". We walked in at 8:45 and the hostess yelled to the manager (I guess she didn't want to get up) "hey it's 8:45 can we seat these people?". The manager said yes and we were seated after discussion of what table we should be seated at. All of the verbal exchanges we had with our server and the hostess were equally unprofessional, long-winded, and awkwardly chatty. Guess what? No one cares about the 5 minute history of your parking validation contract, we just thought it was odd when we asked if you validate parking and instead handed us a $5 bill. Develop a pat response and deliver that with a smile, that's all we needed. In general my complaint is that they really didn't seem to care about us at all. And we realized it was the end of the night but how hard is it to remember "serve from the left, remove from the right"? The food was very good; my husband asked for the scallop and shrimp appetizer as an entree and wished it had been described as spicy and Caribbean so he could have avoided it but otherwise the food was great. The mango cheesecake dessert was outstanding. We didn't have any alcohol but had 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 1 iced tea and the bill was around $90, which we thought was very well priced. Overall Bayona is a lovely upscale restaurant in the French Quarter and if that's your only expectation, you will be pleased.
(3)
James P.
One of the best meals I've ever had. Fantastic patio seating, impecable wait staff. If Yelp had a 6th star, they'd get it.
(5)
Bowen D.
I stopped in for lunch on my last day of a recent trip to New Orleans. I was happy to see that the lunch menu is VERY fairly priced, with under-$10 appetizers and mains in the mid-teens. I had a friend oyster salad to start, which was nicely crusted with cornmeal and presented with a few mixed greens and halved cherry tomatoes. The oysters were tasty, but the salad was generic and the tomatoes tasteless -- no surprise this time of year. Why put imported cherry tomatoes on a salad in winter -- just use something else! The oysters were tasty but not the best I've had, although I did really like the crust. For the entree I had scallops with red thai rice and some other vaguely asian-fusion accompaniments. The scallops were smallish, salty and chewy - not great at all, and we had nice big tasty ones the night before at Dick & Jenny's, so it's clear they're available in the area. The purple Thai rice was overcooked and a bit gluey. Great service, great prices for a place with such a reputation, but the food was just so-so. I'm glad I tried it, but I'll take a pass next time. Why is fusion so popular in NOLA?
(3)
Don E.
Unbelievably bad! Worst experience ever. Vote with your wallet and do not patronize this restaurant. We reserved a table for eight. When we arrived we were told you will be at two different tables. We almost left but decided to give it the benefit of the doubt. The three men in our group sat at one table and wives and daughters at another. After wine and starters, we ordered our entrees. One of the entrees was supposed to be split between a husband and wife at separate tables. Twenty minutes later two entrees in hot plates arrive at the men's table. Out of politeness the men wait for everyone else to be served. Fifteen minutes go by. Thirty minutes go by. After forty-five minutes the men ask for the manger. We watch our waiter tell the manager, Brian Baynes . He goes and hides in the kitchen rather than talk to us. We tell our waiter and other waiters no less than three times we want to speak to the manager. Another fifteen minutes go by. Finally one of the men literally goes into the kitchen and tells Brian we need to speak to him. He comes out and basically tells us to go to h_ll. He says " you should have known there would be a problem when you asked for an entree to be split." Hello? The other entrees come out now. The two entrees served one hour previous are ice cold. Brian insists it is our (the customers) fault. We tell him this is unreasonable and we don't want the food now. He again tells us to go to h_ll and a waiter brings us a check for $400. We pay the $400, give the waiter $50 in cash (whom definitely did not deserve it). and leave. We were all in shock and left hungry and angry. Look at the reviews carefully there are others with similar experiences with the current manager Brian Baynes.
(1)
Liza N.
I haven't been to Bayona since the fall, but I've recently been broke-as-a-joke and dreaming of better foodie days. Bayona is hands down my favorite restaurant ... ever. The staff is exceptionally knowledgeable about the food and the entire fantastic mega-book of wines, a lot of them very well priced. Susan, the chef, always makes a stop at the table, and sends out my favorite tradition of all food traditions "lagniappe". Great location in the heart of New Orleans ... conveniently located close enough to Bourbon Street so you can ruin your tastebuds from a great meal with Hurricanes. Try the duck. You'll love it. I promise. Also, y'all know I'm a sucker for cute little gardens and courtyards ... and this one nails it.
(5)
rebecca g.
Believe the hype...Bayona has it all: charming courtyard and vintage furniture, impeccable service, a drool-worthy cocktail menu, and spectacular fusion takes on local fare. I can't recall exactly what I ordered, but it was the most amazing lunch, complete with a refreshing, subtle Cucumber Julep that was out of this world. Be prepared to drop some serious dough...even for lunch (splitting an appetizer, 2 entrees, & 2 cocktails), it ran about $90...but it was sooo worth it. I will be back again and again!
(5)
Eddie H.
Hands down best meal I have had in NOLA. Its a tiny little cottage style restaurant with old antique decor that gives you a cozy feeling. Our waitress was very attentive without ovcerbearing and so nice. We started with the Veal Sweetbreads in a lemon sauce. Best baby cow brains I've ever had! Even my date, who was disgusted at the thought, loved them! We moved on to the main course of the Neiman Ranch with duck fat cabbage and a potao pierogi. AMAZING!! Finally we had banana chocolate cake for dessert and passed out in the taxi on our way to bourbon street! This place is a must!
(5)
Michelle B.
We happened on Bayona by accident. It was barely noticeable from the street. We were there for lunch and intrigued by the menu written daily. My husband had an excellent reisling and the quail. I had the bread with cheese, beef, egg and sauce on the top which I cannot recall the name of but both were great. The garlic soup was to die for and we would be back for that alone. We actually did attempt to return, unfortunately we were unaware of the need for reservations well in advance if you wanted dinner.our bad luck. We will attempt it on a future trip to NOLA.
(5)
Erik M.
The poor service, absent and unfriendly staff were most memorable. The house manhattan, roasted beet and tomato soup, and duck were good. I didn't enjoy the green vegetable that accompanied the duck but that was personal taste. The crepe dessert was not good with a rubbery texture, stick with ice cream. They seems very short staffed because no one bother to check how any of the courses were and simply removed the plates at the end of each course. I had to flag a server down to get a glass of wine. Certainly not the level of service I expected from such an establishment.
(3)
Christine P.
Take your woman here for a date and you're sure to receive some late night...cuddling. Really though, the service was absolutely flawless -- warm and well timed. There's something on the menu for everyone. It's a special occasion type of place.
(5)
gerald s.
The best surprise of our recent visit to NOLA. Loved the food, atmosphere and everything about it. The service was excellent but the food was the best of our week's visit!! The atmosphere is so cool as well, atrsy and chic but. Very comfortable and homey....great place!!
(5)
Jon D.
One of my favorite places in the quarter. Last time I was in, I had the venison wrapped in bacon, just outstanding. Great wine list, better desert offerings.
(5)
Jen R.
working in the area, i only was able to make the trip into the quarter for lunches. but what lunches they were: black bean cakes topped with grilled shrimp and coriander sauce seared sea scallops and a word of advice: always order the thing on the menu that sounds like it would never taste right. case in point: the smoked duck, cashew butter, and pepper jelly sandwich is a joy to behold. the flavors and textures all fit so nicely together. next time i'm in town, i'll do a dinner. i promise.
(4)
Holly S.
Night three in New Orleans - had a busy day of talking to too many people so I was happy to go to a restaurant where I would be pampered and left alone. The atmosphere in Bayona struck me as an oasis from the fray of the streets. The staff are very professional and friendly. It was too cold to be outdoors, but the courtyard looks lush and beautiful - so much that I want to return in Spring. I nibbled on the small appetizer they offered to me from the kitchen. I love when restaurants offer a little unexpected treat! And the breads were tasty. I had a beautiful glass of French merlot, and oohed and aahed over the wine list. I couldn't believe that they actually had a $1300 bottle on there! Must have the clientele. The menu is split into two parts - the signature menu on the left, the fresh menu on the right. I ordered from the right - I had the fennel and crab salad - delicious! Then the red snapper. I think. Oh gosh, I can't remember all the details, only that I was swept away by the flavors! I tried to look up the menu online, but all the entrees already changed within a week. Now I am hooked and have to return to try out more delicacies! I do remember that they were always there to refill my water, ask how my meal was, and take away my plates as soon as I had my last bite. Were they watching me eat? Only down side for me - dining alone in such a small space means you get to hear the waiters repeat their spiel over and over. It would be good if they mixed up their recommendations every once in a while!
(5)
Alan C.
Everything we ate was yummy! Duck, lamb, steak, and tuna...can't go wrong at Bayona! Try their ice cream at the end, it's made there!
(5)
Rosalba C.
This meal was the first meal I had where every bite was mouth watering delicious. We started with a Cucumber Mint Julep which was sweet and refreshing and Pork Belly appetizer. My husband and I shared the dinner which was a Barramundi. So yummy.
(5)
Michael O.
Found this spot via yelp. WOW! What a great place for dinner. The restaurant is about two blocks off Bourbon Street. We walked right by it because it was nondescript. They seated us outside on the patio, which was lovely in terms of lighting. Still, the patio can be a bit noisy because of its closeness to the kitchen and a set of stairs that the staff go up and down, up and down. Nonetheless, the food -- Peppered Lamb Loin with Goat Cheese and Zinfandel Sauce and some rabbit dish -- was wonderful. I would DEFINITELY eat there during my next trip to NOLA. MiLO
It is not a trip to New Orleans without a trip to Bayona. This restaurant is what I consider to be the essence of perfection in dining in this country. There are occassional lapses, but who does not have disagreements even among friends. It is because of the love that these are so unimportant. The important is that Bayona is truly the restaurant I wish were in my neighborhood. First, the staff is incredibly friendly, service and hospitality oriented and generally have been at Bayona's for such a length of time that they are intimately familiar with both the food and wine and can serve you as the guide to a lovely meal. However, this familiarity with the restaurant can sometimes leave the staff talking on the floor about things that should best not be said in front of customers; this is most evident if you are the last evening seating. Never rude, just a bit jarring. However, they are so good that I can overlook this. Now about all of the positives. The restaurant is beautiful without being stuffy or overdone. Posh and well heeled, but with a patina of age and grace, you can go in your dinner jacket or in a tee shirt and khakis and be treated as well. If you have the opportunity, there is an outside carriage yard for dining that affords you a chance for a lovely meal al fresco. Highly recommended. The food of Chef Susan Spicer can be, without exaggeration, the best in the City of New Orleans and among the best in this country. Her touch with a beautiful pantry of Creole and Cajun flavors is both familiar and new as she reinvents combinations and eschews the trite. This is not the place to come for blackened pork chops; but you can have the best seared rack of lamb with red wine sauce and goat cheese ever. That's EVER. The touch in even the small things is amazing....a brightly flavored lemony, smoky eggplant tapenade appetizer served with kalamata olive tapenade and feta cheese makes a brilliant start. The mushroom crostini with goat cheese makes me wake up from dreams wishing for one more bite. Do try the Garlic Soup. Unlike imitations, her garlic soup is deeply roasted and thinned with chicken stock and thickened with bread; no cream, no fat, no oil. Delicious and simple. In fact, after a big meal there recently, both my friend and I commented that the meal left us both satisfied and surprisingly without the food hangover of other fattier or richer restaurants. Bayona is my all time favourite New Orleans Restaurant, from food, hospitality and ambience. Everything is summed up in the one piece of art that hangs in the bar now for years, "Be Nice or Leave" it says. Life in the Big Easy is simply to be enjoyed. Bayona makes it an art.
(5)
Lindsay C.
Everything was delicious here. From the specialty cocktails to the amazing desserts. I had lamb for the very first time and it was fantastic. I enjoyed mostly the specials but I got a taste of many things on the menu and I am confident that everything was amazing. I will warn you that it's not cheap. This is a dinner you'd be better off enjoying on someone else's dime! The bathroom upstairs is cute, but watch your head.
(5)
Tanya D.
I was so happy to finally go to Bayona, I've been wanting to for years and as a local it's a shame I hadn't been before. It was very very good and very cozy and relaxing, very New Orleans. I don't know why other reviewers thought it stuffy, we wore jeans. First though, why didn't I give it five stars? Because the service was just a hair below excellent and what I would have expected. Bad night? Probably. It's not that I wouldn't go again. Just a few little glitches. Normally I don't mind sitting at the dinner table for three hours with friends, but we missed the parade for crimony sakes. I'm guessing this was unusual. Now the good part. While Bayona does seem to be a shrine to duck fat and is very meat oriented, the best part for me was the Vegetarian Special. It's so nice to go out and not have to piecemeal a meal because you don't want to eat flesh. On this night the special was spinach gnocchi with wild mushrooms in a cheese sauce (oops, can't recall the cheese). It was more like spinach and potatoe croquettes rather than gnocchi, but that was fine. (a bit bigger than your average gnocchi and not as firm.) Also, the green salad was large and sounded tasty, but I chose soup instead, see below. The waiter reiterated the menu's statement that they are happy to make any adjustments for your dietary needs or tastes, so I bet even vegans can get a good meal here if they don't mine their neighbor enjoying offal cooked with wine. The Caesar salad was "real", no gluey dressing and I tasted bits of real anchovie. If you are like me and a "Louisiana Vegetarian" and eat shellfish, the shrimp and blackbean cake appetizer is scrumptious. Don't know the purpose of the black bean cake but I would order a double appetizer of the shrimp as an entree next time. The mushrooms in Meidera on toast was our table's favorite. The oyster gratin was good too. For the true veggies, the eggplant caviar is damn good too. I had the signature garlic soup (probably had a chicken stock base, I didn't ask, I'm not always hardcore, ) and it was my favorite part of the meal. Well, maybe the warm chocolate crepes with soft dark chocolate filling, with icy satsuma sorbet was my favorite part... As for the meat eaters at the table- my sister had the regular menu salmon and enjoyed it very very much and my brother in law had the hanger steak (which he had not had before, and the waiter very expertly explained where on the cow it came from) and he enjoyed it too. I haven't even talked about the wine! I like that they had half bottles so you can have a little tasting. My in the know wine friend suggested the Grgich fume and too bad it was only available as a half bottle, I could have had a whole bottle. So long story long, I would definitely go back, maybe to try some of the lunch specials and when it's warmer to have a drink in the courtyard.
(4)
Jeremy P.
Very comfortable setting with class. Sweetbreads! Thanks Chef Spicier.
(5)
Prince H.
There is a saying that "you should never meet your heros" because they can't live up to your image. Rick Reilly make a great reply "then you have never met Peyton Manning". Keep this in mind in you think you dont like duck..I woukd reply then you have never had duck at Bayona. I love this place..delicious and creative food that will satisy. It can be tough to get a reservation so plan ahead.
(5)
Jerry E.
Enjoyed the dining experience
(3)
Gideon C.
First off - I really don't know why a lot of reviews on here have their panties in a twist about the prices "Go for lunch, dinner is too expensive" Really? Entrees are under 30 bucks, Starters go for 10-15 bucks - pretty mid-range prices actually, especially for the French Quarter and also a good deal for a rotating menu. Bayona is tucked away in the French Quarter on Dauphine and Conti - right next to a hotel in a charming red building - once inside you have your mix of antiques on the walls, wall murals - kind of quaint "I feel like I'm at my grandparent's" furniture. Service isn't snobby at all, the waiter was quick to point out what he thought was the best with a few quips - they have their classics menu and then a rotating daily or weekly menu - for starters i had the Goat Cheese Toast with Mushrooms in a Madeira sauce which was wonderful and the Salmon Trio (nightly special) with seared salmon belly, salmon and cream cheese puff pastry, and salmon hushpuppies(kind of) - which was great. Then for a salad I had the Crispy Smoked Quail with Bourbon Molasses - which i wasn't too crazy for - you got an overabundance of quail but with the choice of mixed greens and the sweet apples and molasses based vinaigrette - it was missing an element. Too much sweet, too much savory. As for entrees I had the nightly special was the Rabbit Roulade and Buttermilk fried rabbit leg with leek mashed potatoes - the roulade was kind of fatty which I didn't care for but the fried leg and the mashed potatoes were wonderful. My dinner companion had the peppered lamb loin with goat cheese and mashed sweet potatoes - which was awesome - the goat cheese made a nice counterpart with the lamb and the mashed sweet potatoes were sweet and airy. Dessert - my friend had the Molasses Semolina Cake which tasted odd to me but she liked it - I had the Hazelnut Chocolate puff pastry - which I didn't like very much because it just tasted old. It was a great experience overall - the starters and entrees were wonderful, although the salads and dessert could have been a bit better - now I know what not to order next time. Susan Spicer was in the kitchen that day and was autographing her books and such and she seemed like a very friendly person. Service was friendly and on point. And the fact that the specials are different nightly brings something new to the table every visit. So go for dinner, it really won't break your wallet.
(4)
El G.
The food here was amazing. Let me start off with that, so that you don't have to read dribble. Seriously. It was amazing. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because it took 77 hours for me to get my food. I think they actually grew the vegetables from scratch before serving them to me. If you have good company then you won't mind the wait for the food that gives your tongue an orgasm.
(4)
Laur A.
Possibly one of the best meals I have had. I'm from Philly and I love New Orleans and it's food. I stumbled upon this restaurant while visiting a few years ago, and I go to it every time I go back now. Fresh food with amazing flavors. It's pricey, but so worth it.
(5)
Ellen R.
Perhaps Monday is an alternate universe at Bayona. The food bore no resemblance to the rave reviews from locals and online. The courtyard was being revamped so were seated inside where one of our party was constantly bumped as waiters rushed by to serve a table of 10. Our waiter was brief and only checked on us over his shoulder as he flew by. The salad with fried quail had dressing with some maple flavor and otherwise was undistinguished. The mushroom toast was excellent. Another in the party had a green salad which was average and had lots of parm. The salmon and sauerkraut was exactly as advertised but not an inspired dish. The sweet breads were fried , dry and had no detectable spice or sauce. The rabbit roulade was on the dry side and I somehow felt it was yesterday's dish. Again , no sauce and negligible spice. We had a glass of Cabernet franc at 14/glass and were grateful we had not ordered a bottle. One dessert was ordered and finally arrived after the third cup of coffee. It was not as ordered, but the waitress who delivered it but did not take the order, assured us that it was what we ordered. Time to cut our losses. Bayona was a locals' rec , so it was a big disappointment. People and food in NOLA are too great to settle for mediocre or less.
(1)
Stefan A.
Elegant and confortable restaurant. Our lunch ($25 per person for any three small plates) was delicious, creative and well prepared. The meal was a little light, which I found fitting for the menu and a nice break from gorging myself. Coulda been a little gimmicky (you can have three courses of dessert if you want), but the serving staff did a great job of helping structure the meal to our preference. Carrot soup with ginger & croutons, duck pastry, and scallop with lentils were standouts. Salad with pancetta and fried egg and seafood beignets were good, not great. The house made ice cream is terrific - smooth and dense, a little shy of gellato. The , chocolate included fine chocolate shavings, which was a great twist. A final note about the service - friendly, infomative, accomodating and capable. In addition to the basic excellence, they made sure we could get one course of plain pasta for our young child. They ensured we had a well paced and relaxing meal.
(4)
luke k.
A bit of a disappointment after our Saturday lunch. Maybe the chef was a bit Burbon'd from Friday night? Very bland and badly chopped salad of cafeteria quality. While the cornbread crust was delicious, it didn't pair well with flavorless hake. Less then average lentil soup. The waitress NOR bartender knew how to make/serve an Americano. Leaving 3 stars for the very sweet and attentive hostess, and OK desert. Finally, the mens bathroom sink counter has really nasty grout paired with a broken soap dispenser !
(3)
Conrad K.
We had a lovely brunch on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The three course menu had something for everyone. However, the cashew peanut butter duck sandwich is so good I could have had it three times!
(4)
David C.
Abstract: Elegant, delicious, and romantic. The food was inventive, fresh, and worth every penny. The waitstaff was polite, helpful, and unobtrusive. The ambiance was romantic and perfect for a special date. Rating: 5 stars, as Bayona gets everything right. The seating was a bit cramped, but that did not detract from the elegant and romantic ambiance. Bayona is expensive (two appetizers and two entrees was about 100), but you get what you pay for and Bayona is worth it. Conclusion: a fantastic experience in fine dining. French cooking with a NOLA interpretation. While too expensive for most people to go regularly, it is great for a special night out.
(5)
Kat M.
For starters, be prepared to wait even when you have a reservation. The atmosphere is comfy and homey feeling. It was cool that the chef will come around, she knows her customers and thats nice to see. I tried flat bread for the first time, it was really good! After trying it we asked what it was made out of, try it first, then ask, otherwise you might not try it at all! Ha! We ordered two entrees, and in New Orleans, you must try the fish, it was really amazing!
(4)
Joanna W.
I went here with a group of girlfriends while visiting New Orleans, and we were blown away. The sweetbreads are amazing, and I have always hated them. If you are in New Orleans and are looking for a special occasion restaurant, look no further.
(5)
Laraine Y.
Susan Spicer's Bayona is tucked away in a quiet part of the French Quarter and looks very unassuming, but WOW! the food is EXQUISITE! Everything is made and served with care and perfection. The ambiance is very romantic and quietly elegant. Each plate is picture perfect and with delicate subtle flavors to be relished with delight. Do not be afraid to order anything and be surprised!
(5)
Heather M.
This place was amazing! Ask to sit outside in their quaint little courtyard! Prepare to be pampered and really looked after.
(4)
Shayna N.
Upscale. White table cloths. Businessmen and Old money. Great Service. Delicious Food. It's not the down and dirty, real-deal, debaucherous New Orleans underbelly, but it's still damn good! great presentation. Interesting ingredients. Great Service and tasty tasty food. I've eaten there several times and unfortunately don't remember any specifics, except that the sauteed Sweetbreads appetizer is out of this world! It's also won a ton of awards.
(5)
Sam P.
Actually 4 1/2 stars to be honest. Very good food. Actually, the appetizers were better than the entrees we thought. Romantic. Pricey. Good service, albeit with a little attitude. Would go back for sure.
(5)
mvc j.
On my visit, food was just ok, service was terrible. Waiter's were non attentive and very condescending, my wife did not feel well on our visit and ordered a soft drink, I had a beer. We did not have a large bar tab (obviously), and we felt ignored during our meal (perhaps due to the small bar tab - but not sure) and got poor service - felt like we were being snubbed. My wife ordered a chicken dish with a mediterannean rub, and it was too highly seasoned, she took one bite and did not touch it again, wait staff did not ask if all was ok until plates were ready to be cleared. Again, this was very poor service - a fine restaurant would approach a customer if, after a few minutes, they do not appear to be touching their meal, and see what is wrong and do what they can to address the issue - this restaurant staff did none of the right things. Served 4 petit fours at the end of the meal as an offering of their apologies - wound up being a meaningless effort after a poor meal where we were ignored - again - doing the right things at the right time would have resulted in a far better experience - this restaurant either did not have the understanding, committment or attitude to do any of the right things. There are many fine restaurants in New Orleans and this was one of them (would recommend some very consistent old standards such as Commander's Palace, K-Paul's, Emeril's and others that deliver fine service and great food consistently) - will never return to this restaurant again and cannot recommend.
(2)
Hanh S.
excellent lunch options! super cute patio (esp for a date). definitely worth the visit. get the shrimp salad, veal and smoked duck puffed pastry! also, the staff was great. would visit again when in town
(5)
Isa L.
summer 08 - 18th anniversary for restaurant, lunch is 18$ all summer, good deal. I wanted to try the duck pb & j sandwich but I wasn't able to make it back a second time during my trip it's also right around the corner from a crazy bookstore, don't know what it was called but there's so many books you have to walk sideways in the aisles and the owner has a pet cat.
(4)
E B.
I wish I could give negative stars. It was so bad, but words can't give the full experience. Showed up at 8:50 for 9:00 reservations. Manager was screaming at guest at the hostess stand. Literally - pay your bill and get out! He didn't even pause to notice us - awkward situation. Then hostess said to wait in the lounge while they cleared tables....an hour later, follow me. No sorry, no update, no acknowledgment that clearing tables wasn't an accurate statement an hour ago. Then we were seated in an empty room upstairs and they sat five tables at once. The waiter continued setting empty tables instead of greeting us. Waited 20 mins - I just wish we had walked out like the other guests, but we were starving. No acknowledgment again. The waiter was like a dead person. No smile, no personality. Appetizers arrived - crispy quail was good, but the greens were worthless. More waiting - after 11...mains come. Waste of money, time and calories. Grit in the scallops. Boring steak. I would have complained except the other table beat me to it. That is when manager #2 started raising her voice. The customer was actually really nice - explained how excited she was to come, but they waited so long, the experience wasn't great... Manager - but wasn't your food good?!? Customer - yes, but the rest hasn't been great and we waited so long. Manager - we were busy, tables wouldn't leave, what do you expect us to do?!? She literally said this...in a very loud voice. She continued on this path and tone, until finally saying - fine, I will give you the first round. What was extremely clear by the end of this 3 hr hell was that management has a terrible attitude. For some reason they think it is okay to yell at guests, ignore common courtesy, show zero customer service. It seemed that their attitude was - our food is good, you are lucky to be here. Best part - the food isn't good! Don't waste your time and money - there are so many other excellent restaurants on town.
(1)
Amanda L.
Interesting, strong, delish drinks (like the absinthe-infused Pixie Punch). Impeccably crafted, elegant, yet non-pretentious meals. It's actually difficult to find a place in New Orleans that handles a fish entree as well as Bayona. Crawfish, shrimp, and even redfish, sure, but not tuna or chilean sea bass or salmon as much. Easily the best tuna I've ever had in NOLA. GORGEOUS courtyard. I love the way it was designed so that, when you sit outside, you look indoors and see nothing but the reflection of the courtyard in the full-mirrored wall. It makes the space seem so much larger and more elegant. Yum, yum, yum.
(5)
Thomas B.
First trip to Bayona, after also visiting Mondo. The food in each case was among the best we have had in New Orleans in the last five months, the former even better than the latter. The prices were quite reasonable for the quality of the food. Only issue at Bayone was the slow service. When soups are served lukewarm, it then becomes a food issue. Not especially busy during our visit, so not much excuse for the nearly glacial pace. So despite the four stars, we will bring out of town guests to the several restaurants with equally great food and better service.
(4)
Alexander G.
A fantastic dining experience. Service and food were right on the mark. Best sweetbreads I have ever had and the rabbit entre was so good that I did not want to share it with my dining partner. One of the best overall dining experiences I have ever had.
(4)
Danny W.
I finally ate at Bayona's a few months ago. I had heard about it and its famous chef, Susan Spicer, for many years. Someone even gave me her cookbook for Christmas. I was seeing a play at the Mahalia Jackson and was able to easily park at the theater and walk over to Dauphine St. to each lunch at Bayona. I was fortunate to get in because I did not have a reservation. They turned several people away after they let me in. By the time I had finished with restaurant was full (always a good sign). On Saturdays they have a special small plates lunch. Three small plates for $25. This was perfect since I wanted to try several dishes I had her about. One of those dishes is the cream of garlic soup - it was wonderful. Another that had been recommended was the smoked duck, cashew peanut butter, and pepper jelly sandwich. I probably would not have ordered if I had not heard that is was great. I am glad that I did. It was an unusual - but tasty - flavor combination. I loved it. I also got the Bayona salad with blue cheese. Once again fantastic. I must say that this was probably one of the best meals I have ever had. The setting and service was great and the food met expectations. Look forward to eating there again some day - hopefully soon.
(5)
Trauts N.
Was here 2 years ago and it still one of the most memorable meals I have had....anywhere.
(5)
Christy T.
So, we have lunch here on Halloween and our waitress is dressed as a cat and meows...Now, I know for a lot people this is the sign of bad things to come but for me...I couldn't have been happier! The meal was awesome and not because it was being served by a woman dressed as a cat but everything was simply top notch. From appetizer to dessert we oohed and aahed. The location and ambiance of the restaurant itself made drinking water enjoyable. I loved this place. We left the restaurant with a signed copy of the chef's cookbook. Yea, it was that GOOD!
(5)
marian g.
We were here for the weekend with my girlfriends. We couldn't get a dinner reservation so we settled for a Saturday lunch date. OMG, this place was wonderful. The atmosphere, the wait staff and the food, all wonderful. Combine all of this together and I know I'd love to come back here for a yummy dinner. On Saturdays Bayona serves "Light", which means small plates. You get to chose 3 options for $25.00. The 3 of us managed to taste 5 different dishes. Started w/ oysters, which was served w/ a creamy sauce. The oysters themselves were light and fresh and totally tender. We also tasted the mixed salad which came w/ shaved Parmesan and greens. It had a light dressing and a very generous serving. We then had a soup and 2 of us tried the gnocchi in a light tomato sauce. Each bite was better than the next. We finished w/ a turkey,avocado small sandwich. I had the lamb had 2 small pieces w/ fruity sauce. The lamb was cooked just as we had requested. We decided to share one dessert and chose passion fruit sorbet. This was the only disappointment. It was refreshing but tasted more like it was a mass produced sorbet. This is a more refreshing type of menu with choices that are delicious and more up to date rather than some of the older established restaurants. If I ever come back to NOLA, you can be sure that I'm making a reservation way ahead of my arrival.
(5)
Aj P.
It's been many years since last visiting Bayona. Back in the day, it was on the front of new American cuisine - a place ready to treat my California food aesthetic - a little modern, a little French, and all through a New Orleans lens. Well, it's still more or less the same - and for better or worst this puts the food in a very edible, yet 1980s rut. Honestly, I think you'll probably like anything you order here - including their famous sweetbreads. The dishes will come with properly sliced and diced garnishes, a splash of gastrique, and a decent portion size. But like so much of the food in New Orleans, the flavors ultimately sit in the mono-dimensional flavor profile after a few bites - very edible but ho hum interesting.
(3)
Ross W.
My wife and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary with some friends at Bayona during our recent trip to Jazz Fest. I cannot emphasize how disappointed we were with the complete apathy and condescension exhibited by the service staff. In fact the service was so poor that it completely overshadowed the fact that the restaurant's courtyard is swarming with large rats which were actually visible through the large window directly adjacent to our table. We made our reservation one month in advance to the day which is the furthest in advance allowed by the restaurant. We arrived 5 minutes early for our 9:30 reservation and were seated in the courtyard where we observed several large rats scurrying around. After about 20 minutes we were asked if we wanted cocktails and we requested drink/wine menus, our drink order was not taken for another 15 minutes. We were then seated at approximately 10:00 and were told that it "will be a while" for our cocktails to be served because the bartender was backed up. No apologies were extended. Finally our cocktails arrived at 10:15 after we ordered our meals. The waitress (Kathleen) was extremely rude in taking our appetizer order, she asked in a condescending tone "what are you doing? are you ordering for the table to share or for each person?" I was then asked if I was ready to place my wine order to which I said yes and the server walked away and returned 10 minutes later to take the order. We finally got our appetizers at 11:00pm. We finished our dinners at 12:00am and when asked how everything was I said "it was good, worth the wait (trying to be friendly)" Kathleen's reply was to say in a very condescending tone "well somebody has never been here for jazz fest." We have in fact been to Jazz Fest many times and have never had a 1 1/2 hour wait to get our dinner served. The attitude and arrogance is what made the wait unacceptable.Had they been courteous and pleasant, this review would be much different. Of note, there were two "celebrities" at the restaurant that we recognized. It is likely that these people did not have reservations that were made a month in advance but were probably seated on short notice due to their elite "status". In summary, if you enjoy good food, don't mind being talked down to by your waitress, don't mind waiting 1 1/2 hours to get your meal, and don't mind eating within view of rats climbing up and down the courtyard wall then this is the place for you. Of note, we also dined at Stella! and K Paul's and were served by friendly staff and enjoyed excellent dinners in a clean and friendly environment.
(1)
Cecilia M.
On our first visit to New Orleans we dined at Bayona based on a friend's recommendation who visits the city frequently, and a write-up in Southern Accents magazine. The weather was wonderful, so we asked to dine in the courtyard. We ordered a lovely bottle of wine only to find out 10 minutes later that they didn't have it in their cellar -- our substitute arrived after another 10 minutes. Our wine was poured and we placed our meal order -- only to be told that our first choice of starters and entrees were not available. Finally, 10 minutes later the bread was placed on the table. Then, 20 minutes later our first course arrived which was delicious, so we decided to forgive the slow service. So much for forgiveness ... it took another 20 minutes for the second course to arrive. Again, absolutely delicious, but by then we were "over" the extremely slow service. Still, we thought we would try desert. We placed our desert order, and again, another 20 minutes. As with the other courses it was delicious. Unlike the service up to this point the bill arrived promptly, and with news that the desert would be complimentary due to ... the slowness of it's arrival (SURPRISE). We will definitely be back to New Orleans, just not sure if we'll dine at Bayona again. In total, our dinner experience was 2hrs + long at a slow dining time for the restaurant. I would hate to experience the service when it's busy. In summary, the food was superb, staff was friendly, but the kitchen too slow to warrant our return. Go if you have time to burn.
(3)
Ricky G.
My wife and I visited Bayona and were not disappointed. We arrived at 8 pm for 8:30 reservations, and were quickly seated in the Parlor. After a few new drinks, we were seated promptly at 8:30. Bayona really pleased with the appetizers. I had the Goat Cheese Toast with Wild Mushrooms. Superb! The tangy goat cheese, sweet cream and woody mushrooms were a perfect combination. My wife had crab meat in filo dough - very good, but not quite as special as the mushrooms. But enough food to count as a meal. My wife ordered the duck for dinner. She has never ordered duck before but was very pleased with her dinner. I ordered the sweetbreads. They we delicious. Tender, mild with just a hint that you were eating organ meat. Service was attentive but not overbearing. Overall, a great experience.
(4)
Dorothy W.
Totally overrated. Mediocre food--about at the level of a "good restaurant" in a small or mid-sized U.S. town. I had a tasteless crab salad and an equally unremarkable duck breast entree. My boyfriend had an over-salted salmon entree and a Caesar salad that looked like it came from a chain restaurant. I think the high ratings are coming from tourists who don't know good food. The service was appallingly unprofessional. Our waiter was unfriendly, then disappeared for the rest of the evening. The woman who cleared the plates never said "Excuse me" as she would break into conversations and bump into us as she pulled plates from under our arms. The entire restaurant felt like a tourist mill.
(2)
P W.
Just ate there late Friday night and it was amazingly delicious. Great Bayona martini (with cucumber). I am so confused by my whirlwind weekend in NOLA I cannot remember exactly what I ordered (I ate a lot of food over the weekend) but both KS and I remember this as being one of the dining highlights of our year. Very nice ambience, a suble oasis on the outskirts of Bourbon Street mayhem - - a really lovely and relaxing outdoor dining area. So recommended!
(5)
Leslie P.
Filet melts in your mouth. Setting is pure French Quarter charm. My hubby proposed to me here 15 years ago and it's still going strong. On my first visit, it was full of stars: Oliver Stone, Kevin Costner, Alan Rickman....they were filming JFK in town and everyone was there to eat. They have good taste!
(5)
Scott R.
This was our first stop on our trip to New Orleans for Jazz fest this year. Had a reservation for lunch on Thursday, and enjoyed the very flavorful Garlic Soup, Shrimp and Black Bean Cake and Cashew Peanut Butter and Pepper Jelly Duck Sandwich; also tried the top notch Caesar salad and excellent Sweetbreads. All the food was top notch and reasonable given the ingredients and quality. I would give it 5 stars, but the service was somewhat impersonal and harried, and not up to the 5 star standards of other local restuarants I've been to (Commander's and Stella for two). The chef, Susan Spicer, came out to greet one table of acquaintances, and signed a few books for general sale, but otherwise ignored the diners. She was tired, and I'm sure she'd already had a long day. Still I would recommend this for a very nice lunch or dinner.
(4)
Melissa H.
Loved the cucumber julep cocktail as well as the beet and fig salad. However, our entrees took forever to arrive. My redfish was overcooked and there was barely a trace of sauce on the plate. A restaurant with this kind of reputation should be able to cook a killer piece of redfish. My husband's pork chop with greens and stone-ground grits was pretty good, but not very inventive. I just don't think it is worth the hype and the price.
(2)
Katherine S.
Consistent wonderful food that they happily custom-make to accommodate allergies. We bring visitors here all the time because we know they will have a wonderful experience, the food will be top notch, and all will leave happy. Keep it up!
(5)
Amber M.
you only need to know one thing about eating at BAYONA: have the lamb. then go back the next day and have it again. come to think of it, we haven't been here in a while. oh darling...
(5)
Larry B.
Went to Bayona based on some yelp reviews and also on an episode of Best thing I ever ate on Food network. Frankly I just wanted to get the garlic soup but wound up being seating in the dining area. The room is old school like a Creole dining room, but seems a little tired. there is a lovely courtyard and if it were a bit warmer that where I would want to sit. Our server was very enthusiatic, at least until he realized we just wanted soup and some apps. But he offered good service regardless. The garlic soup which is a signature dish is amazing. Full of pan roasted garlic which has been pureed and mixed with bread and cream to thicken it. One of the best soups ever, and Im a soup junkie. We also had the sweebreads app which was done in a piccata style with lemon and capers. Great flavor and the sweetbreads were tender and delicious. I did look at the wine list which is very good, but has a 300 percent markup on some wine, which I think is excessive. 4 stars for the experience , would have been 5 but the ambience and some serving gaffes made it 4. Go for the soup but if you want to spend a lot of money on dinner, there are better places in NOLA.
(4)
Darrin Y.
With a show starting at 9pm last week, we called up Bayona at 7pm and they were nice enough to squeeze us in without a reservation at the last minute. As it turned out, there was a Mayor's Convention in town that week, and as we sat there,t he place quickly filled with politicos from all over. We ordered first courses and wine (quail salad, caesar salad), and you started to get the feeling all these mayors hadn't had reservations either. Started to feel like they were understaffed. But I can't and won't complain about it since we just showed up almost unannounced, and it was clear that our server was a total professional dealing with something beyond her control. I liked her a lot. Anyway, what I was really psyched about and did not at all realize about Bayona was that they serve sweatbreads as a main course (and also a first course). The only other place in town I'm aware of that serves them as an entree is La Crepe Nanou. So I had them, and they were the best I've had in the city, and I order sweatbreads every time they're on a menu. There was a choice of sauces, and I believe I had the mustard sherry; the other is a lemon caper, I think. So in short: Sweatbreads, best in city. Took our glasses of wine to go, and went.
(4)
Sabrina O.
During my trip to New Orleans, I really wanted to go here because of the garlic soup. I'm really glad I did. The soup was the best part, but everything was delicious. I had the hanger steak. Very tender. And then for dessert we shared some sort of ginger raspberry cannoli. I think it was a special that night.
(4)
Katie S.
Go here. Don't just eat but meander through the adventure of dining at Bayona. The place is elegant, very New Orleans with something slightly aging about it, but dignity and this sexy sultry under-layer. Courtyard dining isn't all that uncommon in NOLA but Bayona's was the best I've seen in all of my trips. The wait staff was very knowledgeable and his descriptions of the food were nearly an artform, well above and beyond the typical "We have a lamb special tonight with potatoes and green beans." And that lamb and mashed sweet potatoes were a work of art...the entire time I spent at Bayona was time away from the world and the hussle of the city. This will be my first stop when I get back into town. The food had the punch of the Big Easy but the subtle flavors and textures really makes this place foodie-Goldilock's dream. Like I said, Go here.
(5)
Zack H.
They get it right. The best restaurant in NOLA. Take your time and dine well, this is what it's all about.
(5)
Janlee A.
Upscale, beautiful courtyard in the French Quarter. Nice place to take business clients or older out of town guests for a consistent, good meal. The service has always been very good here. A bit stuffy for my regular dining rotation but I have never had anything less than a delicious meal here.
(4)
Denise P.
Our last meal in New Orleans and picked purely on strength of Moon guidebook. Glad we did! Scallop starter was a standout. Flounder on a shrimp and corn risotto was fantastic. The lamb loin in zinfandel sauce is one of their standards but I only thought it so so. Service was great and it didn't feel overly 'stuffy' as some reviewers thought.
(4)
Matt N.
My wife and I visited this wonderful restaurant last Saturday. I had not informed her where we were going so it was a wonderful thing when we turned from Dauphine Street in to the walkway leading up to the door. Immediately the atmosphere changed from the hurried, car infested street to a quiet, more romantic atmosphere. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and made the night so much more special. My wife had the herbed chicken and I had the porkchop both of which were part of the nightly specials so they may not be available if you go. The porkchop was topped with bourbon peaches with a side of greens and grits which added a southern flair. The meat was very tender and juicy not like any porkchop I ever had. The highlight of the meal was the dessert which was two large, cookie type wafers embedded with sunflowers. In between the wafers was two small scoops of ice cream with a light lemon flavor. The top was finished with a small amount of whipped cream that was also lightly flavored with lemon. The wafers melted in your mouth while all the flavors mixed together to make an awesome dessert. After dinner we walked out to the courtyard which was empty because of the heat and humidity. It was very lovely and would be an even more special place to experience Bayona.
(5)
Jim G.
My favorite restaurant in New Orleans. The food is out of this world and they have a very difficult menu - difficult in that it is hard to decide what to order. They have a friendly and corteous staff who always have to help me make my selection and they have never missed. I've eaten here 4 times and have never been disappointed. You leave with your taste buds tingling and the staff alwasy makes me feel special. Its a must when in New Orleans for me. I've even stopped by late on my way back to the hotel just for desert and coffee in the beautiful and tranquil back courtyard.
(4)
Ms. M.
I am sad that I only got to have lunch at Bayona. There are so many things on the menu that I still want to try, so I'll have to go back another time. The fried veal sweetbreads that I had there were the best I have ever had the pleasure of devouring -- perfectly crisp on the outside but tender on the inside, well-seasoned, and paired nicely with some beets and fried potato cubes. I also had their famous cashew-peanut butter and pepper jelly sandwich featuring smoked duck. It was sticky and sweet, but balanced out nicely with the apple and celery salad. I didn't have time for dessert because I was on my way to catch my flight, so again, I will just have to go back. The one drawback was the slow service, but it was very friendly and homey.
(4)
Andrew B.
The hostess said as i put on my blazer in th 100 degree weather "honey, you don't have to do that here." That pretty much set the tone for the enjoyable evening. Everything was great, the quail salad being particularly outstanding. It makes things kind of perfect when there is a balance of service, food, atmosphere, and I don't normally judge a restaurant by this, but customers. They were doing such a great job that I remember looking around and seeing the contentment was pervasive, it almost seemed like well mannered happy people were on the payroll as customers. The space is beautiful. Be sure to get reservations because in the french quarter were its either blue blazers with brass buttons or cut offs and old navy t-shirts a quality casual dinning place with world class food and service fills up fast.
(5)
Beebe G.
after years of coming to this place during our annual jazz fest visit we will no longer come back. the service was just horrible! the worst and most disgusting part were the GIANT RATS running around the patio where we dined. for the amount of money we've spent at this place i am beyond disappointed with the whole experience. one of THE RATS ran over my husband's foot and as plain as a pikestaff startled him. susan spicer who was a few yards away talking to a couple turned her head for a flash second at our direction and then turned back to continue her conversation with the couple while she also couldn't help but see the shadows of the GIANT RATS sauntering down the trees that were adjacent to the couple's table. OMG so freakin' disgusting! how does she live with herself? the general manager did come and apologize to us about their RODENT PROBLEM and even comped us the wine but it was just too late and the entire evening was already ruined as well as the dining exerience. i just cannot believe that this restaurant is operating in these conditions! i mean this is a matter of public health and the restaurant should be completely shut down until those RATS are completely eliminated. it was like dining in a disgusting scary movie! UGH!
(1)
heather t.
This is what I'm talking about Baby! Excellent food, professional waitstaff and lovely dining rooms/patio. Good for date night, business gatherings, and holidays with the family. One of the best in New Orleans!
(5)
Sol B.
A quiet, elegant and romantic restaurant in the French Quarter a bit off of the beaten path. The courtyard looks like it would be wonderful in the spring and fall with what must be blooming colors and sweet smells. The bread at the beginning was not particularly good or memorable but they provide a decent olive oil to accompany. The starter of goat cheese crouton with wild mushrooms was fantastic, but being a fan of goat cheese they always could use more. The garlic soup is creamy and satisfying. While my wife enjoyed her perfectly cooked salmon, the crust was a bit too rich (taking away from the natural flavor) and the potatoes were too salty. On the other hand, the Moroccan lamb special on a bed of Israeli cous cous was wonderfully steeped in cumin, coriander and other spices and melted in the mouth. Go now and enjoy a fantastic meal in a great setting.
(4)
Karla E.
This would have been a wonderful meal except that it was all but ruined by the unacceptable service received. The food itself was excellent, some of the best we sampled while in New Orleans, but our waitress Jane was not only uncomfortably overbearing but failed to get our order in until very late, after which we continued to have an unacceptably long wait time for each course even after the error was caught. Nonetheless, the food was excellent (though we were beyond hunger or interest by the time the entrees had arrived). My husband's rabbit and my pork chop were delicious. But we were too aggravated to stay for dessert.
(3)
Jerry E.
The fish was good and the apricot doughnut were wonderful.
(3)
Jane L.
Beautiful courtyard, the food was very good but nothing in particular stands out in my mind. It's worth the trip but if I only had a weekend in town, it probably wouldn't make the cut.
(4)
rebekah b.
I'm a planner. That's what I do, so a month before my trip to New Orleans, I already knew exactly where I wanted to eat. And this place was tops on my list. We came here on our last evening in town, and Bayona definitely lived up to my expectations. Our reservation was for 9 pm, and we enjoyed a pleasant wait outside while they prepared our table. The waiter, and I wish I remembered his name because he was great, was super attentive all night and kind of funny. He was also incredibly knowledgeable about everything on the menu and steered us in the right direction when we had questions. The food was top notch. I started with the garlic soup which I'd heard so much about and really enjoyed the flavor. Honestly, I can't remember what my main course was, but this is due to the fact that my trip was two months ago and not because the food was bad. I do remember getting the cheese plate which was a departure for me (I ALWAYS get dessert), but it was delicious and a medeira which I've never done before either. But there was just something about that night and about the place that made me want to up the culinary ante. Of all the restaurants we went to during my visit (and there were some great ones), this is the one that was the most memorable (well, except for the main course, but, again, that's due to my faulty memory).
(5)
Suzanne L.
Okay, first I was not too impressed. Maybe I am spoiled by the fantastic dining of my hometown of San Francisco, but this place was way under par. We made a special trip here because we had some friends that suggested it. Two of the friends actually worked here at one time or another. We came for lunch on a Saturday where they offer a choice of 3 small plates for $25. Not to bad, huh? Well the portions on some of the dishes were so tiny, there wasn't enough to even share a single bite! Yikes. Some dishes like the salads, snapper and soups were substantial enough to share and quite tasty. We were all a little disappointed to pay $60 per person, honestly. Also with all the hype surrounding it, I was truly expecting better. Perhaps my standards are too high. The service was outrageously slow and they hardly had any tables. Hmm...strange. I suppose the highlight of the meal were the desserts. They were a good size and all were very tasty. Ah well, you live and learn.
(3)
Susan L.
This place is amazing! We went here for a business dinner and it was fantastic. It's got a great atmosphere for a business dinner, also great for romantic dates. Susan Spicer is the chef and she's fantastic. The lamb was recommended as the most popular dish and it was really fantastic. I ordered it medium rare and it didn't have the lamb taste that you'd get when you order chops. The lamb taste was very subtle which made it very good. I also got to try the steak which was delicious, very juicy and tasteful. The scallop appetizer was great as well, it wasn't as juicy as usual, yet it was still very flavorful. I highly recommend this place. Make sure you make reservations!
(5)
Ryan L.
Very unique atmosphere. Intimate. You will miss it if you don't know the address. It is not my top choice for a splurge meal. Kind of got a stuffy feel form the staff. Our waitress was a bitch but the food was good. She just wanted us out of there and she did not hide it.
(3)
Nicole D.
In the French Quarter, many restaurants practically scream for your attention. This is, after all, a place where you can walk the streets with an open container. So it was a surprise to discover a tucked away gem in Bayona, where its subtlety and graciousness surpass its brash surroundings. We landed here on a friend's recommendation. The chef, Susan Spicer, is well known and yes, it's a foodie restaurant. We ate here on Valentine's Day when they featured a prix fixe menu with two categories: savories and sweets. We both ordered savory dishes, three each, and they came in small but wonderful serving sizes. We at first approached eating here more formally but after the first course, we relaxed into the flow of the seamless service (it must be noted: these folks have mastered the art) and savored the food. The food was to die for. And we didn't even have dessert. Such a treat. Go there for a special occasion and bring money. Good stuff like this doesn't come cheap.
(4)
Stellah D.
A bit of an old boys club, Bayona is a charming place to dine in the quarter. The food is decadently rich which seems to please the large, well tailored patrons. Not very suitable for vegetarians almost everything on the menu features a pork product. My companion and I were the youngest diners by decades, though happily we didn't care. The courtyard is very pretty and the lunches an excellent deal. bayona.com
(3)
Michael R.
My wife and I went to Bayona on one of the last nights of a week long trip to New Orleans and it was far and away the best meal of our trip even surpassing Commander's Palace (which was quite good). We each started with a cocktail which were both very aromatic. She had a cucumber julep where the bourbon had been replaced by a cucumber infused vodka. As a bourbon purist, I was surprised by how pleasing a julep this proved to be. I had a drink (forget the name) that was essentially a Manhattan where the vermouth had been replaced by an orange liqueur - also quite tasty. For appetizers we split both the goat cheese croutons and the fried green tomatoes and crawfish remulade salad. Both were again quite tasty. The salad combined a lot of nice tastes and textures while the crouton and the mushrooms in madeira cream that topped then was a bold burst of flavor. Then for our entrees she had the rabbit roulade stuffed with boudin and a fried leg as well. I had the peppered lamb loin with goat cheese and zinfandel sauce. The lamb was great and, even though rarer than I ordered, the quality of the meat was high enough that I did not mind. The rabbit was tasty and the fried leg was especially enticing. The spice mix in that batter was simultaneously familiar, comforting, and mysterious - we bought the cookbook primarily in hope of getting that recipe. And Chef Spicer was on site to come out and sign the book. She was really friendly and nice to meet. We finished splitting a chocolate hazelnut desert and with coffee. Service was great - attentive without lingering and also provided some good wine paring suggestions. Total bill was ~$145 which I felt was a steal. At home in LA I'd probably pay at least 50% more for a comparable meal.
(5)
Jason L.
My wife Lynn had to attend a conference in New Orleans . . . the National College of DUI Attorneys (I ask you, what better city?) . . . so it offered a perfect opportunity to return to one of our favorite restaurants, owned by one of our favorite chefs, Susan Spicer's Bayona. We arrived at the Louis Armstrong International Airport a little after 2:00 in the afternoon and, once we safely retrieved our bags, I called Bayona from the cab to confirm our dinner reservations for that evening. After checking into our hotel (the truly wonderful International House, Lynn and I walked the three blocks to the Acme Oyster House for a couple of dozen on the half shell and some Abita Amber beer on tap, a smooth, flavorful Mnchen-style amber brew that is just hoppy enough to perfectly accompany a variety of New Orleans' staple foods. A walk around the quarter, a change of clothes, and we walked the eight blocks to Bayona. Arriving a little early, we sat in their waiting area and enjoyed a glass of 2001 Domaine de Piaugier Ctes-du-Rhne Villages "Sablet" (Rhne, France): A blend of approximately 80 percent Grenache and 20 percent Syrah, this is a medium-bodied, supple wine that is very forward and aromatic in the nose, generous without being flabby or fat on the palate and quite flavorful on the palate and moderately-long finish. A comfortable wine to "slip into" the evening that awaited us. We began with an Amuse bouche of crawfish in a curried sauce, baked in phylo dough and served with a tomato coulee. Crispy, deliciously flavorful and gone all-too-quickly, Lynn and I both knew we had nothing to worry about when it came to this meal! I moved on to a supremely seductive Cream of Garlic Soup, amazingly rich and flavorful, but just when it expect it to be full-bodied and almost heavy, the wine seduces you with its lightness and delicate subtlety. (If it sounds as though I'm laying it on a bit thick, all I can say is this soup is a real winner!) Meanwhile Lynn selected the Seared Scallops with Brandade Croquette, Arugula & Black Olive Vinaigrette. The scallops were cooked to perfection, among the best I've ever tasted. (Lynn let me have one bite, but only one bite.) With the time change and everything, we decided to share the salad course, and ordered the Crispy Smoked Quail Salad with a Bourbon Molasses Vinaigrette. If a salad can ever be called "rich," this is it! The perfectly smoked quail was succulent and flavorful, rich and tasty as only quail can be, while the vinaigrette was rich and flavorful, perfectly balancing the natural sweetness of the molasses with the acidity from the vinegar. Awesome! For our entres, Lynn opted for one of Susan Spicer's signature dishes, Veal Sweetbreads in a Sherry-Mustard Butter, while I selected one of the evenings specials, the Buttermilk Fried Rabbit Leg & Tenderloin in a Creole Mustard and Tasso Sauce with Stoneground Grits. Bayona is justifiably known for their sweetbreads, and this certainly did not disappoint. The sweetbreads were lightly crispy on the outside, moist and tender inside, with the light piquancy from the sherry and mustard balancing the natural richness of the butter and the sweetbreads themselves. Major Yums! As for "thumper," I cannot recall ever having rabbit this good -- and I love rabbit! Succulent, tender, lightly spicy (enough to bring out the flavor without hiding it under "heat") We were in heaven! And the wine we selected from their excellent list turned out to be a perfect match . . . . 2001 Savigny-les-Beaune, Domaine Jean-Marc et Hugues Pavelot (Burgundy, France): I have to start out by saying we began with this wine with our appetizers, the garlic soup and seared scallops, and finished it some two hours later with the last of our entres. Over this time, the wine opened and changed beautifully. It began with a translucent cherry-red color, clear and brilliant to the eye; the bouquet was light and filled with delicate rose petals and cherry blossoms, with cherry fruit; on the palate, the wine was medium-light in body, satiny in texture, with lots of fruit in the mouth and with a long, lightly tart finish. Just wonderful! As it opened (not decanted), the wine took on weight, shed some of its baby "freshness" and became more "serious," with more depth, earth and spice in both the wine's aroma and flavorful palate, perfectly suited to the flavor profiles of the veal and rabbit. A great wine, with a perfectly excellent meal . . . . * * * * * As far as things like "good for kids" is concerned, doesn't that depend on the kids? Our kids (11 and 12) would love it, but they also love places like Chez Panisse and Lalime's in Berkeley; my brother-in-law's kids, on the other hand . . . I shudder at the thought! As far as attire is concerned, the website says "business casual," and that's about right. But every time I've been here, there is a great mix of people -- all ages, and all locations (i.e.: locals and tourists alike).
(5)
Patricia C.
We choose Bayona for our first Honeymoon dinner in New Orleans and we left very satisfied. Cozy restaurant, excellent.
(5)
Garrett W.
Reservation was sat perfectly on time & the service was perfect. The good however was nothing to write home about, I don't get the hype. My wife and I both had the Salmon which was cooked well, but bland. I've had better fish at Landry's. With a tab of over $100 for two people it should have been much better.
(3)
Ron S.
I have only been here once and the food and service was great. My only quibble is that it does not have bar seating for dining. I know this is minor and is very specific to my situation but if you travel alone as I do you really enjoy dining at the bar of fine restaurants rather that sitting at a "table for ONE, One, one,..." Also note that this is a fairly formal (nay I say fancy) place so don't come in here in shorts and a Bourbon street t-shirt.
(5)
John B.
Pals rave; sw-breads keep them coming & raving. But when 3-4 oz. of wine is $14/glass, AND meal is meager & 'eh' flavor-wise, I do not return. scallops: eh; caeser: strange/OK; lamb loin: VG, nice. wife's carrot cake looked like a shot glass of pineapple-threatened glazef carrot donut must have tipped over and revealed some other heretofore unknown truth....super-'eh'. So: $$$$ does not mean great or generous, at least to us. Dessert menu so imaginative, we just could'nt imagine dessert here. Carrot cake was a fall-back. Service was really decent. Shouldn't have to get half-lit to rationalize the food tab.
(2)
Tina C.
Had a great meal and great service! If you are in a hurry let them know and they will accommodate, service was impeccable and plates beautiful. This menu is very creative and eclectic, not a good place for the picky eater. I am a retired chef and would go back in a heartbeat! The absolute best chocolate pana cotta I have ever had! I sat in the main room of the house but they have seating upstairs and in a garden area that is beautiful. Signage is small and the entrance is on the side, so be looking for the street address. So glad I missed the parade to go an eat here.
(4)
Nickie G.
We wanted some damn fine food and after I saw my boy Chris L's review we made reservations for Bayona on Monday night. I am glad we did. We were seated immediately and met our server. He was a fountain of food knowledge and even had wine recommendations. So we ordered up a red blend and got down to business with ordering. The ambiance was like an old house and it was pretty quiet like a library when we first got there but more lively once the hour got a bit later. We chose to have our courses all separate - "slow" food style - because we were in it for the evening and wanted a relaxing experience. First off, that relish they put on the table to start is deeelicious. My favorites were the roasted garlic cloves and the jalapeno. Goat cheese crouton with mushrooms in Madiera cream - melty cheese on a soft crouton with rich mushrooms on top. What's not to love here? I had the garlic soup as my "first" course and I will say - if you don't like garlic then don't even go here. This was cream of GARLIC soup. It was creamy and it was intensely garlicy. I am of the opinion that there is never too much garlic so I loved it but others weren't as pleased. I also tried my friend's gumbo (apparently she doesn't make Cajun food often but when she does it is a must order) and it was the best gumbo I have ever had. Ever. I know, I haven't tried yours or your mamma's but this was amazing. Give it a try if you see it available. I had the grilled duck breast which is apparently a signature item. It was cooked perfect medium rare and I can't remember what all was on the plate but every bite melted in my mouth. My friend had the special rabbit three ways and I must say that I was jealous when I tasted the smooth duck liver. It was so rich and decadent - must order. I also tried the hangar steak and the pouisson (chicken) and both were excellent. I wouldn't have been sorry about ordering any of these things. At the end we got a dessert wine instead of an actual dessert. All of that, plus the two bottles of wine, split between 4 people was only $80ish before tip. A meal that lovely with that reasonable of a price tag?! Sign me up - I'll be back next time I'm in town.
(5)
The P.
Went for dinner last night, first stop on our trip to NOLA...service was outstanding, Jason and Jane were friendly, knowledgeable professionals...had the classic favorites: Garlic soup (still sublime) Goat cheese croutons Quail salad Lamb loin Roasted duck (still the gold standard for all duck dishes) Bayona was outstanding 15 years ago when I first started going there and the current chef and crew carry on the tradition...delicious!
(4)
Ken M.
great food , service fantastic, will recommend to others
(4)
Mike H.
Excellent again. Garlic soup is wonderful, the roasted garlic adding a touch of smoky sweetness to the dish. Carly the sommelier was helpful and knowledgeable, listened to our likes and recommended a beautiful bottle. Service was perfect overall (thanks to Billy Dawn and Kristin). Had the rabbit done two ways (forgot which) and it was done to perfection, juicy and succulent. Looking forward to next year;s visit to New Orleans for a return.
(5)
Alex S.
So psyched for this meal! It was good, but not necessarily worth the hefty price tag. Cream of garlic soup was disappointing. My friend's duck breast was the highlight of the meal...perfectly cooked and delicious. I had the pork-stuffed rabbit, which was good but not great. I liked the fried tomatillo on the side, which added a nice tang to the meal. My other friend got the pork chop, which was fairly pedestrian.
(3)
August R.
My wife and I went to Bayona last night. Ashley was wonderful as wait staff. The sweetbreads were great. My wife had the lamb which was wonderful as well. Cream of garlic soup was good and the caramelized garlic on top was fantastic. I only gave four strs because the pork chop with eggplant was very over salted. I found it interesting that the greens with them were perfect, obviously another sous chef responsible.
(4)
Kelly R.
I won't forget the meal I had here for a long time: - cauliflower soup with almonds and lemon something (on the specials menu, Jan '13) - crispy smoked quail salad - Arctic Char with choucroute, green beans It was a little more food than I needed (quail salad is surprisingly filling) but I was so curious about each dish (and considering Corporate Papa was paying) went for all three. I didn't regret it. If I went back to this restaurant again, I would definitely get the quail salad--it's enjoyable for both taste and texture. The Arctic Char was done perfectly. It was my first time to have this fish, which is a little like salmon, but less "fishy." Ah, that flaky, herb crust on it... Service was great too. When we expressed interest in a Malbec-like wine to go with the mix of meats (quail, fish, etc.!) on the table, they recommended an excellent wine (can't recall it now, sorry).
(5)
Shari J.
Hands down our favorite restaurant in the city.
(5)
Patrick L.
The food was terrific but portions were very small. I had the bbq shrimp with grits and colored greens. I'm glad I tried them. I love the southern food but very fattening and probably better to stay with small portions.
(4)
jenn m.
Best sandwich in New Orleans is here!!!! the duck, almond butter and pepper jelly sandwich is so amazing!!!! what a great lunch spot. get ready for dessert - they're all great!!!!
(5)
Airy A.
"OK" food, number of yummy things but a lot of "eh" and subpar things also. Definitely not up to the standards set by the extraordinarily high prices... this is more of a talking point/tourist note than a good place to eat. Service was fine. Left feeling very annoying and disappointed. Nothing memorable. Also went to Boucherie which was -by far- the better choice if you want a "nice night out" meal.
(2)
Jack S.
The food in this restaurant is absolutely great however they have a snooty and i mean snooty waitress named Joselyn whao was probably the worst waitress i have ever experienced. I asked for a martini that is made with Cafe Patrone and she said to me you can only find that at a DIVE bar. I thought i heard her wrong so i asked her to repeat her answer and she again stated you can only get that at a dive bar. I said are you sure she said i am 100% sure. She was not very pleasant and had a male partner that was ok. I was going to tell the hostess (gray hair lady) but she didn't seem much friendler. My first thing with a restaurant is good food and this place had this and i can generally can deal with sub par service but this girl was something i could not deal with.
(3)
Susan O.
Everything was great. We ate there again the next day.
(5)
Jennifer S.
Excellent lunch spot...even with all of the construction outside the front entrance. The atmosphere is very nice, the service was great and the food was excellent. There were many local regulars enjoying lunch, so I knew it had to be good. We enjoyed the 3 course Saturday lunch menu and were not disappointed!
(4)
Rene D.
A rainy afternoon, big windows, and great company for lunch in the French Quarter. What a way to have a leisurely lunch in a beautiful setting. We were celebrating Hump Day, friendship and Bayona's anniversary special: 3 courses for $20 and 20-cent martinis. What could go wrong? Fortunately, nothing. This is a great 'ladies who lunch' kinda' place. The salad was quite French - simply dressed mesclun and a few shavings of Parmesan cheese. I enjoyed the seared scallops with Yuzu butter, baby bok choy and somen noodles. The scallops were cooked to perfection and the citrusy noodles and bok choy had the right consistency. My friends had the famous Smoked Duck, Cashew-Peanut Butter and Pepper Jelly Sandwich and the Mixed Grill of Lamb Loin, Chaurice, 1/2 Stuffed Quail. The sandwich was good, but I'd like to experience the puff pastry version to compare. Our server was great, so no complaints there; I wonder if it hadn't been raining and therefore busier if we would have seen a difference.
(3)
Lindsay H.
One of my top two restaurants in the city. Loved this place when we dined the night before my wedding and recently for a quaint lunch. For lunch they have an affordable prefix menu. I like the fact that you can mix and match the offerings on the lunch menu. If you want three dessert items, they are all yours. Susan Spicer never disappoints with amazing combinations of flavors. Feel free to take me here anytime.
(5)
Chessa Rae J.
Could've been great. Delicious food, paired with inattentive and condescending waitstaff means I won't return. Too bad b/c the food was really good. Maybe lunch isn't their best face.
(3)
Daniel M.
Thanks a lot, Bayona - you just ruined PB&J for me forever. WHY did you want to use cashews instead of peanuts for your butter?? WHY did you choose pepper jelly over grape?? WHO told you it was a good idea to layer smoked duck and caramelized onions on top of that?? I was expecting something that SEEMED familiar, but tasted unique. Instead I got something that seems outlandish and tasted like my memories of 4th grade lunch... Except better. Oh but wait, chew on that mouthful a little longer... Let the duck work it's way to the back of your tongue so your nose picks up the notes of smokiness & fat to blend with the cashew butter... Open that sandwich up and eat a little pepper jelly - hell, get it all over your fingers and lick em unashamedly clean.. (Ok, I probably shouldve eaten your sandwich with a fork&knife) Damn, Bayona... You get 5-stars on the sandwich alone. Oh yeah, and eat outside if the weather permits.
(4)
Brian C.
Great food, average service, and overall Bayona is a restaurant I would return to. The crab tarte and scallop appetizers were great while for main courses the duck was excellent but my rabbit dish was utterly oversalted and could have ruined the entire meal had the desserts not been outstanding and ended everything on a good note. As for service, I am NOT a fan of the tandem servers utilized by Bayona - our initial server was great but then once the restaurant got busy we only saw a secondary server who had zero warmth and didn't seem to care when we told her how salty the rabbit dish was - while she was taking away a significantly uneaten plate. At a minimum I was hoping the kitchen would be told so they could fix the problem and other diners that evening didn't end up with equally unappealing dishes but I am confident nothing was mentioned. Beyond the food, the drinks were great and Bayona's wine list is probably the best I've seen in NOLA. Well chosen wines including half bottles and large Rhone and Burgundy selections which would go well with most of the food. We actually ended up drinking a bottle of 2007 Soter Mineral Springs Pinot Noir which was an absolute steal at $60 for a fantastic bottle of Pinot with a $48 sugested retail price (i.e., would be expected to sell for $80-120 at most restaurants). I'm looking forward to a posslbe return visit, but there are also lots of other NOLA restaurants that I feel are equal to the overall experience we had at Bayona. 4.5 stars for the food but only 3 stars for the service - at a restaurant of this caliber you really have a right to expect excellence in all areas and unfortunately that just wasn't the case on my initial visit.
(4)
Becky H.
Excellent food and fantastic service. The waitstaff are knowledgeable and friendly. They make an effort to explain the menu an make recommendations. The garlic soup is a must!
(5)
Marielle S.
I had never been to this place when my boyfriend took me to celebrate my birthday. First of all, the atmosphere is wonderful and romantic. The lighting isn't too bright or too dim, it's perfect for dates. The food was exquisite. I had no idea what to expect, but I got the salmon and I was blown away at how wonderful it was. The wait staff was extremely attentive and helpful. I would definitely love to go back someday. The place isn't cheap, but it's worth spoiling yourself on a special occasion.
(5)
Ane T.
This restaurant is owned by probably the most famous female chef in New Orleans; Susan Spicer. With that said, I had high expectations for this place. However, I was quick to realize that I would be disappointed. Maybe I'm a tough critic but this is MY review after all. First off, I hate dining in the French Quarter for lack of parking spaces. They should at least offer valet. Second, the restaurant's entrance was off the beaten path so you might have to pass by about 3 more times. Third, seating area is very "sardine-like". There were even a few times where the servers and patrons bumped my chair in passing. And fourth, which is the most important, the food took way too long. For the most part, food was edible but then again, so is a bag of potato chips. But the thing i hate most is waiting for food. Anyways, Nothing here stood out. There wasn't any "wow" factor. All in all, I hope her other restaurants fair better because I will be dining at Mondo next.
(2)
Cbsmom A.
The food was fine if you are willing to spend three New Orleans hours waiting for it. I have had better food on bourbon street. No bread until .75 hours in. No appetizers until .5 hours in. No entree 2 hours in on a Thursday night. Ambience appropriate in the 1990's....no updates since then unless you sit outside. Forgo this for the price....for sure.
(1)
Bobby S.
I trusted this restaurant with the celebratory meal for a major life event, and I was extremely disappointed. The party at the table next to us WALKED OUT after their appetizers. I should have taken this as a bad sign. But, there was little I could do. This restaurant is run down. The jewel toned papered walls are lined with yellowed clippings of good press from days gone by. Poor management has been installed; and they are resting on some very old laurels. The food isn't up to snuff, especially for its price tag. They have heard nothing of farm-to-fork at Bayona. In fact, I couldn't tell you the difference between the food we ate and cafeteria mush. There was nothing delicate or interesting about any of the plates. The wine list is a joke! It also is nothing similar to what they advertise online. A restaurant charging $30-per-entree should have a wine list longer than 1 page, double spaced, 12 font. No one drinks chardonnay anymore. So, why is 1/4 of their paltry list dedicated to the varietal? The service - while clearly they are trying - is so awkward I cringed more than once. I've had better service at a TGI Fridays. The place was packed. Too many tables for the amount of room they had. Other guests were loud. This is a place parents of Tulane's student's parents take their children when they visit. Very loud. Very tacky. One more important thing... My cocktail was served in a small glass. That glass had the appearance of being over 10 years old. It also had a very large chip along its rim. I can tolerate quite a lot of bad things in a restaurant. Serving a drink in a sharp rimmed glass is an act of violence. Inexcusable. I'll never go back. Save your dough, and go somewhere else.
(1)
Valerie M.
A must try! Let me start out by saying I have been coming to this place for years and never have I been disappointed. The vibe here is sophisticated and relaxed at the same time. Bayona is my favorite fine dining restaurant in the quarter. The courtyard in the back is so beautiful and private. A great spot to enjoy one of their well crafted cocktails. Every dish always so fresh and bursting with flavor. Susan Spicer knows what she's doing that's for sure. For those needing parking (which can be a deterrent for the quarter to some) there is parking available directly across the street at the Dauphine Orleans hotel. I recommend Bayona to anybody looking for a classy dining experience packed with fresh flavor. I will continue to return again and again.
(4)
Kelley K.
It's freezing in here! Everyone has their coat on and complaining. It's freezing! Food is a 5 Staff is a 5 Temperature is a minus 5
(1)
Marshall P.
During our most recent trip to the Big Easy we booked a reservation here and were greatly disappointed. Our server delivered a monotone memorized spiel and the whole evening did the same thing to every table in our section. She did make sure to never look at us, but to keep her eyes on the foot traffic going by in the French Quarter. Add this to the table right in the traffic zone between kitchen and dining room and it was a very poor atmosphere to dine in. The food would have rated a slightly higher score had it been warm, but alas it was tepid when it arrived at our table. Been to a dozen better places in the French Quarter, save your time and find somewhere else!
(1)
Courtie D.
I was set to experience NOLA cuisine in true form when I decided to visit Bayona for their $18 anniversary lunch special. Wow...was I disappointed. The food was mediocre and the service was downright terrible. I was so let down when I left. I truly had set myself up to experience a hometown great. The waiters seemed overwhelmed with minimal numbers of tables. I was impressed with one waiter (not our waiter) who realized the same finished dishes had been sitting for ages on the edge of our table and that our glasses had been empty upon several passes. He took initiative and cleaned and crumbed our table...then he came back and filled our drinks. We thanked him for being proactive and acknowledged that we knew he didnt have to. He was humble and kind of shrugged and laughed it off. In the end, our waiter never came back by after he dropped our food at the table - which he had help to do- we had to ask another waiter for our bill- and the _hostess_ finally brought it us. Truly...a cluster of a mess.
(2)
Anjali G.
Excellent! Susan Spicer was as friendly and nice as much as her food was delicious! Even as a vegetarian, it was an amazing experience. Everyone should have at least one Cucumber Julip! It was one of the best cocktails I've ever had. Perfecto!
(5)
Chris P.
My girlfriend and I picked Bayona for our anniversary after having gone through a list of restaurants. I had heard great things about this place and was quite excited about this event. When we got to the restaurant we were greeted warmly by the staff and even though there was a bit of a wait we were seated promptly in the lounge and had drinks in our hands within minutes. I must say, they pour one of the best Sazeracs in the city. It was the perfect balance of smoky rye whiskey and sweet bitters. Once we sat down I took a look at the wine list and was pleasantly pleased with the variety on the menu. I ordered the Falafel Crusted Scallops with Samosas and lentils. My wonderful gf ordered the grilled shrimp and black bean cake with coriander sauce. Mine was excellent and I thought the scallops were perfectly cooked. The samosas were a perfect, crispy foil to the soft scallops. I also ordered an excellent dry chablis which happened to be the perfect compliment to that Starter. The grilled shrimp were perfectly cooked but I did not really think the black bean cake was anything special. Now I love beans as much as the next guy, but in this case they did nothing to compliment the rest of the dish. Several glasses of wine later we got our entrees and those were certainly worth the wait. I ordered the grilled pork chop topped with a blueberry gastrique with creamy polenta and sauteed bitter greens. The pork chop was incredibly thick and cooked perfectly, however it's thickness was a bit overwhelming at times. It did not, however, blow me away. It was good but not exceptional. GF had the Sanpper with fennel - basil fumet. I have to admit that hers was much better than mine. The fish was flaky, rich, and delicious and was only enhanced by the other items on the plate. Dessert is almost never worth mentioning for me, so I won't. Needless to say, the dinner was good, not great even though the experience was wonderful. Good service, memorable dining room, and great company. I would recommend it, but not over some other restaurants I have tried.
(3)
Don H.
Been walking by this place for several years bur always ignored it as its in the middle of TV paradise on Dauphine street. Decided to give it a try tonight. Our server, Jane, was absolutely delightful and knowledgeable. ordered the warm goat cheese app and was kind of disappointed as it was seved on two slices of toast with some kind of pate which was unexplainable. Salad was next a featured the best blue cheese I've ever tasted. Unfortunately this was the acme of this meal. Entree (from a limited and turgid selection) was the LA Legacy Hanger Steak which featured a NOLA Bordelaise sauce. Absolutely horrible- sauce tasted like a mixture of burned A-1 and Worcester sauces. server came by after I'd had abot three tastes and asked me to comment on the entree. After hearing about my disappointment, offered to get me something else but as I had earlier reviewed the menus, I explained there that nothing else that captured my fancy (a pork entree would have been nice). After my plate was removed, looked at an uninspired desert menu and passed. On the whole, I felt I could have gotten a more filling meal at the dive bar on the corner for about 20% of the price. I came expecting and left disappointed... Not a particularly creative or thoughtful dining experience. Won't be back...
(2)
Shradha B.
This place was recommended to us by my husbands colleague. It was one of our best meals in New Orleans. The restaurant was beautiful and the staff was nice and very friendly. The menu had limited vegetarian options but the restaurant was extremely accommodating and considerate and whipped up special vegetarian entrees for us. The pepper stuffed with potato and the kale gnocchi they prepared for us was very interesting, fresh and different. I would definitely recommend everyone visiting NOLA to eat here. Great experience!
(5)
Christopher H.
Bayona is a great place for a special occasion. The food is delicious, and there are vegetarian options. And the staff are willing to adapt menu items to make them vegetarian. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jessica L.
Food and service were fantastic! Sweetbreads were delicious, from someone who had never had them before and was skeptical. Our primary waiter was very knowledgable and incredibly helpful, there was another waiter that hovered around awkwardly. We were there for a celebration dinner, and they thoughtfully decorated our table for us. We also lingered over our meal and didn't feel rushed at all. It is pricy, but well worth it for special occasions.
(5)
Greg M.
I'll let you in on a little secret... Bayona's 23rd Anniversary, 3-course $23 lunch, with .23 there martini (gin, vodka, manhattan or lemon drop) is the best deal in town! The food & service is off-the-charts amazing anytime, but this deal is almost too good to be true. Start off with a Bayona salad, followed by your choice of four solid entrees and a bowl of ice cream, all for $23. Can't beat it!
(5)
Gayle V.
Have passed by this classy restaurant on previous trips but this time we made it here! Very nice, calm atmosphere. We were able to make reservations that day so we felt lucky! Dinner was very nice. Hubby had rabbit prepared two different ways and I had the flank steak. Both were beautifully presented and very good! For dessert we had the chocolate tart with cherry compote and Earl Grey gelato. It was good but wished we had ordered the sorbets instead. Service was exceptional!! Would come back for sure!!!
(5)
Dylan M.
Truly one of the best restaurants in the city. Never disappoints, great food, great service and a wonderful high end dining experience.
(5)
Pam R.
This was my second trip to Bayona and it certainly didn't disappoint. My husband and I went for my birthday. The staff decorated the table and were very attentive. My husband has always been a pub food kinda guy so this was way out of his comfort zone. Surprisingly by the end of the meal, he said he would come back next year when we visit New Orleans. He said he had to give it to me ..these "fancy schmancy" places aren't all bad! That says a lot coming from him ! The sweetbreads are phenomenal (I made him try them before I told him what they were) and my Snapper was perfection. My only disappointment was that the desert I had last time wasn't on that night's menu. Oh we'll, that's what happens when you keep the menu fresh like they do. Maybe next time.
(5)
Michaela A.
We are foodies, there is no doubt about it and after living in New Orleans for just over two and a half years, we made it for dinner at Bayona. Wow, the food and the service and the ambiance were all outstanding. Our server was very friendly and we had everything we needed when we needed it. We shared the Spanish Grilled Octopus and the combination of Mediterranean flavors of red pepper, olive etc was superb. Then we each had a pork chop on pimento grits, with sauteed brussels sprouts and onion rings, oh my, the flavors of all of that was outstanding too. I'm hoping to come back for another special occasion, and perhaps try lunch out in the courtyard too.
(5)
Raymond G.
The food was absolutely delicious, especially the cucumber and salmon cream cheese dish, but the service couldn't have been worse. We were seated for over 2 and a half hours before we were served our entrees. I understand serving a slow dinner but to make us wait that long for our food was ridiculous. It was also impossible to get our waiters attention to make some sort of complaint. I wouldn't come back for the sole reason of how terrible the service was.
(2)
Dan M.
Ok. I'm going to start by saying my girlfriend and I may have had the best meal of our lives here. I know that's high praise and may seem like bluster. Every bite is delicious and fresh with a unique twist. My girlfriend had the stuffed rabbit which I was hesitant to try myself. I must say the rabbit tasted like lean but full of flavor. If you have time , wait for the courtyard for an even more romantic setting. We had to wait 30 min last our reservation for the courtyard but it was worth it. We ll be back.
(5)
Paul B.
DISAPPOINTMENT. 2 Stars for the food 3 Stars for the service 4 Stars for the vibe On a recent Friday night, nearly every other restaurant in the area was booked up. Bayona was the only restaurant that had plenty of reservations to choose from. I think that about sums it up. The menu was two pages long, but somehow felt really small. Most of our party just ordered appetizers as none of the entrees seemed appealing. Nothing we ordered was bad, but not one dish was actually good either. It was all mediocre. A few of the dishes were comically small. I would stay away from the rabbit and the pork and especially the goat cheese crouton appetizer. There is a chance the kitchen ran our of goat cheese and just used ricotta instead. The service was sweet but almost comically bad. Our table got two servers, which is probably a good thing, because neither of them really knew what they were doing. The dinner starts with one of the servers reading every item on the menu to you - which is completely pointless since they just read what is on the menu. One of the items I was interested in was a green gazpacho, which the menu said was garnished with fresh cheese. I asked the server what was inside the soup. "The soup is made with fresh cheese," the server said. I asked what else was in the soup. "The fresh cheese seems more like a garnish, what else is in the actual soup," I asked. "Potatoes," was the reply. Followed by a long blank stare. "Tomatoes?" "No. Potatoes. The gazpacho is a cream of potato." More staring. The wine knowledge, and the explanations for every single other dish on the menu were equally detailed. I really wanted Bayona to be good. It's set in an old charming house in the quarter, but I would stay away as there so many other restaurants in the area that I liked more.
(2)
Donna J.
One of the most amazing food experiences to date. Chef Susan Spicer is a creative genius. The sweetbreads are absolutely a must have. The attention to pairings is some of the best i have ever had. The menu has tried and true items plus specials. Had rabbit duo with pancetta and it was DELICIOUS! Reservations are almost a must to get into one of NOLA's best restaurants.
(5)
Linda C.
Blown away by this place. Order the smoked quail salad - you will not regret it. Under priced if you ask me. Amazing place!
(5)
Marc M.
A quick update to say that I have frequented Bayona for 8 years whenever I can while in the BIg Easy. It can hard to get into and there is not much waiting room. It has continued to delight my tastebuds and the service is better than most places in the tourist trap area. The Peanut-Butter and Duck sandwich is still on the menu, but alas only for lunch.
(5)
Lynn P.
It was our 10th Anniversary and we opted for the pairings with the menu and it was "spot on". We could not have asked for a better experience and even though the menu has changed over the past 10 years, the experience was the same - exceptional! We never get tired of trying the new menus. Definitely the best experience in NOLA! See you again soon!
(5)
Martha W.
This is where I would go for my last meal before I die. It is that good. Bayona's only cooks with organic, certifiably sustainable, and local foods - and the results render me speechless.
(5)
Sharon P.
Fantastic experience. Service was friendly n responsive yet hardly noticeable. Location is great and perfect sound level - not too quiet or loud. We took our teenage sons who eat with us often n they loved it. Great wine pairings by servers. Highly recommend lamb, sweetbreads n duck. Best dessert was the flan. Heavenly! Only nono was the bayona martini. Like drinking perfume and was not for me or my husband.
(5)
A W.
Bayona is a Cattle call. We were seated in the upstairs wine tasting room with a window AC unit blowing on our backs--on a chilly December night. Presumably the restaurant does not have permission to serve dinner in the room because there was not a single fire exit sign as required by the New Orleans Fire Department. The room is a death trap. Be prepared to be treated as though the restaurant and staff are doing you a favour by serving you. The appetizers and salads were brought at the same time to hurry us along and then we waited 30 minutes for the underdone mains to arrive. Why does a popular restaurant need to stuff customers into every corner until the staff and kitchen cannot help but resent them? The Owner's greed is palpable. We won't be back.
(2)
David B.
Charming little restaurant in the French Quarter. Service - The staff was friendly and competent. They answered all our questions about the menu items. They kept our glasses full and were just right in the amount of times and frequency they checked up on us to see if we needed anything. Sean explained how several of the dishes were prepared in order to help us decide, and also suggested great wines to go with our food. Atmosphere - The dining room seemed a bit dated compared to some of the newer chic places around, but this is the French Quarter and it was nice and clean and cozy. It wasn't too loud, which is a plus. Menu - The menu was two pages. On one page is all the signature dishes, and the other page are the specials that change regularly. We tried a little of both. Food - First they brought us a little sample plate which consisted of several olives, a piece of curry cauliflower, pickled carrots....and three types of bread, which were all delicious. The brioche roll stood out among them. The Quail salad was fantastic. The little quails were so perfectly done. Juicy and tender, crisp on the outside, flavorful. Served with nice salad greens and pear slices, with pecan pieces. The fried duck livers were also great! Served three on a plate, they were each a little larger than I expected. Light and crispy, the middle one was on top of a thin slice of brioche bread soaked in rum, and then on top was drizzled a fig preserve. Susan Spicer's version of chicken 'n waffles. Delicious! We also had the veal sweetbreads. I asked for both "dipping" sauces, which were each very good. The lemon caper sauce and the sherry mustard. The sweetbreads were also perfectly done, light and crisp and complemented well with the two sauces. The endive arugula salad was also very nice, with beets and grapes. We had a couple of cocktails, the cucumber julip and the royal dauphine, with orange bitters. The cucumber julip was a perfectly refreshing summer cocktail and the royal dauphine was tasty too. Website - The website appears to need some updating. We saw a 3 course dinner for $35 on the website, yet it wasn't available when we got there. Also, the regular dinner menu was hard to access on the website. Parking - There are several parking lots a couple blocks away for $10, unless there's a special event in which the price triples. But it wasn't that much of a hassle, and gave us a short little after dinner walk, which was nice. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of the food, I was too busy enjoying the tastes and flavors.
(4)
Kimberly J.
Bayona was okay. But not what I was expecting from a highly acclaimed, higher end restaurant. I was looking forward to this as my Birthday meal with family, but we were all under-whelmed. Nothing was terrible and the service was good, but I just thought the food could have been better, for a New Orleans restaurant anyway. If I'd been in Tennessee or Kansas, I would have been much more impressed. But I chose Bayona over other favorites (Dick & Jenny's, Jacque Imo's, Brightsen's) because I've bever been there and heard so many good things. I did learn that many of my friends had dined there for lunch, not dinner. Perhaps i would give it another shot for lunch, but probably not for dinner again. I had sauteed duck livers to start, and the tasso stuffed rabbit for my entree. Both were well presented, but just not great. We decided not to bother with dessert. Although Bayona is not on my return list, I am still up for trying Mondo, which I hear is very good.
(2)
Aileen W.
We had heard so much about this place that it was our first destination after we touched down in NOLA. We weren't disappointed! The crispy quail salad was amazing and it was a very generous portion for an appetizer and a fantastic value, imho. The garlic soup was mellow, sweet, and so flavorful. I plan to replicate it at home (at some point)! Hubby ordered the sweetbreads with lemon and capers--what a treat! We both love sweetbreads and order it when we come across it and both agreed that it transcended our expectations. They were breaded lightly and fried; paired with the tangy citrus sauce, just so delicious. I had the lamb loin and thought it was tasty, it was nothing to write (type) home about! The service was efficient and polite, but far exemplary. Our server walked by our table three times without picking up the plate after I polished off my entree; instead, the maitre'd finally whisked it away. It definitely was not something he needed to do since the server is the one getting the tip. Overall, it was a lovely experience but better service would have elevated it to five stars.
(4)
Mary s.
Great food, great service. The veal was to die for!
(5)
Louis S.
I think we are not cool enough for this place. Service was polite. Maybe they had a bad night in the kitchen, but at that price, they can't really have a bad night. Can't give it a second chance. Expected quaint and romantic. Got loud and obnoxious. We had salads and entrees. My wife had the salmon. We requested it be cooked thoroughly. Apparently, the chef's palate trumps the guest's. We need our fish done. Ours was raw, smelly, and mushy. I opted for the beef selection. A Hangar steak. With all the hoopla over the establishment's take on sweetbreads, I'm afraid I may have crossed a line. Hangar meat is gristle with flavor and fat. Not enough flavor to justify expectorating into a cloth napkin. We researched to find out it is diaphragm meat... diaphragm, bull business, is there a difference? It was gross. Quite flavorful, but like trying to ingest a jacks ball. Chew, chew, chew, spit. I really got worked up over this one. Two glasses of good wine. $24., Caesarlike salad and House salad, $18., Raw salmon mush, $30. Cow business, $33. Tip and disappointment $135.00 for two who left hungry. Did I mention the table behind us? Loud and obnoxious!
(1)
Jean K.
We were recommended this restaurant by a friend and we loved it. The restaurant itself was busy, but not noisy and very comfortable. I had the best trout dish ever. The service was a bit leisurely, but I would definitely return.
(4)
Candice R.
I cannot express how amazing this restaurant is! Susan Spicer is a culinary genuis. If you don't choose Bayona, you are missing out!! The ambiance feels like old New Orleans swankiness. FOOD & WINE - I highly recommend the sweet breads (either as appetizer or main course) as well as the quail and walnut salad (this thing is amazing!). The wine selection is top notch and well priced. For example, the Moises Pinot Noir is on the list for $75/bottle. This is a fantastic wine made in Oregon by a local New Orleans doctor. So, why not order an amazing "local" wine with your insanely delicious food? SERVICE - The service was fantastic! (We had 7 people and they split checks for us without issue.) You will never be upset that you went to Bayona! RESERVATIONS - But, be sure to make your reservation ahead of time, it can be hard to get in. (the only downside is that they aren't open on Sundays.)
(5)
Jennifer H.
The succulent rabbit w/ cherry wild rice and mashed potatoes are what culinary dreams are made of. Had the avocado/tomato salad w/green goddess dressing. Absolutely wonderful. Dessert was a blissful chocolate panna cotta w/ chicory. Everything was amazing and pleasing to the palette and digestion. This was our lucky 7th anniversary dinner and everything was amazing. I can't wait to come back for lunch and try the cashew butter/duck sandwich!
(4)
lcat C.
Not worth the money! We had a LONG wait between our appetizer and main course, and for me, the wait was just not worth it. I had striped bass which was pretty uninteresting for 32.00. My salad was also mediocre. My husband had the rabbit which he liked, but both of us were bothered by the wait.
(3)
Bridget R.
The sparkling wine, phyllo wrap crawfish with yogurt sauce and lamb with gorgonzola was amazing! This will be a restaurant I will always return to! Must try is the Cheesecake Flan!
(4)
Rita Y.
Hubby and I really enjoyed this restaurant. You have to make reservations weeks ahead because it's popular especially when conventions are in town. We sat next to a solo diner who told us he's been to NOLA 4 times and dined at Bayona 20 yrs ago when Chef Spicer just started the restaurant when the decor was not as elegant as it is now. He purchased her cookbook from the restaurant and she signed it with a note to his wife. Our servers, Jane and David were nice. Jane especially was friendly and peppers her conversations with "Darlin". Very sweet. Hubby had the Manhattan, $11, it was quite strong. His soup du jour, $7 was quite good. I had the garlic soup, $6 which was OK but I have a Gary Danko recipe for garlic saffron soup which is so much better. My black bass, $29 was great. Hubby had the duck, $27 which was really good. Both dishes came with vegts. We enjoyed the panna cotta, $9. The place looks like a converted house with several rooms. It's very warm and inviting. A good pick by Hubby. This is a place we'd definitely come back to on a future visit to NOLA.
(4)
Alexandra C.
This was my second time here and I was yet again, not disappointed! The reason for dining here this weekend was for my mother's birthday and she (visiting from Rhode Island) was very very happy with her birthday celebration! Service was impeccable! Our two waiters, David and Michael were great...attentive, without hovering...drinks always filled and great wine suggestions. Food was to die for! My mother ordered the pork chop (she loves pork...so this city was made for her). Although she said she wasn't going to complete her entree so she would have dessert, she couldn't even think about not finishing her entree because it was that amazing. The reduction on my hanger steak was the perfect combination of salty and sweet and then paired with the freshest grilled asparagus. Put it this way, as I write this review I am salivating. Sadly neither of us could squeeze in dessert since we each also had a ceasar salads which I would like to quickly speak about. Even this dish has Susan Spicer's take on it...more of a balsamic vinaigrette based ceasar dressing with a mix of romaine and arugula. Such a refreshing spin on a classic! So to wrap this up...spend the little extra to have an amazing dining experience that you will not regret!
(5)
Ronald B.
The food was superb without qualification with excellent preparation and exciting flavors. The restaurant ambience was very charming and comfortable. But somehow the service and delivery were not working. We arrived on time for our reservation, were seated promptly and were promptly served our first course and then were basically ignored for two hours. I did get my ice tea refilled a couple of times during that two hours but otherwise had no contact with the two person team of wait staff who initially greeted us. We sat waiting while tables around us who had ordered far later than us were getting their entrees. Of course we were a table of two surrounded with tables of four. My wife finally got up and hunted down one of the waiters who offered the lane excuse that 'the kitchen was backed up.' Afterwards we got a brief visit from the other member of the duo of wait staff but she conspicuously failed to make eye contact and clearly didn't want to be bothered with our tale of frustration. Finally someone who looked to be management came to our table to apologize and listen to our complaint, especially the no communication for two hours part. The entrees finally arrived and were excellent and provided at no cost, Unfortunately the experience was spoiled. Sorry Bayona, at your prices you had best get your delivery services wheels back on.
(2)
Katrina R.
Best meal I've ever had in New Orleans, hands down. We came from Chicago to New Orleans to celebrate my 21st birthday. We researched nice places to go to dinner, and were convinced to go to Bayona. I called the afternoon prior and was able to easily secure a reservation (during Mardi Gras!) It was raining pretty heavily the night of our reservation and so between the rain and the dark it was moderately difficult to find the place. Once we got inside the staff was great, they had us wait for only a few minutes before seating us in this really cozy, really welcoming dining area. I've gotta say, the ambiance was warm and upscale; I liked that. The service was great. I ordered the Stormy drink and it was unique and really, really good. I thought I was going to stop there but my tablemates insisted on some champagne. We settled on a Rose Spanish Cava, and it was wonderful. The waitstaff brought some pickled veggies over to snack on while we looked over the menu, and we liked the garlic so much we asked for more. The staff brought us a TON of pickled garlic-- delicious. Service was speedy but not rushed and soon we were settling into our garlic soup. Again, amazing. The soup had a surprising sweetness and wasn't overwhelming. We scarfed it down. For the main course, I ordered Red Snapper with a brown rice cake and some veggies. The boyfriend ordered a oyster-stuffed-porkchop. Yes, you read that right-- a porkchop stuffed with OYSTERS. The fish was delicious. It was perfectly cooked and seasoned, light and satisfying. The veggies were some kind of green thing much like bok choy, and covered in yet another delectable concoction-- some kind of red sauce. The brown rice cake was a surprising stunner. It was crunchy on the outside, flavorful, the perfect complement to the fish. I was so focused on my dish that I didn't bother to try the porkchop, but the boyfriend swore it was fantastic. For dessert I ordered some kind of chocolate tarte. It was good, but definitely not as good as the rest of the meal. Some other patron had stolen our umbrella on the way out, and so the staff offered us a replacement umbrella. We appreciated the kindness, but the weather had cleared up and the gesture was unnecessary. Overall, Bayona was the best dining experience I've ever had in New Orleans; the prices were completely reasonable for the incredible quality-- I cannot wait to go back!
(5)
Laila B.
I'm still full from last night. Yes, it was very good but I wasn't blown away. Maybe my expectations were too high. I had a Stormy Morning to start, which was elderberry and violette liquers, bubbly and lime, almost too sweet but the lime saved it. Then we got some bread which was nice although I noticed other tables got amuses bouches and we did not. Sad. I got the crispy quail salad for an appetizer, it was indeed crispy and the greens weren't overdressed! Finally! My boyfriend got the sweetbreads in sherry-mustard and although he said they were a bit too salty, they were cooked perfectly. The man got the Bayona salad as a second and I thought it was really lame. I like salads not to be drowning in dressing but I couldn't really taste any dressing at all, there was a bit on the bottom of the bowl but...really? And it was just lettuce and Parm. I'm bored just thinking about it. Entrees, I got a grouper special, which had a beautiful sear on it and a wonderful lemony-capery-buttery sauce. Also chanterelles, cipolloni and tomatoes. My boyfriend got a rabbit roulade with a green onion-brioche stuffing. The stuffing was great but the rabbit was kind of overcooked and had LOTS of little bones in it. There shouldn't be bones in a roulade. The mashed potatoes were as exciting as the Bayona salad and the sauteed kale was tasty but also very salty. I think dessert was the best. We got perfectly pulled espressos, served with a chocolate almond and we ordered a Lemon-Lavendar Semifreddo with Almond Shortbread. I capitalized all that because that's how good it was. It tasted like a fairy tale. Overall, I enjoyed the meal but I think this is one of those NOLA restaurants that saw their heyday a while back and isn't moving forward.
(4)
Jeff O.
Food quality and ambiance was fantastic. The portion sizes were perfect. The table presence was a disappointment, however. Both servers assigned our table were inattentive. When they did come around, their presence was clumsy and uncomfortable. Overall, our party would not return. Despite the excellent kitchen, there are better dining experiences to be had all about the Quarter.
(2)
Machelle H.
Oh Bayona, I love you so much. I pick this as my meal before I die, if I am so lucky: Goat Cheese and wild mushroom crutons, Garlic soup, Bayona salad, Sweetbreads appetizer. Then either the scallops or the cashew/peanut butter, duck and pepper jelly sandwich. The Goat Cheese Croutons: I know this doesn't sound exciting. The only way to understand is to try them. I just took my friend here last week for her birthday, and she recalled the first time I took her to Bayona and made her try them. She said she didn't believe me at first, but oh how very wrong she was. She wanted this for her birthday. These are the best sweetbreads on this planet. The famous sandwich: So I tried to make my own cashew and duck sandwich at home. You can achieve some success at home by getting a freshly made multi grain bread from a good bakery, mix some freshly ground cashew butter with some high-quality peanut butter to cut (cashew butter is just too much by itself), get some local person's homemade pepper jelly, and use your leftover roasted duck meat. But really? Are you actually going to ever do this? Plus, your homemade version is inferior to Bayona's. Trust me, I've tried. Their sandwich is kind of messy, so you might suffer if you try to eat it with your hands. But it can be done if you are determined. But maybe just use silverware. I've gotten dessert here before. Last week I had the watermelon and something or other gelato. It was wonderful. But usually I'm too stuffed. If you are coming here for lunch, plan to take enough time. It is rare to get done here in only 1.5 hours. You need to give yourself sufficient freedom to relax and enjoy. And you need more than one course. During the summer, they have anniversary lunch specials. Because this (2010) is their twentieth year in business, they have 20 cent martinis. They also have a $20 price-fixe menu, with a soup or salad, an entree, and an ice cream or gelato. I don't know how they stay in business giving lunch away like that. Especially this lunch. I mean, seriously, the ingredients cost that much.
(5)
Melanie T.
"With an S on her chest... she's a superwoman" -Alicia Keys Susan Spicer knows how to throw down! She brings Southern cooking to a whole 'nother level. Perfectly located, Bayona is near the French Quarter but tucked away from all the craziness of Bourbon Street. I had the sweetbreads to start. Sweetbreads, FYI, are neither sweet nor bread. It's actually lamb glands that are oh-so-delicioso. The scallops melted on my toungue and I was sad when the plate left our table empty. The fish special was cooked to perfection! Chef has a signature menu and a seasonal menu to sample from. I suggest you try something from both. Service was impeccable and the overall experience exceeded every expectation I had. At the end of the meal, Chef Spicer came out to the dining room to check in with her patrons which was a treat, indeed. She even stayed around to take pictures with a few of her fans, myself included. I loved my whole experience at Bayona, and you will too.
Me | Bf App: Scallops | Veal Sweetbreads Entree: Duck crepe | Rabbit roulade Dessert: 10 yr. Tawny port | Earl Grey ice cream Tucked away from Bourbon street a tad, Bayona is an elegant way to spend a nice dinner. Others are spot on in saying that it's a complete different atmosphere once you step into the restaurant. It's a small area, but the use of mirrors really gives this place a larger feel than it really is. I cannot describe how great every plate was...(partly because I dined in October, eeks, I've been slow to type). But I do remember the wonderful sweetbreads. The bf got it and I had a taste. I wish I had gotten more than a taste, it was crispy and full of flavor. I do remember the Earl Grey ice cream and how I always wonder if I'll ever experience that flavor outside of Bayona. I secretly hope that every time I visit a boutique/gourmet ice creamery that someone will carry that flavor. Have not found it yet... Why the four stars? Unfortunately, for our experience, the waiter was astranged and left us alone for 20-30 minutes after our dessert. The bathroom was so tight...and with tight space, we heard all conversations around us--even the uncomfortable ones. I do believe this place is a gem and I would recommend it to any one in the area.
(4)
Lynette L.
My dinner party group had one of our annual winter holiday dinners at Bayona. The service was excellent and extremely unobtrusive, the food was excellent, and the location was lovely. It was a bit loud in the restaurant, but our group of 10 makes plenty enough noise on it's own, so who am I to complain? The cocktails in the bar before dinner were fabulous. I had one of the special cocktails (something with champagne, ginger liquor, lychee syrup and lemon juice) and it was amazing. I would pay some serious cash for the recipe. I really like the fact that Chef Spicer's menu has two versions, the specials that change and the classics that are always there. It is sad at some places that change the entire menu when you have something you love and know you will likely never see it on the menu again.
(4)
Ryan Z.
Bayona is a solid restaurant that I will definitely return to. Many of the dishes have a slight Mediterranean flair, but cooking is firmly rooted in Southern tradition. Every dish was thought out and well executed. I very much enjoyed the scallops - perfectly seared, served on a bed of couscous with roasted cauliflower. The rabbit entree was very interesting - a fried, de-boned leg, a stuffed roulade, collard greens, and spoonbread - and it all worked well together. The chocolate bourbon panna cotta was a great dessert - not too rich, not too chocolatey. The hostess exuded Southern warmth and hospitality, and our waiter was very attentive.
This quaint little restaurant is my Dad's favorite New Orleans establishment, so we decided to go for lunch. Located a block from the infamously gaudy Bourbon St., this establishment let's it's food do the amazing. The interior is formal, but not showy. I started with some sort of bourbon based cocktail. Reminded me of an Old Fashion. It was good, not great. I started the meal with the cream of garlic soup. The waitress suggested it to me because it has been in the menu since they opened. It was not overwhelmingly garlicky, which is what I had been expecting. Personally, I would've used more garlic, but I like heavy garlic usage. For dinner I had a rabbit sausage and a pan fried rabbit leg with an angel hair pasta. The rabbit sausage was very delicious; lots of subtle flavors. The leg cutlet was good too; there was no bones to deal with. The pasta complimented the rabbit very well. It was dressed with a very light garlic sauce that was much different from the soup. All-in-all, no flavor overwhelmed the others, but they all complimented each other. My Dad suggested that everyone try desert because the head chef of the restaurant got her start as a pastry chef. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I had a hazelnut cannoli with hazelnut ice cream. It was a delicious hazelnut palate take-over. I must mention that the best item at the table was my brother's selection. He had a Nutella tart with Earl Grey ice cream. The combination of flavors was spectacular. I recommend the tart over the cannoli. It was just awesome. The staff is also worth mentioning. They are all smiles; extremely polite and accommodating. Our waitress was very talkative and very well-informed when it came to recommending menu items. At least three of my choices were influenced by her opinion on the dish. I leave New Orleans with a favorable opinion of Bayona. My overall opinion on the food was that it was artfully balanced and delicate. Careful attention went into the combination of tastes, but don't expect anything too loud. Everything was subtle and calm.
(4)
Castine H.
Went here on my last night in New Orleans with three coworkers. This place came super highly recommended from our local reps and from just about every magazine and website about New Orleans restaurants. It's a very cute, quaint spot just off Bourbon Street, and such a welcome surprise from its noisy, loud neighbors in the area. It's in an old house, so you feel very welcome and like you;re eating in a friend's dining room. The service was impeccable. This is definitely a fine dining establishment, but without any pretension or stuffiness. Our waiter was super friendly, while still being "formal" enough. He expertly answered all questions about the food and wine list and gave helpful recommendations. The menu is split into two parts: one is the main menu, which is the same nighty. It had about 5 appetizers, 5 salads, and 5 main dishes. But then there's also the daily specials menu, which doubles the menu to another 5 or so choices in each course. The waiter explained nearly ever dish for us so we knew exactly what each would have. I got the Arctic char appetizer from the special menu. It was awesome. It was done two ways...a seared piece that was crusted and served with a creamy delicious sauce. I can't quite remember what it was, and I can't look it up on the website since it was a special. It was so good though! The other way was an Arctic char tartare. So good! Char is very much like salmon, so it was bright and fatty and delicious! The appetizer was light and airy and had just the right amount of food. Others got the veal sweetbreads, which I tried and were amazing; and the Caesar salad, which looked pretty standard and they said it was good. For my main, I also got a special: a pork chop stuffed with Chinese sausage and shrimp stuffing with bok choy and Asian noodles. I was quite shocked that the majority of the items were Asian based. I don't know much about Susan Spicer, but I guess that's her thing. It was interesting being in New Orleans and seeing all the Asian influences. The pork was cooked perfectly. My only complaint is that the "stuffing", was literally a tiny 1/4" part. I thought they forgot to stuff the chop until I got to this tiny piece and then I was just kind of disappointed that was all the stuffing was. The piece was big and thick, and should've been stuffed throughout. That being said, it was all delicious! Others got the Grilled Duck with crepes and the Hangar Steak, and another Pork Chop like mine. Everyone finished everything, and there was lots of happy faces and mouths at the table. The wine list was great. Since we were with the big spender coworker, he got some pricey nice bottles. This made everything better of course. Jordan wine makes all food taste better. :D For dessert, we were pretty full so all shared the Chocolate Panna Cotta. I wasn't very impressed with it. If this had been better, I would've gone with 5 stars...but I didn't think it was anything special. I would highly recommend this place to anyone wanting a nice, quiet meal in the Big Easy! The food was great and it was some of the best service I've had ever.
(4)
Jonathan B.
The food was very good (otherwise I would give 3 stars). The service was very awkward and the rooms we dined in was extremely well lit (too well) and had strange wall paper (something I've never noticed in a restaurant before). There are several rooms, so perhaps the others are better. 4+ stars for food. 2 stars for the awkwardness.
(4)
Jim B.
Eaten here twice, and both times the food and service was exceptional. The wine list is creative, with more European than California, but with lots of gems. Food was great, and our server was both friendly and attentive.
(5)
Randall N.
Amazing. Some of the best food I've ever had in NOLA, which is saying a lot. F Emeril. Susan Spicer and John Besh should be and to most locals are the top chefs in NO.At least these two are actually in NOLA more than when something good is happening or when it guarantees them some exposure and publicity. Cannot remember all the food we had (my main meal there was my graduation from Tulane a year ago) but I remember a few things: sweetbreads were insanely delish. My aunt, who travels extensively, said that hers were the best she's ever had outside of Paris. I was nervous about tasting them since they are a bit funky. (won't tell you what they are if you don't know because I don't want to keep you from them) They were incredible. A slight crust on the breading but soooo tender when you bit into them. The goat cheese croutons are phenomenom. My dad, who is very Minnesota and sticks pretty much to standard meat and potatoes, actually really loved his food. Though you don't know him that says a lot. The experience was overall just very good. If you are a tourist stay away from Brennan restaurants (I love them but for authentic and not super typical Louisiana style food that you can get at EVERY restaurant) go here. You will not regret it. If you are a local go here because it is amazing. In the FQ but not uber touristy. In an old FQ house. Fairly good sized but not too large. Keeps it kind of intimate but not so much that when your server walks up it feels like an intrusion you are so secluded. A little spendy but not Commander's, Emerils or Restaurant August like. Ask for Scott. He's awesome.
(5)
C A.
I'm not sure why they're rated so high. Out of all the restaurants we went to in NOLA, this was very close to the bottom. 1. The hostess and wait staff are not very friendly. We only ever saw our waiter 3 times: First, to take our order, then to take our plates away, and finally to bring us the bill. 2. The wine was corked. 3. Two types of potatoes? Really? Did they just give up on what to serve? Also, the fact that some of the potatoes were raw didn't help. Potatoes are the simplest things to cook and they couldn't even get that right. 4. Given number 1, we asked another waiter passing by for a little more bread and were told it would be right out, yet they never brought it or even acknowledged they forgot. Not a very pleasant experience on our trip.
(2)
s. m. j.
Friends who are frequent visitors to New Orleans suggested Bayona to us, as we had one night for a great NOLA dining experience. I will need to send them flowers, or at least hand-written thank you notes, for the recommendations. What a wonderful experience: classy, delicious, exquisite! We arrived early for a 6:30 p.m. reservation and elected to sit outside (one word of warning: if you sit outside, wear some bug spray on at least your feet -- some evil insect devoured my husband's feet, leaving ugly bites and distracting him through the whole dinner!). I figured the courtyard would be lovely and picturesque, and it was, with banana trees, beautiful foliage, lovely tables and charming views everywhere one looked. As usual in New Orleans, the service was attentive, professional, never overwhelming and gracious, always making us feel like they were happy we were there and wanted us to love every minute of the dinner. I started off with a glass of champagne, which was the perfect cocktail for a warmish NOLA spring evening. We had reviewed the online menu, which is separated into the menu items of Bayona fame as well as daily/weekly specials to reflect seasonal offerings. We ordered: Chicken, andouille soup Crispy smoked quail salad (OMG! I want some right now!) Duck breast with duck confit crepe Panko-crusted salmon with choucroute (saurkraut) and Gewurtztraminer sauce Mango-cheesecake flan We will definitely return to Bayona and I unreservedly recommend it to anyone looking for a special -- an unforgettable -- meal in New Orleans.
(5)
Bill E.
This place has become a tourist trap. Susan Spicer needs to pay attention to the front end of her restaurant. They do NOT honor their reservations so unless you want to stand and wait... I would recommend that you spend your money elsewhere. The table next to us asked if our service was as bad as theirs. This is NOT a good restaurant anymore.
(1)
Jay K.
Excellent food and service. Bayona was suggested to me by a friend that is a fan of fine dining so I expected good food. I was a little concerned with the reviews I saw on Yelp about the service but decided to give it a try anyway. A colleague and I walked up at about 7PM on a Wednesday night without reservations. The greeter was able to fit us in based on her obviously deep knowledge of the patrons. Unfortunately we were not able to sit in the courtyard but the decor inside was very nice. The patrons were generally dressed fairly well (with jackets) so you probably don't want to show up in shorts and flip flops. The food was very tasty. I had the cream of garlic soup for starters and a fish entree with a spicy oyster sauce. Very flavor able and well prepared. Their desserts were interesting but I had a glass of cognac instead and my colleague had The Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Tart with Earl Grey Ice Cream and Strawberries. My concerns about the service were unfounded and we had excellent service throughout the meal. All and all a nicely refined place to have a special dinner. I've bookmarked Bayona for a return visit when I return to New Orleans.
(4)
howard a.
I have been a Susan Spicer fan since she was at the Bistro(23 years ago). We were at Bayona for my birthday in August and had an A+ meal. That added to our disappointment Thurs. We came to New Orleans to celebrate my wife's birthday. Both the appetizers and the meals were barely warm. We are so sorry but that is management ! Apologies cannot replace the disappointment of unrealized expectations !
(3)
Todd F.
Bayona was definitely the culinary highlight of a recent trip to New Orleans. My friend and I reserved a spot through OpenTable and we were lucky enough to snag the last table in the outside courtyard area. The weather was perfect, and the other patrons seemed very happy. I felt as thought I was eating in France or Italy -- a foreign country in which the pace is noticeably slower. I adored the quail salad for my appetizer, and my fish entree was cooked absolutely perfectly -- moist, flaky, and well-seasoned. Service was attentive without being pushy. After a relaxing, nourishing meal, we set out to experience a very different part of New Orleans: Bourbon Street, which we could hardly believe was only a block south from where we were.
(5)
Thom B.
Best meal I have ever had in my life! I stayed across the street from Bayona on a previous trip to New Orleans and was intrigued by the unassuming, quaint look. Knowing nothing about it I happened upon it on a subsequent trip and as luck would have it there was a cancellation for a late dinner. In short, best meal I have ever had (and particularly in New Orleans that is saying something). The food was amazing and cocktails spot on. Cannot wait to go back to NOLA and eat here again. Definitely make a reservation.
(5)
Ashley W.
I had dinner at Bayona last Friday night and have to say that I was REALLY disappointed with the service and really pleased with the food. Let me summarize the night for you: 9pm- I have a 9pm reservation for 2 and arrive at exactly 9pm. I'm told that it is going to be a bit of a wait. "No problem," I think...I'm in no hurry, let's grab a cocktail. 9:30pm- First round of drinks finally arrive from the cocktail waitress who is running around like a crazed woman trying to get drinks for everyone who is waiting on their table (which didn't make for much of a relaxing atmosphere). 9:45pm- Yay! Our table is finally ready. 10pm- Our order is placed (nearly an hour after our reservation) 10-11:30pm- It takes an hour and a half to serve us an appetizer, salads and our main courses, with at least 10-15 minutes between us finishing a course and the next one arriving. So, once the food did arrive it was absolutely amazing. I had the duck and my husband had the rabbit. The entire meal was excellent. However, the service was so far below par (especially for a pretty nice place), that I'd definitely recommend going somewhere else. The cocktail waitress was the only one who apologized for the slow service the entire evening or for that matter, even acknowledged that it was unreasonably slow. I know this is New Orleans, but give me a break. There are a ton of other good restaurants in the city, so I wouldn't waste your time at Bayona.
(2)
Douglas A.
One of the best meals ever. We had a party of six and every dish that was ordered was incredibly delicious. This was my fourth visit to the restaurant and the food was even better than the previous three visits. I look forward to the next time.
(5)
r n.
Bad all around! Our salads were nondescript, over dressed, and flavorless except for the quail salad, which was the best plate of the night. All main dishes were over salted and at best, lukewarm, except for the rabbit, which was cold. The duck was so tough that even with a steak knife, (which we had to request) was resistent to being cut. Although the restaurant claims to accommodate special food needs, they do not. The servers were so lazy that they reached over full plates to fill water glasses. stood at the side of the table and yelled, "finished?" Dumped an entire water glass on us. Bumped into each other like keystone cops, which led to screams and curses. This was not only our experience, but all of the people in our room that consisted of 4 tables.
(1)
Chad O.
Unbeatable lunch experience. $25 three course meal app,entree,dessert but you can choose three from any course which is awesome. The Duck liver was crazy good and the garlic soup is top notch. One of the best meals I have had.
(5)
M J.
The food was very good. However, I did not find it to be particularly unique. The three stars is totally for the food because the service was not good. For an upper end place, I expect good and attentive service. The servers seemed more concerned with the table next to us where the guests were In jeans and ripped t- shirts. We had much better service at pizza places where we spending 10 bux for a meal. We were there for my husbands birthday and unfortunately it disappointed both of us.
(3)
Alberto D.
Delicious!
(5)
Mandy M.
While the food was delicious, especially the dessert option of smoked duck in puffed pastry with hot pepper jelly, the service was pitiful. There were two servers for 9 tables, most of which were empty until halfway through our meal. One of the servers passed by our table three times leaving dirty dishes (which had been pre-bussed by us by this time) on the edge of our table. I counted at least 4 empty cocktail glasses (between two people) that were not addressed the entire meal!!! While being a perfectly perfect location and ambiance, the service in this big easy establishment likened itself to the big lazy. When I go to a $$$ restaurant, I expect $$$ service. Cocktails were especially yummy (Stormy Morning), although the waiter did border on arguing that I had the wrong ingredients for my French 77... I googled it at the table. I was right.
(3)
Natalie V.
Total 5 stars!! Amazing meal and service. The sweet breads are delicious! Everything is cooked to perfection and wonderul! Expensive but totally worth it.
(5)
Edouard M.
Excellent dinner with a large group of people. The waiter was fantastic and very friendly. Everybody around the table was pleased with their food (even the vegetarian, which is sort of a challenge in NOLA). My sweetbread was tasty (but not the best I have had) and so was rabbit (a sausage in a somewhat spicy sauce). The bill was reasonable for this type of place. I'll be back if I am in NOLA.
(5)
Jodi W.
Food was great, servers were delightful, but we had to wait a long time between courses. Almost fell asleep at the table between dinner and dessert - no reason for dessert to take a long time - both were pre-prepared (not a souffle or anything that would take a long time). And the diners at the table next to us were loud, obnoxious, rich-fat-old-men. Which, I guess, if you are a rich-fat-;oud-old-obnoxious-hyper-conservative-man is fine. As a young-ish, semi-liberal woman, I was pretty offended to overhear some of their conversation (for example: "Chicago is not a real part of America - it is full of too many people like academics and their kind". Not that this is the fault of the restaurant, but definitely impacted my experience.
(4)
Denise M.
This was my best meal in New Orleans and if you've been to New Orleans you know that is saying something. The place is darling and I felt completely comfortable dining there solo during a work trip. Every course was delicious but in particular I loved the pork belly. It was outstanding. The duck PB&J was tasty and interesting but I would probably try something different next time and I really hope there is a next time. There is also a charming used bookstore a couple doors down on the same side of the street. It was a fun place to browse while waiting for my reservation.
(5)
Lisa F.
Great attentive service, delicious fixed price menu at lunch.
(4)
Karen S.
Susan Spicer's restaurant is in my top 3 in my hometown of New Orleans. Exquisite cuisine, with a good balance of different nouveau American/French dishes. The atmosphere and service is top notch. Many memorable experienes here...a relative (who has lived in NYC/SanFran) said this was the best dining he's ever had. The things that stick out in my mind as the most memorable are the diced sweetbreads/potato/beet/mushroom appetizer (yum yum) and the scallops. There is a PBJ-Duck sandwich for lunch that's worth getting, too. Biggest con is that the menu hasn't changed much over time. As a regular, I am forced to go elsewhere for something new and fresh.
(5)
He And She I.
Whew! We got really lucky, and scored a cancellation. This was the best restaurant we've found in NOLA, and we can't wait to come back. The food is wonderful, the ambiance is memorable, and the price is reasonable, considering what you are getting.....small dining rooms, quiet attentive service, and incredible presentation and preparation.
(5)
David T.
Anniversary dinner was unbelievably great! Wonderful service and the food was delicious. I am looking forward to going back for more
I dined here back in April and September 2009. In April it was a 5, September was a 2. My first dining experience occurred outside in the adorable, romantic, and intimate-feeling courtyard. I'm vegan and the chef was able to conjure up a beautifully creative and tasty salad - diverse with beets and other more creative ingredients. The main dish was also amazing, but I sadly don't remember what it comprised of, thanks to the delicious abundance of wine. Dessert consisted of a sorbet of some sort - it was an inventive flavor, but nothing stupendously memorable. The waiter was especially attentive and prompt so that certainly enhanced the experience. When I dined here again in September, the chef conjured up a vegan entree for me and a different vegetarian entree for my companion. Again we were treated to a salad, however this time the salad seemed blandly standard - basic lettuce, mixed greens, some random vegetable shavings and basic vinaigrette of some sort. Although our entrees were nicely presented (refer to photos), they were less than inspiring. Quick run-of-the-meal "Oh you're vegan? I'll just throw together whatever vegetables and grain I have on hand with the most basic of spices and flavoring and we'll call it a day!" It was okay, as in edible and there was nothing that warranted a "ewww," but it was definitely drab and dull - might as well have eaten at some generic chain restaurant where the chefs usually just steam a bunch of vegetables for me upon request. My companion had the same feelings about his food. The waiter this time was more or less "whatever" about our vegetarian and vegan requests and warned us beforehand that we were likely to receive whatever roasted vegetables they had on hand - but I suppose we didn't quite believe him as our first dining experience had been quite stellar. So needless to say, not sure what the inconsistency can be attributed to, but I won't necessarily count on coming here again. EDIT: I had to bump my 3 stars into 4 after reviewing other fine dining restaurants I've been to. I am going to be kind and generous and not fault Bayona for their last lackluster performance - just assume my first time experience is more prototypical and my second visit was just an off day.
(4)
The Feisty Bulldog I.
Dinner on Saturday last Saturday night was an experience. Being from NYC, I cherish the New Orleans vibe. We sat for almost three hours, savoring each course, feeling like we were at a friends home. Jane, our server, made great recommendations and explained their signature dishes. She also helped us through an extensive wine list. Although we had five courses, the one that will remain a great memory, was the sweetbreads, don't miss them, they're a long time staple on their menu for a reason. Thanks to Scott and Shaggy, our skilled and intuitive chefs.
(4)
AB H.
We loved our lunch at Bayona. I started with a simple green salad with parmesan, which was great; I had been dying for some greens after 5 days of eating out in NOLA. I then had the gnocchi which was AMAZING. My friend had the "pbj" duck sandwich was was HUGE. We finished our meal with a chocolate hazlenut tart was was delicious and also big in size. What would have made it better: sitting outside (it seems sixty and sunny isn't warm enough for them to serve outside), and a less stuffy atmosphere. I wish they had a wheelchair accessible bathroom. At least I was able to squeeze in one bathroom to wash my hands. There is a step to get in, and they put out a ramp for me. I liked that our waitress was friendly, but she was far from professional when she bashed another restaurant in conversation with us.
(4)
Joe S.
In plain English: Food was fantastic, service sucks. Appetizers were fantastic, main courses (duck and tile fish) were amazing. Wine selection pretty good. Some of the best food I've had. Period. Service ruined the whole night. They utilize a team approach to serving, which isn't all that uncommon. However, there is something about team service that is impersonal, slow, forgetful, and lacking - at least at Bayona. I could say that the individuals could be a little bit nicer, but that seems to be asking for too much given the following problems: Glasses of wine came late. Water went dry. Requested additional bread that never came. Main entree came literally 2 mins after appetizers. Main course was served when my wife was in the restroom (big mistake). Server never came to check on preparation of main courses - but certainly pushed and pushed us many times to buy more wine and dessert. Service just terrible. Could go on, but you get the idea. Hope the service gets better because the food is way too good to have these yelp reviews coming in at 3 stars or less. I almost feel bad leaving 3 starts but, again, our entire experience was ruined by terrible service.
(3)
Edward L.
A good restaurant, but definitely not great. My expectations were pretty high after going to probably about 40 restaurants around NOLA but: - service: excellent - decor: new classic NOLA restaurant - ambiance: tourist loud - wine: good/excellent - food: fair/good Both my scallop app and rabbit dinner were both overcooked. The scallops were tasty but in a spicy Indian curry sauce that overpowered. The rabbit was noticeably overcooked and dry, the sauce again tasted like it had been on the stove too long and cooked off all the flavor of the Calvados, and I'm not sure I've ever seen this in a fine restaurant but the rabbit was served with fairly wilted plain broccoli. The dough pillows on the plate (gnocchi of some sort) were excellent.
(3)
JP B.
Fantastic! The food, wine and service was top notch! The ambiance was soft and inviting. I took a first date here and she was impressed. We started off with a ripasso wine from Italy that was reasonable priced. Then we shared the sweetbreads which were perfectly tender and flavorful. Our main entrees was the duck and lamb and both were absolutely perfect. In conclusion this is a great place for a romantic dinner and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
(5)
David S.
Ate here about a month ago on my girlfriend's birthday. I privately asked the waitress if she could make sure there was a candle in whatever dessert we ordered, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the entire plate decorated. I thought she said the dessert would be taken off the bill, but either she forgot or I misheard, because the charge was on the bill at the end of the night. It would have been a nice gesture, but the dessert - the Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Tart - was excellent even at $9. The food was very good overall, but we were there for at least two hours, as it was a Friday night and the restaurant was crowded. I also thought it was a little expensive for New Orleans, so I wouldn't make a habit of going there, but for a special occasion, I would recommend Bayona. The next time I'm in NOLA, I'll probably go back for lunch, when the prices are a whole lot better.
(4)
Kelly H.
No doubt Susan Spicer's flagship restaurant makes some of the most innovative food in this amazing city. Her specialty - taking traditional Southern and Mediterranean dishes and giving them a unique twist that sets them apart from the norm. And it's the twists - as well as the near perfect execution of the expected - that puts Bayona a notch above many other establishments. Also, the emphasis on seasonal, local ingredients adds to the experience. A recent visit started for me with the chef's legendary sweet breads - the best that I have ever tasted! I selected the sherry mustard butter preparation - just enough of the said butter to accentuated the earthiness of the perfectly pan fried veal glands (yes kids, that's what they are). A base of root vegetables and mushrooms added to overall excellence of the dish. Really, this was the best part of the meal! Dining companion's Caesar salad was a bit more generic but still a very good rendition of the classic dish. The Parmisano Regiano tossed with the greens was a perfect match for the acidity of the dressing. My entree of Peppered Lamb Loin with Goat Cheese and Zinfandel Sauce was nothing short of excellent - slices of tasty lamb grilled medium rare in a slightly sweet sauce that married with the slightly salty goat cheese - yum all way. Slices of fried potato served with the dish didn't really add anything but were quite good in themselves. The ladies Grilled Pork Chop with Greens, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Black Eyed Peas added a bit of sophistication to classic southern comfort food. The pork chop had slightly smokey flavor and the greens were out of this world good. Also of note is the excellent wine list - one of the best in the city, really. A good selection from a variety of price ranges and includes several interesting offerings. I went with a Napa Valley Rhone style bland that was medium bodied, quite spicy, a little fruity, and an overall good match for the meal. Skipped dessert but the list did look interesting... So, once again you ask where is that elusive fifth star? Well, there are a couple of issues.... Service was a bit slow at first (it took several minutes to be addressed by the waiter once we were seated) and bit hasty towards the end of the meal. Maybe we upset someone because we didn't order dessert? Who knows. Also, as mentioned by others, the tables are a little close together and the restaurant tends to get a little loud. Bottom line: An excellent choice. Ms. Spicer's cuisine does not disappoint! Though is not quite a 5-star experience it may deserve more than 4 stars (so how about that 1/2 star, Yelp?) You will leave a few bucks on the table here but no more than you will at any other of the city's higher end restaurant. Highly recommended!
(4)
Fred R.
Very slow, but friendly service. Food tasty but neither appetizer nor main courses were hot when served. Third visit but first for dinner. No longer on my list of favorites.
(3)
Kevin H.
Bonus as I had heard through the grapevine that this spot was open for lunch on Monday after festival. It is a tough reservation in advance, and this second weekend they were closed for a private bash on Saturday night, so I was thankful to have friends in the know. Started off with the sweetbreads which were impeccably fresh, served in a lemon caper sauce with cubes of potato and beet, just a lovely well balanced dish. Next up the cream of garlic soup and oyster artichoke soup. Crispy bits of garlic in a dark rich roux thickened chicken stock. The oyster soup was a lovely puree with bits of oyster and artichoke garnished with a cornmeal fried oyster. Great texture and flavor, simple and satisfying. For entrees we sampled the Sauteed Redfish, Fava bean & roasted red pepper cous cous with a charmoula sauce it was divine. The fish was cooked to a turn and all components sang in perfect harmony. I took a bit of a ribbing from Jane and Beth for requesting hot sauce. They jokingly brought me a thimble size bottle of Tabasco, while hiding the ramekin filled with house hot sauce. Boudin omelet was tasty, delicate, fluffy and light. House made boudin was slightly spicy and perfectly textured. Served along side was a sweet potato biscuit as well as a corn & okra saute'. Washed this wonderful meal down with a glass of Cab with the name escaping me. The service and setting were fantastic. High end joint with little or no pretentiousness. Susan Spicer has been here serving innovative top notch food for almost twenty years I believe. Dine here and you will understand why.
(5)
Jessie C.
My coworkers and I went to Bayona for dinner last night as they have been raving how it is their favorite in new orleans. If you like sweeter foods, this is definitely your type of place. I happen to like more savory flavors so I would not pick this place my absolute favorite. We started with the scallops over brown rice with beans and bock choy, the goat cheese mushroom croutons. I highly recommend the croutons! They were fantastic!!! It was one of the best appetizers I have had in forever! Then I had the quail salad, which was pretty good. the quail was fried, but not too heavily. There was just enough batter to give it a nice crunch. For dinner I had the Peppered Lamb Loin with Goat Cheese and Zinfandel Sauce. According to everyone I was with it is the best thing on the menu. I thought it was good but could have used a little more spice or something. I felt like all the food at Bayona had more of a sweetness than a savory. For dessert I had the chocolate panna cotta. Very chocolaty but nothing special. Just a good pudding :)
(4)
Meghan J.
This was my second time at Bayona - which says that I originally wanted to come back. The courtyard is beautiful and the service is lovely. This night, we had a reservation for a romantic birthday evening. We had to wait for our table, despite reservation, and didn't get to dine in the courtyard. Disappointing, but not the reason for the one star. The evening and service was fine, despite a few quirks with the night and a slow kitchen. We ate, drank, and everything tasted great. That night, I awoke suddenly at 3:30 am ... I have yet to find a delicate way to describe the violence of this particular case of food poisoning. This continued through the next day until I could finally be vertical enough to make a phone call the next afternoon, which was immediately to Bayona. Susan Spicer herself called me back. She was very apologetic, highlighted the freshness of their food, and generally denied that her establishment could have gotten me sick. I ate the Mahi Mahi that evening, and unless it was the small portioned apple and yogurt from lunch, that leaves few options. Mrs. Spicer and I awkwardly danced around small talk of food poisoning and her fresh food and I eventually had to bring up the possibility of getting a refund, discount, or voucher. She agreed to a gift certificate for the price of one entree. This being about 1/5th of what we spent that night and means I have to come back, which I know longer am interested in doing. She could have at least offered to pay for the Pepto Bismol. I am local and sad to write a bad review. I'd really much rather say nice things, and I'd much rather want to come back, but I was incredibly disappointed with the reaction to my illness. I think Bayona can afford to refund the meal that leveled a local school teacher for 24 hours. * Update: Finally received the $30 voucher .... anyone want it? I am not going back. Susan should have been much more generous with her treatment of local clientele.
(1)
Danielle B.
Great, creative food with a touch of NOLA
(4)
Jay P.
Fabulous , expensive but worth every dime . My only regret was we didn't have a chance to have a cocktail outside.
(5)
patrick g.
Overfed, native New Orleans businessmen tend to predominate the crowd and extra-rich pan-Louisiana food the menu. If you want a lush, decadent meal in a lush decadent setting, you got it. Go to Herbsaint for a more contemporary and lighter take on the similar food.
(4)
brian g.
the smoked duck sandwich with cashew butter and pepper jelly here is one of the better things i've eaten for lunch, ever.
(5)
Zachary A.
Lots of pork, pork shrapnel, and pork drippins: Bayona will make you fat, and you will enjoy every artery-stuffing second of it. You can watch fat people get happy as they dine.
(4)
jane r.
overall a very good experience dining here. the service was good, but dishes took a very long time to arrive. the table next to us were seated after us, did not order starters, and received their dishes fairly quickly. we ordered starters, but then still had an incredibly long wait for our main dishes. the other table was gone before we received them. i also have two small complaints about the food. for a starter we ordered the garlic soup, which we had heard was good. i'm not sure if it was just off that night, but there was just something off about its taste, neither of us wanted to finish it. it would have made a great sauce or gravy for meat, but alone as a soup it was a little overpowering. my second complaint was the sauteed spinach served with my main course was so salty it made my mouth pucker to eat it. but overall, still an excellent meal. dishes were plated and prepared well, interesting flavors together. the ambience is cozy and intimate, making for a very comfortable meal. for our better meals during out time in new orleans, we ate here and GW Fins. Between the two, i have to say my vote is with GW Fins for overall better food and dining experience. on the dress code - hard to say. some were business casual, one table was quite casual wearing shorts. that seemed a little bit out of place there. i'd go with slacks being more appropriate than jeans or shorts, although it's not an overly dressy place.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Scott H.
I've only been there once, but my experience there didn't live up to the reputation. Service was spotty. I had the redfish, and it was good, but that's all. 4 of us at the table, and we all sampled one another's meals. None of it blew me away.
(3)Julie M.
Love, love, love this place! Sat out in the courtyard. Had quail salad, lamb, mojitos and dessert! Just go!
(5)Gene c.
My wife and I had lunch, nice atmosphere in what appears to be an old home in the French Quarter. We started off with the garlic soup for my wife and I had the turtle soup both were excellent. I had the butter fish which was cooked perfectly and my wife had the mushroom ravioli which was excellent. The food was truly incredible. The service was slow and the two people assigned to our table were not trained to serve and frankly I do not think they cared.
(3)Bria D.
Sadly, Bayona wasn't particularly memorable. My dining opportunities have been curtailed considerably since having my son, so I had really hoped to have an outstanding meal from Bayona--and I didn't. My lamb was good--just good. My heirloom tomato salad was okay. My Manhattan was at it should be. Service was appropriate. The atmosphere was adequate, if a bit stuffy. Tim Robbins was there. There wasn't anything objectionable. I'd just expected more.
(3)Gus S.
Fantastic experience, the veal and the rabbit are highly recommended. And the quail is to moan for! We were 6 for dinner and the service was great.
(4)Matt C.
Ohhh lets talk about being a bad boy... I walk in (or should I say stumble) in here 3-makers manhattans deep, plus I had a beer on the walk over. Oh yeah, so I'm feelin' good at this point. We came here for my Mothers Birthday dinner and I was, for lack of a better term... an obnoxious a**hole all night long. I'm definitely not welcomed back, nor do I want to go back - its just too embarrassing. I spilled (fortunately it was only water), all over myself. I was real bad boy. I thought I was Mr. K. M. (shall remain nameless) like at the Fifth Floor in San Francisco back in December of 2000... ref: yelp.com/user_details_re… Absolutely not welcomed back to the restaurant. The next day, after receiving a stern talking to from my girlfriend about my mis-behavior, I asked her what I had for dinner. And she told me the venison. Which, after she refreshed my memory, I do actually remember enjoying, the few bites of it that I had. Oh, and there was no dessert that night either. My party, wanted to get the eff outta there after my crash & burn performance. It happens occasionally.
(4)sydney t.
My favorite restaurant in new orleans and I've been coming here for years. I don't say this lightly that it is my favorite restaurant. This is where I bring people who have never been to new orleans or those who have only lived here as students. Everyone else should know about it already. Shrimp with black bean cake and the quail salad are always amazing.
(5)Judy C.
By far the best dinner in NOLA that I've had ever. Bravo Chef Susan. The balance between the sweet and savory foods are to die for, and the service is just down right amazing. Make sure that you give yourself plenty of time to make a reservation, we didn't get in until 9!
(5)Gillian H.
We visited NOLA last week for the first week of Mardi Gras festivities (Family Gras!) and brought our children to Bayona for an earlier Friday evening reservation. Thrilled with the fellow at reception; he made sure to secure us what turned out to be a boon in seating as our 5-year old passed the heck out right after she finished her dinner. (long day at Uptown parades!) I don't think many bring children and I can only interpret the initial look on our server's face to be "oh lord, how did I get this table" -- don't feel like we all quite clicked, but it worked. Regardless, we have two children with excellent manners and tastes; our 12-year old devoured the sweetbreads appetizer and tackled the lamb chop; he also finished off my pork chop. The wine list is mostly French; if you're not familiar, they had a wonderful sommelier who helped us pick a nice white. We trend more towards Italian wine and were struggling. Excellent evening -- as always, wide range of attire, and we were the only group with children. Our son sent his compliments to the chef and we were hoping to get Susan to come out to see him, but it didn't work. He's such a little foodie and would have been tickled pink =) We'll be back! :)
(4)Mike F.
#NAME?
(3)Adrienne G.
Eating vegetarian in the Big Easy isn't all that easy - and knowing this from our 12+ years of visits, we spent a lot of time before this year's vacation, researching our options & luckily we found Bayona! Jazz Fest dinner on the docket.....you *definitely* want to get rezzies ahead of time! Since there was no "real" veggie entree on their menu, even before we could wonder, our waiter was nice enough to make a special trip over to review their entire menu & what they would be able to offer as entrees for us veggies ( we had let them know ahead of time about our restrictions ) Started out w/ drinkys - included the Stormy Morning w/ elderflower & violet liqueur & sparkling water. Mr had the Smoking Jacket & while we both liked the whiskey & blueberry & chocolate tones, we felt this would have been a perfect after dinner drink. The elderflower was much more of a refreshing starter drinky Split a couple of appies - 1st was the Chilled Tomato & Beet Soup. Very pungent tomato but the beets totally held their own. A few bites into this soup we were loving it but after a few more, it started to taste like ketchup - you might want to split this soup to keep on the refreshing-side of things 2nd split was the Mushroom Crouton - all kinds of awesome. Piece of toast w baked goat cheese on it & served w marsala-marinated mushrooms My entree was Lentil Salad w/ tomatoes & creamy goat cheese dressing. Nice vinegar taste & refreshing on such a warm night Mr chose the Asparagus Risotto w/ Smokey Mushrooms, Zucchini, Yellow Squash. This is usually a side dish served w/ their steak option but they were kind enough to leave out the meat and we didn't have to pay the meaty price! Creamy & lightly flavored w/ the asparagus, I found myself skeptical about the mushrooms.......they tasted to me like they had been cooked in a beefy sauce - but I will also admit that smoky flavorings always trigger my meaty-paranoia, so while this may have been a truly veggie dish, I had my doubts & did not ask to confirm Best dessert wine EVER was the '09 Muscat Alicante Casta Diva. I am so totally tracking this down!!! Sweet, fruity & a huge honey base. This was heaven in a glass & went perfectly w/ the strawberry buttermilk cake w homemade pistachio semifreddo Thanks Bayona for kicking off our New Orleans visit in the yummiest way!
(4)John C.
Excellent culinary experience!! Our party of 7 had the fixed price Saturday lunch, a three course "light lunch" event where you select from a list groupings for your three courses. Different every week, very creative but so delicious. Highly recommended for a slow lunch in the French Quarter.
(5)Mark B.
The setting is lovely, effortless, and elegant. The sweetbread apps were delicious; the duck was probably the best I've had recently. I recommend without hesitation.
(5)Rose S.
Susan Spicer needs Gordon Ramsey!!! Scallops were grisly & only one out of the 4 had sauce. My friends fish was undercooked & had to be sent back. 1 couple actually got up & left when we were there & the other 2 tables up in the attic were comped wine or an entree due to the issues in the kitchen. Mushroom veloue was unimpressive. Not sure how often she checks in but seems as if Susan has lost sight of her cash cow.
(1)Melanie C.
One of my favorite restaraunts in New Orleans. Food is consistently good. Romantic setting. Can't say anymore than the other reviewers. Its all been said!
(5)Will H.
We have had the pleasure of visiting Bayona on both of our most recent visits to New Orleans. It was so terrific the first time that we knew we had to go back, and we were glad we did. In a city with countless fine restaurants, Bayona is a treasure not to be missed. Bayona is a short walk from the revels of Bourbon Street, but its tranquil setting is a French Quarter experience of a different type. We experienced one meal in the house and one meal in the courtyard; both are gracious and beautiful settings. We started off with cocktails; the Fascinator and the Cucumber Julep were both delicious. There is a very good wine list, with selections by the glass, bottle, and (something we appreciate) half bottle; our wonderful server (hi, Jane!) helped us select a terrific white wine that paired with both our entrees. The food at Bayona defies easy description, but is terrific. One page of the menu consists of signature dishes that have been on the menu twenty-plus years; the other page features specials that rotate daily. Follow your bliss and you won't go wrong. Our standout dishes were the sweet potato brioche with maple butter (all the starter we needed), my special that had some of the best tuna I've ever tasted, and the marshmallow chocolate dessert special with the beer ice cream. I wish I remembered more details, but the specials will be different when you go anyhow, so just go! We completely understand why so many friends recommended we visit Bayona while in New Orleans. It will probably become the place we need to eat once each trip. As our server said, it's a "jolly good meal"; you should try it.
(5)Erika C.
So in the light of day my former love looks a little older and none the wiser. I have been to Bayona on most if not all of my trips to NOLA. I had strong feelings of love and devotion. I remember with fondness my first meal in their dining room in 2000. I wax poetic to many a friend about their brioche. I would dream of the brioche. I had a solo venture on my latest trip. $115. 2 glasses of wine, garlic soup, pumpkin brioche which now must be ordered and has a $5 charge, and monk fish over lentils, espresso. Starting at the beginning: wine reccomended not at all what I described to be looking for; garlic soup doesn't play as well in 2014 as it did in 2000; brioche was dry and not really appealing; monk fish was delicious and cooked perfectly the lentils were not delightful; and the espresso was just fine. I was a little sad leaving that evening knowing that I may just not return to Bayona.
(3)Stephanie N.
I'm only giving them 1 star for the service. I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and it has been my biggest regret ever! We tried the garlic soup, mussels, quail salad, porkchops, and duck. Everything was flavorless! The only good thing was quail! Other then that I don't recommend it to anyone. I was so disappointed and upset because I looked so forward to it. Way to ruin his birthday!
(1)Belinda C.
Last night our travelling troupe of foodies hit Susan Spicer's Bayona. Hands-down it was decided that Bayona was the best we had this time around in NOLA. To quickly address any negative reviews because of wait; I think these naysayers do not understand the EXPERIENCE of a restaurant like Bayona. Overall, Bayona delivered one of those "close your eyes and savor life" experiences and those moments should never be rushed. We arrived for our reservation and had our choice to take pre-dinner drinks in a cozy foyer or the courtyard. The wait gave this group time to engage in conversation and scope out Bayona. First (and now final) impressions: Sophisticated yet casual; intelligent and witty. Our dinner reservation was late so some of the menu items were sold out. Upon being seated, our waitress immediately informed us of sold out items and ran (not fast walked but ran) to the kitchen to claim the last Red Snapper. The menu offered such creative pairings that we wanted to order everything just to taste; and that is very close to exactly what we did. Starters: Salads, Veal Sweetbreads, and Crawfish Beignets. Dinner: Red Snapper, Lamb Loin, Duck, Rabbit, and Hake Veal sweetbreads were exceptional (I highly recommend) but tonight, Crawfish Beignets stole the starting show so much that we put in for two more orders. Bayona's Crawfish Beignets set the bar as probably the best around. Out came our main courses. Upon tasting my duck, I was certain that I had ordered the best plate until I tried everyone else's dish. I tasted the red snapper (really really good); then the hake (reminds me of Chilean Sea Bass), then the rabbit and lastly the lamb loin. Every bite was better than the first. While every plate was exceptional, we decided the best dish of the night went to the lamb loin. This review would not be complete without a tip of the hat to Bayona's team who round out this restaurant's personality: intelligent and relaxed; knowledgeable and lively.
(5)Essential S.
Crowded. Noisy. Slow service. But I don't care, because this was a fine meal from beginning to end. And I'm ever-so-grateful they could squeeze in a party of out of towners, when they were clearly booked to the rafters. The wait in the lounge was aided by the appearance of a Driving Glove cocktail. At this late date, I don't recall the ingredients, but IIRC it was a tasty variation on an Aviation. Once seated, I started with yuca, zucchini with beans and chipotle crema. The yuca was not quite 'crispy' as advertised, but that's my only quibble. Continuing my Latin theme, I opted for the chile-dusted duck breast with duck tamale and 'Oaxacan' mole. The duck was prepared perfectly, firm but not dry, tasty as hell. I can't vouch for the authenticity of the mole, but it was delicious, and the tamale was wonderful. The tomatillos and taters provided some excellent counterpoints to the rich duck. Care with ingredients. Care with balances of tastes. Care with preparation. The whole was really top notch. A little cognac to savor while reminiscing over the meal, and then off to further night adventures in New Orleans.
(5)Veronica T.
I came here for lunch after a long morning of walking around the French Quarter. It's located on a quiet street away from a lot of activity but still a really charming memory for me of the French Quarter. Service was incredible. Everyone was so polite and helpful. Best service of any restaurant in NOLA. Food was great too. I ordered the roasted garlic soup because I heard Emeril is a big fan. Most amazing garlic flavors ever. Also ordered the duck pb&j. So many different flavors and textures in this sandwich. They gave a generous portion of duck too which is awesome. Four stars because this was the most expensive meal I had during my stay in town, and I just don't know if it compares (food wise) to some of the other amazing restaurants we went to.
(4)Sara U.
So I'm taking the cue from "veteran elites" -- not fair to review restaurants based on one visit especially when consistent quality or lack thereof is big part of how great a restaurant is (or isn't)! Anyway, long story short, I'll provide my thought but keep in mind I am a one time visitor (albeit an especially fabulous one). We were greeted very warmly as we came in and were seated immediately, in line with our reservation time. The restaurant feels traditional but festive, a serious dining establishment that doesn't take itself too seriously. This place has a lot of mirrors in it. The ladies room is micro and there is a mirror directly to your left. Well, I was kind of drunk and I thought my reflection was another person that I was about to bump into and I actually apologized to my reflection. The girl at the sink probably thought I was on acid. Just know ladies - the bathroom is tiny and mirror-laden. The curveball was our waiter. I couldn't tell if he just thought we were dumb, unsophisticated tourists who wouldn't tip or if he was just THAT in the weeds, but we detected a hint of brusqueness -- like we were annoying to him somehow. He didn't try at all to be friendly or conversational, but he was efficient. Food - goat cheese crouton app was the best item. Salmon very good. Cocktails - I had a Sunny Morning? Shady Morning? Something Morning. Delicious, I could had several. Apple tart dessert was amazingly spiced!! I want to ask ole boy what it was spiced with but didn't because as mentioned he was not a Chatty Cathy. I want my thanksgiving apple pie spiced like that! The only thing I didn't enjoy was the duck, but I don't think it's a reflection of Bayona I think I just don't like duck. I've given up. We spent $185 (that's tip and all), we both had two drinks including champagne.
(4)Paul S.
Perfection. We sat on the patio on a beautiful evening, had attentive friendly service, and ate some of our favorite bites of food ever. My partner and I share all dishes and each of us would dig into our dish and think nothing could be better until we switched. We had a smokey andouille sausage with sweet potato dumplings and greens that was heaven in a bite. The scallops special was joy. The shrimp with black bean cake was also quite good. For mains we had the duck with tamale and mole and a special of pork brisket with pickled vegetables and a sauce I could drink. Dessert like all else. Can't wait to return.
(5)Callen B.
Some of the best food I have had in New Orleans! Our server was super knowledgeable and attentive adding in recommendations that really made the meal! Though the menu seems to be meat heavy and not fit for vegetarians, the kitchen was incredibly accommodating and made some fabulous dishes for us! I would go back in a heartbeat!
(5)James P.
Susan Spicer's restaurant has been on my list, so this came with some high expectations. They didn't fall short at all. We went for lunch and sat out on the patio, which was really nice and peaceful from the street noise. Our server was great and very helpful with making recommendations. We had the goat cheese and mushroom bruschetta appetizer and it was really good. Hot, flavorful, and not overwhelming - worth it! For lunch we shared deep fried pigeon salad and the duck PB&J. The salad was a combo of flavors ranging savory to sweet and was really tasty. The duck was served on grilled bread and was amazing - messy but really good. Cashew butter, duck, and preserves go well together! Highly recommend you try this place for the experience and the food. Cocktails looked great but didn't try them for lunch!
(5)Sharon O.
Bayona is kind of like the Commanders Palace's younger, less popular, attractive little sister. It's kind of tucked away, it's trendy, the food is top-notch, and the service impeccable. Like Commanders', they serve 25-cent cocktails, amazing shrimp n' grits, a fixed-menu option, and the service is attentive to special occasions (except you don't have to wear the tacky paper chef's hat...) Anyway, eating lunch at Bayona was hands down the best meal I had in New Orleans. Each dish was incredibly complex and well constructed. The sweetbreads are rave-worthy for a reason- they are JUST THAT GOOD. Crispy, but melt in your mouth with flavor. The thought of licking the plate came across my mind more than once. The shrimp n' grits were spicy, creamy, and cooked to perfection. The PB&J was an adult version of sorts: duck confit, caramelized onions, chunky cashew butter, and chili pepper jelly on toasted wheat. The side salad of sliced apples and celery also added a bit of a "ants on a log" dimension, which I dug pretty hard. This is a legit sandwich. The homemade whiskey-pecan ice cream was soft, smokey, and came with a homemade sugar cookie. The 3-course meal for $25 was also a great value. You may think that 24-cent martinis may have a cap (you can only get three at Commanders for lunch) and they will be pretty weak. WRONG. I was feeling pretty silly after three, and my waiter told me I could keep 'em coming for as long as I wanted. I was a pretty happy camper.
(5)Lyn B.
Amazing restaurant. Delicious food. Try the lamb.
(5)Lisa D.
Food is amazing. Though we are from Texas, my husband ordered the brisket. Delicious. My shrimp and grits were amazing, the ONLY ones I have ever liked. Pimento cheese in the grits - yum. We were there for our 30th anniversary, and we couldn't be more happy. Definitely go to Bayona! Oh, service was exceptional. Thanks justin and Alex!
(5)Jessica W.
This was the best restaurant I've ever been to in my life. The service was SUPERB; our waitress was knowledgable, friendly and helpful. We decided to try the pork cheeks to start, served with a pear kimchi. To die for. For an entree I had the lamb loin, which was perfectly cooked and just amazing with goat cheese and a Zinfandel sauce. For dessert we had the sorbet, which was a perfect, not too sweet way to end the best meal of my life. Everyone needs to go.
(5)Yasmin R.
One of my first meals upon moving to New Orleans was at Bayona. The food is described as Mediterrean, but like many other restaurants in NOLA, its really more fusion. They take some of the flavors from NOLA and the Mediterranean and create some of the most delightful, well proportioned, and tasty dishes. The presentation of each dish was prepared with care.
(4)Lisa W.
Ate dinner with work colleagues. Able to get last minute reservation. Although I don't eat organ meat I tried my friends veal sweatbread, which was surprisingly tasty. The fish dishes, especially the snapper was excellent. They were out of our first two wine choices, and recommended a third. It paired well with the meals and they knocked a little off the price. We ended with the chocolate crepe dessert, the mousse really brought the flavor out. We split it 4 ways and it was a great way to end our meal and savor the last bite. Air temperature was cool so women bring a jacket just in case.
(5)Allie S.
Delicious food with prefect portions. You'll want to dress up a little bit a this place definitely deserves it. Our server was amazing and had fantastic knowledge about the menu. When you want a nice date night in NOLA, this is the place to go.
(5)Mike M.
I am not giving Bayona 1 star because the food was bad. It was good. I am not giving Bayona 1 star because they took so long to cook our entrees that we had to leave before eating dinner so we could make a 9 o'clock Preservation Hall show. (note: we sat down at 7 and when I asked when the food was coming at 8:30 they admitted they hadn't started cooking it yet). I am giving Bayona 1 star because they treated us TERRIBLY when we realized we would have to leave before we ate so we didn't lose our reservations at Preservation Hall. Our server came over TWICE to tell us that it was our fault and that we should have given them notice that we had only 2 hours to finish the meal because their restaurant is SO FANCY (emphasis theirs). (note: during the trip we also ate at Sylvain and Herbsaint, which I would recommend over Bayona and were able to finish up in well under 2 hours. Amazingly, they can somehow be really fancy and get you out the door in under 120 minutes) The manager also came over to shirk any responsibility and let us know that he was basically sorry we were sorry. Thanks for that, as the person who made the reservation I wasn't already feeling bad enough. Then, for one final kick in the ass on the way out the door, our server admitted she was a "salesperson at heart" and asked if we would be interested in buying drinks for the road since they don't sell them at Preservation Hall. No thanks, I'd rather drink the sludge on Bourbon Street then patron their business. There are too many great restaurants in New Orleans where the staff and management actually treat their customers with kindness when things don't go exactly as planned. I'd give them zero stars if I could.
(1)Ali B.
While visiting New Orleans on business I had the pleasure of dining at Bayona. The property has a lot of character and old-style New Orleans charm which, as an out-of-towner, kept me feeling at home in the New Orleans dream. I ordered the Bayona salad, sweet potato brioche bread, the duck entree and the ricotta tart for desert. The salad was fresh, had a great home-made vinaigrette and flakes of sharp reggiano cheese. The brioche rolls were a delicious accompaniment to my salad and worth ordering. The duck entree was very good but I honestly enjoyed the sides it came with more than the duck. Maybe I should have ordered fish or the steak? I don't typically eat duck and although it was pretty delicious it wasn't one of those WOW meals you're talking about for days. (My business colleague ordered the grouper and said it was to die for.) The ricotta tart desert came with a home-made apricot sorbet and satisfied my sweet tooth. Our server was pleasant and we didn't feel rushed. Overall, i had a great time. My food was excellent and I would recommend this restaurant to a friend.
(4)Meg H.
A very good lunch. We started with the shrimp and black bean cake. I wasn't too fond of the cake. Probably my least favorite thing I tried during the meal. The goat cheese crostini was very good (not really much commentary needed though; it takes like a crostini with goat cheese and mushrooms on top. The Madeira in the mushrooms was great). For entrees my companions had the lamb and seared trout while I had bbq shrimp and grits. It was all very good. There was something about it that wasn't quite special enough for five stars, but maybe that's because I came for lunch.
(4)Aaron S.
One of the finest places I've dined. Certainly one of the top 5. I'll be very explicit. I came here with my colleagues for a late and tired dinner. I'll sort of stick to my direct meal: Apps: Parisian Gnocchi with pancheta and greens. It was excellent, and the blue cheese fondue was a perfect pairing to the otherwise very delicate gnocchi. A solid 4.5 stars mainly because the pancheta was few and far between. Entree: The rabbit. Dish came with a southern fried rabbit leg, rabbit stuffed with sausage and an almost wasabi flavored filler. Starch was a pureed sweet potato, and grilled brussel sprouts finished it off. It was an absolute home run. Perfectly delicate fried leg (best I've ever had). As not a huge fan of sweet potato OR wasabi, the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed it was enough to say it was as good as it could be. 5/5 and it's not even close. Finished with a great Charteusse, poured liberally, and bites of the pear and bread pudding take. Also excellent on both accounts, though the initial jolt of the drink felt like my throat getting shot at point blank. 5/5. This restaurant certainly cares about their food and they do an excellent job in all facets, especially service. Very knowledgeable staff, quality ingredients, and a general lack of pretentiousness (though they could afford to be) makes it a solid 5/5 and one of the best restaurants I have eaten at.
(5)S B.
We were recommended Bayona as one of the best restaurants in the city. Friends have raved about Susan Spicer's menu and location. These reviews led us to reserve a table for four before a show at the Saenger Theatre. Very elegant and still somehow cosy. Even dressed in black tie, it was comfortable. The ambience was so perfect, we didn't realize how long we had been there and had to hurry to the show. The food came hot and beautifully plated in perfect portions for everyone to try a taste. Great flavors - very savory with a bit of a kick. The wine parings worked flawlessly and we all agreed that Bayona was a great choice. Glad our friends recommended this restaurant and I am defiantly recommending it in return.
(5)Stephanie M.
Weekday lunch review We had been beefing up on episodes of Treme during our NOLA trip and had to try the food/chef inspiration for one of the characters. Two words: absolute perfection. Ambiance: classy, subtle European inspired decor with both courtyard and dining room seating. Service: fast, knowledgable, and very professional. The Somm had an understudy Somm. Uber classy Drinks: full bar available with wines by the glass or bottle from the "wine bible" and specialty cocktails. I had a double espresso which was served with a cinnamon chocolate almond and cube of brown sugar. Delightful. Food: Enter -- THE BEST SANDWICH I'VE EVER EATEN -- and let me just say, I've eaten a lot of sandwiches... Duck PB&J - oh my hell this beauty made my tastebuds sing. Rich, but not oily, duck meat in a sweet glaze with this perfectly paired sautéed onion. I had to plan my last bite to make sure this was the last flavor I appreciated before the meal ended. Gulf shrimp - yes also delicious. That's all. Overall I'd definitely come back to dine.
(5)Firat Y.
We arrived early for our reservation at 8:30 to find the room almost empty. We wanted to have drinks in the courtyard but all the lights were already turned off. We were told that it was a slow night, the kitchen would close at 9, and we should order promptly. We were not informed of the special prix fixe options and cocktail offers, which I later found out about, after having shelled 300 bucks for our dinner for 3. On the plus side, the food is still very good. However, given the prices, the reputation, successive calls I got prior to our visit from the restaurant as a reminder of the reservation, which bordered on the pushy side, and the awful feeling of being rushed, it was a very uncomfortable evening. Our server was mostly absent during dinner, getting the gruff host to slam the pitiful cheese plate on our table, minuscule amounts of cold cheese, as a final slap on the face.
(1)Tyler S.
Started with the crawfish , garlic soup , lamb , then Nutella . The food was all delicious! The female server was an over the top engaging eccentric, partially obsessive compulsive and board line annoying. The meal took over three hours to complete and the wait time between courses was unacceptable . I would love to eat the food again,however I am not sure if I would endure the whole experience again to get it .
(4)Warren C.
Our waitress came to the table like a bull in a china shop-- she also kept referring to people by where they were sitting and what they were wearing "the girl in the green dress" we had people join us later and she kept referring to them as the joiners-- we also ordered bread and were told that it typically comes with dinner to expedite the ordering process-- (what if we don't want to be rushed??) I just tried to ignore her-- the food was absolutely amazing -- all of it- had the Australian lamb loin medium rare with goat cheese -- wowza. Veal sweetbreads with a mustard sherry was beyond tasty! If you go out to restaurants often then check this place out-- just don't expect service to match food. If you are celebrating a special occasion-- look elsewhere.
(3)Greg E.
First, the food was delicious; service not so much. They put our group a corner. The AC blew like gale force wind; the menu almost took flight. When we asked the server to turn it up...zilch. Manager later appeared and he did find a way to turn it up for the moment. Thanks. It started to blow again later. When one of our party declined to order dessert, the server snatched the dessert menus from our hands so fast that even if we'd wanted to peruse the menu no amount of speed reading could have accomplished the task. Our server was probably the rudest person we encountered on our trip to New Orleans. That said, the food was flavorful.
(3)Chris L.
Wow, damn tasty meal! I almost passed this place by--the entrance is off of a courtyard, so pay attention as you're walking by. The good: service was impeccable; my Bombay Sapphire & Tonic strong like Popeye (and only $7!); the foie gras torchon was SUPERB (rich, smooth & creamy, & buttery; it's served with a house made jelly, poached apple, & large croutons); the mustard & herb crusted Pork Chop was simply amazing. Smoky and tart from the crust; cooked a perfect medium. I wish I were alone in the room because I would have gnawed on the bone at the end of the meal. The bad: not a fricking thing. BTW, the portions are huge. HUGE, Jerry.
(5)Swati S.
This restaurant never disappoints. It is always outstanding. The service is impeccable, the atmosphere classy and the food is wonderful! Chef Susan Spicer executes everything in her kitchen with precision and hires staff to run the front of the house with equal precision. I've been eating here for years and love how the menu has changed and yet kept a few things the same. I don't even know where to begin to tell you how much I love this restaurant. I could take a stroll down memory lane and tell you about Thanksgiving in 2007 where I managed to feed carnivores and vegetarians all in 1 meal here. I could tell you about my birthday lunch in 2008 in the courtyard, with the water fountain bubbling and the banana tree flowering. So many amazing meals, and today's meal was no exception. So, let me tell you about our 3 course meal today. This summer they are doing 25 cent martinis and $25 3-course lunches, Wednesday through Saturday, I believe, in honor of the restaurant's 25 year anniversary. A long time gf and I got together and we thoroughly enjoyed our delicate lemondrop martinis. We had 2 each as they were so exquisitely perfect. We shared an appetizer, or a starter, of arancini. This was a unique presentation of arancini in that there was a soft boiled egg in the middle and it was only 1 large arancini. It was very tasty and was surrounded with a little bit of fresh arugula, plenty of chanterelle mushrooms and a teeny bit of pancetta. Delicious and seasoned perfectly. For our 3 course meals, my friend went with the soup of the day, and I went with the Bayona Blue Salad. The Bayona Salad with Parmesan cheese shaved or blue cheese crumbled is one of Susan Spicer's signature salads and my salad today was perfect as always. Light, refreshing, healthy and tasty, but not too filling. My friend loved her grouper which was one of the entree specials on the menu for the 3 course meal, and I adored my Italian sausage stuffed bellpepper with rapini and barley (I think that's what it was) on the side. My dish was OUTSTANDING! I think the sausage was homemade with fennel and it was so perfectly done. I couldn't believe how amazing the dish was as I'm not a huge sausage fan. I ordered it to try something different and was so happy that I pushed myself. It was served steaming hot and dressed with tomatoes and capers cooked down on top of it. It was just amazing. Our 3rd course, which was the same for everyone, was a choice of 1 scoop of house-made ice cream. Options today included vanilla bean, dark chocolate, brown butter pecan and a pomegranate-lime sorbet. I had the dark chocolate and my friend had the brown butter pecan. She ate hers so fast, I forgot to ask how it was! I savored every morsel of my dark chocolate. The ice cream came with a house-made sugar cookie that was so delicate that it was like a wafer. It was hard to resist eating the entire cookie, but I was full! The icing of the meal, I forgot to tell you all, is that Chef Susan Spicer remembered my name from all these years. Once she saw my name on the reservation books, she came out to welcome me and my friend to lunch. What an honor from an amazing woman! I can't believe she still remembers me!!!!!! I hope she has another amazing 25 years at her restaurant!
(5)Niki M.
Saturday night we had a group celebrating my good friend's bachelorette party. We wanted to start the evening with a nice dinner before the Bourbon street madness/scavenger hunt began. The dinner was at Bayona. I had been a couple of times, but honestly, it's been over 10 years since my last visit. It pretty much fell off of my radar because I hear so many mixed reviews. When it comes to atmosphere, Bayona is perfect. Old school New Orleans feel, dim lighting, and a beautiful courtyard. The service was kind and efficient, but I did think it was a little pushy when our waitress told us twice that she recommends not splitting because an appetizer and an entrée per person will be enough food for one. I get that she wanted us to know this, but once we decided to split a few things because we'd have a long night ahead of us, then it should've been left at that. She was not suffering at all when it came to tip because we were all drinking. (Final total was $85 per person after tip) Bayona fell really flat when it come to the most important component of dining out...the food. I decided that since we'd be running all over Bourbon Street, and further drinking, that I'd just get appetizers instead of an entrée. I started with a cheese plate. It was just o.k. Nothing special at all. Just three average cheeses and a few crackers and 4 tiny squares of some sort of fruit. Next I had the special tomatillo soup. It was really good. I got a cup, and ended up wishing I had gotten a bowl! For my entrée, I ordered the appetizer size of the sweetbreads. I absolutely love sweetbreads! It was described on the menu as being topped with a lemon caper butter. I was surprised when I received it to see that it looked almost like a goulash. There were chunks of potatoes in it, and the same squares of fruit that were on my cheese plate. It tasted nothing of butter or capers. I could distinguish 3 capers in it. The sweetbreads themselves were dry and bland. It just wasn't good. A huge disappointment. I tried a bite of the osso bucco entrée that my friend ordered. It was very bland, and that was after I saw her add a good dose of salt to it. It was very bland. I'm wondering if their food is so bland because their clientele is 90% over the age of 60. I opted out of dessert, but tried a bite of others. They were good, but not great. I left feeling very underwhelmed. I feel like maybe Bayona is an old school New Orleans restaurant that is now just resting on its reputation. There are just too many restaurants to choose from for me to ever return to Bayona...and many of them at a much lower price point. Food: C- Atmosphere: A Service: B Value: C
(3)Christopher W.
Food was well-prepared but not terribly exciting. Service was attentive, but unnecessarily stiff--nearly cyborgean. Waitress told us the menu hadn't changed in 29 years. D'oohkay. The specials seemed unremarkable at first listen so I ordered the menu lamb. It was cooked to perfection, and the pinot reduction was pretty on point, but the steamed green bean side was bland and kind of a wasted opportunity. I'm 44 years old, and I noticed pretty quickly that when I walked in, I was at least 15 years younger than every other person in the establishment. Not to say age is an indicator of fine taste, but there was clearly no invigorating sexy food action happening here on this night. Felt more country clubby than culinary mainstay. Among the least interesting or memorable food experiences of my week in New Orleans.
(2)M W.
Dinner was so good we tried lunch the following day and were not disappointed. It is one of the top three finer dining experiences I have had in New Orleans. Shrimp and grits and sweetbread were outstanding
(5)Dave D.
A favorite. Chef just knows what things taste well together. Never too fussy or self-conscious, just really high quality. Salmon, the black bean cake, the sweetbreads, it's all good. The deserts are not always up to the standard of the rest of the menu, but that's minor quibble.
(5)Chevonne W.
This is a very nice and authentic place if you want to feel like you are in New Orleans. It looks inside as though it used to be one of the houses from the late 1800's. the service and food was very well put together. I would go back for sure
(4)Suchita J.
We went there in sept with work people. Everything was awesome. I ordered the lamb and it was the most tender lamb I have ever eaten. My husband said his duck was pretty amazing too. A coworker ordered the sweetbreads and he's french and said they were really good. Drinks were good , our waitress was friendly and desserts were great !
(4)Carl J.
I get to NOLA about twice a year. The Smoked Duck Breast PBJ is like Christmas! The service is great and a great off-the-Bourbon-street-path locale to enjoy creative New Orleans cuisine.
(5)Kim M.
When there's a special occasion, this is the place that I want to go to. I only go for lunch, b/c they have the most amazing duck pb&j. When I tell people about it, they're usually hesitant, but then they taste mine and are instant converts. I believe it has cashews butter and maybe pepper jelly? It's phenomenal, and my mouth waters now thinking about it. The sweet breads are also fantastic; they get it just right with the size and delicate, flavorful sauce. I feel a little stuck in my ways just getting those two dishes every time, but I'm always more than satisfied with them. The staff is also very accommodating, and the place gives off old New Orleans charm. I can't wait for another reason to go back.
(5)Laurie T.
My friend and I sampled the January fixed price lunch special. I must say, I have had better at this fine dining French Quarter establishment. While the sparkling wine was overflowing, the dish I sampled was shallow on flavor. I ordered a rabbit pasta dish which consisted of a few dry strips of meat tossed together with wide fettuccine noodles and a small amount of cream. The cup of soup that preceded the meal was far superior to the main course. The wait staff, who were numerous, was very attentive, so I can at least say the service was good. If you go, try the seafood. They always seem to get that right.
(3)Rachelle O.
Brand new Hostess and busboy very nice. Waiter was not friendly or attentive. Waited 1.5 hours from time of order to receive entree. Quail salad was superb. Everything else didn't WOW me.
(3)Emrich S.
We had a terrific meal. The welcome through the goodbye, the staff was terrific. Some would find the menus limited and eclectic, but everything was stupendous. Loved starting off with the Smoking jacket, great cocktail, Rabbit entree, and chocolate hazelnut tart and wine pairing was a home run finish.
(5)Lisa S.
Sweetbread is a lust and must. Scallops perfectly prepared. Lemon semifreddo dessert paired with Sauternes delightful finish to an elegant, moderately priced New Orleans dinner experience!
(5)Jerry M.
As always, Bayona was incredible. It's been a long time since I've visited, but the food, ambiance, and service have remained top notch. The dining room is classy without feeling stuffy, the service is attentive without being pushy, and food is delicious and creative without being too cute. The mainstays of the garlic soup, sweetbreads, and goat cheese crouton with mushrooms were perfect. The crispy quail salad, Bayona salad, and sweet potato brioche were delightful as well. Moving on to entrees, the mainstay artic char was perfect, as were the duroc pork chop with balsamic chipollini onion and the pastrami smoked flat iron steak. For dessert, the pear bread with poached pear is perfection. Not over the top sweet, but just enough to finish off a great meal. Bayona is a classic New Orleans restaurant and will remain one for a long time because of how well they deliver great food in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere, with professional and engaging service.
(5)Anne M.
Very disappointing meal due to slow, slow service. Got drink order wrong. Three of us served while the fourth person waited a good 15 minutes longer for her appetizer even though it was the same as another member of our party. Check was calculated incorrectly. Food was good, not great. Would not recommend.
(2)Braun M.
Everything about this experience (business dinner) was amazing.. the service (and in particular, our waitress) were spectacular. This is what nice dining is all about.
(5)Kim N.
Good, but I would not go back. On the plus side, the food was really good. I had the artichoke and oyster bisque (YUM!) and the duck breast (also yum). My mom also had the soup and she had their fish special (can't remember what it was). The restaurant was relatively small and I didn't really care for the ambiance. There was just nothing special or unique inside - I felt like I was just in someone's plain house. Despite our table being available when we arrived, we were asked to wait in their lounge area for several minutes and order a drink (this seems to be a typical ploy with a number of restaurants in NOLA). Our server was rather curt and would disappear for long periods of time. It took so long for us to get our entrees (at least 30 minutes after our soup bowls were cleared) that we didn't have time to stay for dessert. But the thing that really bothered me was that the fish special was listed in the menu as $28. Our server advised us that the fish had been changed, but didn't mention a price difference. Sure enough, when we received the bill, it was a higher price than listed in the menu. Now, it wasn't a HUGE deal (it was only $3 more), but just on principle I think that is rude. We realized it as we were walking out and as we had somewhere to be, we had to just let it go. Not a fan of the bait and switch though.
(3)Paul S.
the house of Bayona has proven the test of time. if you are looking for really good food and excellent service for a special night out in the french quarter, this place should be on your list of considerations. we had perfect service and all the food was done to perfection. none of it is cheap, but the prices of bayona reflect the location and susan spicer's culinary history. the garlic soup, we knew the recipe is published, but we wanted to try the original before attempting it ourselves at home. both were good (home version and bayona tasted the same). we also had the scallops (appetizer), and the duck.
(4)Danielle J.
Been to Bayona twice during my most recent nola visit - once with boyfriend, once with friend and boyfriend, and the food (while I ordered the same thing both times, the salmon) is my favorite in nola. While the service the second visit wasn't great (but the courtyard was!), the food is always so good it makes up for it. We'd made reservations at muriels for a friends first visit to nola in a decade, and as usual, were having difficulties finding places that served non gulf (or fried, or stuffed) fish, so I knew that bayona would be a safe bet (cancelled muriels). She ordered the salmon too and loved it (its served on top of a sauerkraut that doesn't involve meat), and while I forget what my boyfriend ordered (some meat, probably pork), he loved his as well. If you're looking for somewhere that has fantastic non cajun/creole food options, and also a great courtyard (and indoors ambiance, albeit more formal), bayona is always a safe bet!
(4)Steve I.
After walking by Bayona literally every week or so I decided to finally eat here. A friend and I came here Monday for dinner. Bayona is located in a 200-yr old (or so) cottage and the setting is wonderful and cozy. We ordered the sweetbreads to start off with. My friend ordered the salmon and I had the peppered lamb loin. For dessert we split the sweet potato tart with caramel, cinnamon, and marshmallow. We also had a half bottle of red wine. The staff was very helpful with recommendations and also very attentive during our visit. The sweetbread was just ok to us. We both agreed that next time we would try something else besides the sweetbread. Both of our entrees came with mashed sweet potato and we both thought it was awesome! My friend's salmon was wonderfully cooked and my lamb loin was very filling and full of flavor. The dessert though was the star of the meal. It was pure heaven! The enclosed picture says it all. We enjoyed our food immensely overall. Bayona is a classic New Orleans restaurant to me. It has all the charm and consistently great food as your Commander's Palace, Galatoire's, or Antoine's.
(4)mahim r.
Excellent food and great ambience. The reason I give them 4 stars instead if 5 is because of Restaurant August, which is a class above. If you are visiting NOLA, no doubt you will eat at more than one place. This should be in the top 5 of your list. Excellent food, reasonable prices. You will not be disappointed.
(4)Corinne G.
Excellent food and fabulous service.
(4)Erin W.
Good food; I hesitate to say great though. Pork chops were slightly tough and chewy, seasoned well. The mango salsa accompany the chops was tasty. Creamy cauliflower soup was very good. Creamy garlic soup was great with bold garlic flavor! Stuffed rabbit was delicious. Red snapper was fresh tasting and cooked appropriately. Mango flan was amazing!! Service was so so. Servers were polite, but not overly friendly. Glad we went there once to try it. We probably will try other restaurants the next time we visit NOLA.
(4)Kathleen D.
It's such pretty restaurant; the uniquely decorated dining rooms, floral arrangements, and oil paintings. When I think of Bayona it's all flowers and delicacy here. Which means that my husband and I stand out like a couple of sore thumbs. Like two of Sissy Hankshaw's enormous thumbs, who really enjoy that cream of garlic soup. The garden is so lovely too. I'm saying words like, "Lovely." Lush tropical greenery- I'm tellin you! Private garden courtyard. Come on! If our last visit hadn't fallen on such a chilly, grey morning, wouldsa snagged them seats. It's the cutest. And you know me I'm not usually all on and on about ambiance. I care about the food, don'tcha know? Usually I'm all trying to be poignant about every restaurant meal, while editing out a lot of cursing about how great whatever dish. I love to curse for emphasis and appreciation! So the point is, to mention so, I'm a bit taken with the cottage setting, kid. Anyway, before we first went to Bayona- on the website I clicked on the dress code link they have, out of curiosity, I mean, seriously I only have it in me to dress up so much. Only so much. The requested attire at Bayona is, "casually elegant, or business casual." The place really does carry that vibe. It feels all pretty and special, and with plenty of white haired gentlemen look businessy. It all matches. The food is well prepared, refined, fresh and with flashes of globally influenced ingredients, too. Despite the fact that Susan Spicer's recipe for cream of garlic soup has been in my possession and repertoire for quite some time, (thank you Food & Wine Magazine), I still have to order the OG version here, every time. That golden soup is so deeply roasty, luscious and garlicky. Ridiculous. I might add that this soup too is a warm, comforting coat for the tummy; especially for one that may have been a bit unhappy as a result of drinking antics a night before. And by the way, speaking of Food & Wine, I have been reading that magazine over at my Aunt's house since I was a little kid. I read about Chef Spicer as one of their Best New Chefs when I was like, 11? That's a long time ago, dude! It's been nice to be able to eat at Bayona when I grew up. The restaurant has been around for over 20 years now. It does feel like a classic French Quarter place there on Dauphine, on the street once known as Camino De Bayona, when New Orleans was the Spanish capital of Luisiana. Yeah, I took a photo of that chipped tile historical marker on the courtyard wall. So, I like I says, I always get the garlic soup. I've had great salads here too. For lunch though, I always get that uncommon sandwich concoction that is the Smoked Duck, Cashew-Peanut Butter and Pepper Jelly Sandwich on toast. I had to try it. Creamy, salty + smokey pulled duck+ sweet with that spike of pepper jelly: I dug it. I likes to do it again. My husband and I always end up sharing everything we order anyway, but those two are my must-orders. In fact, a few weeks ago we went to Bayona for the "Saturday Light Lunch"- three courses for $25. Depending on what you order it can be a really light lunch- example: the mussel crostini was one lil toast and mussel with some herbage. Salads and soups are some heartier selections. And have I mentioned the soup? Oh I have. Our server informed that the course selection groupings were just guidelines but you could even pick three of the same if you so hankered. Well, I didn't do that, but along with the perfect cheese plate, I did go garlic soup, annnd the flaky puff pastry filled with smoked duck and cashew butter with pepper jelly... even though other selections looked tempting... and bites of the ole boy's choices were super good too. I guess it's like the old saying goes, "Once you go duck, jelly and 'butter, you can't order nuttin other."
(4)Roxanne L.
So, my boyfriend (yelpie Paul R.) tells me that he made a promise to himself that he'd show me the best of NOLA. Bayona claims: Our Restaurant Gives You New Orleans. Our Menu Gives You The World. I am not at all surprised when he took me to Bayona. To those who have not ever been here and are contemplating on coming here...this place is quaint and located in a pretty hidden spot. There's a delicate and tasteful sign out front but unless you're looking for it, chances are you will probably miss it. Similar to Katrina R.'s experience, it was dark with a slight drizzle the night we went, which contributed to the difficulty to locate the venue. We were running a little late but the staff was was really attentive and welcoming. We were seated by a window/door in the dining area. As I have mentioned, Bayona is quaint and the setting is pretty intimate. Prior to our visit, I did some research on Yelp and UrbanSpoon etc and the Veal Sweetbreads with Sherry Mustard Butter came highly recommended. And nope, the tangy, perfectly cooked sweetbreads bursts with flavor and was just as magical as everyone made it sound. It was absolutely delicious. I highly recommend it too. I was deciding between the Grilled Duck Breast (with Pepper Jelly Sauce and Wild Rice) and the Peppered Lamb Loin (with Goat Cheese and Zinfandel Sauce). Our server recommended the lamb and wow, I have never had such wonderfully prepared meat of any kind. Seriously. I had my lamb prepared as medium rare and medium rare it was. The center was a deep shade of pink without blood seeping out and the outer edges weren't charred but cooked to what I would say perfection. The seasoning was amazing and the goat cheese really brought out the flavor. It didn't overpower the subtle Zinfandel sauce like I thought it might. Paul really pampered me with the Bayona dining experience and set the bar high for restaurants in NOLA. My experience dining there is simply outstanding. I could not have asked for a better meal or a better evening.
(5)Amy B.
As others have noted, the food was incredible, but the service was leisurely. In Bayona's defense, the pace of life in New Orleans is more laid back than my home region of New England, and slow service seems the norm here. That said, several people in our party were uncomfortably warm in the attic dining room where we sat, and the server was not quick to help remedy the situation. Oh, but the food was really good. I shared a gratin appetizer featuring oysters, greens, and sausage, then moved on to the special rabbit dish. I had initially ordered the red snapper special, but the waiter let us know he did not have enough of them for the several of us who'd ordered it; I switched to the rabbit and did not regret it. My sister-in-law let me snag a smoked quail leg from her salad and it may have been THE best thing I tasted at Bayona. The bread and sweet potato muffins served with dinner were also fresh and delicious. Desserts were the culinary low point, despite being pretty good themselves; we shared a chocolate hazelnut tarte, deconstructed carrot cake, and lemon buttermilk pie. The pie was the best of the three by far. I also liked the rioja we drank and the glass of sherry I enjoyed with dessert. Bayona has an extensive wine list and I liked the decor of the open wine shelving around the attic dining room, although I was curious how they keep the bottles at temperature in such a warm space. Overall, I'd recommend Bayona for a special meal. The food is too good not to try. I'd probably ask to be seated downstairs in the hope of a more comfortable environment.
(4)Doug B.
Our night at bayona started off bad when we arrived five minutes early for 7:00 reservations and were made to wait while they seated people with 7:15 reservations. We ordered salads and our main courses. My wife ordered the pork at the recommendation of the waiter who proceeded to ask her how she wanted it cooked, having never been asked that before she took his recommendation of medium. We received our salads quickly and they were good. However it then took nearly a full hour to get our meals...which were cold. My wife was unable to cut her pork chop which appeared to be undercooked even at medium. The manager offered to pay for dessert, so we accepted assuming we were just expecting too much. On looking back I should have asked for a much larger discount. We went to a similarly priced restaurant the next day and got better food (it was actually hot!), better service, and didn't wait an hour. I do not recommend this restaurant at all. And we'll not ever return. Lesson learned.
(1)Sarah H.
My husband and I come here at least twice when we are in New Orleans on vacation. The service is simply incredible! I could go on for days about how fabulous I think this place is! It worth every penny every time. My husband is a finicky/picky eater with some strange food issues, no "weird" meat, no onions, all kinds of hang ups BUT he has loved every dish that comes out of Chef Spicer's kitchen! No joke he has said she could cook him anything and he would eat it. The sweetbreads are a must have, we get them every time(husband loves them even though I think they could be considered "weird" meat). I love the Stormy Morning drink, my husband says it reminds him of a purple sweet-tart candy! Get the quail salad, its tasty and Mr. Frank says if you don't like it you're not an American. And if rabbit is on the menu get that too! Its a nice slow dining experience which I enjoy, after all who likes to feel rushed? Also you can trust these waiters and waitresses for honest recommendations to other local restaurants.
(5)Eric Y.
If you're in New Orleans, you absolutely need to go to Bayona and get the sweetbreads. Don't think, just go. It may have been the best dish that I've ever eaten. It was that delicious. The other dishes are enjoyable but the sweetbreads were out of this world.
(5)Amit A.
One of the best restaurants in town. The foods complexity, taste layers and combinations were truly amazing. Drinks were stout and tasty. Service was great. All in all, we'll be going back!!! A great night!!
(5)Katie L.
Excellent dining experience. Make your reservations well in advance. If the weather's nice, enjoy the courtyard - which is lovely. The food is wonderful and the service is friendly and attentive. I started with a daily special of cauliflower soup with macrona almonds and lemon oil - heavenly! For dinner I had the duck breast prepared with southwestern flavors and the waiter paired a lovely Cote du Rhone wine - delightful! Wish I'd saved room for desert.
(5)Charles H.
ROASTED GARLIC SOUP, QUAIL SALAD: 23 year favorites! VARIED ENTRÉES: 8 people can have 8+ different proteins at one sitting; SHABBY (but not chic) paint-worn trim, threadbare seating, peeling wallpaper. I love Susan Spicer! About 20 years ago a glowing review of Bayona came out in the NY Times and referenced that she was one of 3 female chef's that were the vanguard of locally grown, seasonal and sustainably-sourced ingredients. I was intrigued and actually tried the other two: Alice Water's Chez Panisse in Berkley, and Bev Gannon's Hali'imaile General Store in Maui. All three have amazing menus appropriate to their location. Bayona is usually among my guests' favorite dining experiences and despite negative reviews I've never had bad service, but then I learned years ago to flirt and chat-up wait staff so as not to be "out of mind". The restaurant is beautiful, AT NIGHT, the epitome of the gas lit creole cottage with classic terra cotta walls, oily black green shutters, and huge sprays of flowers on the round pillared banquettes. But if you go for a reasonably priced prix-fixe lunch you can see the wear and tear. Attention to detail should extend beyond back-of-the-house food preparation.
(3)Holly J.
Bayona has a great space and fabulous service. All of the food that we had was in the "very good but not great" category, excepting the sweetbreads which are worth the trip by themselves. I'd love to give it another try and eat in their lovely courtyard.
(4)Carolyn G.
Oh, Bayona! I have been to this restaurant several times in the past when visiting New Orleans and have always had wonderful dining experiences. I am sad report, however, that this visit was an exception. I'm not sure if the restaurant was short-staffed or just busy, but the service was terrible and the hostess and waiter were not that attentive. I am truly disappointed because Bayona has always been one of my NOLA favorites, but I will not return because of this experience.
(1)Gabe B.
Some of the best food I have eaten in my entire life. A staple every time I go to the big easy. The Smoking Jacket is... Epic. High-end? Yes. Worth it? More than. Go. Just go. You will thank me later. :)
(5)Cest L.
We were lucky enough to pick the right time to try this restaurant! For the Saturday lunch they offer a fixed price menu, three items for $25, and it is a bargain! The hostess and wait staff all agreed that Saturday was the best day to try this place. There were three sections to the menu and you could pick one item from each. For starters I had the beet salad and my companion had the garlic soup, both were excellent. The beets were prepared just right along with the spicy greens and vinaigrette along with their house-made cheese. The garlic soup had a thick creamy texture but what made it exceptional were the little garlic crisps were sprinkled on top. Next course was duck rilette, fried duck liver and a poached egg. I love liver and this liver was a wonderful fried to perfection piece of greatness! My companion had the grits with lima beans and Tasso which had a wonderful flavor. For the last course I opted for the cheese plate and my companion had the smoked duck with cashew butter in a puff pastry. The cheese plate was good, but the duck was awesome! I would have never thought that combining smoked duck and cashew butter would taste that good! We will add this restaurant to the "we have to eat there list" when in New Orleans!
(5)Kari C.
Lunch at Bayona was fantastic! Jane and James, our servers were amazing, and took very good care of us. The 3 course Saturday light lunch menu ($25) was not only delicious, but a very good value. I only wish it would have been a weekday to take advantage of those 23cent martinis! Overall, best meal (and dining experience) the entire trip. As far at the stand-outs... the quail was to die for, and do NOT miss the Smoked Duck and Peanut-Cashew Butter in Puff Pastry with Hot Pepper Jelly. SO unique and so lip-smackingly deeelish!
(5)Timothy B.
Let me start with the most important part; if you skip the quail salad you are making a huge mistake. The quail salad is really probably the best salad dish I have ever had. The sweetbread appetizer is very good. The wine list had some fantastic hidden gems that were very reasonably priced for the age and quality of the wine. Only thing I regret is the main course I ordered, the mole duck. I had already decided the protein I wanted and the preparation (while very well done and would fit exceptionally well on any modern Mexican menu) just didn't fit with the other flavors. My error, good dish, but at the wrong time for me. My friend and I had been told that service can be at a leisurely pace so we requested expedited service at the beginning of the meal and the pacing was fine.
(4)Erica B.
Susan Spicer is one of my hero's! I've been to Bayona a couple of times, once in the "off" season and the other time was with a group of girl friends during second weekend of 2013 Jazz Fest. Both times I was impressed with the service, the atmosphere -The patio is lovely when the weather permits, and inside I felt like I was in a girlfriend's living room!- and of course, the food. I've had the shortbreads, shrimp and black bean cakes, crispy smoked quail salad, rabbit roulade, and my mouth is watering to get back to try more of the deliciousness that is on that amazing menu! The night my girlfriends were all there, we asked if Susan might be able to come say hello so we could meet her, and she DID!! Such an amazing woman!! AND, recently, Susan Spicer and Bayona sent sue chefs to the Bay Area to serve us up at the Sweetwater music hall during a show with the New Orleans Suspects! I had the craw fish turnover... OMG. It was a PERFECT flaky pastry filled with a delicious, hot craw fish stew. I could have eaten 3 more! Alas, I didn't want to be a glutton! But I probably will be because I'm heading back to NOLA in the fall and I will for SURE be hitting up Bayona again! THANK YOU SUSAN SPICER!!
(5)Karen N.
This meal was like a roller coaster. A roller coaster ride where the meal started at the apex and then slowly meandered down a curve going down. The appetizer started off amazing! Everything in between became more and more lackluster. The veal sweetbreads with sherry is amazing! If I could have three portions of just that - this would easily be a five star review. The flavors of the sweetbreads compounded with the sherry is phenomenal. However, one normally orders a main course after an app. I was stoked after the appetizer expecting the same caliber of food - not so much. Imagine when you meet someone out and about who seems to have it all together... just to find out they still live at home. That was my main course. So much so that I can't even remember what it was. (Shrugs) The dessert the table ordered was a plate full of different small bites. Unimpressive again for my taste buds for such a lovely location and beginning. To speak of it musically, the night started with a forte and with a steady decrescendo ended in silence for me. Would I give it another chance? Those sweetbreads alone would do the trick.
(3)Yichen C.
A great part of our affection for this restaurant came from the waitress there. There were only one waiter and one waitress when we visited, and the waitress remembered every single dish with all the ingredients and cooking methods and did a 5-minute, elaborate introduction to the full menu without the aid of any memo. That was AMAZING. Regardless of how many years she has worked there (presumably a lot), that's a difficult job for anybody. Anyways, she did a wonderful job making us feel at home, and the dinner was very pleasant. The restaurant itself has a little nice family-restaurant touch to it, and the setting was cozy and classy at the same time. The food was quite good, too - we loved the eggplant foie gras dish :)
(4)Richard B.
Heavyweight champion in a city with the highest food standards in the US. The duck in date molasses could classify as food porn; about the most sinfully delicious dish I have had in NOLA.
(5)Gloria H.
A visiting diner at our favorite sushi place, Akiko, told us about Bayona and said we need to check it out if they are still around. After checking them out on Yelp and their menu, we decided to give them a try. Luckily, I called ahead and was able to squeeze in since our hotel were only blocks away. Located on the other side of Bourbon where we never ventured, it is situated on a quieter street. It's private and kind of secluded from it all. The dining room feels very cozy and the outdoor courtyard looks very inviting. Apparently, their outdoor seating is very much sought after by diners...so if you want to dine al fresco, better make reservation and put in your request. They don't have a dress code but most diners dress nicely with ladies in dresses and men in slacks. We sat in the first dining room. Our service was very friendly and helpful. What we had: Arbios cab - $48 - 2005 Alexander Valley - quite good Veal Sweetbreads with Lemon Caper - $12 - good although the sauce was a bit tart to my liking Crispy Smoked Quail Salad with Pears and Bourbon Molasses Dressing - $12 - they split this for us and it was still a good sized salad for each. The quail was delicious, moist and juicy. Sautéed Pacific Salmon with Choucroute and Gewurztraminer Sauce - $29 - good Peppered Lamb Loin with Goat Cheese and Zinfandel Sauce - $32 - cooked perfect to the medium rare order, hubby enjoyed it Lemon Lavender Semifreddo with Blueberry Compote and Almond Shortbread - $8.5 - this was one reason I decided to try this place as i love all things lavender. It was good but not "wow". coffee decaf $2.5 Old school dining, very enjoyable.
(4)Colin A.
Arguably the best restaurant in the Quarter.
(5)Fred V.
Chef Susan Spicer is one of those famous chefs that still cooks at her own restaurants... both Bayona and Mondo... but this review is about my favorite of the two, Bayona. Simply put, this is one of the true treasures of New Orleans cuisine and a really world class restaurant. The physical building is wonderful... right in the middle of the Quarter... a creole cottage with a wonderful courtyard. It is elegant in that comfortable Creole way of making things nice, pleasing to the eye but not stuffy. But while the decor is classic and inviting, it is the food that is the real star. I have been eating here for years and can honestly say I've never had a bad meal at this restaurant... and have had only exceptional food when Chef Spicer is manning the kitchen. When you go, don't forget to order the Sweetbreads (as an appetizer) and then enjoy the signature Garlic Soup if you've never had it before... The entrees change, but her Scallops are always amazing as is whatever fish is being presented. If you see anything with an Asian twist, do yourself a favor and order it.... she has a wonderful way of marrying her cuisine with Asian flavors ... a really special treat. The wine list is wonderful as well and Shannon, the resident Sommelier, is wonderfully approachable and is always anxious to help you pair a great wine with your meal. If you have never tried this jewel of a restaurant, do yourself a favor and make a reservation the next time you're in the Crescent City. You will be thrilled you did!
(5)Bill L.
We stayed at the Dauphine Orleans, and would walk by Bayona each day at least 2 or 3 times. We finally decided to check out the menu, and as we were reading, a man stopped his car to shout out to us that we should just go in and eat - it's that good. Well, that seemed like a good sign, and while we had somewhere else to be at that moment, we vowed to come back the next day. Unfortunately it was raining that next day, so we couldn't enjoy the outdoor eating area, but we were still excited to try the duck sandwich we had found on the menu. The prix fixe looked too good to pass up, and my wife and I both opted for it. It included a salad, soup, and entree, plus a glass of champagne. Eh, why not? We're in New Orleans, right? The salad was good, but not earth shattering. But that's okay, because the next two courses were some of the best things I've ever eaten. I had the garlic soup for my second course, which was delicious. Garlicky, creamy, a little spicy - it was everything I dreamed a soup could be. My wife had a butternut squash soup, which was also fantastic. We both ordered the duck "PB&J" for our main course. Two thick slices of bread were stuffed with decadent, juicy duck. Cashew butter and a pepper jelly made up the "PB&J" part. Goodness gracious. This was one of the top two or three sandwiches I've ever had. I love me some duck, but was surprised at just how well everything worked together. I did wish there was a tiny bit more pepper jelly, but that's really picking nits. The thing was out of this world good. The next day we saw a couple reading the menu as we walked by. I casually told them to "Do it." as we passed them. We turned and saw them heading inside.
(5)Jessie S.
Sorry, but this place has terrible service. We ordered apps, wine and entrees so I thought we would be well taken care of as a group of 8, but we were not. Our meals took over an hour to get delivered and when we mentioned it to the waitress, she didn't have an apology. I'll take my money elsewhere because I feel like when you pay that much for a meal, you should get outstanding service and a respectful waitstaff. Very disappointed!
(1)Alexa X.
Appetizer: 1. Sweetbread--this is why i gave the restaurant a 4 star rating. Soft and melting. Note that this is not bread but rather some kind of gullet or stomach meat. The texture is like snail only less chewy. 2. Onion pie--A friend ordered it and I had a bite. It's just so-so. Entree: Rabbit stuffed with sausage with smothered greens(see pic): the rabbit was very tender, and the sausage in it gives it a variety in texture and flavor. I would give it a 3.8 rating. Dessert: 1. Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Tart with Earl Grey Ice Cream and Strawberries -- the ice cream was amazing, and is a nice side to the tart. The tart itself is very heavy and creamy. 2. Mango Cheesecake Flan with Pistachio Crust and Blackberries -- although mango flavored flan is rare, the flan on the whole is ok. The texture is closer to cheesecake than to the light flan, and thus not for someone who prefers a more jello-ish texture. 3. Carrot Cake--Ordinary only. The service was great. Waiter very helpful and nice and willingly to accommodate.
(4)Mickey M.
I did not order a starter and had the rabbit roulade as my main (a bit light portion-wise but delicious). My companion had the Caesar salad (overdressed but the dressing itself was tasty) to start and the Alaskan salmon main (good). For dessert we shared the carrot cake, which came out in an orb covered in frosting. I had ordered it thinking it would be a traditional cake, but it came out looking more deconstructed than traditional. The dessert course was the most disappointing -- the orb was difficult to penetrate (like frosting that hardens if you leave it out), and the cake itself was very dry. Also, the accompaniments on the plate (diced pineapple and dried, cut carrot) were appalling. Overall, the food (dessert course excepted) was pretty good but the service was incredibly underwhelming. Our waiter did not check on us in over an hour (we were here for 2 hours total) and neglected to refill our wine glasses. When we finished that atrocious dessert the bus-boy came over to refill our wine glasses because we had more than half a bottle of our wine left. Our waiter's negligence was unacceptable.
(3)Seth B.
Susan Spicer is the new queen of New Orleans cooking. The character in the show Treme is loosely based off of her. This top dining spot in New Orleans is nestled in the French Quarter with a great courtyard if the weather permits. When you walk in they will make you have an obligatory drink in their Florida room but once you are buzzed a culinary delight awaits. Always a large list of daily specials with the solid mainstays always available.
(5)Perrey L.
Ever since I went on my first cruise, I found the experience so delightful, so fulfilling, so, well, for lack of better descriptors, so experientially orgasmic, that I occasionally have a very vivid dream that I'm on a cruise. I mean I live through the whole seven day experience. I dream up new friends, crazy foreign waiters, foreign outings, drunken karaoke, injuries, the whole bit. Like after having dreams of lost loves or finally bagging Ryan Gosling, I tend to wake up sad as I face the cold reality of my workaday, hamster wheel life. Ever since I ate at Bayona, I have had new dreams... dreams of tangy, perfectly cooked sweetbreads, kinky rabbit three ways, exploding fonts of delicious spicy Spanish wines, perfect service, and basically the best of everything epicurean... you get the picture. Just like I was "happy with my life" before I went on my first cruise, I thought I had tasted some of New Orleans' best cuisine before I ate at Bayona. Not so! If you have not been, get thee to Bayona. You will not regret it. In fact, you'll never be the same...
(5)Stacey A.
Cashew butter. Pepper jelly. Duck breast. Sandwich. Go to Bayona for lunch and eat it and be full and fat and happy.
(5)Mary T.
We were very disappointed last night when we arrived at Bayona at 10:01 and asked if we could get dessert and drinks and we were told the kitchen was closed. The restaurant was still 70% filled, so clearly there dessert station was not closed. My husband and I had come from a show at the Saenger. The hostess was polite enough so we couldn't complain but we both got the feeling that she just didn't want to deal with us. I've worked in restaurants before and a manager would have happily sat us. There were plenty of open tables. It's too bad because Bayona is usually one of our favorite restaurants.
(1)Kelly D.
Not feeling this place . Service is very spotty. You are welcomed to wait in a lovely sitting area but the hostess forgets to bring your drinks. amateur hour! By the time you are seated in the dining room, which is noisy and crowded, the menu is sparse and limited. The redemption is in the actual food- quite good a solid three stars. Well prepared and delivered hot. With all the competition in this town for dining this place needs some training up.
(3)Mike B.
We started the meal with smoked Mediterranean salmon, then the strawberry and grapefruit salad and then finished the meal with the bbq shrimp...delicious. ..we will be back....Michael and Sara where splendid with recommendations and service.
(4)Edward G.
My experience here was so New Orleans, Ben Kingsley to my right a woman dressed in crocs to my left. The dining room was quaint and quiete allowing for easy conversation. Now down to the brass tax, the rabbit was cooked perfectly and the sweatbreads are among the city's the best. The desert menu was lacking which prevents me from giving five stars. Rservations were easy to get and compared to the average FQ restaurants, Susan Spicer's french quarter gems distinguishes itself.
(4)Gabriela R.
Bayona is a nice little restaurant in the French quarter. The staff were really friendly and accommodating. The had a great wine list. Everything was wonderful except thee food. I had the flat iron steak which was bland and the side of pickled cabbage I believe it was, wasn't a nice touch. My husband got the pork which was juicy but not spectacular. Maybe it was an off day. When I go back to Nola I will give Bayona a second try
(3)John B.
This was a pretty disappointing experience. I lived in New Orleans for 4 1/2 years through 2003 when Bayona was one of the best restaurants in the city. I went with 2 friends who have lived in NOLA since that period (or before); all of us have great respect for New Orleans restaurant culture and plenty of experience eating great food in New Orleans restaurants.. The meal was not awful, but there was a great deal of underperformance. The worst offense came fairly early after I ordered a potato and artichoke soup, a special. When the waiter delivered the dish, one of my friends, noting the smell of the soup, extracted the acknowledgment from the waiter that they had run out of potato/artichoke soup and had instead brought out a chicken soup of some sort. I asked them to take it away and instead asked for the garlic soup my friends had ordered, which was okay, but not amazing. I don't fault them for running out of a special. I do fault them for deciding my order and putting the burden on the customer to a) find out about the unrequested substitution and b) order an alternative. They didn't bring out another menu and certainly didn't apologize. Other aspects of the meal were also lackluster. My main course, a red snapper dish, tasted fine, but was room temperature and had obviously been sitting out for 10-15 minutes at least. One of my friends said her dish was also lukewarm, rendering one of the side dishes inedible. Other shortcomings that might otherwise have been overlooked included that the waiter had no idea about the difference between competing bottles of Sancerre wine. We were also seated about 30 minutes after our reservation time. Again, this would have been excusable if the rest of the experience had lived up to expectation. All in all, the 3 of us were all just really disappointed. Susan Spicer enjoys a lot of good will among NOLA residents for producing innovative, great food all these years and for standing by the city through thick and thin. As a former resident, I have fond memories, not only of Bayona, but of other Spicer creations that have changed hands (Herbsaint) or evaporated (the late great Spice Inc. in the Warehouse district). I live in New York now, so I'm used to mediocre, overpriced restaurants. But that won't fly in New Orleans, at least not with locals.
(3)Nick K.
Simply put, Bayona is incredible. The food is delectable, the service is impeccable and the decor is warm and inviting. Our meal at Bayona was the capstone of our trip to New Orleans. For appetizers, we enjoyed the goat cheese crouton, the shrimp and black bean cakes and the cippolini onion tart. For the main course, we enjoyed the flat iron steak and the pepper-crusted lamb. For dessert, we enjoyed the cherry sorbet and the chocolate tart. Everything was amazing! It was a truly memorable dining experience.
(5)Marc C.
The small plates for weekend lunch were fun and I was surprised that I left totally full. The ice cream my friend had seemed like a boring choice but was actually great. The service was great, the chef made an appearance in the dining room, and there were a lot of colorful local characters and tourists joking around a little. The quail salad was another small plate I really enjoyed.
(4)Vida K.
My date and I went to Bayona for the Saturday lunch where you can order three small plates for twenty-five dollars. I ordered the garlic soup which was creamy and garlicky and quite delicious. I loved the crunchy bits of garlic floating in the soup. We both ordered the Gambas al Ajillo with smoked potato stuffed in piquillo pepper. This dish was amazing and beautifully plated. This dish was wonderful with hints of garlic and pepper. The stuffed peppers were simply delicious! I then ordered the cornmeal crusted floulder with pimiento cheese and grits and greens. This was wonderful! The grits were so delicious and cheesy with just enough spice from the pimiento. The flounder had a bit of crunch to it, but a tad bit salty, but all the same delicious. The greens were spicy and very, very tasty. My date ordered the rabbit and dumplings and he quipped that this was his favorite dish he had in New Orleans. It was beautifully plated with small spoon sized dumplings on top of the very meaty rabbit stew. We had a reservation for 11:30 and were promptly seated at a nice table by the window. The service was extremely good. Throughout the lunch we had three people waiting on us! Our favorite restaurant!
(5)Chuff M.
This was absolutely delicious. Delicious cocktails, entrées, and deserts. Came here with colleagues and it was sublime. Perfect atmosphere to talk and enjoy the evening, friendly staff, and prompt service. I recommend the tortellini appetizer, the goat cheese appetizer, the lamb entree, and the chocolate tart!
(5)June H.
Susan Spicer has long created exceptional food, and though some chefs' complacency allows them to rest on laurels, such is not the case at Bayona. We had the quintessential divine New Orleans lunch there yesterday to celebrate my mom's birthday. Everything was sublime. The artichoke-potato soup; eggplant "caviar" with kalamata tapenade; asparagus salad; and sinful barbecued shrimp were the best any of us can remember. Jane, our server, made the whole event even more special.
(5)Rob K.
There's a good reason it's rated one of the best restaurants in NO. Outstanding food and service, can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Highly recommended!
(5)Hiroko N.
We went there for dinner, both the foods and service were phenomenal. We had a wonderful time. Everything was good but sweetbread is something not to miss.
(5)Jen L.
Whilst wandering in the FQ, we decided to pop in here for fancy drinks. I remembered my delicious and inventive cocktail from a few years ago. We stopped in and asked the hostess if we could just order drinks and sit in the lounge (other wise known as the area where you park yourself while waiting for a table). The drinks were delicious. The hostess was gracious. And the A/C was glorious. It was a lovely respite from the more basic (and cheaper) drinks we were partaking of.
(4)Lauren C.
I was hesitant to try Bayona as the menu was small. However, the concierge at our hotel recommended that it is a great dining experience with food picked fresh daily. The restaurant is extremely cute with a courtyard in the back and a warm southern charm inside. The only negative is it gets a little cold with the air. The waitress was extremely knowledgeable about the food and wine list. Her recommendations were on point and she was very accommodating about my boyfriends nut allergy. The food was amazing and definitely tops my list of best restaurants. The food was superb from appetizer to dessert. We got the following: -appetizers -shrimp and black bean -cippolini with Monterey cheese and onions -goat cheese crouton - sweet potato brioche with maple butter- had it come with the entrees and was warm, light, sweet and salty. Perfect combo -entree -pepper crusted lamb- so good and I'm not a lamb person. Cooked perfectly and tender - flat iron steak - cooked perfectly, tender and flavorful Desserts -cherry sorbet-AMAZING. My favorite of the two -chocolate tart- good but enjoyed the espresso ice cream more than the tart. Must try on your trip to New Orleans! Will definitely be back !
(5)Miryam H.
SATURDAY LUNCH special: 3 courses for $25 was an amazing way to get to know one of NOLA's acclaimed restaurants. They are not rigid on what you chose, so if you want all savory dishes and no dessert - you can do that too. The portions were good for sharing and delicious. The view of the street and courtyard is fabulous. Give yourself time for lunch since the pacing is spread out. Don't rush and just enjoy the food, drink and conversation. Definitely an authentic New Orleans food experience. You really feel like you're a part of a local's Saturday afternoon.
(4)John D.
BEST FOOD IN NOLA! HANDS DOWN! This might not be the typical Cajun Creole place that everyone flocks to NOLA for, but the food here is off the charts. The service is also excellent and the two waiters we had worked in tandem like an Olympic rowing team. Our party of 6 showed up in the middle of the week with no reservations and we're seated within minutes. The atmosphere is that of a rustic quaint Italian/French cottage nestled within the French Quarter. STARTERS: We ordered the Grilled Shrimp with Black Bean Cake and Coriander Sauce, Veal Sweetbreads with Lemon Caper or Sherry Mustard Butter, and Lamb tongues in jam sauce. All three starters were superb and our group stated that it was some of the best small foods we had ever eaten. The lambs tongue was a special treat, reminiscent of a juicy grilled lamb gyro or steak in fruit preserves. Incredible. MAINS: Our group ordered many main courses, the Sausage-stuffed Rabbit Roulade and Schnitzel with Toasted Barley being the highlight along with Legacy Hanger Steak with Roasted Bliss Potatoes, Haricot Vert, Béarnaise. The Crispy Smoked Quail Salad with Pears and Bourbon Molasses Dressing was a side for many diners as well. Incredible food, service, atmosphere, and wine. The restaurant has a good assortment of reputable wines from around the world. If you want to impress a date, clients, or just eat at the best restaurant in town (that doesn't do Cajun/Creole) then go here. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
(5)Donald ..
Had a very nice dinner experience. The waiters were on point and very patient as usual. I couldn't help but find great displeasure in the selection of desserts and pastries though. Sub par at best. And the taste is nothing to praise either.
(2)J F.
Super disappointed in the food here. We made a reservation before our trip to New Orleans and were excited about tasting Susan Spicer's well know farm to table cuisine. We got there at 7 and it was not busy. We shoulda known then! The ambiance is nice, though it gets a little loud. The service is disconnected and impersonal. This service system with a lead server, a runner and a busser should allow the lead server to spend more time with the guests, but not here. The servers weren't communicating and the lead server didn't spend much time at all at the tables. He was a little cold as well which didn't make for a fun dining experience at all. The busser literally dropped the bread on the table with the olive oil without a word or a smile and ran off to the back. Now for the food. The first big downer was ordering the foie gras. I'd asked how it was prepared and told it was seared and served with a mousseline. Nope. it was floured and pan fried to a crisp! Foie gras should never be served well done and this was beyond that with a crispy crust on the outside that made me think it may have been dropped in the fryer. NASTY. A pork appetizer "egg roll" which wasn't expected, I have to give them that, it was actually a thin omelet stuffed with an ambiguous filling we couldn't identify. The sweet potato brioche were the best part of the meal. Light and flavorful. Overall the food was uninspired and dumbed down to mainstream. The flavor combinations seem to have no real point. For example the "Chile-dusted Chappapeela Duck Breast and Tamale" had no bite at all and the duck skin wasn't crisp (I don't mind fat but I like CRISPY fat, that's where the flavor is!) The steak was served with potatoes and green beans and a ho hum demi-gaze. No wow factor. Overall the flavors are muddy and the dishes pedestrian and the service stilted and ineffective. I wouldn't recommend it much less go back. There are SO many great restaurants in New Orleans!
(1)Jason P.
My wife and I had reservations for dinner here on our first night in New Orleans. We had heard great things about this restaurant. We were greeted by the hostess and immediately were seated. The atmosphere of the restaurant is extremely cozy and welcoming. Our wait staff came over and introduced themselves. Our glasses were immediately filled with water, and our waitress helped us pick out a great bottle of wine that turned out to be rather inexpensive but VERY good! We started out with a Bayona salad which was perfect. I ordered the LA Legacy Hanger Steak and my wife ordered the Veal Sweetbreads with Sherry Mustard or Lemon Caper Butter, of which the staff brought both dipping sauces. I will say that the idea of Veal Sweetbreads did not sound good to me. They were fantastic! My wife and I both liked the Sherry Mustard sauce more than the Lemon Caper Butter, but both were very good. My Hangar Steak was perfectly done! It came with Roasted Bliss Potatoes, Green Beans, Bourbon Bacon Jam, all of which was melt in your mouth amazing! This was a fantastic restaurant, great experience from the second we walked in the door to the moment we left. We would highly recommend it to anyone going to visit New Orleans!
(5)matthew m.
This place is THE BEST! Yelp doesn't like short reviews but that's all you really need to say. Do yourself a favor and get a cocktail. The Royal Daphene is great. Very complex. The duck with mole tamale thing is crazy good. This place is for foodies. Don't come here if you are a schmuck.
(5)Brandon A.
I'm a bit upset with myself for being a native New Orleanian and only recently having experienced the wonder that is Bayona. Hands down one of the most famous establishments and most famous chefs in NOLA. They have a wide array of cocktail choices and naturally a pretty robust wine selection, but the stars are the service and the food of course. Immediately upon entering you are seated in a waiting area for people waiting on reservations, it's more like a living room than your typical bench in a doorway at most restaurants. You are situated right next to the famous courtyard on either a sofa, or a small table and one of the attendants passes around a drink menu. The food menu is a combination of an ever changing rotation of items and several staples that have been on the menu for years. I went with the signature menu specifically the Sweetbreads for an app and the Lamb Loin for an entree. Great place for a fancy date night, birthday celebration, proposal etc.
(5)Christina T.
I didn't start following chefs until I heard of Susan Spicer and this restaurant. I like the feel of the place. Formal...waiters were plesant. I ordered the scallops which it was my first time having scallops and they were incredible. I would definitely go back here. The are accommodating to vegans and vegetarians with their menu items which is sometimes hard to find.
(4)David M.
We had a spectacular lunch! The Duck PB&J was complex and beyond delicious. Housemade whole grain seeded bread around nutty sweet rich and delightful duck and duck's delicious friends. I want to go back and make a meal of just the Pimento Cheese Grits we got as a side. The salty-sweet kettlecorn ice cream may be the best ice cream I have ever had. The passionfruit sorbet had a twang that rocked our taste-buds after the sweet rchness of the ice cream. Lovely 24 cent drinks were had as a part of their anniversary celebration menu. The service was top notch as well! Here's what we had and I unreservedly recommend every last bit of it! Eggplant Caviar Olive Tapenade, Feta, Herb Croutons Mojama mende smoked and salt cured tuna Hot & Sour Soup with lemongrass and pineapple Roasted Garlic Soup Smoked Duck "PB & J" Cashew Butter, Pepper Jelly, Apple-Celery Salad, Wild Flour Multigrain Pimento cheese grits Chocolate Mousse Cake with Coconut Jam and Passionfruit Sorbet Kettlecorn ice cream
(5)Shereene M.
This spot was recommended by a friend and it's definitely a cute spot. I wish it was nicer out and we could have sat in the courtyard. The inside isn't really my taste but very old school NOLA. We had the scallops and rabbit which were very good but nothing I was in love with. It was good but didn't blow us away that we wanted to come back.
(3)Angie A.
Chef does this amazing 3-course "light lunch" on Saturday for $25 prix fix. The incredible menu is explained by Jane, the leader of a team of expert servers, who were warm and friendly, but perfectly attuned to the casual pace. My husband started with Chef's classic garlic soup (sublime) and I had the best Caesar salad ever (with arugula!). We moved on to fabulous stuffed quail and Chef' famous sweetbreads, just spectacular. By now we were deciding to download Chef's cookbook. We finished with the duck/ cashew butter and pepper jelly puff, and chocolate panna cotta: the perfect end to the perfect lunch experience. Can't wait to go back for dinner!
(5)Regina L.
Went for my SO's birthday. The crispy quail salad was good, though the quail seemed a touch overcooked. I pretty much never send food back in a restaurant, but I did not eat the chilled Moroccan beet soup. It was strangely devoid of beet flavor; in fact, it didn't taste like much of anything. The shrimp and black bean cake was okay. The shrimp were nicely cooked, but the bean cake had a bit of an off-putting texture. Crawfish phyllo: okay, but very rich and had a cream cheese taste. I didn't manage to finish it. For entrees, my SO had the salmon and I had the sweetbreads. Both came with the same exact sides: butternut squash puree, roasted potatoes, and green beans. The puree was good, but no better than what I could make at home. The potatoes and green beans were pretty boring. The salmon was good, if a bit more rare than the medium rare that it was described as. The sweet breads. Oh, what a disappointment! They were overcooked and were not the creamy delicious bites I was expecting. There were a lot on the plate and, to be honest, I would have preferred fewer and had them better prepared. I did not finish my entree. We had 4 glasses of wine, but opted to skip dessert. In short, we had a $160 mediocre meal. I SO wish we had gone to August!
(2)Ian A.
Ughhhhhhh.... We had a reservation but were a little late aka 10 mins I guess that means back of the line we sat happily in the front I asked for a drink it never came but finally we got sat... Waited the guy who gave us water was nice.. Our server Ashley was nice too but come on I'm here 3 hours no food... The manager just came up to me and was so inappropriate so rude....he tried to strong arm me by claiming the police were coming
(1)becki f.
We had a very disappointing experience here- celebrating our anniversary on Valentines Day. After making reservations 60 days in advance, we arrived and our table was not ready, When we were seated, we were asked to leave the table because it was 'a regular's' table. We were escorted back to waiting and offered cocktails for our trouble, which we were eventually charged for. Once we were seated, the service was inattentive. We asked for bread when it was being offered to tables around us, and then chastised for not knowing it was only 'on request'. We watched while others were offered a chef's special tray prior to dessert, which we were never offered even though we ordered a full course meal including appetizers, starters, entrees, dessert, coffee and port. It was great when the chef came around and saw other tables, skipping ours. Apparently, being a regular is what matters here. Our travel agent had made arrangements for us to have a special anniversary evening- but no one even acknowledged our anniversary. The food was actually pretty good but couldn't overcome the service. I am no longer a Susan Spicer fan. We had a good time laughing about this, but really?? Do not waste your time on Bayona with so many great restaurants in NOLA.
(1)Eric L.
DO NOT EAT HERE IF YOU EXPECT TO FINISH IN DINNER IN 2.5 HOURS!! Our group had a 7 pm dinner reservation. Our entrees were not served until 9:15 pm. Their official closing time is at 9:30 pm. The food was not bad but it was hardly great either. Is this worth waiting for with glacial service?
(2)Yolanda F.
Disappointing...the fast food equivalent of New Orleans cuisine. Quite honestly, you'll probably enjoy it if you're a tourist. As someone who married into a New Orleans family and spends a lot of time here, I know the difference. The menu was solid, but uninspired. The service was lackluster, at best. We had to ask for drinks multiple times. The split pea soup came out with our two appetizers, after we'd complained about the lag in service. The manager, who we'd complained to, was rude and dismissive. The soup was lukewarm and tasted as if it had come out of a can. The fried oysters over warm spinach salad was ok. The shrimp, crawfish, and goat cheese in phyllo dough was seasoned well--it was by far the most interesting thing we had. We split the lamb loin entree. It was underwhelming, to say the least. It was very unevenly cooked (we'd ordered medium, but it appeared to vary from medium rare to medium well). The sides were far better than the lamb. The atmosphere also left a lot to be desired--there was a table of drunken tourists a few tables away. Overall, Bayona is unimpressive. If you're visiting, do yourself a favor. Get out of the French Quarter and try Upperline or Jacques-Imo's.
(2)Julie M.
We came here for late lunch Saturday, so got to pick three small plates from the menu. The cocktail menu looked delicious, but we settled on sharing a bottle of moderately priced Gruner. I'm a HUGE seafood fan, so was disappointed to hear that they were already out of the scallop and pampano plates. Instead I chose to start with the garlic soup, which was yummy. Next I had the oysters, which were pretty darn good. Finally came the shrimp (the substitution item for scallops prepared the same way) and they were fantastic...and they even included one little scallop as a surprise! The food was good, but the atmosphere and staff were sort of stiff, which perhaps took away from the experience. If I came back, I would like to sit out in the courtyard.
(3)Julia R.
Food was great but service was terrible!! Waiter was less than enthusiastic to begin with but we then had to wait 45 minutes for our entrees with no sign of our waiter during that time (with the restaurant being near empty). When asked about the status of the entrees we were told that everything was made from scratch and we should expect that kind of waiting time (false...). Since we had five guests, gratuity was directly added to our bill... Being less than enthusiastic about the service we asked why it was added and we were yelled at saying that it's just the way it is and that we just need to pay the bill. The food is good but the service needs to seriously improve to justify the prices they are practicing!!!
(1)Kristin U.
Charming and warm. Inventive dishes, yes. I would have liked to give this restaurant 5 stars. Everything we had was excellent, from the sweetbreads and croutine, to the pb&j duck and shrimp and grits. I just wasn't blown away like I had anticipated. Maybe dinner would make that happen.
(4)Abby N.
One of my favorite meals in New Orleans. The ambiance and service were spot on. We ordered mostly from the daily menu which included a ravioli appetizer that was amazing. Plate licking good. I wish I had some of that sauce right now. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Xavier W.
Bayona's performance went from penthouse to outhouse in less than 30 minutes - and stayed there for the next two-and-a-half hours. Yep, 3hrs for a birthday dinner for two. Highlight: greeting and initial appetizer service - veal sweetbread rocked. Lowlights: - hour to receive entree' (post-salad) - entree' cold (expected after forgotten) - medium steak came out rare - sent back - tri-tip steak all gristle and sinew. Lower quality than cheapest bad Chinese. - desert took 30 min - it was a scoop of ice cream - table 6 feet away got free desert and happy birthday sang to them. (They had set our table up with same happy birthday logo - guess they forgot during the marathon wait) We won't be returning.
(2)Bob B.
One time visitor. Thought this was a great meal. We had just arrived in NOLA that afternoon and just met up with sister and husband and we had a lot to catch up on. We requested and were provided a patio table, very comfortable this particular evening and quiet. Started off with cocktails followed by Veal Sweetbreads, the Bayona Salad and finished with the Lamb Loin. All was excellent. The wine list is reasonable although they seem a bit proud of the Cabernets so we order a Syrah that was great. We shared the Chocolate Bourbon Panna Cotta for dessert! I can't say I have an opinion on the wait staff one way or the other. We were so wrapped up in our conversations and the meal, I hardly noticed so, that's probably a great comment! At the end of the night, we paid $100 pp, I would absolutely return and absolutely recommend to anyone!
(4)Tracy S.
I'm writing this review to say how delicious one appetizer was, it was the best appetizer I might have ever had in my life! The goat cheese crouton w some sauce I can't remember the name! The restaurant has a standing menu on the left side of the menu and a seasonal menu on the right side. One of the appetizers on the left side is the best I have ever ever ever had! The goat cheese croutons states that it has mushrooms but I requested those to be moved! It was amazing, they also have fried blue cheese balls (not the correct name) but the goat cheese is much much better!!! I also had a strawberry salad which was yummy and the grilled salmon served w potatoes, green beans, carrots and butternut squash! This was a delicious meal! I was too full for dessert but my dinner mates said the chocolate tart with the early grey ice cream was magnificent! The only weird thing is the women's restroom, the mirror is set up so when you walk in you think you are bumping into a stranger but really it is just you!
(5)Neil B.
We came here based on a recommendation from a server at Restaurant August. It was nice and we'd come back but I prefer some of the other restaurants we ate at. The most memorable thing here was the actual location of the restaurant being located in the French Quarter. The inside is unique and intimate since it is a converted house. It looks like you need to make reservations since the place was packed. You should eat here if you are visiting NOLA and enjoy eating at fine restaurants.
(4)Jinyoung P.
This review is for the Light Lunch on Saturday. It was my birthday on Friday and I had made a reservation for K and myself to try Bayona for the first time at this brunch. It's a three plates for $25 deal and you can pick any three dishes from their menu. Not necessarily one from each category; you could order 3 desserts if you wanted to! When K and I got done selecting what we wanted, it actually ended up being two from each of the categories. We ordered the cream of garlic soup and an omelette with asparagus and shiitake. Both of these were delicious. While eating and talking, K spilled quite a bit of the garlic soup and despite the number of staff walking around, no one noticed that we needed their attention. This was probably the only time we felt like service was lacking. For the second course, we had Pork Spiedini and Quail with greens and something that had the consistency of grits and I can't remember what it was exactly. The best part in this course was the greens in the quail dish. Neither K nor I really liked the pork and the quail was okay. I hadn't ordered the shrimp dish which sounded really good because K is allergic to shellfish and I wanted to share everything with him but I really wished I had ordered it because my second course was mediocre. The last course was amazing. We ordered the Smoked Duck and Peanut-Cashew Butter in Puff Pastry with Hot Pepper Jelly, which everyone should eat this at least once in their lifetime, and Pumpkin Beignets. K took a bite of the pumpkin beignets and let out a "wow" that showed me that he *really* enjoyed the bite. I followed him and it was indeed very delicious. Then we dived into the duck and peanut-cashew butter, and oh. my. god. It was my favorite thing of the whole meal. My fork kept going back to the duck and K at one point said, "You're not eating the beignets anymore, huh?" Our server told us that this was a puff pastry version of the same dish that is served as a sandwich at lunch. I am going to make time to go all the way over to the Quarter to go to Bayona for lunch one day and order this sandwich. It was that good. The only other negative thing we experienced was the lady at another table who kept staring at us with a mean look. I'm not really sure why she chose to focus on us rather than on enjoying her meal and her company, but whatever. Being an interracial couple, we get a lot of looks pretty much anywhere we go, so sadly we are used to it. I loved my experience at Bayona and will definitely try to be back soon.
(4)Mort F.
The food's decent enough -- I'd give someone else at least 3 stars, but a place of this caliber should be held to a higher standard. They fancy themselves at the top level of New Orleans haute cuisine, but tonight they fell woefully flat. The service is simply nothing special. And here's the big problem: one of our entrees showed up cold, and when advised of this all they did was reheat the hell out of it, turning everything into a tough, dry, tasteless mass. Sure, dessert was belatedly comped, but it was too little too late. The ambience is okay, the cocktails were tasty, and the wine list -- though a bit pricey -- was definitely acceptable. But if you really want a fine dining experience in or near the French Quarter, try nearby Restaurant August. *Those* guys know what they're doing. Bayona's an also-ran as far as I'm concerned.
(2)Margaret D.
Had lunch here today! Delicious! My husband had the bayona salad as his starter, I had grilled shrimp with a black bean cake. Husbands entree....the to die for. .shrimp and grits! Not feeling hungry, I had a salad with goat cheese and strawberries! Highly recommend Bayona!
(5)Scott N.
no question here. had a friend come into town and lucked up with a table on the second saturday of jazz fest. since we had a long night ahead of thievery corporation melting our faces, we just snacked on some apps. the sweetbreads. oh, good god almighty - those sweetbreads. perfection, if not a frog's hair away. i regret not having ordered another plate of them. goat cheese crouton - perfectly rich and two pieces was just enough because of the richness. i could've eaten two but had to save room for... the rabbit. served with mini sweet potatoes. now this app could have been substituted for a meal. it was pretty big for an app. the rabbit was perfectly cooked - crispy on the outside and not dry at all. had zero expectations of being disappointed in any way at all. this was my first bayona meal in probably 5-6 years, and thankfully it has not changed. one of my top spots.
(5)Patty S.
The living room waiting area and courtyard are just beautiful. We also really enjoyed the staff and our server was wonderful. We did not love our meal. Our favorite item of the night was the goat cheese croutons with mushrooms. Yelpers recommended the garlic soup (which was way too thick and garlicky) and the sweetbreads which were a disappointment. The rabbit special also lacked flavor. Overall we were bummed by this meal.
(3)gabe c.
Let's be frank: this place is clearly living on past glories. We ordered the quail salad, the sweet potato brioche with maple butter, the sweetbreads with the sherry mustard, and the rabbit roulade special. Of them all, the rabbit was the most flavorful, but the deep fried rabbit piece that came with the roulade was almost entirely flavorless - as if you were eating breaded tofu. My wife's sweetbreads required a ton of salt to bring out any flavor whatsoever, and came with a small set of vegetables and very bland mashed sweet potatoes. To quote her: "everything was bland." Finally, our actual waiter was very personable, but his server was quite unfriendly. Both showed up so infrequently that we finally asked to have our wine bottle left at the table rather than in the ice bucket for them to serve us. Don't waste your money. Go elsewhere - we adored Sylvain, both for the service and food.
(2)Sherry G.
Weekend dinner here. They have 2 menus here: one which comprises house specialties and a changing menu. I ordered their salmon from the original menu while other people at my table ordered duck, rabbit, and bass. All the proteins were cooked to perfection and the decor was beautiful. My big issue with this place is how uninspired the food seemed. I thought the salmon was prepared beautifully, but the sweet potato mash, green beans, and Yukon gold potatoes were thoroughly boring. Amongst a sea of great, tasty food, Bayona doesn't really stand out.
(3)Carlos A.
I heard about the sweetbread. OMG, this was delicious. I highly recommend it. Very well prepared. I followed with the rabbit which was again delicious. I will return here.
(5)Joe M.
Dopest lamb in the quarter. I give it 3 hand grenades up. Wine list blew my dome to pieces.
(5)Nick W.
0 Stars for service, 2+ Stars for my meal, don't know if I'll return... Party of 5 for a mid-evening meal and I really wasn't impressed. I have been to this restaurant a number of times in the past and it has been pretty hit or miss. The food is usually pretty good, nothing spectacular, but good; I just always seem to have an issue with the service. If dinner is $400+ I don't want to: -flag down a server for a drink, especially if it's my dates drink -ask for a refill on water -have to explain how a dish is prepared because the server doesn't know -wait 30+ min after the finished entres have been picked up for my server to return I'm pretty understanding, but this was just a poor performance with very little excuses that I could see. The restaurant wasn't that overly crowded, they had more than enough staff (though none were paying much attention to us), and we were not the overcomplicated and needy table. MY OPINION, go somewhere else because it's not worth it.
(2)Cici L.
Food: Chef Susan Spicer's meals did not disappoint! Everything from the veal sweetbreads to the Italian sausage stuffed rabbit to the convey rise farm duck breast were melt in your mouth amazing! They were all incredibly tender with the perfect amount of spices, herbs, and sides that complemented each other without being overwhelming. I also tried the Bayona Schrub which was an interesting sort of incredible. The first sip sends a fizzy explosion into your mouth and you're not sure what to think, but the after taste lingers sweetly on your tongue, and you know you've ordered the perfect drink. Ambiance: It seems to be a converted house with outdoor seating area and two indoor seating sections. The section my friends and I sat in was freezing with the vents blowing right down on our table. In passing by the other indoor section, it seemed to have been 10 degrees warmer. Other than temperature issues, the inside was quaint with furniture that looked like it would belong in someone's home. Service: I expected better, especially for such a highly rated restaurant. From the moment we made a phone reservation to the service we received when seated, I would have thought this was a McDonald's with incredibly disgruntled workers. The hostess on the phone gave us times that were only available for parties of 4 when we specifically told her we had 5, I guess assuming it would be okay to ditch one of our friends for her scheduling convenience. When we were at the table, the waiter only cleared 2 of the 5 plates, constantly passing by us while glancing at our dirty dishes. Likewise, the waiter told us our entrees were going to take longer than expected, and insisted we order more appetizers to pass the time. Would I go back? Possibly, because the food was so delish, but I'd be hesitant.
(3)Kim H.
Wonderful meal with a delightful, funny, unpretentious wait staff. The crispy Quail salad was one of the best dishes I've ever tasted, both savory and sweet. Lamb loin was cooked to perfection and the goat cheese was a delicious was to balance out the peppery sauce.
(4)Zach D.
If possible, dine on the patio. It's surrounded by plant life, well shaded, and very quaint. Very cool spot. We had the $25 per person Saturday Light Lunch, which consisted of 3 tapas sized plates per person. Shrimp Salad with Noodles - very tasty and light. Great way to start off the meal, as it really does taste and feel like a salad, even though there wasn't much in the way of greens (except for avocado, which is always appreciated). Scallop with Curry - not even a big curry fan, but this was pretty good. Scallop was cooked just right (and it was huge), and the curry wasn't too overpowering. Pastrami Open Faced Sandwich - Eh, this wasn't that great. The pastrami was a little dried out, the horseradish wasn't all that hot, and the side of coleslaw/sauerkraut/whatever that was wasn't all that great. Flounder with Grits - nothing amazing here either. The sauce was some kind of mud sauce (I think?), but didn't add all that much flavor. The grits were pretty good though. Veal with Pasta - one of the better dishes, the veal was tender, juicy and flavorful. The pasta had some sundried tomatoes. Overall, good flavors that complemented each other well. Smoked Duck Puffed Pastry with Cashew Butter and Pepper Jelly - this is what Bayona is known for, and sad to say, I don't entirely get it. Yes, I thought it was good, but not out of this world good. I suppose they get points for the novelty/creativity of it, but I just didn't think all the flavors jived perfectly. The price is totally reasonable for what you get, and the atmosphere is awesome. While some of the dishes were less than stellar, still had a really nice leisurely lunch here. Oh, and dress up for this place. It's on the classier side, and you'll feel like a fool if you roll in in a t-shirt and the old timers next to you have on blazers.
(4)Trish T.
Don't understand the hype on this place - other than the patio has really nice ambiance. The staff is friendly enough, but the food is mediocre, at best. My husband and i are total foodies - and love all types of food from fancy to BBQ shack. We ordered the garlic soup Yelpers gave good reviews to - but it really was plain jane stuff. The plain green salad w/ blue cheese was good. We ordered the duck and the lamb dishes - both also given decent/good reviews by Yelpers. The duck was less than decent. The lamb was pretty good (best part was the sweet potato side), but neither dish measured up to the amazing food you can find in this amazing city. I would HIGHLY recommend u not waste your time or money (and believe me - i hardly ever review a restaurant this harshly - but this place is a waste of time for your taste buds!!).
(2)Patty S.
We had two hours before we had to leave for the airport so we decided to eat close-by our hotel. We went into Bayona (without a lunch reservation). They were very gracious in letting us have a table, knowing we wouldn't be there long. I am so glad we chose this place to end our NO culinary vacation. My husband and I both ordered lunch salads. The salads were wonderful and the menu has such delectable offerings, we were sorry we didn't come here earlier in the week. Everything hollers elegance at Bayona: the service, linens, ambiance, and menu. When we make our next trip back to NO, Bayona will be the first culinary visit on our list...this time for dinner!
(5)Peter C.
3/26/2012 After Oysters at Bourbon House and dinner at K-Paul's we walked over to Bayona. It was late and tables were starting to clear so they were able to seat us for dessert. Pete had Lemon Lavender Semifreddo with Blueberry Compote and Almond Shortbread. Tina enjoyed Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Tart with Earl Grey Ice Cream and Strawberries. We returned 2 days later for dinner. Started with appetizers of Veal Sweetbreads with Sherry Mustard Butter (Pete) and Sea Scallops with Avocado-Sesame Relish, Bok Choy Stir Fry, Ginger Rice (Tina), both of which were excellent. Tina's entre was Sautéed Pacific Salmon with Choucroute and Gewurztraminer Sauce, very good. Pete had King Clip, an eel, however, its body is more fish-like. I was expecting more traditional eel, so the dish, though good was a little bit of a let down for me. Dessert for Tina was Chocolate Bourbon Panna Cotta with Raspberries and Mint Coulis. Pete stuck with the same delicious Lemon Lavender Semifreddo
(5)Michael L.
For most of us, this is a special occasion spot, but by no means a bank-breaker. It's a classy spot with a killer wine list. The patio is gorgeous and I'm looking forward to dining al fresco when the weather is nicer. There are more than a few reasons Bayona has been in business for over 20 years. One of them is the killer shrimp and black bean cake appetizer. Another is the lamb loin with zinfandel sauce and goat cheese. The star of the show was rabbit done three ways: sausage, fried leg and breaded/fried liver. Each was served with a great accoutrement that gave the dish some depth and complexity and showed off the skills of the kitchen. I wish I could remember what those side dishes were, but then there were the drinks. We tried a different glass of wine with each course after starting with a very well made Manhattan. Lots of interesting stuff to choose from. A blend from Alsace, a spanish godello and a superb Pinot were the standouts. The bottle list is enormous and looks well priced. The staff (from the hostess to the food runner) was super nice and answered all of our questions. They even gave us a good recommendation for a chill spot to have an after dinner drink in the quarter--The Bombay Club. Well done. Looking forward to coming back with a larger group.
(5)Lance P.
Amazing food and great service. Enjoyed a drink in the fabulous courtyard before eating. Accidentally ordered a $350 bottle of wine (meant to order a $54 bottle, but misread the wine list!) When I got the $500 bill, my wife and I were both in shock. After a quick Q&A with the waiter, I paid the bill and left. The waiter felt so bad for my obvious mistake that he phoned me in the cab home to tell me that the manager had decided to give my the bottle at cost. How cool is that?
(5)Mary T.
Fine at lunch time.
(4)Mark W.
You can't go wrong here even if you tried, and I did try . . . very hard. Our waiter suggested, among a variety of offerings, the beef sweetbreads. The common misconception, according to our waiter, is that sweetbreads consist of brain matter and other organs not usually consumed by Americans. Wikipedia appears to be perpetuating this "misconception." In fact, beef sweetbreads consist of only one organ, the thymus, which is located in the region of the throat. With the gauntlet thrown down, I felt obliged to rise to the occasion and order the sweetbreads. Now I'm not saying that I'm going to seek out every restaurant that offers sweetbreads, and I probably wouldn't trust anyone other than Bayona's, but it was good even though I was eating an organ and I don't even know what it does for cows. Do people even have a thymus? It sounds useful. When we asked if Susan Spicer was working at the restaurant, the waitress said that we would have to wait for the table of nine. As we were already seated, my dad asked what that meant. We were told that the table of nine had already requested here. So my overbearing dad (his son is the only one who thinks this) asked if we could be next. At the end of the meal and to our great surprise, she appeared out of nowhere. And not just for a hand shake or a quick wave, but for a conversation that lasted between five and ten minutes. That is something that I'll never forget even though my overbearing dad did most of the talking and I had thymus breathe.
(5)Susan W.
Bayona is one of New Orleans' great restaurants. It's been around for so long (20 years?) that it's easy to overlook how modern and innovative it was when it opened. When I think of Bayona, I think of great Louisiana food with a twist, utilizing the best local and seasonal ingredients, but dishes with French, Mediterranean, and Asian influences show up on the menu as well. Chef Susan Spicer shines the most with specials or even special dinner menus (such as the NOWFE wine dinner I attended in 2009 or the champagne dinner I attended a few years before that). In addition to dinner, Bayona is also ideal for a nice lunch. One of my favorite dishes, lunch or dinner, is the goat cheese crouton with mushrooms and Madeira cream, which is delicious. Another favorite, available only at lunch, is the smoked duck, cashew butter & pepper jelly sandwich- YUM. I have eaten many great meals at Bayona. It's perfect for special occasions, dates, out of town visitors. The ambiance is upscale and fancy, yet still manages to be comfortable. I love the (tiny) restroom, which is covered in New Orleans toille. There is a beautiful waiting area, overlooking the charming French Quarter courtyard. If you are looking to have a lovely meal in New Orleans, go to Bayona.
(4)Adam E.
We decided to try Bayona even though we didn't have reservations, assuming we'd either be turned away or get in for a very late dinner, which was fine with us. Luckily, someone canceled and we were able to be seated in about 5 minutes when we arrived around 9. And our table was outside on a gorgeous night. Even better! The atmosphere in the courtyard is truly amazing. There are banana trees, lush plants and cute little lights that looked like stars with tealight candles in them. It's hard to believe you're only a street away from the nastiness of Bourbon, other than the odd bass-blasting car that rolls by. It's serene and fancy enough, without being obnoxious. I hate dress codes, even though I usually look pretty sharp. Bayona says they're business casual, but they were fine with my higher education uniform of a button down, sweater vest and nice jeans. The food was outrageous. I got something called wreckfish, with kefir lime rice and bok choy. It was refreshing and so unique. The wreckfish was a sturdy white fish, cooked perfectly so it was buttery and moist with a nice crispy coating on top. The cute lights didn't let me investigate this coating thoroughly, but it tasted pretty awesome, whatever it was! The sides were similarly delicious and well-crafted. The rice was sticky and matched the fish impeccably, as did the bok choy. A bite with a little of all three on the fork was perfect, and totally worth the effort of corralling. This meal was easily the best part of my New Orleans trip, and one of the most delicious meals I've had anywhere.
(5)Irwin S.
Most of the time I eat out, my focus is on the food, but at Bayona I found myself aware of both you exquisite food and seamless, human staff. What magnificent dishes with layers of flavor, texture, and presentation. The veal, the fish, the Arnold Palmer sorbet! What a magnificent staff with stunning professional acumen and vibrant, spontaneous, human interactions. It is really possible to get that professional structure of service and human connection. I can only imagine that this is a reflection of how staff is treated by management and owner. You provided me with one of the best New Orleans food experiences. Frank P.
(5)Paul E.
Worst restaurant experience ever. Split our group into 2 tables - and then brought meals 30 minutes apart. Unapoletic mngr Brian Baynes felt it was worthwhile to argue and refused to make good or take responsibility. Just an amazingly poor and unbelievably bad attitude.
(1)Michael M.
Awesome experience at Bayona last Saturday.We had to do early (6:30) reservation time,buit were seated upstairs immediately-love the smaller dining space up there! Terrific service through out. The lamb was outstanding. Always a must-do on our visits to NOLA!
(4)Michael P.
I have dined around the French Quarter, and this was the first overall amazing dinner. The Staff, ambiance, food, and over all just a great experience. Do not expect a quick dinner here, it is one you will want to savor. I loved every dish they put out, all the way to the cappuccino. I would highly recommend, bringing a nice outfit and making a reservation at this place. It is not on the cheap side nor is a casual, but WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!
(5)Beth W.
Highlight of my trip, food wise. I can't find a single thing to complain about. The restaurant is obviously upscale, so expect to spend some $$$. Tried two appetizers, one with goat cheese/toasted crouton, and the other with scallops. Both were top notch. For an entree, had a fresh snapper dish that left me wanting more (but I was too full to keep going!). Everyone at Bayona was friendly, welcoming, and very informative/knowledgeable about the dishes. Our drinks (Sazerac and Reisling) were quality as well. A true dining experience, to be savored slowly and remembered. Go if you are looking for a nice and special, perhaps romantic evening! Your food will be beautiful and delicious, your hostess and waiters will be helpful, and you will feel special.
(5)Christopher T.
We'd gone out earlier in the night for a light dinner/happy hour because friends could only get a reservation for 6 people at 9pm. This place was still super busy when we arrived. The fiancee and I just split a couple things but we were pretty happy with our order. We started with the Grilled Ahi Tuna, it was very good, I'm not usually a big fan of sweet pineapple sambal types of flavors but this was done really well, highlight of the meal. We ordered the Hangar Steak next, I was very happy with this order but we ordered it medium and it came medium rare, almost closer to rare. I wasn't too put out by the undercooked steak but my fiancee was rather unimpressed. The flavor was still there, but the temperature wasn't even close to what was ordered. We finished with a simple Caesar style Romaine salad that was wonderful, simple, and the perfect ending flavors for our meal. Most people at the table got wine but we stuck with Pimms Cups on our last night in New Orleans, they were pretty good but after the pelican Club the night before nothing was going to compare. People in the party were raving about the celebrity of the chef, Susan Spicer. I loved the design of the entry but was less than impressed with the interior. It was pretty simply done, which is usually just fine by me, but nothing overly impressive. I'd be happy to go back again, but it wouldn't be my first choice.
(3)Glenn J.
When in New Orleans your trip is not complete unless you eat at Bayonas . Garlic soup a must. We had pork chops with sweet potatos and collars greens. Tripletail on sticky rice and bok choy. Susan Spicer continues to be a top 5 chef in New Orleans.
(5)Mitch N.
For all the great reviews, I was very very disappointed. My hanger steak was poorly executed by not being cooked consistently throughout. One half was vary rare, the other half med-rare. The desert was lack luster, almost un-memorable. I would go as far as saying it was purchased at the local supermarket bakery and spruced up a bit with sugary swirls on the plate. The only thing worth mentioning was the lamb sweetbreads. They were cooked to perfection with the right amount of salt applied. This is not sweetbread for your unedumacated folks, this is the thymus gland from an animal. But for all the reviews here saying how good it is, I was let down.
(2)Daniel W.
after going to Restaurant August the night before... we made our way over to Bayona the next. It is located in the French Quarter, but away from the drunks, tools, and all around weirdos. It feels and was quiet, quaint, and sophisticated. We heard of this place from the restaurant Rue Dumaine in Centerville, OH and chef Anne Kearney and her husband Tom Sand. We had to get suggestions from them for the trip to New Orleans. The list included Bayona and Anne and Susan Spicer are friends. There was a really good selection of wine. When ordering, we explained that one of us was vegan. The waiter asked her to give him a list of some of the vegetables on the menu for the Chef to make a dish for her. We both thought that was slightly weird and were not used to it, so she just starting saying every vegetable on the menu, until he finally stopped and said that would probably be enough to make something. Some Sobu noodles, mushrooms, a bunch of other things which looked and tasted really good. I had the Flounder special with some really good mushrooms, and potatoes. It was one of the best fish dishes I've ever had. Its a really relaxing beautiful dining room and a great time. I highly recommend it. other observations. we asked one of the servers if we could have some olive oil for the bread. Since it was known that there was a Vegan at the table. He came back and slammed it down on the table. I'm going to say he didn't know his strength and not let it effect my review. The guy on the table next to us ate his really big pork chop in about 3 minutes. Then after he had a chocolate dessert and coffee, which he destroyed in maybe 2 minutes. I think he was an Arkansas Hog (Razorback) so of course it then made sense.
(4)Camilo M.
One of the best restaurants in a city full of great restaurants. Got there early on a Friday with a party of 7. No bar, but the lounge area is a chill place to have a few drinks before dinner. Cocktails are all worth trying. Unlike what other reviewers have experienced, I thought the service was excellent. Food was 4/5, but the service makes it a 5/5. I think I tried everything on the menu. Only thing I didn't like was the sorbet. Menu was not the same as the online menu. Great overall experience.
(5)Andrea H.
We headed to Bayona because my friend knows chef Susan Spicer. I would have never known that such a cute place existed so close to Bourbon Street. It's surprisingly quiet and charming. When you walk in, you feel like you are walking into a quaint country house, complete with an adorable patio. It had been raining, so we missed the chance to sit out there, but I will definitely be looking forward to it next time. The chef came out to visit our table. She was friendly and down to earth. We ordered, but asked her to send out some of her favorite dishes if we were missing something. The next few hours were a blur of delicious food and wine. Sweetbreads, rabbit, cheese, you name it, we had it and it was all amazing. The service was impeccable and our server never missed a beat. I even found a new favorite zinfandel. Yum. I'm just sorry I missed this place for so long.
(5)Jenny M.
Wow! Absolutely Fantastic! We were in New Orleans for 3 days, and this was the best dining experience by a mile. The patio was romantic and tropical and elegant. The service was good, our one complaint was that it took a while between courses, but that's probably due to a small kitchen. And, the food was OUT OF THIS WORLD! In particular, the Goat Cheese Crouton with Madeira Mushrooms & the Rack of Lamb with Goat Cheese & Zinfandel Sauce.
(5)Mary E.
One of the best perks of working in the French Quarter is the proximity to so many of New Orleans' best restaurants. I met my friend Marcia for lunch at Bayona recently. Chef Susan Spicer is one of the most talented chefs in New Orleans and I was excited to get back there. We opted for patio seating on a perfectly gorgeous October day. We were a little early for our reservation. Co-owner Regina Keever was on hand to welcome us. Once seated, our server Jane and her team took our drink order and introduced us to the menu. Jane was professional, informative, and fun. She knew the menu well and her recommendations were spot on. We both started with the golden beet salad: perfectly roasted baby golden and red beets on a bed of thinly-sliced fennel and arugula. The salad was divine! For an entree, Marcia ordered the scallops. Served in a creole sauce with quinoa, the scallops were perfectly seared. I got the sweetbreads with sherry & mustard sauce. The sweetbreads were the best I've ever had! Wonderful combination of flavors and textures. We were celebrating Marcia's 40th birthday so we just HAD to have dessert. Wise decision. We chose the flourless chocolate cake (pure deliciousness!) and the ginger-peach sorbet & ice cream (a fantastic fall dessert). The lunch prices at Bayona are reasonable: salads and appetizers range from $6-$9 and entrees range from $14-$16. The dining room is lovely and romantic. Dining al fresco this time of year in Bayona's courtyard is a quintessentially New Orleans experience! Brett Anderson agrees and rated this courtyard as one of the 8 that beckon in fall in the Crescent City. Whether you choose to sit inside or outside, the food, service and ambience at Bayona ensure a terrific dining experience. (Pictures available on "Native Palate.")
(5)Megan M.
Went here for the Saturday light lunch. It was good, but not as good as I was expecting given chef Spicer's recent fame. So here's the deal: Saturday lunch at Bayona, you can pick 3 small plates from a long list for about $25. Pretty good idea, no? So I got crab beignets; a combo of cornbread, shrimp, sausage (I think) and greens topped with a fried egg; and pumpkin soup. The first part of our meal was some fantastic, warm homemade bread. Great start. Next, the crab beignets were a bit of a letdown. I kind of thought maybe I shouldn't get them when I placed my order, as I thought they could go toward tasty or bland, but I ignored my gut and went for them. And yes, they were boring, bland and blah. Wouldn't get them again. The pumpkin soup was creamy and satisfying. I liked the addition of macadamia nuts, but it wasn't super special. The last course was the best. A perfectly cooked egg, perfectly cooked/seasoned collards and a unique flavor combination. Wish the whole meal had been as good as this portion. Service was pretty good, although a little lagging on the coffee refills. Our servers were also taking care of a big table, though. Our main server, Kenneth, was super friendly and gave us a rundown of must-do events for that evening. We ended up taking his advice and heading to d.b.a. to see a band. We had a great time! So, my meal here was a decent value and it was just fine, but with so many other awesome places in NOLA I don't think I'll be rushing back.
(3)Ashley P.
The Pros: The outside of Bayona is adorable. You feel like you're sneaking into a secret, right off the main drag. The food was delicious. I had the Gnocchi with Lamb Ragu, the Bayona Salad, and the Redfish. The gnocchi was cooked perfectly, and the lamb ragu was hearty but just filling enough for a starter. The Bayona salad was pretty basic, the creamy olive oil dressing was good but it would have been nice to have a little less of it. The redfish was cooked perfectly, flaky and not fishy-tasting. Served over very tasty leek mashed potatoes, which I'd never had but really enjoyed. I had simple vanilla ice cream for dessert and it set the bar for all future vanillas. The Cons: The restaurant is a converted house, and the dining rooms are converted...well rooms. This makes navigating the space difficult. There were large, fake, flower arrangements in giant urns everywhere adding to the outdated décor. It felt a lot more stuffy and formal than I like. Ultimately I gave this place three stars because it was great, but if you're only in New Orleans for a limited time, there are other amazing restaurants to try.
(3)Tim W.
My best and favourite meal in the French Quarter. If you want to include all New Orleans then La Petite Grocery is my choice for best New Orleans restaurant...but Bayona has a great outdoor seating area. be sure to request when you make your reservation. The bread plate is quite nice with warm brioche. Be sure to ask for more than one because you are going to want another! The food is quite nice and delicately prepared. We had oyster soup with croutons...excellent. I had the scallop pho which was amazing. For mains which i dont normally get we had the hangar steak and the striped bass. Both excellently prepared and plated. Service seemed a little harried as though there was not enough help, but the job got done. Took 2 hours for dinner. The prices are decent enough. 150 for 2 and we had 2 glasses wine, 2 apps, 2 entrees, 3 desserts, 2 cappuccions, tax and tip...
(4)Gonzalo C.
The menu was short but very interesting and food was very well done and presented. The service was less than what I expected and way to "folksy". Our server kept calling everyone " guys" and "folks" which I found irritating. The main course took a long while to arrive and nobody came to ask if we needed anything while we waited. We had to flag someone to get our water refilled. The prices area reasonable and the ambiance is very nice. I would probably not go back though due to the service.
(3)Mary Katherine B.
Bayona was chosen to celebrate my mother, brother and his girlfriend being in town. And Bayona did not disappoint. Reservations necessary, but I called the day before. There were two different menus; one daily special and the longstanding one. We started with the sweetbreads and caper lemon butter, cucumber and melon salad and Southwestern seasoned sweet potato soup. Then they brought out a fresh bread platter with butter and I would have been satisfied with just that. French bread, rustic with sesame seeds and a yellow roll that was so out of this world that I had to hold the table. The sweetbreads had the cleanest tasting livery flavor and were lightly breaded and panned, drizzled with a lemon caper sauce and cubed beets, potatoes and mushrooms. The salad was light and cool; tossed with a minty creamy vinaigrette with purslane and arugula. The soup was a little salty, my only complaint. For our main dishes, I ordered the Niman Ranch pork chop, perfectly cooked and juicy, with braised endive, perfect and garlicky and cheesy macaroni. Brother got the hangar steak. Susie got the salmon with this delicious bed of sour cabbage...amazing. And my mom got the special tuna with kim chee and brown rice, I thought it was very bold of her to order something she wasn't familiar with. We all ordered dessert and passed it around. Me-peach tart with buttermilk ice cream, Jim-red velvet ice cream, Mom-bourbon chocolate thing, Susie-banana chocolate torte. All amazing! My only complaint is that it took a little while for our waiter to get our dessert order that I almost wanted to skip it. Otherwise, a truly special meal
(4)Heather K.
Our waitress, Jane maybe, was fantastic! So knowledgable! Cream of garlic soup was great and the pork chop was to die for. Went great with a good recommended bottle of affordable red wine!
(4)Leigh S.
Holy wow! It took me forever, but I finally made it to Bayona! So worth the wait and I already know what I'm getting the next time I go! First things first...the location is gorgeous, traditional FQ charm, courtyard, converted home. Intimate but not intimidating. Now the food. Signature dishes on the left of the menu, daily specials on the right. I have never had so much trouble deciding what to eat! The decision wasn't helped by the fact there are multiple dishes the include goat cheese (Bless you Ms. Spicer). With four of us at the table collaborating, we managed to get a great variety. (Side note: do not come here with someone who doesn't share!) I decided on a special appetizer: fig salad with goat cheese(!) and the signature entree of salmon- the most delicious I've had! Fresh, spicy & crisp! Around the table: black bean cake (flippin' fantastic), lamb chops with goat cheese (my choice for next time), and sweetbreads (unreal). The best thing was the simplicity of the dishes. No over the top concoctions, just out & out perfect combinations and technique. Even though I was totally stuffed, there had to be dessert! Mango cheesecake & honey blueberry tart....amazing! I have never had a better food coma!
(4)Alyson O.
I don't think Bayona was originally on our radar when planning out where we wanted to eat on our trip to New Orleans, but we just so happened to be staying right across the street so we decided to try it. We had lunch there and it was wonderful. We started with the crab salad with avocado and tomatoes. Really simple but great. We shared the smoked duck, cashew butter and pepper jelly sandwich and the sweetbreads with sherry mustard vinaigrette for lunch. The sandwich was messy but awesome! It came with a simple apple and celery salad on the side which was good because the sandwich was fairly heavy. The sweetbreads were so good. I had never had sweetbreads and these were a perfect introduction. They weren't what I expected at all--they were soft and creamy and perfectly seasoned. I expected something way tougher and more iron-y tasting. I would love to try dinner here sometime.
(5)Glenn F.
The menu doesn't adequately describe the dish. Sit back and order, because all of the food is delish. Get the Bone-in pork chop. You will be pleased.
(4)Sandra N.
My four friends and I dined at Bayona on December 23, a busy holiday night in the French Quarter. The experience was superb! Our server Pat H was attentive without hovering. Our meals--all five of them--were delicious. The wine pairings suggested were spot on. And the atmosphere was "dress up divine" without being pretentious. Susan Spicer is a wizard and I wish I could steal all her staff into my real estate office!
(5)Dante J.
Sadly, I just had to abandon dinner at a place I have wanted to eat for 15 years-- After 90 minutes, our entrees had not arrived, there was no apology, and there was certainly nothing offered to make us feel better (like a round of drinks) or even bread plates. No, they don't owe me free anything, but again, there was no apology. Sometimes restaurants rest on their laurels and reputation. Maybe it's time for someone to make better use of that beautiful location.
(1)Alison C.
Start with garlic soup. Entree scallops were great. Duck jelly onion sandwich! Great combo of flavors with exceptional bread (love to take a loaf home please). Cheesecake exceptional. Service is fast and attentive. Great lunch. Gracious and tasteful.
(4)Shanna H.
If I could assign a 4.5* I would. So close to a 5. Food and service were impeccable. It was our anniversary and the staff went over and above to help us celebrate. My husband loved his rabbit and my snapper was delish. Excellent wine choices to boot.
(4)Chip M.
Delicious Food! The lamb was exquisite. Wound up here independent of checking Yelp, which is never a good idea. Now that I've checked Yelp, I see some patterns in what I experienced. Our waiter was tool. And not just a tool in the passive sense, but in the active sense. When anyone in our party asked what something was, he responded in the most condescending voice I can imagine. Hopefully this was a one time experience, the food was awesome- maybe they'll get better waiters!
(2)Texas T.
Overall ok - but lacked service. Had reservations for three. We arrived 30 minutes early and the host directed us to the lounge because we were early despite their being plenty of available tables. After waiting for 20 minutes the host stopped browsing Facebook, and said, "We're going to go ahead and seat you." We easily could have been seated when we arrived. We ordered 4 meals from the Saturday light lunch, and some dishes were hit while others not so much. Here were the opinions from our table. Great: Bayona Salad, Angels on Horseback (prosciutto wrapped oyster with spinach sauce on toast), Mussels dolmas, miso onion misho with crab (a gelatized miso soup), white chocolate tart, and key lime dessert were hits. The food items that were not liked by the table include: carrot macadamia basil gazpacho, salmon beignet, and the fat (cocktail). When we were done eating, we were not asked if we wanted anything else (which we did), and we were not even offered coffee. The bill came and that was that. For the price, I expect better service from the host and wait staff. Would I go back? Yes, but definitely not to the Saturday light lunch.
(3)Mark M.
I've been mulling my Bayona dining experience over in my head for the past few days, and the more I think about it, the less impressed I was with my meal there. I was really expecting a bit more. My wife & I ordered a cocktail each. I, the Stormy Morning cocktail (which was delicious). She, the house specialty Bayona Manhattan. And then we waited. And waited. About 10 minutes later our waiter returns to tell us that the bartender is out of an ingredient and can't make the house Manhattan. So she orders a regular Manhattan instead, (which was solidly good). However, by the time the drinks show up, we've already been here for 20 minutes, and no one has taken our food order yet. (And it wasn't busy either). I started with the veal sweetbreads in sherry mustard appetizer, which were the best sweetbreads I've ever had. So they definitely get points for that. My wife got the heirloom tomato salad, which while there was nothing wrong with it, wasn't all that exceptional either. For the main courses, my wife got the lamb, which was excellent. Cooked perfectly (medium rare) & seasoned perfectly as well. The side dishes that came with the lamb, however, were unmemorable. There was a bland sweet potato puree...and I can't even remember what the other side was. I got the rabbit roulade, which was a letdown. The polenta and greens (mustard?) that came with it, however, were well-seasoned. I'm not sure if it's that I'm spoiled by having access to such good food in NY, (I can think of at least half a dozen places in Williamsburg, Brooklyn that serve better food for cheaper prices), or if I have just come to expect a certain caliber of dining experience when I'm spending the kind of money that an establishment like Bayona commands, (for these prices I expect water refills without having to ask for them, and napkins refolded when I leave the table), but I can't honestly say that I'd recommend this place (for the prices they charge) to anyone I know. It was a very hit or miss dining experience, to say the least, and that's being generous in my assessment.
(3)Carly C.
I have been to Bayona twice now. "It's good" is the best way to describe it. If you are looking for good fine dining, then this is a great place. The appetizers are more flavorful and unique, while I find the main entrees rather "typical" of fine dining options. I look for that "wow" factor and Bayona just hasn't given me that yet. The flavors are good, but nothing out of the ordinary. Our wait staff was very nice and attentive. Overall, nice place.
(4)Eating And Living Well U.
The food is delicious here. I am deducting one star for the clustered upstairs attic I was seated at. I was fortunate enough that I was not asked to move to have a wine removed from the cellar that I was sitting in front of. The upstairs is a very cramped room with wines stacked up behind you. So if they need a wine that is behind you I suppose you have to stand up. I ordered the house salad and it came with a very good dressing but no other veggies which was disappointing. My date ordered the veal shortbread with lemon capers which was just exquisite. Very delicious and well done. I ordered the salmon that was very light and buttery and didn't taste too fishy for me. It was well done. The waitress stated that it was sushi grade so I ordered it medium raw. I was happy I didn't order the another dish I was eying, the whole fish I saw served to another table. The waitress had stated that it had a lot of bones but was delicious but I could tell she was steering me away from the whole fish and I'm glad I didn't get it. My date got the flounder that was prepared in a soy-citrus-teriyaki style. He enjoyed it very much but I thought it was a bit more fishy than what I would normally like. We didn't get desert because we were really full after the meal. All in all, a great place to eat but you do have to pay for it. The tab came around $120 w/tip for 2 appetizers, 2 entrees and for one glass of reisling.
(4)John R.
Disappointed. Out of the gate, I got told that we couldn't order an appetizer until we were ready to order the whole meal. Really? The economy is that good that the kitchen can dictate when I can eat? Foolish, foolish, foolish. Food was fine, service was okay, price was high. Mushroom soup wazs outstanding, everything else I could get at any number of places for half the price and twice the service. Sorry guys.
(2)Chris A.
I cannot rave enough about Bayona. I am a native, and frequent Bayona regularly. Best deal is Saturday lunch - $25 for 3 small plates (choose any from the menu, although it is arranged in three sections of starters, savories, and sweets). The service is great, although my favorite server, JHB, is the best around at knowing her job. If you go to the "Old Line" restaurants - Galatoirs, Court of Two Sisters - the list is long, you will get more pomp & circumstance... waiters in bow ties, and a presentation of 200 year old recipes prepaired by cooks. If you want to be served by a James Beard Award winning chef that combines fresh local ingredients with her own sense of style in an atmosphere that is relaxed, upbeat and not stuffy - jeans and a nice shirt are fine - no jacket required here. The left side of the menu is always the same - been so since they opened. The right side changes with new dishes rotating in with delicious favorites that return regularly. They have a great wine list that will please the most discerning person. The main dining room is usually quite lively, and can be a bit noisy. The two other small dining rooms can be quite cozy, and there is an upstairs room for large gatherings that many don't know about. I cannot articulate how much I enjoy going to Bayona. My friend's parents come in from Lafayette every weekend for the Saturday lunch - it is worth the 2.5 hour drive. It is also a great way to sample many of the different flavors Susan and her team of Chefs puts out of the kitchen. The portions are small, but three are just right for getting you ready to stroll around the Quarter on a beautiful day. Any more and you'd need a nap. And just a hint - its pronounced buy-ona. Call for reservations way ahead or plan to eat at 6:00 or 9:00 on Fridays, weekends, holidays, etc.
(5)Lana C.
"Regarding the Smoked Duck Cashew-Butter Sandwich, it may be the single, greatest sandwich I've ever eaten. It was actually so good, the chef might as well just quit because he/she will never ever make something that good again. The sweet heat of the jelly mixed with the nuttiness of the butter and the smoke of the duck melded together as the perfect symphony. This is the one dish I would definitely recommend here." - said the husband. We made reservations ahead for lunch. My plate was good, but I didn't pass out in my chair like my husband with his duck sandwich. Although his plate was oddly delicious, mine was a bit rich and salty. (I expected some New Orleans dining to be too rich and salty for my palette.) I am not sure if the .19 cent martini was a lunch occasion at Bayona's or that it was their anniversary week, but the .19 cent martini was a delightful surprise. We usually have lunch at Commander's Palace for their .25 cent martinis... All in all, dining experience was quiet, intimate dining area. Very charming court yard for those who'll dine outdoor. The waitstaff tends to look impatient but I would be too, with all the choices you have to make with their wide range of meats on the menu. I returned to Bayona's on a Saturday and they did not have the duck sandwich. Although my girlfriend enjoyed her gulf shrimp immensely, I have to say that their double expresso, no sugar or cream is mind boggling delicious...perfect*
(4)Mark B.
Had dinner on a Friday night. My wife loved her Stormy Morning cocktail, I found the cucumber cocktail too sweet. The smoked quail salad was great. We also ordered the crispy pork belly. This was ok, perhaps not a fair data point because I don't generally like this type of high fat dish. For main courses, we had the Pacific Salmon and the Wreckfish. We got a great wine suggestion from the sommelier (a German Riesling) and the fish was really good, but not amazing. Vegetables were fantastic. Hmm, maybe we should have gotten the lamb......
(4)Allen K.
I haven't been to NOLA for sometime and went to Bayona. It is really a now a classic New orleans restaurant. The service was warm and informative. The menu gave the two other guests I was with unique selections for both first and second courses. I had Veal Sweetbreads with Sherry Mustard Butter followed by the Chorizo-stuffed Rabbit Roulade and Panéed Leg. My colleagues had Sea Scallops with Avocado-Sesame Relish,, Grilled Duck Breast with Pepper Jelly Sauce and Wild Rice, and Sautéed Wild Redfish with Chanterelle-Leeks Vinaigrette. I look forward to my next trip there.
(4)Karen S.
Take it from a local. The BEST restaurant in the city... I love that Susan Spicer is still a working chef. I went to dinner there last night and asked if she was in the kitchen. Of course she was and then she came to speak to our table. Kudos to Susan!
(5)Deanna T.
Pricey dinner, decent food but nothing to write home about.
(3)Jonathan R.
This is one of those place that had fallen off my radar for a while but I had been meaning to go back and try. I am glad that I did. We went there for lunch recently on a trip home that included plenty of great meals. I have to say that I would probably give this closer to 4 stars but the setting, the unique offerings and the very reasonably priced lunch, made me round up. It is nice to sit outside but we opted for inside as it was a pretty nasty day out. We started with a duo of dips (eggplant caviar and tapenade). The waitress informed us that there was no actual caviar involved in the dish but it was supposed to be a special of the restaurant. This was fine but probably my least favorite thing that we tried. We also had the goat cheese crouton with mushrooms, which while a relatively simple appetizer, it was full of flavor and definitely something I would recommend. For lunch, we had the smoked duck, cashew peanut butter and pepper jelly sandwich. It sounded too interesting to pass up. The duck was moist and tender and the peanut butter actually worked well with the duck flavor. My wife got the fried oyster omelet which she was very excited about as oysters and omelets are too of her favorites. Even though we were pretty full by that point I managed to make room for dessert--satsuma empanadas, with a caramel ice cream and a peanut brittle. It was good but I felt like something was missing and the components didn't work as well together as they could have. Overall, a very enjoyable lunch and with entrees ranging from $11-$15, I will definitely go back on my next visit to town.
(5)Puddytat C.
Absolutely superb. We loved every dish, seriously. This is 10 times better than NOLAS Restaurant. Such a major disappointment there. Try this. No matter what you order, it will be outstanding. Been here twice and both times were outstanding and the visits were years apart. One of the best for fine dining. LOVE IS IN THE AIR.
(5)Rachel W.
Take advantage of their specials and the waiters' recommendations. The menu is nicely organized, with Susan Spicer's more traditional French flavors on the left and daily specials with interesting world flavors on the right. The duck from the regular menu was superb. We also ordered cocktails--the cucumber julep is refreshing for a hot day, and the bayona manhattan is strong, smooth, and classic. Seating is intimate, with the restaurant spread out through a series of parlor-like original rooms. Perfect for a romantic date or a special night out with a small group of good friends.
(5)caleb g.
I've been a gastro-stalker of Susan Spicer since her first restaurant, Savoir Faire in 1985. She has always delighted, innovated and nurtured-she cooks for the pleasure of her customers, not to stroke her own ego. That doesn't mean she lacks imagination or a passion to outdo previous efforts. Bayona was great when it opened over 20 years ago, but it really hit its stride the last few years. When I was an omnivore, I never missed a chance at her sweetbreads, served different ways, though the sherry mustard butter version is a local legend. As a pescetarian now, I always have delicious choices and am never disappointed. Her menu changes with the season, so instead of name checking favorite dishes, let me say I've never heard a disappointed word from any of my tables. All of this fine food is served in one of the most welcoming, adorable settings by a marvelous staff. During our rare mild weather spells, I can't recommend the patio enough-it is lovely.
(4)Deborah B.
So on this, my 7th trip to NOLA, and 2nd time to Bayona, I find myself still in love with the food, the wine, the atmosphere at this fine dining establishment. We stayed across the street at The Dauphine Orleans, so were just steps away on a night when it was cold(by NOLA standards) and rainy. We were escorted to our table, a banquette in the back. We were greeted by a very tall and handsome southern gentleman -with a great southern accent and very easy on the eyes. We ordered drinks and perused the menu.The menu has a section of items that were all original to the restaurant when it opened, and that will probably always be on the menu, then the second page has specials of the day. Later we selected a pinot noir to go with our meal. The app was gnocchi with crab, and for dinner I had to have the salmon with charcroute with gewuertztraminer (sp??)(From the Original menu). Still very good, but afterwards thinking it was definately overcooked. Desert was a mint chocolate and bourbon ice cream. So good!! My S.O. had the flourless chocolate cake also incredible. Everything was great the servers were very friendly and helpful, and one, as I mentioned was REAL easy on the eyes! My only complaint(if there really is one) Is the lighting in the restaurant, maybe a little more romantical, and our seat was right next to where the kitchen is, hence, there is a constant flux of noise and commation right next to our table, and does notmake for a very relaxed state while dining. And, this is one of those places where if someone is kinda loud, they can pretty much hear their entire convo word for word, as there seems to be no background music, or it is too quiet to drawn out annoyingly loud dinner converstations. Also, the meal seemed rushed somehow. There was no time to luxuriate between courses, but some people may see this as a plus. Since I really love this place I wanted to take my time with dinner. Maybe on our next visit we will try and make that clear. All in all, an amazing restaurant, but somehow this time I wasn't as blown away as my 1st visit. But I will be back.
(4)Victoria W.
Bayona is real classy without being pretentious, and it seems as though all sorts of people dine here and mix comfortably. With such a nice atmosphere I was afraid our bill would be astronomical, but I believe dinner for two (3 courses with beers) was about $100. I had the best salad I ever ate in my life here, and I would definitely come back if we make a return trip.
(5)Janice N.
Technically, my rating is 4.5 stars, but Yelp doesn't let you give halves. Sometimes it's difficult being a vegetarian foodie, especially one with a mushroom allergy. At Bayona, it was pretty effortless, starting with making the reservation. Upon calling I had several questions and they were all met with a good, helpful attitude which set a really good tone for the evening. When we arrived the same helpful woman (I recognized her voice) greeted us and seated us in the parlor-type area for drinks while our table was prepared. She had a good knowledge of the wine list and her recommendation for a red (Tempranillo/Cabernet Sauvignon blend) was spot on! Once seated, we were greeted by our server's assistant, who was adorable and charming. He brought a small dish of olives and curried and pickled veggies, which were super tasty. Our main server greeted us next. He has an extremely cheerful demeanor and seemed to genuinely love his job and the food he serves. Right off the bat he gave us a great explanation of the menu (including when something was made with chicken stock WITHOUT ME ASKING!). I let him know that I was a vegetarian with a mushroom allergy and he immediately suggested some ways to modify or combine existing menu items. He also took my dietary restrictions to the Chef de Cuisine and let him come up with some dishes that he would want to make based on what he had in the pantry. I know sometimes chefs can get snippy about modifying their dishes (each component has a purpose, I know!), so I was excited to see what he would come up with. Before I go into what my mom and I ordered, I want to say three words: SWEET POTATO BRIOCHE! Moving on. My mom settled started with the Bayona salad. The portion was unexpectedly large. It was well-dressed (don't you hate when restaurants drown your salad? I do!) and had a slight sweetness that paired well with the shaved parmigiano reggiano. My mom didn't finish her salad (saving room), so I gobbled it right up! For her entrée, she went with the pan-seared pancetta-wrapped halibut, broccoli flan, and shoestring potatoes. After the first bite of halibut the only thing she could say was "outstanding." The broccoli flan was amazing (mom was nice enough to share). Those aren't two words that I would have put together before my trip to Bayona, but it's now something that I am hoping to replicate at home. The only "bad" thing my mom had to say was "I would have been okay with more shoestring potatoes." I began with the Greek salad, which was on the daily specials menu. I was extremely pleased with the proportions of the ingredients in my salad as all too often someone gets carried away with the feta. Not here. You don't always see garbanzo beans on a Greek salad, but I enjoyed the addition. For my entrée, I chose to go with one of the chef's options: gnocchi, sautéed spinach and broccolini, and puréed tomato confit. This dish has converted me from feeling luke-warm about gnocchi into a HUGE FAN. And kudos on not overcooking the spinach. So many people do that I generally refuse to order it. Thanks, Bayona, for not making me regret taking those risks. So where's the reason for the half-star deduction in the rating? I had a pretty good conversation with the server about my mushroom allergy. He repeated it back to me several times and yet my entrée arrived topped with hen of the woods mushrooms. Everyone was extremely apologetic and it was quickly resolved. A new plate was fired up and delivered piping hot, but it's a big pet peeve when my plate is delivered with poison on it. The simply charming aesthetic of the interior and the courtyard charming is a perfect fit for the vibe of the food. I only wish I had been able to tummy-rub the restaurant's cat (I believe his name is Crusty). OH! I almost forgot!! My mom purchased Susan Spicer's cookbook, and we came back for it the following day as they had held it so it could be signed. Unfortunately Susan wasn't going to be in before our flight left so they graciously offered to ship the book to my mom at no charge. Way to go, Bayona staff!
(4)Sh F.
Some local reviewers praised the place as the best restaurant, so decided to try for a dinner. The atmosphere outside and the entrance was nice and quiet, much better than most restaurants. Although the website said it's business casual or elegant casual, there are several other parties with pretty casual attire. I think the most impressive dish was fried oyster for appetizer while scallop was also very good. Veal sweetbread was very good dish and it's nice to have choices for sauce. Duck breast and liver was great, too and all red wines I've tried was good. Any questions you can ask Scott, who's knowledge and professionalism was impressive though other servers were great as well. Their garden also seemed nice, so lunch time during the weekend might be good time to visit as well.
(4)Jenny A.
I am a local...a local foodie....who on an absolutely beautiful day in nola went to bayonna with my husband and my puppy to have lunch on my birthday The reservation was made one month in advance with courtyard seating requested. We were told the courtyard was open weather permitting. When we arrived, the courtyard was closed due to "weather". It wasn't hot; it didn't rain; I just don't think they had the staff. We tried to compromise; they refused. However, they were happy to let us order $150 worth of wine and take out, which we ate in Jackson square. Susan Spicer had the pleasure of making me cry on my 35th birthday. I will NEVER frequent her restaurant again and will make a point to tell others of my horrible service experience. Clearly, the local customer who is willing and wanting to spend $100/head on a lunch isn't worth her time to accommodate. She can.....
(1)Kris K.
We loved loved loved this place! Best caesar salad in the world. The fish dishes were perfectly prepared. The chef/owner came out and talked to some of the diners. It was a charming and lovely and gracious spot that more than lives up to its reputation.
(5)Stacy F.
I was in New Orleans for work-related reasons last week and went to Bayona with colleagues. The food was excellent! Unfortunately, there were no oyster dishes on the menu that evening that I recall (oil spill related, maybe? Unfortunate). My appetizer was the goat cheese crouton with wild mushrooms and that was outstanding. My main dish was a rabbit dish and this was also excellent. I'm sometimes wary of rabbit dishes because it can be a little gamy but this was great rabbit. I don't recall what I had for dessert but I chose it because it had lavender in it and it was fantastic! Our waitress was wonderful and I chose my dishes based on her recommendations. Wine list was excellent. I did find that after a few glasses of wine, the mirrored bathroom was a little confusing and I wasn't alone since the person who was in it before me and the one entering as I was leaving also commented on it :) If I lived in the area I'd make Bayona a regular dinner option, for sure.
(4)M S.
Solid quality food, presentation and service. Everything was wonderful and my meal was excellent.. Chef came out to greet and chat. I really enjoyed the experience but I have to say Bayona did not feel like a place that I could find only in NOLA. It is most certainly a spot loved by locals but on a short trip to New Orleans from places like Atlanta or NYC you might benefit from a trip to Clancy's or Upperline.
(3)Karen G.
Wow, what a disappointment. Service was the worst I have seen in many years.. Totally ignored. We weren't even sure who belonged to us. We arrived at 7:30 and our entrees were delivered cold at close to 9:30pm. $35 hangar steak, cold, so tough you couldn't chew. Striped Bass - fresh but totally uninspired preparation. Funny part...Harry Shearer (SNL and Simpson voice overs) sat next to us. He had been waiting longer than we had and the waiter finally showed up and asked him what he wanted for dessert ! He hadn't gotten his entree yet ! No one minds waiting if the food is knock out good. Food tasted knocked out already. Only bright side - their famous garlic soup. Even though it was just this side of burnt, still exquisite depth of flavor. SUSAN SPICER NEEDS TO VISIT THIS SINKING SHIP
(1)Bonnie S.
Hubby and I Treated ourselves to dinner at Bayona during the 2012 Jazzfest. Lovely setting, good service. There was a good-sized between appetizer and dinner which we didn't mind since the waitstaff was attentive during that time. We just had seconds on our Abita Amber Ales and enjoyed the experience. The food: good to amazing. Good: scallop appetizer, salted caramel ice cream. Very good: lamb in Zinfandel sauce, pork chop with Parmesan polenta (first non-desiccated pork chop I've had in a restaurant in a long time.) Excellent: olive oil cake with sour cream ice cream. Amazing: fried green tomato appetizer with crawfish remoulade. I could have had it for dinner and dessert too -- fabulous dish! Each dish was beautifully plated and presented. Obviously this is a restaurant that cares about the total dining experience, making it a good value despite the high cost. Highly recommended. (p.s. yes, the bathrooms are tiny. Large size people will have an interesting challenge navigating them. But they are spotlessly clean. I've seen a lot worse in expensive restaurants.)
(4)Darren S.
Unexpectedly one of the best steaks i've ever had. Other dishes varied from very good to excellent although the bread wasn't terribly impressive. Service was very good and ambiance was cozy and warm but a bit cramped. We appreciated the chefs efforts to provide sustainable foods, local when possible. I'd absolutely go back for the steak again! 4.5 stars
(4)Laura F.
We spent 8 fabulous days in New Orleans eating our way through the city. Our itinerary was literally scheduled around where we wanted to eat lunch and dinner each day. With so many wonderful restaurants in the city, we had to carefully plan where we wanted to eat to make sure we hit everything we wanted to try. After eating at Galatoires (horrible), Red Fish Grill (good but not unique), Irene's (always tasty), Cochon (good but not as great as it was made out to be), Stella (stuffy for our taste), Muriels on Jackson Square (good), Upperline (good), Jacques Imo (great place), Commander's Palace (good) ... our two favorites were GW Fins and Bayona. Bayona is set in a converted house in the French Quarter. They have a lovely romantic courtyard but it is way too hot in the summer to dine outside. We ate there for dinner and loved the our experience. The food is delicious - they use the highest quality ingredients, everything was perfectly prepared, the flavors and textures are well balanced, and they have a great selection of options. It was great food but not pretentious. The service was warm and friendly. And the meal was very reasonable compared to the other restaurants in New Orleans. We loved Bayona so much that we returned on a Saturday for their three "small plate" lunch for $25. This is one of the BEST DEALS in New Orleans. I was expecting tapa sized plates - these were not small but normal sized plates (see photos). The food was amazing and I still dream about the duck wrapped in puff pastry and the 4th of July dessert created for that day (a trifle with toasted vanilla cake, watermelon sorbet, whipped cream, and blueberry compote - what a brilliant combination of flavors, temperature, and textures). We were thrilled that Chef Susan Spicer published a cookbook last year so we immediately bought a copy which the restaurant had her sign for us! Definitely go to Bayona during your trip - you will not be disappointed.
(5)Jimmy K.
Amazing sweetbreads, and the goat cheese crouton is out of this world. The chef has an amazing talent for seamlessly combining the breading and the thing being breaded--almost magical in fact. The atmosphere is really nice--classy, and charming, with the courtyard and the gas lamps outside adding to the overall charm. Inside there's a nice mantle and chandeliers--feels very homey. But definitely upscale--come dressed well! I have spent much time in New Orleans and have eaten at all the top spots, and I gotta say that despite my skepticism when looking at the menu (I'm not a fan of mustard or pickled things, both of which there were lots of) I rank this among the city's very, very best. The kind of place that even if the menu item doesn't sound amazing or quite to your liking, it somehow will be. Dessert was also amazing.
(5)Greg G.
One of the best meals I've had. We did the Saturday brunch which has certain items to select from. All three courses were delicious and full of flavor. Only gripe was the lady in the front. Makes you feel like an idiot if you don't have reservations and wasn't welcoming like the other staff. Due to this, reservations recommended.
(4)Thomas C.
120 bucks for lunch, the center piece of which is an upscale PBJ sandwich? Sounds like a joke? Tastes like a dream. The duck-onion-cashew butter sandwich was as good as advertised. The cream of garlic was v. good, as expected, but the chilled V5 with horseradish sour cream was superb. The wife had the bar jack, and enjoyed it much. The appetizer, however, was an another highlight - the goat cheese crouton. That along with the chilled tomato soup will be the two items I will endeavor to recreate for the beloved at home.
(5)Amanda A.
I would have rated this place higher had they had a better selection for vegetarians. That being said, it is a very nice establishment. The menu changes, with gems like *honey lavender ice cream* (swoon) and their goat cheese appetizer. The service was pretty snappy, the wine and port lists awesome. Bathroom was tiny with mirrors EVERYWHERE (be forewarned that it is disturbing). It is definitely a great joint for foodies, however a little spendy. Ensure you go with a big appetite!
(3)Tom L.
OMG..This place is the BEST!!! The menu changes daily, super fresh ingredients, awesome service & ambiance..A must do in new orleans... so we started this culinary journey with cucumber juleps in the waiting lounge. Its a bayonna signature cocktail with cucumber infused vodka and it is to die for... first course kobe beef wrapped asparagus (special of the night) oyster gratin (signature item) both were delicious, well flavored, and awesome presentation main course: chicken special (can't remember the name) which was awesome and rabbit..soooooo good, esp. since its so rare to find rabbit on the menu excellent rioja wine pairing suggested by the staff. dessert: mango cake - delicious chocolate cake paired with 18 year old port Make your reservation NOW!!
(5)Beth S.
I have been to Bayona many times and have always been eager to return. This time, no. Clearly Susan Spicer was not in the kitchen! Our food was served raw despite be ordered medium; really, raw pork??? Our server was no where to be found to help fix things. Another server helped us and said let's start this over. Apparently that meant reheating the same meat to rare this time. Noting approached medium. Even though we were vocal in our disappointment nothing was done to remedy the situation, we were told "this is how the kitchen does it", No office of a drink or dessert to help make things right. Such a disappointment, it was the first reservation I made when I planned this trip to NOLA.
(2)Celeste L.
Unfriendly hostesses. Tables too close together. Waitress literally shoved into me and didn't bother to utter an apology. Wine is kept on the second floor, which is hardly cellar temp. Fish (sea bass) was fresh and nicely prepared but lukewarm to cool. Bread was literally worse than Wonder Bread. Despite the cramped space, allowed a stroller to be parked right mext to the table. As the mother of three who often brought my kids to good restaurants, I didn't expect to park a large stroller amongst the already cramped tables.
(3)Brian R.
Amazing...go here....not much more to say. Not typical N.0. fare but just great. The sweet breads and duck were perfect.
(5)Dana C.
We went there for lunch right before the start of jazz fest and were very underwhelmed. The service was so slow that we almost left and I kind of wish we had. I will say the salads are good but actually, and I know this sounds a little crazy, too big. I guess that's a good thing considering it was a pretty expensive lunch. I was really excited to try the duck pb&j and I was super disappointed. The bread was burnt and there was so much jelly on the sandwich that I had to eat it with a knife and fork as the bread was too soggy to pick up. I ended up just eating the duck and trying to wipe off the excess jelly. I can't really remember what my husband had except that it was just okay. Our server had some lame excuse for taking twenty minutes to take our order and get drinks like "it's jazz fest soon." You didn't know this already? That's why, at a restaurant of this reputation, you would prepare ahead, right? Have extra staff on hand and not have customers wondering where their food is while they watch the chef take photos with other customers and sign copies of her book. I don't think I'd try this place again when I know how much it costs. Too much of a risk, especially considering how many excellent restaurants there are in NO for much cheaper.
(2)Barner J.
OMG.. amazing food, great atmosphere and wonderful staff. I will go back when im in back in NOLA.
(4)Chris C.
Bayona is as good as it gets for truly delicious and creative meals. Just make sure you go for lunch. Unless you make a lot of money, or are visiting from Europe and can ridicule how petty the value of the dollar has become ... Food: Like I said, superb! And perfectly proportioned too; you get the feeling a lot of thought has been taken in the kitchen in terms of presentation, proportion and of course, taste. Makes me not feel bad about ordering an appetizer and sharing two entrees and a dessert. Start with the Smoked Duck Cashew Butter and Pepper Jelly sandwich. It won't soon be forgotten. They cut it diagonally into two beautiful slices, so it makes it easy to share with a dining companion. Unless they cut it unevenly, in which case, you will probably be playing 21st finger to see who gets the bigger slice. We broke all the rules in our New Orleans food excursion and went to Bayona more than once. Not only that, we went on consecutive days. The lunch menu changes daily, with a few constants (like the aforementioned smoked duck goodness), so I encourage experimenting with different entrees. Everything we ordered was great, and perfect to share. Highlights include the scallops and pork and shrimp dumplings in chili aioli and the baked drum (local fish) with couscous. Wasn't HUGE on the meat platter entree of stuffed quail, lamb brochaise and sausage, surrounded by a mound of lettuce and needle-thin pommes frites, if only because the dish lacked the diversity of flavors and textures that seemed to be a staple of everything else on the menu. We shared the stuffed empanadas for dessert the first day. There were 2 and were accompanied by a scoop of spicy cinnamon gelato. Can't remember exactly WHAT the empanadas were stuffed with (waiter said it was a local fruit) but they were delicious, and again, perfect for sharing. At the end of the meal, I ordered a double espresso, which was garnished with a brown sugar cube and a chocolate-covered almond on the plate. I am half-Cuban and have been drinking espresso for most of my life, so I understand and am all-too aware of the perils of ordering a watered-down, overpriced one at similarly fancy establishments with delicious cuisine but disappointing coffee. I'd have to take the 7 train over to Queens, or worse, fly to Miami to get a truly memorable espresso. But Bayona is the real deal. So real that I ordered a second double espresso immediately after downing the first. Nice-sized double too, and not overpriced. Service: Our servers were attentive and extremely helpful on both occasions, even offering us advice on other restaurants we might enjoy during our stay and answering every question about the menu that we had. Atmosphere: Bayona has its own little private courtyard on a side street in the French Quarter that leads to its entrance. When it's nice out (ie: NOT 30 degrees and raining), I can imagine really enjoying the outdoor seating via the patio that is adjacent to the courtyard. Still, inside is marvelous. There are three rooms, each with their own signature. You get the feeling you are in a villa in turn-of-the-century America, because you are. The house remains intact, and so are all the classical accompaniments: piano, lush floral arrangements, gurgling fountain and all. Value: As I said, go for lunch. It was good enough to warrant an immediate repeat visit on a 4-day vacation in which we originally declared not to go to any restaurant more than once. Check out the dinner menu online if you're curious, but I doubt there is really anything you'll truly be missing if you opt to go for lunch, except maybe that loan you may have taken out after spending so much on vacation...
(5)Tom E.
Doesn't get any better than this. Every single flavor was perfect, had a suprising nuance of some exotic flavor (cinnamon in the tomato soup with lamb meatballs) and was superbly balanced with everything on the plate. The rabbit stuffed with minced meat had perfect textures and was hearty but not gamey. The smothered greens were perfectly done and had a hint of delightful tartness, while the creamy grits were polenta-meets-rice pudding. And I haven't even gotten to dessert. But first I should say that it's tucked onto a quaint French Quarter alley, with an inviting courtyard entrance, and a subdued welcoming décor. Service was impeccable. Dessert - wow. Every flavor, texture, and color complemented the others flawlessly: satsuma empañadas with pecan brittle and pumpkin ice-cream. This is inspired cuisine.
(5)S. K.
Chef Susan Spicer finds ways to showcase local foods/ingredients in her culinary creations. Bayona has a great, rotating menu of delectables for both lunch and dinner. If you've never been there and want to sample the food, try going to lunch on the weekend and asking for the pre-fix. It's something like $25 for 3 smaller portions of regular entrees and/or desserts.
(4)Brian S.
Great food and wonderful experience a not miss!
(5)Greta P.
"I have officially added Bayona to my "Must Eat New Orleans Restaurant" list. The atmosphere, the service, the presentation, the menu creativity and lastly the unique and fabulous taste of everything makes this the perfect dining experience. I can't wait to return for lunch and dine on the patio."
(5)Tanya W.
We heard the food was good so we decided to try Bayona but had a horrible experience... The entire meal took over 2 hours, not including any type of dessert (who knows how much longer that would've taken!). Our appetizers were good and the service started out great, but after that things went down hill quickly. It took more than an hour to receive our entrees and when we did the pork was so over cooked that it was dry and tough. The waiter started to walk up to our table but turned around when he heard us talking about how disappointed we were... He never came back to our table. We finally got up to talk to a manager and he had a bit of an attitude asking why we didn't tell our server then huffed saying he would take it off our check. No apology and no attempt to make things better. We had a bill exceeding $400 and he treated us like we came in to eat bread and water. It was very disappointing and we will never go back to Bayona.
(2)Jamie W.
We went here for our first night on our recent trip to New Orleans. Service was great, the restaurant itself has nice ambiance. Overall, I was not overly impressed with the food except for the goat cheese cracker with mushrooms. We tried the garlic soup and while it had a nice consistency, the garlic was overpowering and just a little too much. For my entree I had the rabbit. Not bad but nothing phenomenal either.
(3)LaRu E.
Bayona was amazing. they food was unique yet classic. flavors were out of this world--amazing combinations that you'd never know could work. you can't go wrong with any dish!!
(5)Calvin H.
Disappointed is my general review. The location is stunning, but the decor is dated and not in a historical way. I will assume that the rather large size of our party was an issue, but we weren't the only large party and frankly if they couldn't handle it I would have appreciated them simply telling us. Another highly regarded restaurant did tell us that...it was much appreciated. After being seated fairly late, but by a very gracious front door team, our waiter came out to tell us how the menu worked. He seemed scared or unbearably bored We could barely hear him and he didn't even bother to see if we wanted wine. We tracked down a wine list and had to request to start with a couple of bottles....forget assistance with choosing. On to the food. I started with the eggplant caviar. Wow. Boring. My husband had a nice salad. My friend had the veal sweetbreads and was underwhelmed. Frankly no one was raving about what they chose. But no one thought it was bad. Appetizer course over. 45 minutes to an HOUR later we received our entrees. By then I was so irritated that I didn't even want dinner. But then they sat a lukewarm piece of over cooked "seared" fish in front of me. I really didn't want it then. Again, no one really commented on their meal...and we are a group of enthusiastic diners. So it wasn't that great. We skipped dessert since we were in New Orleans and had better things to do than wait around for more mediocre food. There was jazz to be heard a mere block away! In summary, the front door staff was wonderful, the service was horrible, and the food was ok. I do not understand the rave reviews I have heard here and even from chefs I know. Just to be clear also, we are a ridiculously polite group of people who came prepared to love this place. Other than the fact there were 8 of us, we were a very easy group. All I know is that none of us will return.
(3)Jennifer H.
The food here is superb! I had the Duck and I literally wanted to lick the plate. My friend had the Veal sweetbreads and I think the smile on his face was the biggest of the whole trip to NOLA. He also had the quail salad and stuffed rabbit, all of which he loved. The chef has won many awards and been featured in every foodie magazine/newpaper you can think of. For good reason, this place is amazing! Need to dress nice, so despite the heat, make the effort....
(5)Kerry Y.
Food was great. Service was slow and the waiter was inattentive at best. We ordered a $420 bottle of wine. The cork was so dry that it broke and the waiter stuck his finger in the wine. We refused the wine. He brought another bottle. We ordered another $240 bottle. We wanted to bring our own wine, but it's not allowed. One person in our party wanted to treat for the wine, so requested a separate bill. When the bill arrived, she was charged 18% gratuity. We were fine tipping on wine, but inquired if it was customary. They said yes. The waiter was rude, so we asked to speak to the manager. The servers response was he's just going to tell you the same thing. To call the manager,Brian Baynes, defensive is a gross understatement. He was angry at our group for spending $1,000 in his restaurant. He insisted that they did us a favor by doing separate checks and accused us of trying to get out of tipping for the wine. He said the bottle we sent back was fine and now he was stuck trying to figure out how to get rid of the Peter Michael (2005) wine that his server botched. I waited tables for 10 years and this was the worst customer service experience I've ever had. It could have been handled so much better. I would not return.
(1)Rachel D.
The food is good, no doubt. I particularly liked the duck-PB&J concoction, but everything we tasted was yummy. And the patio is lovely. However. When we sat down for the saturday "light lunch" (3 small plates for $25) our server asked if we wanted a cocktail or possibly a glass of champagne. Well sure, champagne always sounds good to me. She neglected to mention that the champagne cost $18 a glass. The drinks weren't included on the menu. Maybe it's my fault for not asking the price - but you feel gauche asking, in such a classy place. anyway, I felt kinda conned. Note to servers: If we're cheap enough to go for the $25 lunch then maybe, just maybe, we don't want to spend an almost equivalent amount on a single glass of bubbly.
(3)Donya M.
Best meal we had all week! Sat out in the courtyard - very romantic. Dress is casual to dressy. Make reservations.
(5)Scott T.
Susan Spicer's Bayona is my favorite of the top notch restaurants in New Orleans. Everything thing from the wine to dessert continued to blow me away with deliciously mind bending dishes. Staff was brilliant and the setting is equally enjoyable, a treasure all should experience. I would come here to propose to my future wife and based on what Bayona has to offer I assume she would automatically say yes!
(5)Kym H.
My boss's attorney Sam R. lives in New Orleans and what better way to explore food than through the eyes of the locals? Sam recommended Bayona and it was amazing. From the moment you walk in they greet you with smiles and immediately take a drink order while you wait. The drinks are charged to your reservation. They have a cute place very small and quaint with a beautiful outdoor patio if you wish to have your drinks outside. Since its summer which means New Awlin's is hot and humid we decided to stay indoor. Bayona's head chef Susan Spicer is amazing with her flavor pairings and decadent ingredients. I had Rabbit stuffed with sausages. I think rabbit in New Orleans is like chicken in California, it's plentiful and in every restaurant there's at least one rabbit plate. It was wonderful to all my senses from smell, sight, taste and touch. There's multi-texture in the food, different flavors marrying, and the smell just makes one melt. A must try in the FRENCH QUARTER. I'm so glad Sam sent us here. The only reason I didn't give them the 5 star is their dessert, I had a banana torte with ice cream and it was not to my liking. But it is definitely different if you would like to try it.
(4)Sara Z.
Went here our 2nd night in NOLA and was very impressed by the entire evening. Bayona is a quiet restaurant about a block from Bourbon which you barely see unless you are looking for it. Food: hands down the best I have experienced in new orleans. Highly recommend the peppercorn lamb with goat cheese and zinfandel sauce. Even the green beans were cooked to perfection. Lobster risotto and flank steak were also fantastic. -5 starts! Service: Excellent, clearly very upscale but without the uppity attitude. -5 starts Location: beautiful, we didn't get out to check out the courtyard which looked beautiful thanks to the weather, and the inside was simple and a converted townhouse. -3 stars Overall one of the best meals i've had! Highly recommended.
(5)Rebecca V.
I am a native New Orleanian who has been wanting to try Bayona for a long while and finally tried it a few nights ago. While the ambiance was charming and the food very good, I was so surprised by the unprofessionalism of the waitstaff that I came on Yelp to see if other diners commented on this as well. The staff was very casual and hurried, more interested in joining in the loud kitchen conversation than focusing on customers. I called at 8pm and asked if they had a table available around 8:30; the hostess told me that they stop seating tables at 9pm but if we got there before 9pm we wouldn't need a "rez". We walked in at 8:45 and the hostess yelled to the manager (I guess she didn't want to get up) "hey it's 8:45 can we seat these people?". The manager said yes and we were seated after discussion of what table we should be seated at. All of the verbal exchanges we had with our server and the hostess were equally unprofessional, long-winded, and awkwardly chatty. Guess what? No one cares about the 5 minute history of your parking validation contract, we just thought it was odd when we asked if you validate parking and instead handed us a $5 bill. Develop a pat response and deliver that with a smile, that's all we needed. In general my complaint is that they really didn't seem to care about us at all. And we realized it was the end of the night but how hard is it to remember "serve from the left, remove from the right"? The food was very good; my husband asked for the scallop and shrimp appetizer as an entree and wished it had been described as spicy and Caribbean so he could have avoided it but otherwise the food was great. The mango cheesecake dessert was outstanding. We didn't have any alcohol but had 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, 1 dessert, 1 iced tea and the bill was around $90, which we thought was very well priced. Overall Bayona is a lovely upscale restaurant in the French Quarter and if that's your only expectation, you will be pleased.
(3)James P.
One of the best meals I've ever had. Fantastic patio seating, impecable wait staff. If Yelp had a 6th star, they'd get it.
(5)Bowen D.
I stopped in for lunch on my last day of a recent trip to New Orleans. I was happy to see that the lunch menu is VERY fairly priced, with under-$10 appetizers and mains in the mid-teens. I had a friend oyster salad to start, which was nicely crusted with cornmeal and presented with a few mixed greens and halved cherry tomatoes. The oysters were tasty, but the salad was generic and the tomatoes tasteless -- no surprise this time of year. Why put imported cherry tomatoes on a salad in winter -- just use something else! The oysters were tasty but not the best I've had, although I did really like the crust. For the entree I had scallops with red thai rice and some other vaguely asian-fusion accompaniments. The scallops were smallish, salty and chewy - not great at all, and we had nice big tasty ones the night before at Dick & Jenny's, so it's clear they're available in the area. The purple Thai rice was overcooked and a bit gluey. Great service, great prices for a place with such a reputation, but the food was just so-so. I'm glad I tried it, but I'll take a pass next time. Why is fusion so popular in NOLA?
(3)Don E.
Unbelievably bad! Worst experience ever. Vote with your wallet and do not patronize this restaurant. We reserved a table for eight. When we arrived we were told you will be at two different tables. We almost left but decided to give it the benefit of the doubt. The three men in our group sat at one table and wives and daughters at another. After wine and starters, we ordered our entrees. One of the entrees was supposed to be split between a husband and wife at separate tables. Twenty minutes later two entrees in hot plates arrive at the men's table. Out of politeness the men wait for everyone else to be served. Fifteen minutes go by. Thirty minutes go by. After forty-five minutes the men ask for the manger. We watch our waiter tell the manager, Brian Baynes . He goes and hides in the kitchen rather than talk to us. We tell our waiter and other waiters no less than three times we want to speak to the manager. Another fifteen minutes go by. Finally one of the men literally goes into the kitchen and tells Brian we need to speak to him. He comes out and basically tells us to go to h_ll. He says " you should have known there would be a problem when you asked for an entree to be split." Hello? The other entrees come out now. The two entrees served one hour previous are ice cold. Brian insists it is our (the customers) fault. We tell him this is unreasonable and we don't want the food now. He again tells us to go to h_ll and a waiter brings us a check for $400. We pay the $400, give the waiter $50 in cash (whom definitely did not deserve it). and leave. We were all in shock and left hungry and angry. Look at the reviews carefully there are others with similar experiences with the current manager Brian Baynes.
(1)Liza N.
I haven't been to Bayona since the fall, but I've recently been broke-as-a-joke and dreaming of better foodie days. Bayona is hands down my favorite restaurant ... ever. The staff is exceptionally knowledgeable about the food and the entire fantastic mega-book of wines, a lot of them very well priced. Susan, the chef, always makes a stop at the table, and sends out my favorite tradition of all food traditions "lagniappe". Great location in the heart of New Orleans ... conveniently located close enough to Bourbon Street so you can ruin your tastebuds from a great meal with Hurricanes. Try the duck. You'll love it. I promise. Also, y'all know I'm a sucker for cute little gardens and courtyards ... and this one nails it.
(5)rebecca g.
Believe the hype...Bayona has it all: charming courtyard and vintage furniture, impeccable service, a drool-worthy cocktail menu, and spectacular fusion takes on local fare. I can't recall exactly what I ordered, but it was the most amazing lunch, complete with a refreshing, subtle Cucumber Julep that was out of this world. Be prepared to drop some serious dough...even for lunch (splitting an appetizer, 2 entrees, & 2 cocktails), it ran about $90...but it was sooo worth it. I will be back again and again!
(5)Eddie H.
Hands down best meal I have had in NOLA. Its a tiny little cottage style restaurant with old antique decor that gives you a cozy feeling. Our waitress was very attentive without ovcerbearing and so nice. We started with the Veal Sweetbreads in a lemon sauce. Best baby cow brains I've ever had! Even my date, who was disgusted at the thought, loved them! We moved on to the main course of the Neiman Ranch with duck fat cabbage and a potao pierogi. AMAZING!! Finally we had banana chocolate cake for dessert and passed out in the taxi on our way to bourbon street! This place is a must!
(5)Michelle B.
We happened on Bayona by accident. It was barely noticeable from the street. We were there for lunch and intrigued by the menu written daily. My husband had an excellent reisling and the quail. I had the bread with cheese, beef, egg and sauce on the top which I cannot recall the name of but both were great. The garlic soup was to die for and we would be back for that alone. We actually did attempt to return, unfortunately we were unaware of the need for reservations well in advance if you wanted dinner.our bad luck. We will attempt it on a future trip to NOLA.
(5)Erik M.
The poor service, absent and unfriendly staff were most memorable. The house manhattan, roasted beet and tomato soup, and duck were good. I didn't enjoy the green vegetable that accompanied the duck but that was personal taste. The crepe dessert was not good with a rubbery texture, stick with ice cream. They seems very short staffed because no one bother to check how any of the courses were and simply removed the plates at the end of each course. I had to flag a server down to get a glass of wine. Certainly not the level of service I expected from such an establishment.
(3)Christine P.
Take your woman here for a date and you're sure to receive some late night...cuddling. Really though, the service was absolutely flawless -- warm and well timed. There's something on the menu for everyone. It's a special occasion type of place.
(5)gerald s.
The best surprise of our recent visit to NOLA. Loved the food, atmosphere and everything about it. The service was excellent but the food was the best of our week's visit!! The atmosphere is so cool as well, atrsy and chic but. Very comfortable and homey....great place!!
(5)Jon D.
One of my favorite places in the quarter. Last time I was in, I had the venison wrapped in bacon, just outstanding. Great wine list, better desert offerings.
(5)Jen R.
working in the area, i only was able to make the trip into the quarter for lunches. but what lunches they were: black bean cakes topped with grilled shrimp and coriander sauce seared sea scallops and a word of advice: always order the thing on the menu that sounds like it would never taste right. case in point: the smoked duck, cashew butter, and pepper jelly sandwich is a joy to behold. the flavors and textures all fit so nicely together. next time i'm in town, i'll do a dinner. i promise.
(4)Holly S.
Night three in New Orleans - had a busy day of talking to too many people so I was happy to go to a restaurant where I would be pampered and left alone. The atmosphere in Bayona struck me as an oasis from the fray of the streets. The staff are very professional and friendly. It was too cold to be outdoors, but the courtyard looks lush and beautiful - so much that I want to return in Spring. I nibbled on the small appetizer they offered to me from the kitchen. I love when restaurants offer a little unexpected treat! And the breads were tasty. I had a beautiful glass of French merlot, and oohed and aahed over the wine list. I couldn't believe that they actually had a $1300 bottle on there! Must have the clientele. The menu is split into two parts - the signature menu on the left, the fresh menu on the right. I ordered from the right - I had the fennel and crab salad - delicious! Then the red snapper. I think. Oh gosh, I can't remember all the details, only that I was swept away by the flavors! I tried to look up the menu online, but all the entrees already changed within a week. Now I am hooked and have to return to try out more delicacies! I do remember that they were always there to refill my water, ask how my meal was, and take away my plates as soon as I had my last bite. Were they watching me eat? Only down side for me - dining alone in such a small space means you get to hear the waiters repeat their spiel over and over. It would be good if they mixed up their recommendations every once in a while!
(5)Alan C.
Everything we ate was yummy! Duck, lamb, steak, and tuna...can't go wrong at Bayona! Try their ice cream at the end, it's made there!
(5)Rosalba C.
This meal was the first meal I had where every bite was mouth watering delicious. We started with a Cucumber Mint Julep which was sweet and refreshing and Pork Belly appetizer. My husband and I shared the dinner which was a Barramundi. So yummy.
(5)Michael O.
Found this spot via yelp. WOW! What a great place for dinner. The restaurant is about two blocks off Bourbon Street. We walked right by it because it was nondescript. They seated us outside on the patio, which was lovely in terms of lighting. Still, the patio can be a bit noisy because of its closeness to the kitchen and a set of stairs that the staff go up and down, up and down. Nonetheless, the food -- Peppered Lamb Loin with Goat Cheese and Zinfandel Sauce and some rabbit dish -- was wonderful. I would DEFINITELY eat there during my next trip to NOLA. MiLO
(4)Sebastian E.
I choose this place based on some reviews on yelp as well as other services. The restaurant did not live up to my expectations and some of the great remarks made elsewhere. The location is great and the décor quite true to its origin. Rustic and charming most certainly all applies. We were greeted quickly and shown to our table. In some other notes it stated that jackets are a must, this is not so. I was one of the best dressed gentlemen in the place and, at least in the section we were seated, the only one with a jacket. The menu is small but features a good amount of meals including some daily specials. I opted for the daily special lobster and the menu duck to follow. Dished were served in a good amount of time and well presented. Flavors not what I had come expect for this town and the other reviews. Due to the lack of intensity, we skipped desert. Overall a brief experience and a brief review.
(3)Tom W.
It is not a trip to New Orleans without a trip to Bayona. This restaurant is what I consider to be the essence of perfection in dining in this country. There are occassional lapses, but who does not have disagreements even among friends. It is because of the love that these are so unimportant. The important is that Bayona is truly the restaurant I wish were in my neighborhood. First, the staff is incredibly friendly, service and hospitality oriented and generally have been at Bayona's for such a length of time that they are intimately familiar with both the food and wine and can serve you as the guide to a lovely meal. However, this familiarity with the restaurant can sometimes leave the staff talking on the floor about things that should best not be said in front of customers; this is most evident if you are the last evening seating. Never rude, just a bit jarring. However, they are so good that I can overlook this. Now about all of the positives. The restaurant is beautiful without being stuffy or overdone. Posh and well heeled, but with a patina of age and grace, you can go in your dinner jacket or in a tee shirt and khakis and be treated as well. If you have the opportunity, there is an outside carriage yard for dining that affords you a chance for a lovely meal al fresco. Highly recommended. The food of Chef Susan Spicer can be, without exaggeration, the best in the City of New Orleans and among the best in this country. Her touch with a beautiful pantry of Creole and Cajun flavors is both familiar and new as she reinvents combinations and eschews the trite. This is not the place to come for blackened pork chops; but you can have the best seared rack of lamb with red wine sauce and goat cheese ever. That's EVER. The touch in even the small things is amazing....a brightly flavored lemony, smoky eggplant tapenade appetizer served with kalamata olive tapenade and feta cheese makes a brilliant start. The mushroom crostini with goat cheese makes me wake up from dreams wishing for one more bite. Do try the Garlic Soup. Unlike imitations, her garlic soup is deeply roasted and thinned with chicken stock and thickened with bread; no cream, no fat, no oil. Delicious and simple. In fact, after a big meal there recently, both my friend and I commented that the meal left us both satisfied and surprisingly without the food hangover of other fattier or richer restaurants. Bayona is my all time favourite New Orleans Restaurant, from food, hospitality and ambience. Everything is summed up in the one piece of art that hangs in the bar now for years, "Be Nice or Leave" it says. Life in the Big Easy is simply to be enjoyed. Bayona makes it an art.
(5)Lindsay C.
Everything was delicious here. From the specialty cocktails to the amazing desserts. I had lamb for the very first time and it was fantastic. I enjoyed mostly the specials but I got a taste of many things on the menu and I am confident that everything was amazing. I will warn you that it's not cheap. This is a dinner you'd be better off enjoying on someone else's dime! The bathroom upstairs is cute, but watch your head.
(5)Tanya D.
I was so happy to finally go to Bayona, I've been wanting to for years and as a local it's a shame I hadn't been before. It was very very good and very cozy and relaxing, very New Orleans. I don't know why other reviewers thought it stuffy, we wore jeans. First though, why didn't I give it five stars? Because the service was just a hair below excellent and what I would have expected. Bad night? Probably. It's not that I wouldn't go again. Just a few little glitches. Normally I don't mind sitting at the dinner table for three hours with friends, but we missed the parade for crimony sakes. I'm guessing this was unusual. Now the good part. While Bayona does seem to be a shrine to duck fat and is very meat oriented, the best part for me was the Vegetarian Special. It's so nice to go out and not have to piecemeal a meal because you don't want to eat flesh. On this night the special was spinach gnocchi with wild mushrooms in a cheese sauce (oops, can't recall the cheese). It was more like spinach and potatoe croquettes rather than gnocchi, but that was fine. (a bit bigger than your average gnocchi and not as firm.) Also, the green salad was large and sounded tasty, but I chose soup instead, see below. The waiter reiterated the menu's statement that they are happy to make any adjustments for your dietary needs or tastes, so I bet even vegans can get a good meal here if they don't mine their neighbor enjoying offal cooked with wine. The Caesar salad was "real", no gluey dressing and I tasted bits of real anchovie. If you are like me and a "Louisiana Vegetarian" and eat shellfish, the shrimp and blackbean cake appetizer is scrumptious. Don't know the purpose of the black bean cake but I would order a double appetizer of the shrimp as an entree next time. The mushrooms in Meidera on toast was our table's favorite. The oyster gratin was good too. For the true veggies, the eggplant caviar is damn good too. I had the signature garlic soup (probably had a chicken stock base, I didn't ask, I'm not always hardcore, ) and it was my favorite part of the meal. Well, maybe the warm chocolate crepes with soft dark chocolate filling, with icy satsuma sorbet was my favorite part... As for the meat eaters at the table- my sister had the regular menu salmon and enjoyed it very very much and my brother in law had the hanger steak (which he had not had before, and the waiter very expertly explained where on the cow it came from) and he enjoyed it too. I haven't even talked about the wine! I like that they had half bottles so you can have a little tasting. My in the know wine friend suggested the Grgich fume and too bad it was only available as a half bottle, I could have had a whole bottle. So long story long, I would definitely go back, maybe to try some of the lunch specials and when it's warmer to have a drink in the courtyard.
(4)Jeremy P.
Very comfortable setting with class. Sweetbreads! Thanks Chef Spicier.
(5)Prince H.
There is a saying that "you should never meet your heros" because they can't live up to your image. Rick Reilly make a great reply "then you have never met Peyton Manning". Keep this in mind in you think you dont like duck..I woukd reply then you have never had duck at Bayona. I love this place..delicious and creative food that will satisy. It can be tough to get a reservation so plan ahead.
(5)Jerry E.
Enjoyed the dining experience
(3)Gideon C.
First off - I really don't know why a lot of reviews on here have their panties in a twist about the prices "Go for lunch, dinner is too expensive" Really? Entrees are under 30 bucks, Starters go for 10-15 bucks - pretty mid-range prices actually, especially for the French Quarter and also a good deal for a rotating menu. Bayona is tucked away in the French Quarter on Dauphine and Conti - right next to a hotel in a charming red building - once inside you have your mix of antiques on the walls, wall murals - kind of quaint "I feel like I'm at my grandparent's" furniture. Service isn't snobby at all, the waiter was quick to point out what he thought was the best with a few quips - they have their classics menu and then a rotating daily or weekly menu - for starters i had the Goat Cheese Toast with Mushrooms in a Madeira sauce which was wonderful and the Salmon Trio (nightly special) with seared salmon belly, salmon and cream cheese puff pastry, and salmon hushpuppies(kind of) - which was great. Then for a salad I had the Crispy Smoked Quail with Bourbon Molasses - which i wasn't too crazy for - you got an overabundance of quail but with the choice of mixed greens and the sweet apples and molasses based vinaigrette - it was missing an element. Too much sweet, too much savory. As for entrees I had the nightly special was the Rabbit Roulade and Buttermilk fried rabbit leg with leek mashed potatoes - the roulade was kind of fatty which I didn't care for but the fried leg and the mashed potatoes were wonderful. My dinner companion had the peppered lamb loin with goat cheese and mashed sweet potatoes - which was awesome - the goat cheese made a nice counterpart with the lamb and the mashed sweet potatoes were sweet and airy. Dessert - my friend had the Molasses Semolina Cake which tasted odd to me but she liked it - I had the Hazelnut Chocolate puff pastry - which I didn't like very much because it just tasted old. It was a great experience overall - the starters and entrees were wonderful, although the salads and dessert could have been a bit better - now I know what not to order next time. Susan Spicer was in the kitchen that day and was autographing her books and such and she seemed like a very friendly person. Service was friendly and on point. And the fact that the specials are different nightly brings something new to the table every visit. So go for dinner, it really won't break your wallet.
(4)El G.
The food here was amazing. Let me start off with that, so that you don't have to read dribble. Seriously. It was amazing. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is because it took 77 hours for me to get my food. I think they actually grew the vegetables from scratch before serving them to me. If you have good company then you won't mind the wait for the food that gives your tongue an orgasm.
(4)Laur A.
Possibly one of the best meals I have had. I'm from Philly and I love New Orleans and it's food. I stumbled upon this restaurant while visiting a few years ago, and I go to it every time I go back now. Fresh food with amazing flavors. It's pricey, but so worth it.
(5)Ellen R.
Perhaps Monday is an alternate universe at Bayona. The food bore no resemblance to the rave reviews from locals and online. The courtyard was being revamped so were seated inside where one of our party was constantly bumped as waiters rushed by to serve a table of 10. Our waiter was brief and only checked on us over his shoulder as he flew by. The salad with fried quail had dressing with some maple flavor and otherwise was undistinguished. The mushroom toast was excellent. Another in the party had a green salad which was average and had lots of parm. The salmon and sauerkraut was exactly as advertised but not an inspired dish. The sweet breads were fried , dry and had no detectable spice or sauce. The rabbit roulade was on the dry side and I somehow felt it was yesterday's dish. Again , no sauce and negligible spice. We had a glass of Cabernet franc at 14/glass and were grateful we had not ordered a bottle. One dessert was ordered and finally arrived after the third cup of coffee. It was not as ordered, but the waitress who delivered it but did not take the order, assured us that it was what we ordered. Time to cut our losses. Bayona was a locals' rec , so it was a big disappointment. People and food in NOLA are too great to settle for mediocre or less.
(1)Stefan A.
Elegant and confortable restaurant. Our lunch ($25 per person for any three small plates) was delicious, creative and well prepared. The meal was a little light, which I found fitting for the menu and a nice break from gorging myself. Coulda been a little gimmicky (you can have three courses of dessert if you want), but the serving staff did a great job of helping structure the meal to our preference. Carrot soup with ginger & croutons, duck pastry, and scallop with lentils were standouts. Salad with pancetta and fried egg and seafood beignets were good, not great. The house made ice cream is terrific - smooth and dense, a little shy of gellato. The , chocolate included fine chocolate shavings, which was a great twist. A final note about the service - friendly, infomative, accomodating and capable. In addition to the basic excellence, they made sure we could get one course of plain pasta for our young child. They ensured we had a well paced and relaxing meal.
(4)luke k.
A bit of a disappointment after our Saturday lunch. Maybe the chef was a bit Burbon'd from Friday night? Very bland and badly chopped salad of cafeteria quality. While the cornbread crust was delicious, it didn't pair well with flavorless hake. Less then average lentil soup. The waitress NOR bartender knew how to make/serve an Americano. Leaving 3 stars for the very sweet and attentive hostess, and OK desert. Finally, the mens bathroom sink counter has really nasty grout paired with a broken soap dispenser !
(3)Conrad K.
We had a lovely brunch on a sunny Saturday afternoon. The three course menu had something for everyone. However, the cashew peanut butter duck sandwich is so good I could have had it three times!
(4)David C.
Abstract: Elegant, delicious, and romantic. The food was inventive, fresh, and worth every penny. The waitstaff was polite, helpful, and unobtrusive. The ambiance was romantic and perfect for a special date. Rating: 5 stars, as Bayona gets everything right. The seating was a bit cramped, but that did not detract from the elegant and romantic ambiance. Bayona is expensive (two appetizers and two entrees was about 100), but you get what you pay for and Bayona is worth it. Conclusion: a fantastic experience in fine dining. French cooking with a NOLA interpretation. While too expensive for most people to go regularly, it is great for a special night out.
(5)Kat M.
For starters, be prepared to wait even when you have a reservation. The atmosphere is comfy and homey feeling. It was cool that the chef will come around, she knows her customers and thats nice to see. I tried flat bread for the first time, it was really good! After trying it we asked what it was made out of, try it first, then ask, otherwise you might not try it at all! Ha! We ordered two entrees, and in New Orleans, you must try the fish, it was really amazing!
(4)Joanna W.
I went here with a group of girlfriends while visiting New Orleans, and we were blown away. The sweetbreads are amazing, and I have always hated them. If you are in New Orleans and are looking for a special occasion restaurant, look no further.
(5)Laraine Y.
Susan Spicer's Bayona is tucked away in a quiet part of the French Quarter and looks very unassuming, but WOW! the food is EXQUISITE! Everything is made and served with care and perfection. The ambiance is very romantic and quietly elegant. Each plate is picture perfect and with delicate subtle flavors to be relished with delight. Do not be afraid to order anything and be surprised!
(5)Heather M.
This place was amazing! Ask to sit outside in their quaint little courtyard! Prepare to be pampered and really looked after.
(4)Shayna N.
Upscale. White table cloths. Businessmen and Old money. Great Service. Delicious Food. It's not the down and dirty, real-deal, debaucherous New Orleans underbelly, but it's still damn good! great presentation. Interesting ingredients. Great Service and tasty tasty food. I've eaten there several times and unfortunately don't remember any specifics, except that the sauteed Sweetbreads appetizer is out of this world! It's also won a ton of awards.
(5)Sam P.
Actually 4 1/2 stars to be honest. Very good food. Actually, the appetizers were better than the entrees we thought. Romantic. Pricey. Good service, albeit with a little attitude. Would go back for sure.
(5)mvc j.
On my visit, food was just ok, service was terrible. Waiter's were non attentive and very condescending, my wife did not feel well on our visit and ordered a soft drink, I had a beer. We did not have a large bar tab (obviously), and we felt ignored during our meal (perhaps due to the small bar tab - but not sure) and got poor service - felt like we were being snubbed. My wife ordered a chicken dish with a mediterannean rub, and it was too highly seasoned, she took one bite and did not touch it again, wait staff did not ask if all was ok until plates were ready to be cleared. Again, this was very poor service - a fine restaurant would approach a customer if, after a few minutes, they do not appear to be touching their meal, and see what is wrong and do what they can to address the issue - this restaurant staff did none of the right things. Served 4 petit fours at the end of the meal as an offering of their apologies - wound up being a meaningless effort after a poor meal where we were ignored - again - doing the right things at the right time would have resulted in a far better experience - this restaurant either did not have the understanding, committment or attitude to do any of the right things. There are many fine restaurants in New Orleans and this was one of them (would recommend some very consistent old standards such as Commander's Palace, K-Paul's, Emeril's and others that deliver fine service and great food consistently) - will never return to this restaurant again and cannot recommend.
(2)Hanh S.
excellent lunch options! super cute patio (esp for a date). definitely worth the visit. get the shrimp salad, veal and smoked duck puffed pastry! also, the staff was great. would visit again when in town
(5)Isa L.
summer 08 - 18th anniversary for restaurant, lunch is 18$ all summer, good deal. I wanted to try the duck pb & j sandwich but I wasn't able to make it back a second time during my trip it's also right around the corner from a crazy bookstore, don't know what it was called but there's so many books you have to walk sideways in the aisles and the owner has a pet cat.
(4)E B.
I wish I could give negative stars. It was so bad, but words can't give the full experience. Showed up at 8:50 for 9:00 reservations. Manager was screaming at guest at the hostess stand. Literally - pay your bill and get out! He didn't even pause to notice us - awkward situation. Then hostess said to wait in the lounge while they cleared tables....an hour later, follow me. No sorry, no update, no acknowledgment that clearing tables wasn't an accurate statement an hour ago. Then we were seated in an empty room upstairs and they sat five tables at once. The waiter continued setting empty tables instead of greeting us. Waited 20 mins - I just wish we had walked out like the other guests, but we were starving. No acknowledgment again. The waiter was like a dead person. No smile, no personality. Appetizers arrived - crispy quail was good, but the greens were worthless. More waiting - after 11...mains come. Waste of money, time and calories. Grit in the scallops. Boring steak. I would have complained except the other table beat me to it. That is when manager #2 started raising her voice. The customer was actually really nice - explained how excited she was to come, but they waited so long, the experience wasn't great... Manager - but wasn't your food good?!? Customer - yes, but the rest hasn't been great and we waited so long. Manager - we were busy, tables wouldn't leave, what do you expect us to do?!? She literally said this...in a very loud voice. She continued on this path and tone, until finally saying - fine, I will give you the first round. What was extremely clear by the end of this 3 hr hell was that management has a terrible attitude. For some reason they think it is okay to yell at guests, ignore common courtesy, show zero customer service. It seemed that their attitude was - our food is good, you are lucky to be here. Best part - the food isn't good! Don't waste your time and money - there are so many other excellent restaurants on town.
(1)Amanda L.
Interesting, strong, delish drinks (like the absinthe-infused Pixie Punch). Impeccably crafted, elegant, yet non-pretentious meals. It's actually difficult to find a place in New Orleans that handles a fish entree as well as Bayona. Crawfish, shrimp, and even redfish, sure, but not tuna or chilean sea bass or salmon as much. Easily the best tuna I've ever had in NOLA. GORGEOUS courtyard. I love the way it was designed so that, when you sit outside, you look indoors and see nothing but the reflection of the courtyard in the full-mirrored wall. It makes the space seem so much larger and more elegant. Yum, yum, yum.
(5)Thomas B.
First trip to Bayona, after also visiting Mondo. The food in each case was among the best we have had in New Orleans in the last five months, the former even better than the latter. The prices were quite reasonable for the quality of the food. Only issue at Bayone was the slow service. When soups are served lukewarm, it then becomes a food issue. Not especially busy during our visit, so not much excuse for the nearly glacial pace. So despite the four stars, we will bring out of town guests to the several restaurants with equally great food and better service.
(4)Alexander G.
A fantastic dining experience. Service and food were right on the mark. Best sweetbreads I have ever had and the rabbit entre was so good that I did not want to share it with my dining partner. One of the best overall dining experiences I have ever had.
(4)Danny W.
I finally ate at Bayona's a few months ago. I had heard about it and its famous chef, Susan Spicer, for many years. Someone even gave me her cookbook for Christmas. I was seeing a play at the Mahalia Jackson and was able to easily park at the theater and walk over to Dauphine St. to each lunch at Bayona. I was fortunate to get in because I did not have a reservation. They turned several people away after they let me in. By the time I had finished with restaurant was full (always a good sign). On Saturdays they have a special small plates lunch. Three small plates for $25. This was perfect since I wanted to try several dishes I had her about. One of those dishes is the cream of garlic soup - it was wonderful. Another that had been recommended was the smoked duck, cashew peanut butter, and pepper jelly sandwich. I probably would not have ordered if I had not heard that is was great. I am glad that I did. It was an unusual - but tasty - flavor combination. I loved it. I also got the Bayona salad with blue cheese. Once again fantastic. I must say that this was probably one of the best meals I have ever had. The setting and service was great and the food met expectations. Look forward to eating there again some day - hopefully soon.
(5)Trauts N.
Was here 2 years ago and it still one of the most memorable meals I have had....anywhere.
(5)Christy T.
So, we have lunch here on Halloween and our waitress is dressed as a cat and meows...Now, I know for a lot people this is the sign of bad things to come but for me...I couldn't have been happier! The meal was awesome and not because it was being served by a woman dressed as a cat but everything was simply top notch. From appetizer to dessert we oohed and aahed. The location and ambiance of the restaurant itself made drinking water enjoyable. I loved this place. We left the restaurant with a signed copy of the chef's cookbook. Yea, it was that GOOD!
(5)marian g.
We were here for the weekend with my girlfriends. We couldn't get a dinner reservation so we settled for a Saturday lunch date. OMG, this place was wonderful. The atmosphere, the wait staff and the food, all wonderful. Combine all of this together and I know I'd love to come back here for a yummy dinner. On Saturdays Bayona serves "Light", which means small plates. You get to chose 3 options for $25.00. The 3 of us managed to taste 5 different dishes. Started w/ oysters, which was served w/ a creamy sauce. The oysters themselves were light and fresh and totally tender. We also tasted the mixed salad which came w/ shaved Parmesan and greens. It had a light dressing and a very generous serving. We then had a soup and 2 of us tried the gnocchi in a light tomato sauce. Each bite was better than the next. We finished w/ a turkey,avocado small sandwich. I had the lamb had 2 small pieces w/ fruity sauce. The lamb was cooked just as we had requested. We decided to share one dessert and chose passion fruit sorbet. This was the only disappointment. It was refreshing but tasted more like it was a mass produced sorbet. This is a more refreshing type of menu with choices that are delicious and more up to date rather than some of the older established restaurants. If I ever come back to NOLA, you can be sure that I'm making a reservation way ahead of my arrival.
(5)Aj P.
It's been many years since last visiting Bayona. Back in the day, it was on the front of new American cuisine - a place ready to treat my California food aesthetic - a little modern, a little French, and all through a New Orleans lens. Well, it's still more or less the same - and for better or worst this puts the food in a very edible, yet 1980s rut. Honestly, I think you'll probably like anything you order here - including their famous sweetbreads. The dishes will come with properly sliced and diced garnishes, a splash of gastrique, and a decent portion size. But like so much of the food in New Orleans, the flavors ultimately sit in the mono-dimensional flavor profile after a few bites - very edible but ho hum interesting.
(3)Ross W.
My wife and I celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary with some friends at Bayona during our recent trip to Jazz Fest. I cannot emphasize how disappointed we were with the complete apathy and condescension exhibited by the service staff. In fact the service was so poor that it completely overshadowed the fact that the restaurant's courtyard is swarming with large rats which were actually visible through the large window directly adjacent to our table. We made our reservation one month in advance to the day which is the furthest in advance allowed by the restaurant. We arrived 5 minutes early for our 9:30 reservation and were seated in the courtyard where we observed several large rats scurrying around. After about 20 minutes we were asked if we wanted cocktails and we requested drink/wine menus, our drink order was not taken for another 15 minutes. We were then seated at approximately 10:00 and were told that it "will be a while" for our cocktails to be served because the bartender was backed up. No apologies were extended. Finally our cocktails arrived at 10:15 after we ordered our meals. The waitress (Kathleen) was extremely rude in taking our appetizer order, she asked in a condescending tone "what are you doing? are you ordering for the table to share or for each person?" I was then asked if I was ready to place my wine order to which I said yes and the server walked away and returned 10 minutes later to take the order. We finally got our appetizers at 11:00pm. We finished our dinners at 12:00am and when asked how everything was I said "it was good, worth the wait (trying to be friendly)" Kathleen's reply was to say in a very condescending tone "well somebody has never been here for jazz fest." We have in fact been to Jazz Fest many times and have never had a 1 1/2 hour wait to get our dinner served. The attitude and arrogance is what made the wait unacceptable.Had they been courteous and pleasant, this review would be much different. Of note, there were two "celebrities" at the restaurant that we recognized. It is likely that these people did not have reservations that were made a month in advance but were probably seated on short notice due to their elite "status". In summary, if you enjoy good food, don't mind being talked down to by your waitress, don't mind waiting 1 1/2 hours to get your meal, and don't mind eating within view of rats climbing up and down the courtyard wall then this is the place for you. Of note, we also dined at Stella! and K Paul's and were served by friendly staff and enjoyed excellent dinners in a clean and friendly environment.
(1)Cecilia M.
On our first visit to New Orleans we dined at Bayona based on a friend's recommendation who visits the city frequently, and a write-up in Southern Accents magazine. The weather was wonderful, so we asked to dine in the courtyard. We ordered a lovely bottle of wine only to find out 10 minutes later that they didn't have it in their cellar -- our substitute arrived after another 10 minutes. Our wine was poured and we placed our meal order -- only to be told that our first choice of starters and entrees were not available. Finally, 10 minutes later the bread was placed on the table. Then, 20 minutes later our first course arrived which was delicious, so we decided to forgive the slow service. So much for forgiveness ... it took another 20 minutes for the second course to arrive. Again, absolutely delicious, but by then we were "over" the extremely slow service. Still, we thought we would try desert. We placed our desert order, and again, another 20 minutes. As with the other courses it was delicious. Unlike the service up to this point the bill arrived promptly, and with news that the desert would be complimentary due to ... the slowness of it's arrival (SURPRISE). We will definitely be back to New Orleans, just not sure if we'll dine at Bayona again. In total, our dinner experience was 2hrs + long at a slow dining time for the restaurant. I would hate to experience the service when it's busy. In summary, the food was superb, staff was friendly, but the kitchen too slow to warrant our return. Go if you have time to burn.
(3)Ricky G.
My wife and I visited Bayona and were not disappointed. We arrived at 8 pm for 8:30 reservations, and were quickly seated in the Parlor. After a few new drinks, we were seated promptly at 8:30. Bayona really pleased with the appetizers. I had the Goat Cheese Toast with Wild Mushrooms. Superb! The tangy goat cheese, sweet cream and woody mushrooms were a perfect combination. My wife had crab meat in filo dough - very good, but not quite as special as the mushrooms. But enough food to count as a meal. My wife ordered the duck for dinner. She has never ordered duck before but was very pleased with her dinner. I ordered the sweetbreads. They we delicious. Tender, mild with just a hint that you were eating organ meat. Service was attentive but not overbearing. Overall, a great experience.
(4)Dorothy W.
Totally overrated. Mediocre food--about at the level of a "good restaurant" in a small or mid-sized U.S. town. I had a tasteless crab salad and an equally unremarkable duck breast entree. My boyfriend had an over-salted salmon entree and a Caesar salad that looked like it came from a chain restaurant. I think the high ratings are coming from tourists who don't know good food. The service was appallingly unprofessional. Our waiter was unfriendly, then disappeared for the rest of the evening. The woman who cleared the plates never said "Excuse me" as she would break into conversations and bump into us as she pulled plates from under our arms. The entire restaurant felt like a tourist mill.
(2)P W.
Just ate there late Friday night and it was amazingly delicious. Great Bayona martini (with cucumber). I am so confused by my whirlwind weekend in NOLA I cannot remember exactly what I ordered (I ate a lot of food over the weekend) but both KS and I remember this as being one of the dining highlights of our year. Very nice ambience, a suble oasis on the outskirts of Bourbon Street mayhem - - a really lovely and relaxing outdoor dining area. So recommended!
(5)Leslie P.
Filet melts in your mouth. Setting is pure French Quarter charm. My hubby proposed to me here 15 years ago and it's still going strong. On my first visit, it was full of stars: Oliver Stone, Kevin Costner, Alan Rickman....they were filming JFK in town and everyone was there to eat. They have good taste!
(5)Scott R.
This was our first stop on our trip to New Orleans for Jazz fest this year. Had a reservation for lunch on Thursday, and enjoyed the very flavorful Garlic Soup, Shrimp and Black Bean Cake and Cashew Peanut Butter and Pepper Jelly Duck Sandwich; also tried the top notch Caesar salad and excellent Sweetbreads. All the food was top notch and reasonable given the ingredients and quality. I would give it 5 stars, but the service was somewhat impersonal and harried, and not up to the 5 star standards of other local restuarants I've been to (Commander's and Stella for two). The chef, Susan Spicer, came out to greet one table of acquaintances, and signed a few books for general sale, but otherwise ignored the diners. She was tired, and I'm sure she'd already had a long day. Still I would recommend this for a very nice lunch or dinner.
(4)Melissa H.
Loved the cucumber julep cocktail as well as the beet and fig salad. However, our entrees took forever to arrive. My redfish was overcooked and there was barely a trace of sauce on the plate. A restaurant with this kind of reputation should be able to cook a killer piece of redfish. My husband's pork chop with greens and stone-ground grits was pretty good, but not very inventive. I just don't think it is worth the hype and the price.
(2)Katherine S.
Consistent wonderful food that they happily custom-make to accommodate allergies. We bring visitors here all the time because we know they will have a wonderful experience, the food will be top notch, and all will leave happy. Keep it up!
(5)Amber M.
you only need to know one thing about eating at BAYONA: have the lamb. then go back the next day and have it again. come to think of it, we haven't been here in a while. oh darling...
(5)Larry B.
Went to Bayona based on some yelp reviews and also on an episode of Best thing I ever ate on Food network. Frankly I just wanted to get the garlic soup but wound up being seating in the dining area. The room is old school like a Creole dining room, but seems a little tired. there is a lovely courtyard and if it were a bit warmer that where I would want to sit. Our server was very enthusiatic, at least until he realized we just wanted soup and some apps. But he offered good service regardless. The garlic soup which is a signature dish is amazing. Full of pan roasted garlic which has been pureed and mixed with bread and cream to thicken it. One of the best soups ever, and Im a soup junkie. We also had the sweebreads app which was done in a piccata style with lemon and capers. Great flavor and the sweetbreads were tender and delicious. I did look at the wine list which is very good, but has a 300 percent markup on some wine, which I think is excessive. 4 stars for the experience , would have been 5 but the ambience and some serving gaffes made it 4. Go for the soup but if you want to spend a lot of money on dinner, there are better places in NOLA.
(4)Darrin Y.
With a show starting at 9pm last week, we called up Bayona at 7pm and they were nice enough to squeeze us in without a reservation at the last minute. As it turned out, there was a Mayor's Convention in town that week, and as we sat there,t he place quickly filled with politicos from all over. We ordered first courses and wine (quail salad, caesar salad), and you started to get the feeling all these mayors hadn't had reservations either. Started to feel like they were understaffed. But I can't and won't complain about it since we just showed up almost unannounced, and it was clear that our server was a total professional dealing with something beyond her control. I liked her a lot. Anyway, what I was really psyched about and did not at all realize about Bayona was that they serve sweatbreads as a main course (and also a first course). The only other place in town I'm aware of that serves them as an entree is La Crepe Nanou. So I had them, and they were the best I've had in the city, and I order sweatbreads every time they're on a menu. There was a choice of sauces, and I believe I had the mustard sherry; the other is a lemon caper, I think. So in short: Sweatbreads, best in city. Took our glasses of wine to go, and went.
(4)Sabrina O.
During my trip to New Orleans, I really wanted to go here because of the garlic soup. I'm really glad I did. The soup was the best part, but everything was delicious. I had the hanger steak. Very tender. And then for dessert we shared some sort of ginger raspberry cannoli. I think it was a special that night.
(4)Katie S.
Go here. Don't just eat but meander through the adventure of dining at Bayona. The place is elegant, very New Orleans with something slightly aging about it, but dignity and this sexy sultry under-layer. Courtyard dining isn't all that uncommon in NOLA but Bayona's was the best I've seen in all of my trips. The wait staff was very knowledgeable and his descriptions of the food were nearly an artform, well above and beyond the typical "We have a lamb special tonight with potatoes and green beans." And that lamb and mashed sweet potatoes were a work of art...the entire time I spent at Bayona was time away from the world and the hussle of the city. This will be my first stop when I get back into town. The food had the punch of the Big Easy but the subtle flavors and textures really makes this place foodie-Goldilock's dream. Like I said, Go here.
(5)Zack H.
They get it right. The best restaurant in NOLA. Take your time and dine well, this is what it's all about.
(5)Janlee A.
Upscale, beautiful courtyard in the French Quarter. Nice place to take business clients or older out of town guests for a consistent, good meal. The service has always been very good here. A bit stuffy for my regular dining rotation but I have never had anything less than a delicious meal here.
(4)Denise P.
Our last meal in New Orleans and picked purely on strength of Moon guidebook. Glad we did! Scallop starter was a standout. Flounder on a shrimp and corn risotto was fantastic. The lamb loin in zinfandel sauce is one of their standards but I only thought it so so. Service was great and it didn't feel overly 'stuffy' as some reviewers thought.
(4)Matt N.
My wife and I visited this wonderful restaurant last Saturday. I had not informed her where we were going so it was a wonderful thing when we turned from Dauphine Street in to the walkway leading up to the door. Immediately the atmosphere changed from the hurried, car infested street to a quiet, more romantic atmosphere. Our waitress was very knowledgeable and made the night so much more special. My wife had the herbed chicken and I had the porkchop both of which were part of the nightly specials so they may not be available if you go. The porkchop was topped with bourbon peaches with a side of greens and grits which added a southern flair. The meat was very tender and juicy not like any porkchop I ever had. The highlight of the meal was the dessert which was two large, cookie type wafers embedded with sunflowers. In between the wafers was two small scoops of ice cream with a light lemon flavor. The top was finished with a small amount of whipped cream that was also lightly flavored with lemon. The wafers melted in your mouth while all the flavors mixed together to make an awesome dessert. After dinner we walked out to the courtyard which was empty because of the heat and humidity. It was very lovely and would be an even more special place to experience Bayona.
(5)Jim G.
My favorite restaurant in New Orleans. The food is out of this world and they have a very difficult menu - difficult in that it is hard to decide what to order. They have a friendly and corteous staff who always have to help me make my selection and they have never missed. I've eaten here 4 times and have never been disappointed. You leave with your taste buds tingling and the staff alwasy makes me feel special. Its a must when in New Orleans for me. I've even stopped by late on my way back to the hotel just for desert and coffee in the beautiful and tranquil back courtyard.
(4)Ms. M.
I am sad that I only got to have lunch at Bayona. There are so many things on the menu that I still want to try, so I'll have to go back another time. The fried veal sweetbreads that I had there were the best I have ever had the pleasure of devouring -- perfectly crisp on the outside but tender on the inside, well-seasoned, and paired nicely with some beets and fried potato cubes. I also had their famous cashew-peanut butter and pepper jelly sandwich featuring smoked duck. It was sticky and sweet, but balanced out nicely with the apple and celery salad. I didn't have time for dessert because I was on my way to catch my flight, so again, I will just have to go back. The one drawback was the slow service, but it was very friendly and homey.
(4)Andrew B.
The hostess said as i put on my blazer in th 100 degree weather "honey, you don't have to do that here." That pretty much set the tone for the enjoyable evening. Everything was great, the quail salad being particularly outstanding. It makes things kind of perfect when there is a balance of service, food, atmosphere, and I don't normally judge a restaurant by this, but customers. They were doing such a great job that I remember looking around and seeing the contentment was pervasive, it almost seemed like well mannered happy people were on the payroll as customers. The space is beautiful. Be sure to get reservations because in the french quarter were its either blue blazers with brass buttons or cut offs and old navy t-shirts a quality casual dinning place with world class food and service fills up fast.
(5)Beebe G.
after years of coming to this place during our annual jazz fest visit we will no longer come back. the service was just horrible! the worst and most disgusting part were the GIANT RATS running around the patio where we dined. for the amount of money we've spent at this place i am beyond disappointed with the whole experience. one of THE RATS ran over my husband's foot and as plain as a pikestaff startled him. susan spicer who was a few yards away talking to a couple turned her head for a flash second at our direction and then turned back to continue her conversation with the couple while she also couldn't help but see the shadows of the GIANT RATS sauntering down the trees that were adjacent to the couple's table. OMG so freakin' disgusting! how does she live with herself? the general manager did come and apologize to us about their RODENT PROBLEM and even comped us the wine but it was just too late and the entire evening was already ruined as well as the dining exerience. i just cannot believe that this restaurant is operating in these conditions! i mean this is a matter of public health and the restaurant should be completely shut down until those RATS are completely eliminated. it was like dining in a disgusting scary movie! UGH!
(1)heather t.
This is what I'm talking about Baby! Excellent food, professional waitstaff and lovely dining rooms/patio. Good for date night, business gatherings, and holidays with the family. One of the best in New Orleans!
(5)Sol B.
A quiet, elegant and romantic restaurant in the French Quarter a bit off of the beaten path. The courtyard looks like it would be wonderful in the spring and fall with what must be blooming colors and sweet smells. The bread at the beginning was not particularly good or memorable but they provide a decent olive oil to accompany. The starter of goat cheese crouton with wild mushrooms was fantastic, but being a fan of goat cheese they always could use more. The garlic soup is creamy and satisfying. While my wife enjoyed her perfectly cooked salmon, the crust was a bit too rich (taking away from the natural flavor) and the potatoes were too salty. On the other hand, the Moroccan lamb special on a bed of Israeli cous cous was wonderfully steeped in cumin, coriander and other spices and melted in the mouth. Go now and enjoy a fantastic meal in a great setting.
(4)Karla E.
This would have been a wonderful meal except that it was all but ruined by the unacceptable service received. The food itself was excellent, some of the best we sampled while in New Orleans, but our waitress Jane was not only uncomfortably overbearing but failed to get our order in until very late, after which we continued to have an unacceptably long wait time for each course even after the error was caught. Nonetheless, the food was excellent (though we were beyond hunger or interest by the time the entrees had arrived). My husband's rabbit and my pork chop were delicious. But we were too aggravated to stay for dessert.
(3)Jerry E.
The fish was good and the apricot doughnut were wonderful.
(3)Jane L.
Beautiful courtyard, the food was very good but nothing in particular stands out in my mind. It's worth the trip but if I only had a weekend in town, it probably wouldn't make the cut.
(4)rebekah b.
I'm a planner. That's what I do, so a month before my trip to New Orleans, I already knew exactly where I wanted to eat. And this place was tops on my list. We came here on our last evening in town, and Bayona definitely lived up to my expectations. Our reservation was for 9 pm, and we enjoyed a pleasant wait outside while they prepared our table. The waiter, and I wish I remembered his name because he was great, was super attentive all night and kind of funny. He was also incredibly knowledgeable about everything on the menu and steered us in the right direction when we had questions. The food was top notch. I started with the garlic soup which I'd heard so much about and really enjoyed the flavor. Honestly, I can't remember what my main course was, but this is due to the fact that my trip was two months ago and not because the food was bad. I do remember getting the cheese plate which was a departure for me (I ALWAYS get dessert), but it was delicious and a medeira which I've never done before either. But there was just something about that night and about the place that made me want to up the culinary ante. Of all the restaurants we went to during my visit (and there were some great ones), this is the one that was the most memorable (well, except for the main course, but, again, that's due to my faulty memory).
(5)Suzanne L.
Okay, first I was not too impressed. Maybe I am spoiled by the fantastic dining of my hometown of San Francisco, but this place was way under par. We made a special trip here because we had some friends that suggested it. Two of the friends actually worked here at one time or another. We came for lunch on a Saturday where they offer a choice of 3 small plates for $25. Not to bad, huh? Well the portions on some of the dishes were so tiny, there wasn't enough to even share a single bite! Yikes. Some dishes like the salads, snapper and soups were substantial enough to share and quite tasty. We were all a little disappointed to pay $60 per person, honestly. Also with all the hype surrounding it, I was truly expecting better. Perhaps my standards are too high. The service was outrageously slow and they hardly had any tables. Hmm...strange. I suppose the highlight of the meal were the desserts. They were a good size and all were very tasty. Ah well, you live and learn.
(3)Susan L.
This place is amazing! We went here for a business dinner and it was fantastic. It's got a great atmosphere for a business dinner, also great for romantic dates. Susan Spicer is the chef and she's fantastic. The lamb was recommended as the most popular dish and it was really fantastic. I ordered it medium rare and it didn't have the lamb taste that you'd get when you order chops. The lamb taste was very subtle which made it very good. I also got to try the steak which was delicious, very juicy and tasteful. The scallop appetizer was great as well, it wasn't as juicy as usual, yet it was still very flavorful. I highly recommend this place. Make sure you make reservations!
(5)Ryan L.
Very unique atmosphere. Intimate. You will miss it if you don't know the address. It is not my top choice for a splurge meal. Kind of got a stuffy feel form the staff. Our waitress was a bitch but the food was good. She just wanted us out of there and she did not hide it.
(3)Nicole D.
In the French Quarter, many restaurants practically scream for your attention. This is, after all, a place where you can walk the streets with an open container. So it was a surprise to discover a tucked away gem in Bayona, where its subtlety and graciousness surpass its brash surroundings. We landed here on a friend's recommendation. The chef, Susan Spicer, is well known and yes, it's a foodie restaurant. We ate here on Valentine's Day when they featured a prix fixe menu with two categories: savories and sweets. We both ordered savory dishes, three each, and they came in small but wonderful serving sizes. We at first approached eating here more formally but after the first course, we relaxed into the flow of the seamless service (it must be noted: these folks have mastered the art) and savored the food. The food was to die for. And we didn't even have dessert. Such a treat. Go there for a special occasion and bring money. Good stuff like this doesn't come cheap.
(4)Stellah D.
A bit of an old boys club, Bayona is a charming place to dine in the quarter. The food is decadently rich which seems to please the large, well tailored patrons. Not very suitable for vegetarians almost everything on the menu features a pork product. My companion and I were the youngest diners by decades, though happily we didn't care. The courtyard is very pretty and the lunches an excellent deal. bayona.com
(3)Michael R.
My wife and I went to Bayona on one of the last nights of a week long trip to New Orleans and it was far and away the best meal of our trip even surpassing Commander's Palace (which was quite good). We each started with a cocktail which were both very aromatic. She had a cucumber julep where the bourbon had been replaced by a cucumber infused vodka. As a bourbon purist, I was surprised by how pleasing a julep this proved to be. I had a drink (forget the name) that was essentially a Manhattan where the vermouth had been replaced by an orange liqueur - also quite tasty. For appetizers we split both the goat cheese croutons and the fried green tomatoes and crawfish remulade salad. Both were again quite tasty. The salad combined a lot of nice tastes and textures while the crouton and the mushrooms in madeira cream that topped then was a bold burst of flavor. Then for our entrees she had the rabbit roulade stuffed with boudin and a fried leg as well. I had the peppered lamb loin with goat cheese and zinfandel sauce. The lamb was great and, even though rarer than I ordered, the quality of the meat was high enough that I did not mind. The rabbit was tasty and the fried leg was especially enticing. The spice mix in that batter was simultaneously familiar, comforting, and mysterious - we bought the cookbook primarily in hope of getting that recipe. And Chef Spicer was on site to come out and sign the book. She was really friendly and nice to meet. We finished splitting a chocolate hazelnut desert and with coffee. Service was great - attentive without lingering and also provided some good wine paring suggestions. Total bill was ~$145 which I felt was a steal. At home in LA I'd probably pay at least 50% more for a comparable meal.
(5)Jason L.
My wife Lynn had to attend a conference in New Orleans . . . the National College of DUI Attorneys (I ask you, what better city?) . . . so it offered a perfect opportunity to return to one of our favorite restaurants, owned by one of our favorite chefs, Susan Spicer's Bayona. We arrived at the Louis Armstrong International Airport a little after 2:00 in the afternoon and, once we safely retrieved our bags, I called Bayona from the cab to confirm our dinner reservations for that evening. After checking into our hotel (the truly wonderful International House, Lynn and I walked the three blocks to the Acme Oyster House for a couple of dozen on the half shell and some Abita Amber beer on tap, a smooth, flavorful Mnchen-style amber brew that is just hoppy enough to perfectly accompany a variety of New Orleans' staple foods. A walk around the quarter, a change of clothes, and we walked the eight blocks to Bayona. Arriving a little early, we sat in their waiting area and enjoyed a glass of 2001 Domaine de Piaugier Ctes-du-Rhne Villages "Sablet" (Rhne, France): A blend of approximately 80 percent Grenache and 20 percent Syrah, this is a medium-bodied, supple wine that is very forward and aromatic in the nose, generous without being flabby or fat on the palate and quite flavorful on the palate and moderately-long finish. A comfortable wine to "slip into" the evening that awaited us. We began with an Amuse bouche of crawfish in a curried sauce, baked in phylo dough and served with a tomato coulee. Crispy, deliciously flavorful and gone all-too-quickly, Lynn and I both knew we had nothing to worry about when it came to this meal! I moved on to a supremely seductive Cream of Garlic Soup, amazingly rich and flavorful, but just when it expect it to be full-bodied and almost heavy, the wine seduces you with its lightness and delicate subtlety. (If it sounds as though I'm laying it on a bit thick, all I can say is this soup is a real winner!) Meanwhile Lynn selected the Seared Scallops with Brandade Croquette, Arugula & Black Olive Vinaigrette. The scallops were cooked to perfection, among the best I've ever tasted. (Lynn let me have one bite, but only one bite.) With the time change and everything, we decided to share the salad course, and ordered the Crispy Smoked Quail Salad with a Bourbon Molasses Vinaigrette. If a salad can ever be called "rich," this is it! The perfectly smoked quail was succulent and flavorful, rich and tasty as only quail can be, while the vinaigrette was rich and flavorful, perfectly balancing the natural sweetness of the molasses with the acidity from the vinegar. Awesome! For our entres, Lynn opted for one of Susan Spicer's signature dishes, Veal Sweetbreads in a Sherry-Mustard Butter, while I selected one of the evenings specials, the Buttermilk Fried Rabbit Leg & Tenderloin in a Creole Mustard and Tasso Sauce with Stoneground Grits. Bayona is justifiably known for their sweetbreads, and this certainly did not disappoint. The sweetbreads were lightly crispy on the outside, moist and tender inside, with the light piquancy from the sherry and mustard balancing the natural richness of the butter and the sweetbreads themselves. Major Yums! As for "thumper," I cannot recall ever having rabbit this good -- and I love rabbit! Succulent, tender, lightly spicy (enough to bring out the flavor without hiding it under "heat") We were in heaven! And the wine we selected from their excellent list turned out to be a perfect match . . . . 2001 Savigny-les-Beaune, Domaine Jean-Marc et Hugues Pavelot (Burgundy, France): I have to start out by saying we began with this wine with our appetizers, the garlic soup and seared scallops, and finished it some two hours later with the last of our entres. Over this time, the wine opened and changed beautifully. It began with a translucent cherry-red color, clear and brilliant to the eye; the bouquet was light and filled with delicate rose petals and cherry blossoms, with cherry fruit; on the palate, the wine was medium-light in body, satiny in texture, with lots of fruit in the mouth and with a long, lightly tart finish. Just wonderful! As it opened (not decanted), the wine took on weight, shed some of its baby "freshness" and became more "serious," with more depth, earth and spice in both the wine's aroma and flavorful palate, perfectly suited to the flavor profiles of the veal and rabbit. A great wine, with a perfectly excellent meal . . . . * * * * * As far as things like "good for kids" is concerned, doesn't that depend on the kids? Our kids (11 and 12) would love it, but they also love places like Chez Panisse and Lalime's in Berkeley; my brother-in-law's kids, on the other hand . . . I shudder at the thought! As far as attire is concerned, the website says "business casual," and that's about right. But every time I've been here, there is a great mix of people -- all ages, and all locations (i.e.: locals and tourists alike).
(5)Patricia C.
We choose Bayona for our first Honeymoon dinner in New Orleans and we left very satisfied. Cozy restaurant, excellent.
(5)Garrett W.
Reservation was sat perfectly on time & the service was perfect. The good however was nothing to write home about, I don't get the hype. My wife and I both had the Salmon which was cooked well, but bland. I've had better fish at Landry's. With a tab of over $100 for two people it should have been much better.
(3)Ron S.
I have only been here once and the food and service was great. My only quibble is that it does not have bar seating for dining. I know this is minor and is very specific to my situation but if you travel alone as I do you really enjoy dining at the bar of fine restaurants rather that sitting at a "table for ONE, One, one,..." Also note that this is a fairly formal (nay I say fancy) place so don't come in here in shorts and a Bourbon street t-shirt.
(5)John B.
Pals rave; sw-breads keep them coming & raving. But when 3-4 oz. of wine is $14/glass, AND meal is meager & 'eh' flavor-wise, I do not return. scallops: eh; caeser: strange/OK; lamb loin: VG, nice. wife's carrot cake looked like a shot glass of pineapple-threatened glazef carrot donut must have tipped over and revealed some other heretofore unknown truth....super-'eh'. So: $$$$ does not mean great or generous, at least to us. Dessert menu so imaginative, we just could'nt imagine dessert here. Carrot cake was a fall-back. Service was really decent. Shouldn't have to get half-lit to rationalize the food tab.
(2)Tina C.
Had a great meal and great service! If you are in a hurry let them know and they will accommodate, service was impeccable and plates beautiful. This menu is very creative and eclectic, not a good place for the picky eater. I am a retired chef and would go back in a heartbeat! The absolute best chocolate pana cotta I have ever had! I sat in the main room of the house but they have seating upstairs and in a garden area that is beautiful. Signage is small and the entrance is on the side, so be looking for the street address. So glad I missed the parade to go an eat here.
(4)Nickie G.
We wanted some damn fine food and after I saw my boy Chris L's review we made reservations for Bayona on Monday night. I am glad we did. We were seated immediately and met our server. He was a fountain of food knowledge and even had wine recommendations. So we ordered up a red blend and got down to business with ordering. The ambiance was like an old house and it was pretty quiet like a library when we first got there but more lively once the hour got a bit later. We chose to have our courses all separate - "slow" food style - because we were in it for the evening and wanted a relaxing experience. First off, that relish they put on the table to start is deeelicious. My favorites were the roasted garlic cloves and the jalapeno. Goat cheese crouton with mushrooms in Madiera cream - melty cheese on a soft crouton with rich mushrooms on top. What's not to love here? I had the garlic soup as my "first" course and I will say - if you don't like garlic then don't even go here. This was cream of GARLIC soup. It was creamy and it was intensely garlicy. I am of the opinion that there is never too much garlic so I loved it but others weren't as pleased. I also tried my friend's gumbo (apparently she doesn't make Cajun food often but when she does it is a must order) and it was the best gumbo I have ever had. Ever. I know, I haven't tried yours or your mamma's but this was amazing. Give it a try if you see it available. I had the grilled duck breast which is apparently a signature item. It was cooked perfect medium rare and I can't remember what all was on the plate but every bite melted in my mouth. My friend had the special rabbit three ways and I must say that I was jealous when I tasted the smooth duck liver. It was so rich and decadent - must order. I also tried the hangar steak and the pouisson (chicken) and both were excellent. I wouldn't have been sorry about ordering any of these things. At the end we got a dessert wine instead of an actual dessert. All of that, plus the two bottles of wine, split between 4 people was only $80ish before tip. A meal that lovely with that reasonable of a price tag?! Sign me up - I'll be back next time I'm in town.
(5)The P.
Went for dinner last night, first stop on our trip to NOLA...service was outstanding, Jason and Jane were friendly, knowledgeable professionals...had the classic favorites: Garlic soup (still sublime) Goat cheese croutons Quail salad Lamb loin Roasted duck (still the gold standard for all duck dishes) Bayona was outstanding 15 years ago when I first started going there and the current chef and crew carry on the tradition...delicious!
(4)Ken M.
great food , service fantastic, will recommend to others
(4)Mike H.
Excellent again. Garlic soup is wonderful, the roasted garlic adding a touch of smoky sweetness to the dish. Carly the sommelier was helpful and knowledgeable, listened to our likes and recommended a beautiful bottle. Service was perfect overall (thanks to Billy Dawn and Kristin). Had the rabbit done two ways (forgot which) and it was done to perfection, juicy and succulent. Looking forward to next year;s visit to New Orleans for a return.
(5)Alex S.
So psyched for this meal! It was good, but not necessarily worth the hefty price tag. Cream of garlic soup was disappointing. My friend's duck breast was the highlight of the meal...perfectly cooked and delicious. I had the pork-stuffed rabbit, which was good but not great. I liked the fried tomatillo on the side, which added a nice tang to the meal. My other friend got the pork chop, which was fairly pedestrian.
(3)August R.
My wife and I went to Bayona last night. Ashley was wonderful as wait staff. The sweetbreads were great. My wife had the lamb which was wonderful as well. Cream of garlic soup was good and the caramelized garlic on top was fantastic. I only gave four strs because the pork chop with eggplant was very over salted. I found it interesting that the greens with them were perfect, obviously another sous chef responsible.
(4)Kelly R.
I won't forget the meal I had here for a long time: - cauliflower soup with almonds and lemon something (on the specials menu, Jan '13) - crispy smoked quail salad - Arctic Char with choucroute, green beans It was a little more food than I needed (quail salad is surprisingly filling) but I was so curious about each dish (and considering Corporate Papa was paying) went for all three. I didn't regret it. If I went back to this restaurant again, I would definitely get the quail salad--it's enjoyable for both taste and texture. The Arctic Char was done perfectly. It was my first time to have this fish, which is a little like salmon, but less "fishy." Ah, that flaky, herb crust on it... Service was great too. When we expressed interest in a Malbec-like wine to go with the mix of meats (quail, fish, etc.!) on the table, they recommended an excellent wine (can't recall it now, sorry).
(5)Shari J.
Hands down our favorite restaurant in the city.
(5)Patrick L.
The food was terrific but portions were very small. I had the bbq shrimp with grits and colored greens. I'm glad I tried them. I love the southern food but very fattening and probably better to stay with small portions.
(4)jenn m.
Best sandwich in New Orleans is here!!!! the duck, almond butter and pepper jelly sandwich is so amazing!!!! what a great lunch spot. get ready for dessert - they're all great!!!!
(5)Airy A.
"OK" food, number of yummy things but a lot of "eh" and subpar things also. Definitely not up to the standards set by the extraordinarily high prices... this is more of a talking point/tourist note than a good place to eat. Service was fine. Left feeling very annoying and disappointed. Nothing memorable. Also went to Boucherie which was -by far- the better choice if you want a "nice night out" meal.
(2)Jack S.
The food in this restaurant is absolutely great however they have a snooty and i mean snooty waitress named Joselyn whao was probably the worst waitress i have ever experienced. I asked for a martini that is made with Cafe Patrone and she said to me you can only find that at a DIVE bar. I thought i heard her wrong so i asked her to repeat her answer and she again stated you can only get that at a dive bar. I said are you sure she said i am 100% sure. She was not very pleasant and had a male partner that was ok. I was going to tell the hostess (gray hair lady) but she didn't seem much friendler. My first thing with a restaurant is good food and this place had this and i can generally can deal with sub par service but this girl was something i could not deal with.
(3)Susan O.
Everything was great. We ate there again the next day.
(5)Jennifer S.
Excellent lunch spot...even with all of the construction outside the front entrance. The atmosphere is very nice, the service was great and the food was excellent. There were many local regulars enjoying lunch, so I knew it had to be good. We enjoyed the 3 course Saturday lunch menu and were not disappointed!
(4)Rene D.
A rainy afternoon, big windows, and great company for lunch in the French Quarter. What a way to have a leisurely lunch in a beautiful setting. We were celebrating Hump Day, friendship and Bayona's anniversary special: 3 courses for $20 and 20-cent martinis. What could go wrong? Fortunately, nothing. This is a great 'ladies who lunch' kinda' place. The salad was quite French - simply dressed mesclun and a few shavings of Parmesan cheese. I enjoyed the seared scallops with Yuzu butter, baby bok choy and somen noodles. The scallops were cooked to perfection and the citrusy noodles and bok choy had the right consistency. My friends had the famous Smoked Duck, Cashew-Peanut Butter and Pepper Jelly Sandwich and the Mixed Grill of Lamb Loin, Chaurice, 1/2 Stuffed Quail. The sandwich was good, but I'd like to experience the puff pastry version to compare. Our server was great, so no complaints there; I wonder if it hadn't been raining and therefore busier if we would have seen a difference.
(3)Lindsay H.
One of my top two restaurants in the city. Loved this place when we dined the night before my wedding and recently for a quaint lunch. For lunch they have an affordable prefix menu. I like the fact that you can mix and match the offerings on the lunch menu. If you want three dessert items, they are all yours. Susan Spicer never disappoints with amazing combinations of flavors. Feel free to take me here anytime.
(5)Chessa Rae J.
Could've been great. Delicious food, paired with inattentive and condescending waitstaff means I won't return. Too bad b/c the food was really good. Maybe lunch isn't their best face.
(3)Daniel M.
Thanks a lot, Bayona - you just ruined PB&J for me forever. WHY did you want to use cashews instead of peanuts for your butter?? WHY did you choose pepper jelly over grape?? WHO told you it was a good idea to layer smoked duck and caramelized onions on top of that?? I was expecting something that SEEMED familiar, but tasted unique. Instead I got something that seems outlandish and tasted like my memories of 4th grade lunch... Except better. Oh but wait, chew on that mouthful a little longer... Let the duck work it's way to the back of your tongue so your nose picks up the notes of smokiness & fat to blend with the cashew butter... Open that sandwich up and eat a little pepper jelly - hell, get it all over your fingers and lick em unashamedly clean.. (Ok, I probably shouldve eaten your sandwich with a fork&knife) Damn, Bayona... You get 5-stars on the sandwich alone. Oh yeah, and eat outside if the weather permits.
(4)Brian C.
Great food, average service, and overall Bayona is a restaurant I would return to. The crab tarte and scallop appetizers were great while for main courses the duck was excellent but my rabbit dish was utterly oversalted and could have ruined the entire meal had the desserts not been outstanding and ended everything on a good note. As for service, I am NOT a fan of the tandem servers utilized by Bayona - our initial server was great but then once the restaurant got busy we only saw a secondary server who had zero warmth and didn't seem to care when we told her how salty the rabbit dish was - while she was taking away a significantly uneaten plate. At a minimum I was hoping the kitchen would be told so they could fix the problem and other diners that evening didn't end up with equally unappealing dishes but I am confident nothing was mentioned. Beyond the food, the drinks were great and Bayona's wine list is probably the best I've seen in NOLA. Well chosen wines including half bottles and large Rhone and Burgundy selections which would go well with most of the food. We actually ended up drinking a bottle of 2007 Soter Mineral Springs Pinot Noir which was an absolute steal at $60 for a fantastic bottle of Pinot with a $48 sugested retail price (i.e., would be expected to sell for $80-120 at most restaurants). I'm looking forward to a posslbe return visit, but there are also lots of other NOLA restaurants that I feel are equal to the overall experience we had at Bayona. 4.5 stars for the food but only 3 stars for the service - at a restaurant of this caliber you really have a right to expect excellence in all areas and unfortunately that just wasn't the case on my initial visit.
(4)Becky H.
Excellent food and fantastic service. The waitstaff are knowledgeable and friendly. They make an effort to explain the menu an make recommendations. The garlic soup is a must!
(5)Marielle S.
I had never been to this place when my boyfriend took me to celebrate my birthday. First of all, the atmosphere is wonderful and romantic. The lighting isn't too bright or too dim, it's perfect for dates. The food was exquisite. I had no idea what to expect, but I got the salmon and I was blown away at how wonderful it was. The wait staff was extremely attentive and helpful. I would definitely love to go back someday. The place isn't cheap, but it's worth spoiling yourself on a special occasion.
(5)Ane T.
This restaurant is owned by probably the most famous female chef in New Orleans; Susan Spicer. With that said, I had high expectations for this place. However, I was quick to realize that I would be disappointed. Maybe I'm a tough critic but this is MY review after all. First off, I hate dining in the French Quarter for lack of parking spaces. They should at least offer valet. Second, the restaurant's entrance was off the beaten path so you might have to pass by about 3 more times. Third, seating area is very "sardine-like". There were even a few times where the servers and patrons bumped my chair in passing. And fourth, which is the most important, the food took way too long. For the most part, food was edible but then again, so is a bag of potato chips. But the thing i hate most is waiting for food. Anyways, Nothing here stood out. There wasn't any "wow" factor. All in all, I hope her other restaurants fair better because I will be dining at Mondo next.
(2)Cbsmom A.
The food was fine if you are willing to spend three New Orleans hours waiting for it. I have had better food on bourbon street. No bread until .75 hours in. No appetizers until .5 hours in. No entree 2 hours in on a Thursday night. Ambience appropriate in the 1990's....no updates since then unless you sit outside. Forgo this for the price....for sure.
(1)Bobby S.
I trusted this restaurant with the celebratory meal for a major life event, and I was extremely disappointed. The party at the table next to us WALKED OUT after their appetizers. I should have taken this as a bad sign. But, there was little I could do. This restaurant is run down. The jewel toned papered walls are lined with yellowed clippings of good press from days gone by. Poor management has been installed; and they are resting on some very old laurels. The food isn't up to snuff, especially for its price tag. They have heard nothing of farm-to-fork at Bayona. In fact, I couldn't tell you the difference between the food we ate and cafeteria mush. There was nothing delicate or interesting about any of the plates. The wine list is a joke! It also is nothing similar to what they advertise online. A restaurant charging $30-per-entree should have a wine list longer than 1 page, double spaced, 12 font. No one drinks chardonnay anymore. So, why is 1/4 of their paltry list dedicated to the varietal? The service - while clearly they are trying - is so awkward I cringed more than once. I've had better service at a TGI Fridays. The place was packed. Too many tables for the amount of room they had. Other guests were loud. This is a place parents of Tulane's student's parents take their children when they visit. Very loud. Very tacky. One more important thing... My cocktail was served in a small glass. That glass had the appearance of being over 10 years old. It also had a very large chip along its rim. I can tolerate quite a lot of bad things in a restaurant. Serving a drink in a sharp rimmed glass is an act of violence. Inexcusable. I'll never go back. Save your dough, and go somewhere else.
(1)Valerie M.
A must try! Let me start out by saying I have been coming to this place for years and never have I been disappointed. The vibe here is sophisticated and relaxed at the same time. Bayona is my favorite fine dining restaurant in the quarter. The courtyard in the back is so beautiful and private. A great spot to enjoy one of their well crafted cocktails. Every dish always so fresh and bursting with flavor. Susan Spicer knows what she's doing that's for sure. For those needing parking (which can be a deterrent for the quarter to some) there is parking available directly across the street at the Dauphine Orleans hotel. I recommend Bayona to anybody looking for a classy dining experience packed with fresh flavor. I will continue to return again and again.
(4)Kelley K.
It's freezing in here! Everyone has their coat on and complaining. It's freezing! Food is a 5 Staff is a 5 Temperature is a minus 5
(1)Marshall P.
During our most recent trip to the Big Easy we booked a reservation here and were greatly disappointed. Our server delivered a monotone memorized spiel and the whole evening did the same thing to every table in our section. She did make sure to never look at us, but to keep her eyes on the foot traffic going by in the French Quarter. Add this to the table right in the traffic zone between kitchen and dining room and it was a very poor atmosphere to dine in. The food would have rated a slightly higher score had it been warm, but alas it was tepid when it arrived at our table. Been to a dozen better places in the French Quarter, save your time and find somewhere else!
(1)Courtie D.
I was set to experience NOLA cuisine in true form when I decided to visit Bayona for their $18 anniversary lunch special. Wow...was I disappointed. The food was mediocre and the service was downright terrible. I was so let down when I left. I truly had set myself up to experience a hometown great. The waiters seemed overwhelmed with minimal numbers of tables. I was impressed with one waiter (not our waiter) who realized the same finished dishes had been sitting for ages on the edge of our table and that our glasses had been empty upon several passes. He took initiative and cleaned and crumbed our table...then he came back and filled our drinks. We thanked him for being proactive and acknowledged that we knew he didnt have to. He was humble and kind of shrugged and laughed it off. In the end, our waiter never came back by after he dropped our food at the table - which he had help to do- we had to ask another waiter for our bill- and the _hostess_ finally brought it us. Truly...a cluster of a mess.
(2)Anjali G.
Excellent! Susan Spicer was as friendly and nice as much as her food was delicious! Even as a vegetarian, it was an amazing experience. Everyone should have at least one Cucumber Julip! It was one of the best cocktails I've ever had. Perfecto!
(5)Chris P.
My girlfriend and I picked Bayona for our anniversary after having gone through a list of restaurants. I had heard great things about this place and was quite excited about this event. When we got to the restaurant we were greeted warmly by the staff and even though there was a bit of a wait we were seated promptly in the lounge and had drinks in our hands within minutes. I must say, they pour one of the best Sazeracs in the city. It was the perfect balance of smoky rye whiskey and sweet bitters. Once we sat down I took a look at the wine list and was pleasantly pleased with the variety on the menu. I ordered the Falafel Crusted Scallops with Samosas and lentils. My wonderful gf ordered the grilled shrimp and black bean cake with coriander sauce. Mine was excellent and I thought the scallops were perfectly cooked. The samosas were a perfect, crispy foil to the soft scallops. I also ordered an excellent dry chablis which happened to be the perfect compliment to that Starter. The grilled shrimp were perfectly cooked but I did not really think the black bean cake was anything special. Now I love beans as much as the next guy, but in this case they did nothing to compliment the rest of the dish. Several glasses of wine later we got our entrees and those were certainly worth the wait. I ordered the grilled pork chop topped with a blueberry gastrique with creamy polenta and sauteed bitter greens. The pork chop was incredibly thick and cooked perfectly, however it's thickness was a bit overwhelming at times. It did not, however, blow me away. It was good but not exceptional. GF had the Sanpper with fennel - basil fumet. I have to admit that hers was much better than mine. The fish was flaky, rich, and delicious and was only enhanced by the other items on the plate. Dessert is almost never worth mentioning for me, so I won't. Needless to say, the dinner was good, not great even though the experience was wonderful. Good service, memorable dining room, and great company. I would recommend it, but not over some other restaurants I have tried.
(3)Don H.
Been walking by this place for several years bur always ignored it as its in the middle of TV paradise on Dauphine street. Decided to give it a try tonight. Our server, Jane, was absolutely delightful and knowledgeable. ordered the warm goat cheese app and was kind of disappointed as it was seved on two slices of toast with some kind of pate which was unexplainable. Salad was next a featured the best blue cheese I've ever tasted. Unfortunately this was the acme of this meal. Entree (from a limited and turgid selection) was the LA Legacy Hanger Steak which featured a NOLA Bordelaise sauce. Absolutely horrible- sauce tasted like a mixture of burned A-1 and Worcester sauces. server came by after I'd had abot three tastes and asked me to comment on the entree. After hearing about my disappointment, offered to get me something else but as I had earlier reviewed the menus, I explained there that nothing else that captured my fancy (a pork entree would have been nice). After my plate was removed, looked at an uninspired desert menu and passed. On the whole, I felt I could have gotten a more filling meal at the dive bar on the corner for about 20% of the price. I came expecting and left disappointed... Not a particularly creative or thoughtful dining experience. Won't be back...
(2)Shradha B.
This place was recommended to us by my husbands colleague. It was one of our best meals in New Orleans. The restaurant was beautiful and the staff was nice and very friendly. The menu had limited vegetarian options but the restaurant was extremely accommodating and considerate and whipped up special vegetarian entrees for us. The pepper stuffed with potato and the kale gnocchi they prepared for us was very interesting, fresh and different. I would definitely recommend everyone visiting NOLA to eat here. Great experience!
(5)Christopher H.
Bayona is a great place for a special occasion. The food is delicious, and there are vegetarian options. And the staff are willing to adapt menu items to make them vegetarian. Highly recommended.
(5)Jessica L.
Food and service were fantastic! Sweetbreads were delicious, from someone who had never had them before and was skeptical. Our primary waiter was very knowledgable and incredibly helpful, there was another waiter that hovered around awkwardly. We were there for a celebration dinner, and they thoughtfully decorated our table for us. We also lingered over our meal and didn't feel rushed at all. It is pricy, but well worth it for special occasions.
(5)Greg M.
I'll let you in on a little secret... Bayona's 23rd Anniversary, 3-course $23 lunch, with .23 there martini (gin, vodka, manhattan or lemon drop) is the best deal in town! The food & service is off-the-charts amazing anytime, but this deal is almost too good to be true. Start off with a Bayona salad, followed by your choice of four solid entrees and a bowl of ice cream, all for $23. Can't beat it!
(5)Gayle V.
Have passed by this classy restaurant on previous trips but this time we made it here! Very nice, calm atmosphere. We were able to make reservations that day so we felt lucky! Dinner was very nice. Hubby had rabbit prepared two different ways and I had the flank steak. Both were beautifully presented and very good! For dessert we had the chocolate tart with cherry compote and Earl Grey gelato. It was good but wished we had ordered the sorbets instead. Service was exceptional!! Would come back for sure!!!
(5)Dylan M.
Truly one of the best restaurants in the city. Never disappoints, great food, great service and a wonderful high end dining experience.
(5)Pam R.
This was my second trip to Bayona and it certainly didn't disappoint. My husband and I went for my birthday. The staff decorated the table and were very attentive. My husband has always been a pub food kinda guy so this was way out of his comfort zone. Surprisingly by the end of the meal, he said he would come back next year when we visit New Orleans. He said he had to give it to me ..these "fancy schmancy" places aren't all bad! That says a lot coming from him ! The sweetbreads are phenomenal (I made him try them before I told him what they were) and my Snapper was perfection. My only disappointment was that the desert I had last time wasn't on that night's menu. Oh we'll, that's what happens when you keep the menu fresh like they do. Maybe next time.
(5)Michaela A.
We are foodies, there is no doubt about it and after living in New Orleans for just over two and a half years, we made it for dinner at Bayona. Wow, the food and the service and the ambiance were all outstanding. Our server was very friendly and we had everything we needed when we needed it. We shared the Spanish Grilled Octopus and the combination of Mediterranean flavors of red pepper, olive etc was superb. Then we each had a pork chop on pimento grits, with sauteed brussels sprouts and onion rings, oh my, the flavors of all of that was outstanding too. I'm hoping to come back for another special occasion, and perhaps try lunch out in the courtyard too.
(5)Raymond G.
The food was absolutely delicious, especially the cucumber and salmon cream cheese dish, but the service couldn't have been worse. We were seated for over 2 and a half hours before we were served our entrees. I understand serving a slow dinner but to make us wait that long for our food was ridiculous. It was also impossible to get our waiters attention to make some sort of complaint. I wouldn't come back for the sole reason of how terrible the service was.
(2)Dan M.
Ok. I'm going to start by saying my girlfriend and I may have had the best meal of our lives here. I know that's high praise and may seem like bluster. Every bite is delicious and fresh with a unique twist. My girlfriend had the stuffed rabbit which I was hesitant to try myself. I must say the rabbit tasted like lean but full of flavor. If you have time , wait for the courtyard for an even more romantic setting. We had to wait 30 min last our reservation for the courtyard but it was worth it. We ll be back.
(5)Paul B.
DISAPPOINTMENT. 2 Stars for the food 3 Stars for the service 4 Stars for the vibe On a recent Friday night, nearly every other restaurant in the area was booked up. Bayona was the only restaurant that had plenty of reservations to choose from. I think that about sums it up. The menu was two pages long, but somehow felt really small. Most of our party just ordered appetizers as none of the entrees seemed appealing. Nothing we ordered was bad, but not one dish was actually good either. It was all mediocre. A few of the dishes were comically small. I would stay away from the rabbit and the pork and especially the goat cheese crouton appetizer. There is a chance the kitchen ran our of goat cheese and just used ricotta instead. The service was sweet but almost comically bad. Our table got two servers, which is probably a good thing, because neither of them really knew what they were doing. The dinner starts with one of the servers reading every item on the menu to you - which is completely pointless since they just read what is on the menu. One of the items I was interested in was a green gazpacho, which the menu said was garnished with fresh cheese. I asked the server what was inside the soup. "The soup is made with fresh cheese," the server said. I asked what else was in the soup. "The fresh cheese seems more like a garnish, what else is in the actual soup," I asked. "Potatoes," was the reply. Followed by a long blank stare. "Tomatoes?" "No. Potatoes. The gazpacho is a cream of potato." More staring. The wine knowledge, and the explanations for every single other dish on the menu were equally detailed. I really wanted Bayona to be good. It's set in an old charming house in the quarter, but I would stay away as there so many other restaurants in the area that I liked more.
(2)Donna J.
One of the most amazing food experiences to date. Chef Susan Spicer is a creative genius. The sweetbreads are absolutely a must have. The attention to pairings is some of the best i have ever had. The menu has tried and true items plus specials. Had rabbit duo with pancetta and it was DELICIOUS! Reservations are almost a must to get into one of NOLA's best restaurants.
(5)Linda C.
Blown away by this place. Order the smoked quail salad - you will not regret it. Under priced if you ask me. Amazing place!
(5)Marc M.
A quick update to say that I have frequented Bayona for 8 years whenever I can while in the BIg Easy. It can hard to get into and there is not much waiting room. It has continued to delight my tastebuds and the service is better than most places in the tourist trap area. The Peanut-Butter and Duck sandwich is still on the menu, but alas only for lunch.
(5)Lynn P.
It was our 10th Anniversary and we opted for the pairings with the menu and it was "spot on". We could not have asked for a better experience and even though the menu has changed over the past 10 years, the experience was the same - exceptional! We never get tired of trying the new menus. Definitely the best experience in NOLA! See you again soon!
(5)Martha W.
This is where I would go for my last meal before I die. It is that good. Bayona's only cooks with organic, certifiably sustainable, and local foods - and the results render me speechless.
(5)Sharon P.
Fantastic experience. Service was friendly n responsive yet hardly noticeable. Location is great and perfect sound level - not too quiet or loud. We took our teenage sons who eat with us often n they loved it. Great wine pairings by servers. Highly recommend lamb, sweetbreads n duck. Best dessert was the flan. Heavenly! Only nono was the bayona martini. Like drinking perfume and was not for me or my husband.
(5)A W.
Bayona is a Cattle call. We were seated in the upstairs wine tasting room with a window AC unit blowing on our backs--on a chilly December night. Presumably the restaurant does not have permission to serve dinner in the room because there was not a single fire exit sign as required by the New Orleans Fire Department. The room is a death trap. Be prepared to be treated as though the restaurant and staff are doing you a favour by serving you. The appetizers and salads were brought at the same time to hurry us along and then we waited 30 minutes for the underdone mains to arrive. Why does a popular restaurant need to stuff customers into every corner until the staff and kitchen cannot help but resent them? The Owner's greed is palpable. We won't be back.
(2)David B.
Charming little restaurant in the French Quarter. Service - The staff was friendly and competent. They answered all our questions about the menu items. They kept our glasses full and were just right in the amount of times and frequency they checked up on us to see if we needed anything. Sean explained how several of the dishes were prepared in order to help us decide, and also suggested great wines to go with our food. Atmosphere - The dining room seemed a bit dated compared to some of the newer chic places around, but this is the French Quarter and it was nice and clean and cozy. It wasn't too loud, which is a plus. Menu - The menu was two pages. On one page is all the signature dishes, and the other page are the specials that change regularly. We tried a little of both. Food - First they brought us a little sample plate which consisted of several olives, a piece of curry cauliflower, pickled carrots....and three types of bread, which were all delicious. The brioche roll stood out among them. The Quail salad was fantastic. The little quails were so perfectly done. Juicy and tender, crisp on the outside, flavorful. Served with nice salad greens and pear slices, with pecan pieces. The fried duck livers were also great! Served three on a plate, they were each a little larger than I expected. Light and crispy, the middle one was on top of a thin slice of brioche bread soaked in rum, and then on top was drizzled a fig preserve. Susan Spicer's version of chicken 'n waffles. Delicious! We also had the veal sweetbreads. I asked for both "dipping" sauces, which were each very good. The lemon caper sauce and the sherry mustard. The sweetbreads were also perfectly done, light and crisp and complemented well with the two sauces. The endive arugula salad was also very nice, with beets and grapes. We had a couple of cocktails, the cucumber julip and the royal dauphine, with orange bitters. The cucumber julip was a perfectly refreshing summer cocktail and the royal dauphine was tasty too. Website - The website appears to need some updating. We saw a 3 course dinner for $35 on the website, yet it wasn't available when we got there. Also, the regular dinner menu was hard to access on the website. Parking - There are several parking lots a couple blocks away for $10, unless there's a special event in which the price triples. But it wasn't that much of a hassle, and gave us a short little after dinner walk, which was nice. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures of the food, I was too busy enjoying the tastes and flavors.
(4)Kimberly J.
Bayona was okay. But not what I was expecting from a highly acclaimed, higher end restaurant. I was looking forward to this as my Birthday meal with family, but we were all under-whelmed. Nothing was terrible and the service was good, but I just thought the food could have been better, for a New Orleans restaurant anyway. If I'd been in Tennessee or Kansas, I would have been much more impressed. But I chose Bayona over other favorites (Dick & Jenny's, Jacque Imo's, Brightsen's) because I've bever been there and heard so many good things. I did learn that many of my friends had dined there for lunch, not dinner. Perhaps i would give it another shot for lunch, but probably not for dinner again. I had sauteed duck livers to start, and the tasso stuffed rabbit for my entree. Both were well presented, but just not great. We decided not to bother with dessert. Although Bayona is not on my return list, I am still up for trying Mondo, which I hear is very good.
(2)Aileen W.
We had heard so much about this place that it was our first destination after we touched down in NOLA. We weren't disappointed! The crispy quail salad was amazing and it was a very generous portion for an appetizer and a fantastic value, imho. The garlic soup was mellow, sweet, and so flavorful. I plan to replicate it at home (at some point)! Hubby ordered the sweetbreads with lemon and capers--what a treat! We both love sweetbreads and order it when we come across it and both agreed that it transcended our expectations. They were breaded lightly and fried; paired with the tangy citrus sauce, just so delicious. I had the lamb loin and thought it was tasty, it was nothing to write (type) home about! The service was efficient and polite, but far exemplary. Our server walked by our table three times without picking up the plate after I polished off my entree; instead, the maitre'd finally whisked it away. It definitely was not something he needed to do since the server is the one getting the tip. Overall, it was a lovely experience but better service would have elevated it to five stars.
(4)Mary s.
Great food, great service. The veal was to die for!
(5)Louis S.
I think we are not cool enough for this place. Service was polite. Maybe they had a bad night in the kitchen, but at that price, they can't really have a bad night. Can't give it a second chance. Expected quaint and romantic. Got loud and obnoxious. We had salads and entrees. My wife had the salmon. We requested it be cooked thoroughly. Apparently, the chef's palate trumps the guest's. We need our fish done. Ours was raw, smelly, and mushy. I opted for the beef selection. A Hangar steak. With all the hoopla over the establishment's take on sweetbreads, I'm afraid I may have crossed a line. Hangar meat is gristle with flavor and fat. Not enough flavor to justify expectorating into a cloth napkin. We researched to find out it is diaphragm meat... diaphragm, bull business, is there a difference? It was gross. Quite flavorful, but like trying to ingest a jacks ball. Chew, chew, chew, spit. I really got worked up over this one. Two glasses of good wine. $24., Caesarlike salad and House salad, $18., Raw salmon mush, $30. Cow business, $33. Tip and disappointment $135.00 for two who left hungry. Did I mention the table behind us? Loud and obnoxious!
(1)Jean K.
We were recommended this restaurant by a friend and we loved it. The restaurant itself was busy, but not noisy and very comfortable. I had the best trout dish ever. The service was a bit leisurely, but I would definitely return.
(4)Candice R.
I cannot express how amazing this restaurant is! Susan Spicer is a culinary genuis. If you don't choose Bayona, you are missing out!! The ambiance feels like old New Orleans swankiness. FOOD & WINE - I highly recommend the sweet breads (either as appetizer or main course) as well as the quail and walnut salad (this thing is amazing!). The wine selection is top notch and well priced. For example, the Moises Pinot Noir is on the list for $75/bottle. This is a fantastic wine made in Oregon by a local New Orleans doctor. So, why not order an amazing "local" wine with your insanely delicious food? SERVICE - The service was fantastic! (We had 7 people and they split checks for us without issue.) You will never be upset that you went to Bayona! RESERVATIONS - But, be sure to make your reservation ahead of time, it can be hard to get in. (the only downside is that they aren't open on Sundays.)
(5)Jennifer H.
The succulent rabbit w/ cherry wild rice and mashed potatoes are what culinary dreams are made of. Had the avocado/tomato salad w/green goddess dressing. Absolutely wonderful. Dessert was a blissful chocolate panna cotta w/ chicory. Everything was amazing and pleasing to the palette and digestion. This was our lucky 7th anniversary dinner and everything was amazing. I can't wait to come back for lunch and try the cashew butter/duck sandwich!
(4)lcat C.
Not worth the money! We had a LONG wait between our appetizer and main course, and for me, the wait was just not worth it. I had striped bass which was pretty uninteresting for 32.00. My salad was also mediocre. My husband had the rabbit which he liked, but both of us were bothered by the wait.
(3)Bridget R.
The sparkling wine, phyllo wrap crawfish with yogurt sauce and lamb with gorgonzola was amazing! This will be a restaurant I will always return to! Must try is the Cheesecake Flan!
(4)Rita Y.
Hubby and I really enjoyed this restaurant. You have to make reservations weeks ahead because it's popular especially when conventions are in town. We sat next to a solo diner who told us he's been to NOLA 4 times and dined at Bayona 20 yrs ago when Chef Spicer just started the restaurant when the decor was not as elegant as it is now. He purchased her cookbook from the restaurant and she signed it with a note to his wife. Our servers, Jane and David were nice. Jane especially was friendly and peppers her conversations with "Darlin". Very sweet. Hubby had the Manhattan, $11, it was quite strong. His soup du jour, $7 was quite good. I had the garlic soup, $6 which was OK but I have a Gary Danko recipe for garlic saffron soup which is so much better. My black bass, $29 was great. Hubby had the duck, $27 which was really good. Both dishes came with vegts. We enjoyed the panna cotta, $9. The place looks like a converted house with several rooms. It's very warm and inviting. A good pick by Hubby. This is a place we'd definitely come back to on a future visit to NOLA.
(4)Alexandra C.
This was my second time here and I was yet again, not disappointed! The reason for dining here this weekend was for my mother's birthday and she (visiting from Rhode Island) was very very happy with her birthday celebration! Service was impeccable! Our two waiters, David and Michael were great...attentive, without hovering...drinks always filled and great wine suggestions. Food was to die for! My mother ordered the pork chop (she loves pork...so this city was made for her). Although she said she wasn't going to complete her entree so she would have dessert, she couldn't even think about not finishing her entree because it was that amazing. The reduction on my hanger steak was the perfect combination of salty and sweet and then paired with the freshest grilled asparagus. Put it this way, as I write this review I am salivating. Sadly neither of us could squeeze in dessert since we each also had a ceasar salads which I would like to quickly speak about. Even this dish has Susan Spicer's take on it...more of a balsamic vinaigrette based ceasar dressing with a mix of romaine and arugula. Such a refreshing spin on a classic! So to wrap this up...spend the little extra to have an amazing dining experience that you will not regret!
(5)Ronald B.
The food was superb without qualification with excellent preparation and exciting flavors. The restaurant ambience was very charming and comfortable. But somehow the service and delivery were not working. We arrived on time for our reservation, were seated promptly and were promptly served our first course and then were basically ignored for two hours. I did get my ice tea refilled a couple of times during that two hours but otherwise had no contact with the two person team of wait staff who initially greeted us. We sat waiting while tables around us who had ordered far later than us were getting their entrees. Of course we were a table of two surrounded with tables of four. My wife finally got up and hunted down one of the waiters who offered the lane excuse that 'the kitchen was backed up.' Afterwards we got a brief visit from the other member of the duo of wait staff but she conspicuously failed to make eye contact and clearly didn't want to be bothered with our tale of frustration. Finally someone who looked to be management came to our table to apologize and listen to our complaint, especially the no communication for two hours part. The entrees finally arrived and were excellent and provided at no cost, Unfortunately the experience was spoiled. Sorry Bayona, at your prices you had best get your delivery services wheels back on.
(2)Katrina R.
Best meal I've ever had in New Orleans, hands down. We came from Chicago to New Orleans to celebrate my 21st birthday. We researched nice places to go to dinner, and were convinced to go to Bayona. I called the afternoon prior and was able to easily secure a reservation (during Mardi Gras!) It was raining pretty heavily the night of our reservation and so between the rain and the dark it was moderately difficult to find the place. Once we got inside the staff was great, they had us wait for only a few minutes before seating us in this really cozy, really welcoming dining area. I've gotta say, the ambiance was warm and upscale; I liked that. The service was great. I ordered the Stormy drink and it was unique and really, really good. I thought I was going to stop there but my tablemates insisted on some champagne. We settled on a Rose Spanish Cava, and it was wonderful. The waitstaff brought some pickled veggies over to snack on while we looked over the menu, and we liked the garlic so much we asked for more. The staff brought us a TON of pickled garlic-- delicious. Service was speedy but not rushed and soon we were settling into our garlic soup. Again, amazing. The soup had a surprising sweetness and wasn't overwhelming. We scarfed it down. For the main course, I ordered Red Snapper with a brown rice cake and some veggies. The boyfriend ordered a oyster-stuffed-porkchop. Yes, you read that right-- a porkchop stuffed with OYSTERS. The fish was delicious. It was perfectly cooked and seasoned, light and satisfying. The veggies were some kind of green thing much like bok choy, and covered in yet another delectable concoction-- some kind of red sauce. The brown rice cake was a surprising stunner. It was crunchy on the outside, flavorful, the perfect complement to the fish. I was so focused on my dish that I didn't bother to try the porkchop, but the boyfriend swore it was fantastic. For dessert I ordered some kind of chocolate tarte. It was good, but definitely not as good as the rest of the meal. Some other patron had stolen our umbrella on the way out, and so the staff offered us a replacement umbrella. We appreciated the kindness, but the weather had cleared up and the gesture was unnecessary. Overall, Bayona was the best dining experience I've ever had in New Orleans; the prices were completely reasonable for the incredible quality-- I cannot wait to go back!
(5)Laila B.
I'm still full from last night. Yes, it was very good but I wasn't blown away. Maybe my expectations were too high. I had a Stormy Morning to start, which was elderberry and violette liquers, bubbly and lime, almost too sweet but the lime saved it. Then we got some bread which was nice although I noticed other tables got amuses bouches and we did not. Sad. I got the crispy quail salad for an appetizer, it was indeed crispy and the greens weren't overdressed! Finally! My boyfriend got the sweetbreads in sherry-mustard and although he said they were a bit too salty, they were cooked perfectly. The man got the Bayona salad as a second and I thought it was really lame. I like salads not to be drowning in dressing but I couldn't really taste any dressing at all, there was a bit on the bottom of the bowl but...really? And it was just lettuce and Parm. I'm bored just thinking about it. Entrees, I got a grouper special, which had a beautiful sear on it and a wonderful lemony-capery-buttery sauce. Also chanterelles, cipolloni and tomatoes. My boyfriend got a rabbit roulade with a green onion-brioche stuffing. The stuffing was great but the rabbit was kind of overcooked and had LOTS of little bones in it. There shouldn't be bones in a roulade. The mashed potatoes were as exciting as the Bayona salad and the sauteed kale was tasty but also very salty. I think dessert was the best. We got perfectly pulled espressos, served with a chocolate almond and we ordered a Lemon-Lavendar Semifreddo with Almond Shortbread. I capitalized all that because that's how good it was. It tasted like a fairy tale. Overall, I enjoyed the meal but I think this is one of those NOLA restaurants that saw their heyday a while back and isn't moving forward.
(4)Jeff O.
Food quality and ambiance was fantastic. The portion sizes were perfect. The table presence was a disappointment, however. Both servers assigned our table were inattentive. When they did come around, their presence was clumsy and uncomfortable. Overall, our party would not return. Despite the excellent kitchen, there are better dining experiences to be had all about the Quarter.
(2)Machelle H.
Oh Bayona, I love you so much. I pick this as my meal before I die, if I am so lucky: Goat Cheese and wild mushroom crutons, Garlic soup, Bayona salad, Sweetbreads appetizer. Then either the scallops or the cashew/peanut butter, duck and pepper jelly sandwich. The Goat Cheese Croutons: I know this doesn't sound exciting. The only way to understand is to try them. I just took my friend here last week for her birthday, and she recalled the first time I took her to Bayona and made her try them. She said she didn't believe me at first, but oh how very wrong she was. She wanted this for her birthday. These are the best sweetbreads on this planet. The famous sandwich: So I tried to make my own cashew and duck sandwich at home. You can achieve some success at home by getting a freshly made multi grain bread from a good bakery, mix some freshly ground cashew butter with some high-quality peanut butter to cut (cashew butter is just too much by itself), get some local person's homemade pepper jelly, and use your leftover roasted duck meat. But really? Are you actually going to ever do this? Plus, your homemade version is inferior to Bayona's. Trust me, I've tried. Their sandwich is kind of messy, so you might suffer if you try to eat it with your hands. But it can be done if you are determined. But maybe just use silverware. I've gotten dessert here before. Last week I had the watermelon and something or other gelato. It was wonderful. But usually I'm too stuffed. If you are coming here for lunch, plan to take enough time. It is rare to get done here in only 1.5 hours. You need to give yourself sufficient freedom to relax and enjoy. And you need more than one course. During the summer, they have anniversary lunch specials. Because this (2010) is their twentieth year in business, they have 20 cent martinis. They also have a $20 price-fixe menu, with a soup or salad, an entree, and an ice cream or gelato. I don't know how they stay in business giving lunch away like that. Especially this lunch. I mean, seriously, the ingredients cost that much.
(5)Melanie T.
"With an S on her chest... she's a superwoman" -Alicia Keys Susan Spicer knows how to throw down! She brings Southern cooking to a whole 'nother level. Perfectly located, Bayona is near the French Quarter but tucked away from all the craziness of Bourbon Street. I had the sweetbreads to start. Sweetbreads, FYI, are neither sweet nor bread. It's actually lamb glands that are oh-so-delicioso. The scallops melted on my toungue and I was sad when the plate left our table empty. The fish special was cooked to perfection! Chef has a signature menu and a seasonal menu to sample from. I suggest you try something from both. Service was impeccable and the overall experience exceeded every expectation I had. At the end of the meal, Chef Spicer came out to the dining room to check in with her patrons which was a treat, indeed. She even stayed around to take pictures with a few of her fans, myself included. I loved my whole experience at Bayona, and you will too.
(5)Tasmin R.
Just ok. Don't listen to the hype on Yelp and then maybe you'll really enjoy the meal. The whole experience was not bad, but it was not amazing either. Fiancé was served out of date beer and my cocktail had a tacky straw in it. If you like pig products then you'll probably love their menu. Server was v knowledgeable on the menu. All in all though, not worth the price tag or the 10pm slot.
(3)Helen V.
Me | Bf App: Scallops | Veal Sweetbreads Entree: Duck crepe | Rabbit roulade Dessert: 10 yr. Tawny port | Earl Grey ice cream Tucked away from Bourbon street a tad, Bayona is an elegant way to spend a nice dinner. Others are spot on in saying that it's a complete different atmosphere once you step into the restaurant. It's a small area, but the use of mirrors really gives this place a larger feel than it really is. I cannot describe how great every plate was...(partly because I dined in October, eeks, I've been slow to type). But I do remember the wonderful sweetbreads. The bf got it and I had a taste. I wish I had gotten more than a taste, it was crispy and full of flavor. I do remember the Earl Grey ice cream and how I always wonder if I'll ever experience that flavor outside of Bayona. I secretly hope that every time I visit a boutique/gourmet ice creamery that someone will carry that flavor. Have not found it yet... Why the four stars? Unfortunately, for our experience, the waiter was astranged and left us alone for 20-30 minutes after our dessert. The bathroom was so tight...and with tight space, we heard all conversations around us--even the uncomfortable ones. I do believe this place is a gem and I would recommend it to any one in the area.
(4)Lynette L.
My dinner party group had one of our annual winter holiday dinners at Bayona. The service was excellent and extremely unobtrusive, the food was excellent, and the location was lovely. It was a bit loud in the restaurant, but our group of 10 makes plenty enough noise on it's own, so who am I to complain? The cocktails in the bar before dinner were fabulous. I had one of the special cocktails (something with champagne, ginger liquor, lychee syrup and lemon juice) and it was amazing. I would pay some serious cash for the recipe. I really like the fact that Chef Spicer's menu has two versions, the specials that change and the classics that are always there. It is sad at some places that change the entire menu when you have something you love and know you will likely never see it on the menu again.
(4)Ryan Z.
Bayona is a solid restaurant that I will definitely return to. Many of the dishes have a slight Mediterranean flair, but cooking is firmly rooted in Southern tradition. Every dish was thought out and well executed. I very much enjoyed the scallops - perfectly seared, served on a bed of couscous with roasted cauliflower. The rabbit entree was very interesting - a fried, de-boned leg, a stuffed roulade, collard greens, and spoonbread - and it all worked well together. The chocolate bourbon panna cotta was a great dessert - not too rich, not too chocolatey. The hostess exuded Southern warmth and hospitality, and our waiter was very attentive.
(4)Paul R.
"How had I gotten here?", I wondered to myself. "Curiouser and curiouser", I repeated in my mind as I cited the inquisitive nature of Alice from Lewis Carroll's novel, "Alice in Wonderland". I reached into my waistcoat-pocket and rather than retrieving the White Rabbit's pocket watch, capable of reporting time in an impeccably accurate fashion, I took forth my chap stick and began applying the soothing agent to my arid lips. How I longed to be lounging amidst a brilliant sun glimmering above, setting the water's surface of a nearby creek ablaze with a boundless exhibition of twinkles and sparkles. Instead, I sat alone patiently at my table, staring out the window into the maelstrom as voluminous droplets of rain shattered against the panes, eerily warping my reflection. The seemingly frustrated waiter card, dispatched by the Queen of Hearts, had returned again; his third visit in nearly thirty minutes. "Do you think your other party might still be dining with us this evening?", he inquired in his most tolerant tone. "One mustn't be late for a very important date" I replied, consulting my pocket watch for the last time. "We venture on with my culinary exploration!" In quite dramatic flair, the waiter card presented me with a starter comprised of delicate and flavorful Veal Sweetbreads sautéed with scallions and diced potatoes in sherry mustard, which I found most delectable. My wine, a bottle of 2008 Ridge Vineyards Zinfandel Lytton Springs, was paired and introduced with the evening's signature entrée, medallions of lamb loin with a goat cheese and zinfandel demi-glace. For dessert, I was granted a rich mocha banana torte with caramelized pecans. The dishes tasted of perfection but you see, I expected nothing less of Bayona and its Queen. If the waiter cards had gone to the trouble of painting the white rose trees red in an effort to match the surrounding décor, surely not a single flavor would find itself out of place. The end of my meal brought about a somewhat hustled cleanup effort by three new waiter cards. "Look out now, Five!", one of them cried out. "Don't go splashing any remnants over me like that!" "I couldn't help it", said Five, in a sulky tone; "Seven jogged my elbow." Seven sternly looked up. "That's right, Five! Always lay the blame on others!" "You'd better not talk!" said Five. "If you carry on about, the Queen will have your head, for sure!" Suddenly, the ambient sounds around me began to fade, lulling me into a dreamlike state. When I came to, I found myself within Bayona's lovely courtyard, lying beneath an enormous mushroom. Climbing out from underneath its sprawling cap, a large hookah-smoking caterpillar queried me. "Who are YOU?", he asked amid a puff of smoke. "Good question", I replied. "How very strange the circumstances of this evening have been. I was to meet a very fine girl for dinner but it appears that she changed her mind. Can you believe that she didn't even call me to let me know?". The caterpillar seemed as perplexed as I was. "I do not understand. Who are YOU?" he asked again. I began to work out the question in my mind. "This has been a dating trend of mine, I'm afraid and one which leads to grisly and often nightmarish outcomes. On one date, a seemingly delightful girl attempted to grope me so relentlessly and aggressively, I felt as if I were Heracles fending off the multiple heads of the Lernaean Hydra. Another called late for a dinner reservation on a first date to explain that she had been arrested and requested I post bail on her behalf. One attempted to conceal the fact that she had three children. Don't get me started, Caterpillar, on the one who presented me on our fourth date with a duffle bag full of her intimacy enhancing devices, which resembled Inspector Gadget's junk drawer! Go, Go Gadget 240v nipple clamps!" "Keep your temper", said the Caterpillar . "Is that all?" I pleaded, doing my best to swallow my anger. "No." replied the Caterpillar. "Maybe it's something subconscious about me which draws out these soul leeching succubae?", I asked. "They sense a life force and suck me dryer than a camel's urethra!" The Caterpillar responded. "So, you think you're changed, do you?" "Serpent!", screamed a nearby Bourbon Street pigeon, swooping above my head. "I'm no serpent", I said indignantly. Let me alone!" "Serpent, I say again!" repeated the pigeon. "I'm not a serpent!" I hollered. "I'm a--I'm a--" "Well, WHAT are you? I can see you're trying to invent something!", said the pigeon. "I've seen a great many men in my time but never one with a neck such as yours! You're a serpent; and there's no use denying it!" The Caterpillar peered down at me and shrugged, exhaling a mystical cloud upon my person. "Perhaps you should find out WHO you are", he said. "Then, you may finally be able to answer these questions." "Yes, I think I shall", I replied. "I think we all should."
(5)Brian T.
This quaint little restaurant is my Dad's favorite New Orleans establishment, so we decided to go for lunch. Located a block from the infamously gaudy Bourbon St., this establishment let's it's food do the amazing. The interior is formal, but not showy. I started with some sort of bourbon based cocktail. Reminded me of an Old Fashion. It was good, not great. I started the meal with the cream of garlic soup. The waitress suggested it to me because it has been in the menu since they opened. It was not overwhelmingly garlicky, which is what I had been expecting. Personally, I would've used more garlic, but I like heavy garlic usage. For dinner I had a rabbit sausage and a pan fried rabbit leg with an angel hair pasta. The rabbit sausage was very delicious; lots of subtle flavors. The leg cutlet was good too; there was no bones to deal with. The pasta complimented the rabbit very well. It was dressed with a very light garlic sauce that was much different from the soup. All-in-all, no flavor overwhelmed the others, but they all complimented each other. My Dad suggested that everyone try desert because the head chef of the restaurant got her start as a pastry chef. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I had a hazelnut cannoli with hazelnut ice cream. It was a delicious hazelnut palate take-over. I must mention that the best item at the table was my brother's selection. He had a Nutella tart with Earl Grey ice cream. The combination of flavors was spectacular. I recommend the tart over the cannoli. It was just awesome. The staff is also worth mentioning. They are all smiles; extremely polite and accommodating. Our waitress was very talkative and very well-informed when it came to recommending menu items. At least three of my choices were influenced by her opinion on the dish. I leave New Orleans with a favorable opinion of Bayona. My overall opinion on the food was that it was artfully balanced and delicate. Careful attention went into the combination of tastes, but don't expect anything too loud. Everything was subtle and calm.
(4)Castine H.
Went here on my last night in New Orleans with three coworkers. This place came super highly recommended from our local reps and from just about every magazine and website about New Orleans restaurants. It's a very cute, quaint spot just off Bourbon Street, and such a welcome surprise from its noisy, loud neighbors in the area. It's in an old house, so you feel very welcome and like you;re eating in a friend's dining room. The service was impeccable. This is definitely a fine dining establishment, but without any pretension or stuffiness. Our waiter was super friendly, while still being "formal" enough. He expertly answered all questions about the food and wine list and gave helpful recommendations. The menu is split into two parts: one is the main menu, which is the same nighty. It had about 5 appetizers, 5 salads, and 5 main dishes. But then there's also the daily specials menu, which doubles the menu to another 5 or so choices in each course. The waiter explained nearly ever dish for us so we knew exactly what each would have. I got the Arctic char appetizer from the special menu. It was awesome. It was done two ways...a seared piece that was crusted and served with a creamy delicious sauce. I can't quite remember what it was, and I can't look it up on the website since it was a special. It was so good though! The other way was an Arctic char tartare. So good! Char is very much like salmon, so it was bright and fatty and delicious! The appetizer was light and airy and had just the right amount of food. Others got the veal sweetbreads, which I tried and were amazing; and the Caesar salad, which looked pretty standard and they said it was good. For my main, I also got a special: a pork chop stuffed with Chinese sausage and shrimp stuffing with bok choy and Asian noodles. I was quite shocked that the majority of the items were Asian based. I don't know much about Susan Spicer, but I guess that's her thing. It was interesting being in New Orleans and seeing all the Asian influences. The pork was cooked perfectly. My only complaint is that the "stuffing", was literally a tiny 1/4" part. I thought they forgot to stuff the chop until I got to this tiny piece and then I was just kind of disappointed that was all the stuffing was. The piece was big and thick, and should've been stuffed throughout. That being said, it was all delicious! Others got the Grilled Duck with crepes and the Hangar Steak, and another Pork Chop like mine. Everyone finished everything, and there was lots of happy faces and mouths at the table. The wine list was great. Since we were with the big spender coworker, he got some pricey nice bottles. This made everything better of course. Jordan wine makes all food taste better. :D For dessert, we were pretty full so all shared the Chocolate Panna Cotta. I wasn't very impressed with it. If this had been better, I would've gone with 5 stars...but I didn't think it was anything special. I would highly recommend this place to anyone wanting a nice, quiet meal in the Big Easy! The food was great and it was some of the best service I've had ever.
(4)Jonathan B.
The food was very good (otherwise I would give 3 stars). The service was very awkward and the rooms we dined in was extremely well lit (too well) and had strange wall paper (something I've never noticed in a restaurant before). There are several rooms, so perhaps the others are better. 4+ stars for food. 2 stars for the awkwardness.
(4)Jim B.
Eaten here twice, and both times the food and service was exceptional. The wine list is creative, with more European than California, but with lots of gems. Food was great, and our server was both friendly and attentive.
(5)Randall N.
Amazing. Some of the best food I've ever had in NOLA, which is saying a lot. F Emeril. Susan Spicer and John Besh should be and to most locals are the top chefs in NO.At least these two are actually in NOLA more than when something good is happening or when it guarantees them some exposure and publicity. Cannot remember all the food we had (my main meal there was my graduation from Tulane a year ago) but I remember a few things: sweetbreads were insanely delish. My aunt, who travels extensively, said that hers were the best she's ever had outside of Paris. I was nervous about tasting them since they are a bit funky. (won't tell you what they are if you don't know because I don't want to keep you from them) They were incredible. A slight crust on the breading but soooo tender when you bit into them. The goat cheese croutons are phenomenom. My dad, who is very Minnesota and sticks pretty much to standard meat and potatoes, actually really loved his food. Though you don't know him that says a lot. The experience was overall just very good. If you are a tourist stay away from Brennan restaurants (I love them but for authentic and not super typical Louisiana style food that you can get at EVERY restaurant) go here. You will not regret it. If you are a local go here because it is amazing. In the FQ but not uber touristy. In an old FQ house. Fairly good sized but not too large. Keeps it kind of intimate but not so much that when your server walks up it feels like an intrusion you are so secluded. A little spendy but not Commander's, Emerils or Restaurant August like. Ask for Scott. He's awesome.
(5)C A.
I'm not sure why they're rated so high. Out of all the restaurants we went to in NOLA, this was very close to the bottom. 1. The hostess and wait staff are not very friendly. We only ever saw our waiter 3 times: First, to take our order, then to take our plates away, and finally to bring us the bill. 2. The wine was corked. 3. Two types of potatoes? Really? Did they just give up on what to serve? Also, the fact that some of the potatoes were raw didn't help. Potatoes are the simplest things to cook and they couldn't even get that right. 4. Given number 1, we asked another waiter passing by for a little more bread and were told it would be right out, yet they never brought it or even acknowledged they forgot. Not a very pleasant experience on our trip.
(2)s. m. j.
Friends who are frequent visitors to New Orleans suggested Bayona to us, as we had one night for a great NOLA dining experience. I will need to send them flowers, or at least hand-written thank you notes, for the recommendations. What a wonderful experience: classy, delicious, exquisite! We arrived early for a 6:30 p.m. reservation and elected to sit outside (one word of warning: if you sit outside, wear some bug spray on at least your feet -- some evil insect devoured my husband's feet, leaving ugly bites and distracting him through the whole dinner!). I figured the courtyard would be lovely and picturesque, and it was, with banana trees, beautiful foliage, lovely tables and charming views everywhere one looked. As usual in New Orleans, the service was attentive, professional, never overwhelming and gracious, always making us feel like they were happy we were there and wanted us to love every minute of the dinner. I started off with a glass of champagne, which was the perfect cocktail for a warmish NOLA spring evening. We had reviewed the online menu, which is separated into the menu items of Bayona fame as well as daily/weekly specials to reflect seasonal offerings. We ordered: Chicken, andouille soup Crispy smoked quail salad (OMG! I want some right now!) Duck breast with duck confit crepe Panko-crusted salmon with choucroute (saurkraut) and Gewurtztraminer sauce Mango-cheesecake flan We will definitely return to Bayona and I unreservedly recommend it to anyone looking for a special -- an unforgettable -- meal in New Orleans.
(5)Bill E.
This place has become a tourist trap. Susan Spicer needs to pay attention to the front end of her restaurant. They do NOT honor their reservations so unless you want to stand and wait... I would recommend that you spend your money elsewhere. The table next to us asked if our service was as bad as theirs. This is NOT a good restaurant anymore.
(1)Jay K.
Excellent food and service. Bayona was suggested to me by a friend that is a fan of fine dining so I expected good food. I was a little concerned with the reviews I saw on Yelp about the service but decided to give it a try anyway. A colleague and I walked up at about 7PM on a Wednesday night without reservations. The greeter was able to fit us in based on her obviously deep knowledge of the patrons. Unfortunately we were not able to sit in the courtyard but the decor inside was very nice. The patrons were generally dressed fairly well (with jackets) so you probably don't want to show up in shorts and flip flops. The food was very tasty. I had the cream of garlic soup for starters and a fish entree with a spicy oyster sauce. Very flavor able and well prepared. Their desserts were interesting but I had a glass of cognac instead and my colleague had The Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Tart with Earl Grey Ice Cream and Strawberries. My concerns about the service were unfounded and we had excellent service throughout the meal. All and all a nicely refined place to have a special dinner. I've bookmarked Bayona for a return visit when I return to New Orleans.
(4)howard a.
I have been a Susan Spicer fan since she was at the Bistro(23 years ago). We were at Bayona for my birthday in August and had an A+ meal. That added to our disappointment Thurs. We came to New Orleans to celebrate my wife's birthday. Both the appetizers and the meals were barely warm. We are so sorry but that is management ! Apologies cannot replace the disappointment of unrealized expectations !
(3)Todd F.
Bayona was definitely the culinary highlight of a recent trip to New Orleans. My friend and I reserved a spot through OpenTable and we were lucky enough to snag the last table in the outside courtyard area. The weather was perfect, and the other patrons seemed very happy. I felt as thought I was eating in France or Italy -- a foreign country in which the pace is noticeably slower. I adored the quail salad for my appetizer, and my fish entree was cooked absolutely perfectly -- moist, flaky, and well-seasoned. Service was attentive without being pushy. After a relaxing, nourishing meal, we set out to experience a very different part of New Orleans: Bourbon Street, which we could hardly believe was only a block south from where we were.
(5)Thom B.
Best meal I have ever had in my life! I stayed across the street from Bayona on a previous trip to New Orleans and was intrigued by the unassuming, quaint look. Knowing nothing about it I happened upon it on a subsequent trip and as luck would have it there was a cancellation for a late dinner. In short, best meal I have ever had (and particularly in New Orleans that is saying something). The food was amazing and cocktails spot on. Cannot wait to go back to NOLA and eat here again. Definitely make a reservation.
(5)Ashley W.
I had dinner at Bayona last Friday night and have to say that I was REALLY disappointed with the service and really pleased with the food. Let me summarize the night for you: 9pm- I have a 9pm reservation for 2 and arrive at exactly 9pm. I'm told that it is going to be a bit of a wait. "No problem," I think...I'm in no hurry, let's grab a cocktail. 9:30pm- First round of drinks finally arrive from the cocktail waitress who is running around like a crazed woman trying to get drinks for everyone who is waiting on their table (which didn't make for much of a relaxing atmosphere). 9:45pm- Yay! Our table is finally ready. 10pm- Our order is placed (nearly an hour after our reservation) 10-11:30pm- It takes an hour and a half to serve us an appetizer, salads and our main courses, with at least 10-15 minutes between us finishing a course and the next one arriving. So, once the food did arrive it was absolutely amazing. I had the duck and my husband had the rabbit. The entire meal was excellent. However, the service was so far below par (especially for a pretty nice place), that I'd definitely recommend going somewhere else. The cocktail waitress was the only one who apologized for the slow service the entire evening or for that matter, even acknowledged that it was unreasonably slow. I know this is New Orleans, but give me a break. There are a ton of other good restaurants in the city, so I wouldn't waste your time at Bayona.
(2)Douglas A.
One of the best meals ever. We had a party of six and every dish that was ordered was incredibly delicious. This was my fourth visit to the restaurant and the food was even better than the previous three visits. I look forward to the next time.
(5)r n.
Bad all around! Our salads were nondescript, over dressed, and flavorless except for the quail salad, which was the best plate of the night. All main dishes were over salted and at best, lukewarm, except for the rabbit, which was cold. The duck was so tough that even with a steak knife, (which we had to request) was resistent to being cut. Although the restaurant claims to accommodate special food needs, they do not. The servers were so lazy that they reached over full plates to fill water glasses. stood at the side of the table and yelled, "finished?" Dumped an entire water glass on us. Bumped into each other like keystone cops, which led to screams and curses. This was not only our experience, but all of the people in our room that consisted of 4 tables.
(1)Chad O.
Unbeatable lunch experience. $25 three course meal app,entree,dessert but you can choose three from any course which is awesome. The Duck liver was crazy good and the garlic soup is top notch. One of the best meals I have had.
(5)M J.
The food was very good. However, I did not find it to be particularly unique. The three stars is totally for the food because the service was not good. For an upper end place, I expect good and attentive service. The servers seemed more concerned with the table next to us where the guests were In jeans and ripped t- shirts. We had much better service at pizza places where we spending 10 bux for a meal. We were there for my husbands birthday and unfortunately it disappointed both of us.
(3)Alberto D.
Delicious!
(5)Mandy M.
While the food was delicious, especially the dessert option of smoked duck in puffed pastry with hot pepper jelly, the service was pitiful. There were two servers for 9 tables, most of which were empty until halfway through our meal. One of the servers passed by our table three times leaving dirty dishes (which had been pre-bussed by us by this time) on the edge of our table. I counted at least 4 empty cocktail glasses (between two people) that were not addressed the entire meal!!! While being a perfectly perfect location and ambiance, the service in this big easy establishment likened itself to the big lazy. When I go to a $$$ restaurant, I expect $$$ service. Cocktails were especially yummy (Stormy Morning), although the waiter did border on arguing that I had the wrong ingredients for my French 77... I googled it at the table. I was right.
(3)Natalie V.
Total 5 stars!! Amazing meal and service. The sweet breads are delicious! Everything is cooked to perfection and wonderul! Expensive but totally worth it.
(5)Edouard M.
Excellent dinner with a large group of people. The waiter was fantastic and very friendly. Everybody around the table was pleased with their food (even the vegetarian, which is sort of a challenge in NOLA). My sweetbread was tasty (but not the best I have had) and so was rabbit (a sausage in a somewhat spicy sauce). The bill was reasonable for this type of place. I'll be back if I am in NOLA.
(5)Jodi W.
Food was great, servers were delightful, but we had to wait a long time between courses. Almost fell asleep at the table between dinner and dessert - no reason for dessert to take a long time - both were pre-prepared (not a souffle or anything that would take a long time). And the diners at the table next to us were loud, obnoxious, rich-fat-old-men. Which, I guess, if you are a rich-fat-;oud-old-obnoxious-hyper-conservative-man is fine. As a young-ish, semi-liberal woman, I was pretty offended to overhear some of their conversation (for example: "Chicago is not a real part of America - it is full of too many people like academics and their kind". Not that this is the fault of the restaurant, but definitely impacted my experience.
(4)Denise M.
This was my best meal in New Orleans and if you've been to New Orleans you know that is saying something. The place is darling and I felt completely comfortable dining there solo during a work trip. Every course was delicious but in particular I loved the pork belly. It was outstanding. The duck PB&J was tasty and interesting but I would probably try something different next time and I really hope there is a next time. There is also a charming used bookstore a couple doors down on the same side of the street. It was a fun place to browse while waiting for my reservation.
(5)Lisa F.
Great attentive service, delicious fixed price menu at lunch.
(4)Karen S.
Susan Spicer's restaurant is in my top 3 in my hometown of New Orleans. Exquisite cuisine, with a good balance of different nouveau American/French dishes. The atmosphere and service is top notch. Many memorable experienes here...a relative (who has lived in NYC/SanFran) said this was the best dining he's ever had. The things that stick out in my mind as the most memorable are the diced sweetbreads/potato/beet/mushroom appetizer (yum yum) and the scallops. There is a PBJ-Duck sandwich for lunch that's worth getting, too. Biggest con is that the menu hasn't changed much over time. As a regular, I am forced to go elsewhere for something new and fresh.
(5)He And She I.
Whew! We got really lucky, and scored a cancellation. This was the best restaurant we've found in NOLA, and we can't wait to come back. The food is wonderful, the ambiance is memorable, and the price is reasonable, considering what you are getting.....small dining rooms, quiet attentive service, and incredible presentation and preparation.
(5)David T.
Anniversary dinner was unbelievably great! Wonderful service and the food was delicious. I am looking forward to going back for more
(5)Dan G.
When what I remember from a meal is the subpar service, that's not a good sign. Bayona has been a regular in our NOLA dining rotation since our first visit nearly a decade ago. We've always had very good meals here. It was disappointing this last visit. Bayona is set in a centuries old cottage in the quarter that has a beautiful patio. Since the rain was spotty this day, we were seated in the dining room. We were immediately approached by our server, who wanted to know what we wanted to have. Since we were literally just handed our menus, we'd need time. The menu consists of a page of specials that rotates and the signature items that you can always get. We started with the Bayona Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette and Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese. We then waited what seemed like a very long time between courses. For our mains I had the Peppered Lamb Loin with Goat Cheese and Zinfandel Sauce, my wife had the Sautéed Wild Redfish with Chanterelle-Leeks Vinaigrette, Mashed Potatoes, Haricot Vert. I had to ask for a meat knife before I could cut in to the lamb. Once I did, I loved it. The preparation was unique and the sauce and goat cheese really added to it. A very large table of folks in town for the food industry convention sat down next to us and things got interesting. They immediately took one of the chairs from our table. Then the sommelier came over to fawn on them and probably highlight their well marked up wine list. He disappeared and then returned to introduce the table to chef Susan Spicer. It was a stark contrast to the indifferent service we were stumbling through our meal with and it rubbed me the wrong way. I about hit the roof when he grabbed for the chair my wife had just vacated to use the lou. With coffee and dessert at her setting, I think he could have told that seat was being used. Not cool. Our meal was great. However, the service was what we remembered from the meal and it was the worst we had on this trip.
(3)Ellen C.
I dined here back in April and September 2009. In April it was a 5, September was a 2. My first dining experience occurred outside in the adorable, romantic, and intimate-feeling courtyard. I'm vegan and the chef was able to conjure up a beautifully creative and tasty salad - diverse with beets and other more creative ingredients. The main dish was also amazing, but I sadly don't remember what it comprised of, thanks to the delicious abundance of wine. Dessert consisted of a sorbet of some sort - it was an inventive flavor, but nothing stupendously memorable. The waiter was especially attentive and prompt so that certainly enhanced the experience. When I dined here again in September, the chef conjured up a vegan entree for me and a different vegetarian entree for my companion. Again we were treated to a salad, however this time the salad seemed blandly standard - basic lettuce, mixed greens, some random vegetable shavings and basic vinaigrette of some sort. Although our entrees were nicely presented (refer to photos), they were less than inspiring. Quick run-of-the-meal "Oh you're vegan? I'll just throw together whatever vegetables and grain I have on hand with the most basic of spices and flavoring and we'll call it a day!" It was okay, as in edible and there was nothing that warranted a "ewww," but it was definitely drab and dull - might as well have eaten at some generic chain restaurant where the chefs usually just steam a bunch of vegetables for me upon request. My companion had the same feelings about his food. The waiter this time was more or less "whatever" about our vegetarian and vegan requests and warned us beforehand that we were likely to receive whatever roasted vegetables they had on hand - but I suppose we didn't quite believe him as our first dining experience had been quite stellar. So needless to say, not sure what the inconsistency can be attributed to, but I won't necessarily count on coming here again. EDIT: I had to bump my 3 stars into 4 after reviewing other fine dining restaurants I've been to. I am going to be kind and generous and not fault Bayona for their last lackluster performance - just assume my first time experience is more prototypical and my second visit was just an off day.
(4)The Feisty Bulldog I.
Dinner on Saturday last Saturday night was an experience. Being from NYC, I cherish the New Orleans vibe. We sat for almost three hours, savoring each course, feeling like we were at a friends home. Jane, our server, made great recommendations and explained their signature dishes. She also helped us through an extensive wine list. Although we had five courses, the one that will remain a great memory, was the sweetbreads, don't miss them, they're a long time staple on their menu for a reason. Thanks to Scott and Shaggy, our skilled and intuitive chefs.
(4)AB H.
We loved our lunch at Bayona. I started with a simple green salad with parmesan, which was great; I had been dying for some greens after 5 days of eating out in NOLA. I then had the gnocchi which was AMAZING. My friend had the "pbj" duck sandwich was was HUGE. We finished our meal with a chocolate hazlenut tart was was delicious and also big in size. What would have made it better: sitting outside (it seems sixty and sunny isn't warm enough for them to serve outside), and a less stuffy atmosphere. I wish they had a wheelchair accessible bathroom. At least I was able to squeeze in one bathroom to wash my hands. There is a step to get in, and they put out a ramp for me. I liked that our waitress was friendly, but she was far from professional when she bashed another restaurant in conversation with us.
(4)Joe S.
In plain English: Food was fantastic, service sucks. Appetizers were fantastic, main courses (duck and tile fish) were amazing. Wine selection pretty good. Some of the best food I've had. Period. Service ruined the whole night. They utilize a team approach to serving, which isn't all that uncommon. However, there is something about team service that is impersonal, slow, forgetful, and lacking - at least at Bayona. I could say that the individuals could be a little bit nicer, but that seems to be asking for too much given the following problems: Glasses of wine came late. Water went dry. Requested additional bread that never came. Main entree came literally 2 mins after appetizers. Main course was served when my wife was in the restroom (big mistake). Server never came to check on preparation of main courses - but certainly pushed and pushed us many times to buy more wine and dessert. Service just terrible. Could go on, but you get the idea. Hope the service gets better because the food is way too good to have these yelp reviews coming in at 3 stars or less. I almost feel bad leaving 3 starts but, again, our entire experience was ruined by terrible service.
(3)Edward L.
A good restaurant, but definitely not great. My expectations were pretty high after going to probably about 40 restaurants around NOLA but: - service: excellent - decor: new classic NOLA restaurant - ambiance: tourist loud - wine: good/excellent - food: fair/good Both my scallop app and rabbit dinner were both overcooked. The scallops were tasty but in a spicy Indian curry sauce that overpowered. The rabbit was noticeably overcooked and dry, the sauce again tasted like it had been on the stove too long and cooked off all the flavor of the Calvados, and I'm not sure I've ever seen this in a fine restaurant but the rabbit was served with fairly wilted plain broccoli. The dough pillows on the plate (gnocchi of some sort) were excellent.
(3)JP B.
Fantastic! The food, wine and service was top notch! The ambiance was soft and inviting. I took a first date here and she was impressed. We started off with a ripasso wine from Italy that was reasonable priced. Then we shared the sweetbreads which were perfectly tender and flavorful. Our main entrees was the duck and lamb and both were absolutely perfect. In conclusion this is a great place for a romantic dinner and I would highly recommend it to anyone.
(5)David S.
Ate here about a month ago on my girlfriend's birthday. I privately asked the waitress if she could make sure there was a candle in whatever dessert we ordered, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the entire plate decorated. I thought she said the dessert would be taken off the bill, but either she forgot or I misheard, because the charge was on the bill at the end of the night. It would have been a nice gesture, but the dessert - the Chocolate Caramel Hazelnut Tart - was excellent even at $9. The food was very good overall, but we were there for at least two hours, as it was a Friday night and the restaurant was crowded. I also thought it was a little expensive for New Orleans, so I wouldn't make a habit of going there, but for a special occasion, I would recommend Bayona. The next time I'm in NOLA, I'll probably go back for lunch, when the prices are a whole lot better.
(4)Kelly H.
No doubt Susan Spicer's flagship restaurant makes some of the most innovative food in this amazing city. Her specialty - taking traditional Southern and Mediterranean dishes and giving them a unique twist that sets them apart from the norm. And it's the twists - as well as the near perfect execution of the expected - that puts Bayona a notch above many other establishments. Also, the emphasis on seasonal, local ingredients adds to the experience. A recent visit started for me with the chef's legendary sweet breads - the best that I have ever tasted! I selected the sherry mustard butter preparation - just enough of the said butter to accentuated the earthiness of the perfectly pan fried veal glands (yes kids, that's what they are). A base of root vegetables and mushrooms added to overall excellence of the dish. Really, this was the best part of the meal! Dining companion's Caesar salad was a bit more generic but still a very good rendition of the classic dish. The Parmisano Regiano tossed with the greens was a perfect match for the acidity of the dressing. My entree of Peppered Lamb Loin with Goat Cheese and Zinfandel Sauce was nothing short of excellent - slices of tasty lamb grilled medium rare in a slightly sweet sauce that married with the slightly salty goat cheese - yum all way. Slices of fried potato served with the dish didn't really add anything but were quite good in themselves. The ladies Grilled Pork Chop with Greens, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Black Eyed Peas added a bit of sophistication to classic southern comfort food. The pork chop had slightly smokey flavor and the greens were out of this world good. Also of note is the excellent wine list - one of the best in the city, really. A good selection from a variety of price ranges and includes several interesting offerings. I went with a Napa Valley Rhone style bland that was medium bodied, quite spicy, a little fruity, and an overall good match for the meal. Skipped dessert but the list did look interesting... So, once again you ask where is that elusive fifth star? Well, there are a couple of issues.... Service was a bit slow at first (it took several minutes to be addressed by the waiter once we were seated) and bit hasty towards the end of the meal. Maybe we upset someone because we didn't order dessert? Who knows. Also, as mentioned by others, the tables are a little close together and the restaurant tends to get a little loud. Bottom line: An excellent choice. Ms. Spicer's cuisine does not disappoint! Though is not quite a 5-star experience it may deserve more than 4 stars (so how about that 1/2 star, Yelp?) You will leave a few bucks on the table here but no more than you will at any other of the city's higher end restaurant. Highly recommended!
(4)Fred R.
Very slow, but friendly service. Food tasty but neither appetizer nor main courses were hot when served. Third visit but first for dinner. No longer on my list of favorites.
(3)Kevin H.
Bonus as I had heard through the grapevine that this spot was open for lunch on Monday after festival. It is a tough reservation in advance, and this second weekend they were closed for a private bash on Saturday night, so I was thankful to have friends in the know. Started off with the sweetbreads which were impeccably fresh, served in a lemon caper sauce with cubes of potato and beet, just a lovely well balanced dish. Next up the cream of garlic soup and oyster artichoke soup. Crispy bits of garlic in a dark rich roux thickened chicken stock. The oyster soup was a lovely puree with bits of oyster and artichoke garnished with a cornmeal fried oyster. Great texture and flavor, simple and satisfying. For entrees we sampled the Sauteed Redfish, Fava bean & roasted red pepper cous cous with a charmoula sauce it was divine. The fish was cooked to a turn and all components sang in perfect harmony. I took a bit of a ribbing from Jane and Beth for requesting hot sauce. They jokingly brought me a thimble size bottle of Tabasco, while hiding the ramekin filled with house hot sauce. Boudin omelet was tasty, delicate, fluffy and light. House made boudin was slightly spicy and perfectly textured. Served along side was a sweet potato biscuit as well as a corn & okra saute'. Washed this wonderful meal down with a glass of Cab with the name escaping me. The service and setting were fantastic. High end joint with little or no pretentiousness. Susan Spicer has been here serving innovative top notch food for almost twenty years I believe. Dine here and you will understand why.
(5)Jessie C.
My coworkers and I went to Bayona for dinner last night as they have been raving how it is their favorite in new orleans. If you like sweeter foods, this is definitely your type of place. I happen to like more savory flavors so I would not pick this place my absolute favorite. We started with the scallops over brown rice with beans and bock choy, the goat cheese mushroom croutons. I highly recommend the croutons! They were fantastic!!! It was one of the best appetizers I have had in forever! Then I had the quail salad, which was pretty good. the quail was fried, but not too heavily. There was just enough batter to give it a nice crunch. For dinner I had the Peppered Lamb Loin with Goat Cheese and Zinfandel Sauce. According to everyone I was with it is the best thing on the menu. I thought it was good but could have used a little more spice or something. I felt like all the food at Bayona had more of a sweetness than a savory. For dessert I had the chocolate panna cotta. Very chocolaty but nothing special. Just a good pudding :)
(4)Meghan J.
This was my second time at Bayona - which says that I originally wanted to come back. The courtyard is beautiful and the service is lovely. This night, we had a reservation for a romantic birthday evening. We had to wait for our table, despite reservation, and didn't get to dine in the courtyard. Disappointing, but not the reason for the one star. The evening and service was fine, despite a few quirks with the night and a slow kitchen. We ate, drank, and everything tasted great. That night, I awoke suddenly at 3:30 am ... I have yet to find a delicate way to describe the violence of this particular case of food poisoning. This continued through the next day until I could finally be vertical enough to make a phone call the next afternoon, which was immediately to Bayona. Susan Spicer herself called me back. She was very apologetic, highlighted the freshness of their food, and generally denied that her establishment could have gotten me sick. I ate the Mahi Mahi that evening, and unless it was the small portioned apple and yogurt from lunch, that leaves few options. Mrs. Spicer and I awkwardly danced around small talk of food poisoning and her fresh food and I eventually had to bring up the possibility of getting a refund, discount, or voucher. She agreed to a gift certificate for the price of one entree. This being about 1/5th of what we spent that night and means I have to come back, which I know longer am interested in doing. She could have at least offered to pay for the Pepto Bismol. I am local and sad to write a bad review. I'd really much rather say nice things, and I'd much rather want to come back, but I was incredibly disappointed with the reaction to my illness. I think Bayona can afford to refund the meal that leveled a local school teacher for 24 hours. * Update: Finally received the $30 voucher .... anyone want it? I am not going back. Susan should have been much more generous with her treatment of local clientele.
(1)Danielle B.
Great, creative food with a touch of NOLA
(4)Jay P.
Fabulous , expensive but worth every dime . My only regret was we didn't have a chance to have a cocktail outside.
(5)patrick g.
Overfed, native New Orleans businessmen tend to predominate the crowd and extra-rich pan-Louisiana food the menu. If you want a lush, decadent meal in a lush decadent setting, you got it. Go to Herbsaint for a more contemporary and lighter take on the similar food.
(4)brian g.
the smoked duck sandwich with cashew butter and pepper jelly here is one of the better things i've eaten for lunch, ever.
(5)Zachary A.
Lots of pork, pork shrapnel, and pork drippins: Bayona will make you fat, and you will enjoy every artery-stuffing second of it. You can watch fat people get happy as they dine.
(4)jane r.
overall a very good experience dining here. the service was good, but dishes took a very long time to arrive. the table next to us were seated after us, did not order starters, and received their dishes fairly quickly. we ordered starters, but then still had an incredibly long wait for our main dishes. the other table was gone before we received them. i also have two small complaints about the food. for a starter we ordered the garlic soup, which we had heard was good. i'm not sure if it was just off that night, but there was just something off about its taste, neither of us wanted to finish it. it would have made a great sauce or gravy for meat, but alone as a soup it was a little overpowering. my second complaint was the sauteed spinach served with my main course was so salty it made my mouth pucker to eat it. but overall, still an excellent meal. dishes were plated and prepared well, interesting flavors together. the ambience is cozy and intimate, making for a very comfortable meal. for our better meals during out time in new orleans, we ate here and GW Fins. Between the two, i have to say my vote is with GW Fins for overall better food and dining experience. on the dress code - hard to say. some were business casual, one table was quite casual wearing shorts. that seemed a little bit out of place there. i'd go with slacks being more appropriate than jeans or shorts, although it's not an overly dressy place.
(4)