Bourbon Street Bar and Grille: New Orleans State of Mind in New York

Posted by Sharon Feiereisen, Monday, July 21, 2008 at 10:00 AM by Sharon Feiereisen

I took the above photograph yesterday when I had dinner at Bourbon Street Bar and Grill – hard to believe that the restaurant is in the heart of NYC on 46th between 8th and 9th!

Bourbon Street has totally re-created New Orleans’s French Quarter by retrofitting a restaurant row building into a perfect replica of a Bourbon Street establishment and by assembling a perfect team to provide amazing New Orleans food (alligator and all!), beverage, and service (super-friendly and knowledgeable).

The bi-level restaurant features wrought iron railings, seating on the outdoor slate-tiled front patio, an “alligator butler” mascot over an expansive bar on the main floor (there is a second bar on the upper floor), gas-burning lanterns, and outdoor balcony seating overlooking the street. To create the bi-level restaurant, the owners conserved some of the original bricks and doors of the centuries’ old building, while also adding reflections of Louisiana with chandeliers that evoke Mardi Gras beads, black checkerboard floors, and a Fleur de lis motif that extends from the hand-painted walls to the details on the tobacco colored-dining room chairs.

The kitchen is under the direction of Executive Chef Tommy Hines, whose photo I snapped above! The beverage program is overseen by general manager Mehmet Yolac who selected an impressive list of approximately 60 rare bourbons and special spirits, as well as the wine list, which though limited to 20 bottles, manages to offer something for everyone ranging from a world list including a Riesling, a Viognier, Chardonnays as well as a Pinot Noir, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Temperanillo. As for cocktails, they’re prepared by veteran mixologist Allen Boyd and you’ll find all the New Orleans classics as well as some inventive interpretations including the Hurricane, which is a well-balanced mixture of fresh passion fruit and orange juices with light and dark rum and a touch of grenadine.

As for my meal I started-off with the tomato and mozzarella salad ($10), which was absolutely delicious and I paired it with Pinot Grigio, Stellina Si Notte Fruili, Italy ’06 ($9/glass or $35/bottle).

For my main course I had steak and shrimp paired with carrots and haricots verts ($35). The meat was perfectly cooked (medium-rare, like I requested), and the vegetables were wonderfully seasoned. The shrimp were a bit too spicy for me so I couldn’t eat them, which was unfortunate because minus the pepper they were wonderful! I paired this course with Pinot Noir, Echelon, Central Coast CA, ’05 ($12/glass or $42/bottle).

Lastly I had the Dark Chocolate Tort (my brother took a bite before I could snap the picture!). It was a perfect cap to a wonderful evening. Bourbon Street is ideal for pre- or post-Broadway show grub or for a casual drink in a fun and lively atmosphere.

Bourbon Street Bar & Grille is located at 346 West 46th Street (between 8th and 9th Aves.), 212-245-2030, and is open Sunday-Wednesday, 11am-1am, and Thursday-Saturday from 11 am-2am. Brunch is available Saturday and Sunday from 11am-4pm. www.bourbonny.com