Jewel of the South: A Top 50 Bar in the World, Right in New Orleans

I’ve been working from home (WFH) in NOLA lately, and I ate at Jewel of the South two days in a row—it’s so easy to get a reservation, which is a huge plus! Food: Even Better Than the Drinks Let’s start with the star of the show: the food. It’s way more impressive than the cocktails (and the cocktails are still good!). For context, as someone coming from New York (where $15 drinks are the norm), I was shocked that their cocktails average just $15 here—total steal for a top-tier bar 🍹! Here’s a breakdown of what I tried: Hamachi (Yellowtail Sashimi) 🐟: Super creative! They added pomegranate seeds, which gave the fresh fish a sweet, juicy crunch—such a fun twist on classic sashimi. Foie Gras Mousse 🐦: It tastes exactly like rich, creamy foie gras mousse (no surprises there!), but it’s a little salty—paired with the warm toast they serve on the side, it’s perfect. The saltiness cuts through the richness, and the toast adds a nice textural contrast. French Toast 🍞: Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside—total comfort food. And the best part? They’ll bring you extra toast if you finish the first serving—no extra charge! : “Brain-Looking” Giant Dumpling 🥟: It’s ugly (seriously, it looks just like a brain 🧠), but so delicious! We ordered it twice—though there was a catch: the first time, it was stuffed with tons of shrimp, but the second time, there was barely any filling inside. A little inconsistent, but still worth trying for the first bite alone. Wagyu Beef Tongue 🥩: It’s decent, but not my favorite. The sauce was a bit too salty, and I’m not a huge beef tongue fan to begin with—skip this if you’re not into tender, chewy meats. Special—Grilled Hamachi Cheek 🐠: Highly recommended! I didn’t ask the price when I ordered (I was worried it’d be a “price trap” for specials), but it was only around $40—and the portion was huge! The hamachi cheek was tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection—easily one of the best dishes I had there. Gooseberry Dessert 🥧: It’s not bad, but incredibly sweet. After eating it, my low blood sugar shot right up—I felt like I could march back to New York in one go (okay, maybe an exaggeration, but it was that sweet! 😂). Cocktail Recommendations (For Light Drinkers) I prefer cocktails that aren’t too strong, and these three were my favorites: FEAST OF AVALON: Smooth, fruity, and not overpowering—great for sipping while you eat. STICKY RICE COLADA: Creamy and tropical, with a hint of rice flavor—like a lighter, more interesting piña colada. FRENCH 75: A classic, but they make it perfectly here—bubbly, citrusy, and just the right amount of alcohol. #NOLA #NewOrleans #Louisiana