Coterie Restaurant & Oyster Bar — Restaurant in New Orleans

WHEN MANAGEMENT IS THE ISSUE, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM. I was so disappointed in Coterie. Earlier in the day, our guide, Zander, and another couple on our swamp tour with Cajun Encounters highly recommended Coterie for good food. My daughters and I were so excited to go we made reservations. When we arrived, we waited for several minutes and were seated in a back room where a large private party was happening. My first observation was that we were sitting at a table in front of about 20+ stacked chairs (see picture taken after our move). I felt like we were in someone's basement. I even asked if the chairs would fall on us. We were assured they would not. The party seemed to get louder as the evening progressed, drunker and for some more obnoxious. One of the guys was swearing so loudly two of his friends tried to quiet him down and even told him he was being disrespectful to us, upon which he yelled out, "They are not paying any attention to me!" My teenage daughter looked him in the eye, "really." It was our table and the party in the back room. My daughters and I tried to carry on a conversation and play word games, despite the loudness, while I waited a very long time for my drink.

Finally, it became so difficult to converse I looked for a manager to ask if we could move. I saw a woman walk back and forth with the group. She stood there holding the bill folders with a big smile, watching them. I kept saying, 'excuse me,' but she noticed no one else as she stood looking at the group. She just saw their dollars as she ignored my calls. When our waiter came, I asked for the manager, and he said it was the woman I had been calling. She finally came over. I explained what was happening and that my daughters would like to move. She just stood looking at me as if she was confused. I explained again. Finally, she seemed disgusted and told our waiter, now holding our food, "just move them!" I felt like we were irritating her as she returned to the large party.

Our waiter took us to another table and apologized. I saw our hostess, explained what happened, the manager's behavior, and that we were not angry with her. The hostess apologized. We could not enjoy our food, which was very salty. The manager never came back over and checked on us to ask us if the table was better. We never even saw her in the restaurant again. We finally decided to find somewhere else and finish our meal. As we were leaving, two more employees also apologized after I told them why we were leaving. Four staff members apologized and tried to make up for our experience with the manager. They even asked us to come back tomorrow and talk to another manager. They all seemed very frustrated and discouraged. Morale was low.

The buck stops with the manager. She did not care! It was evident by the video looping in the party room the same management group owns the restaurant. After a wonderful day with Zander at Cajun Encounters, his referral was a bust! He had the best intentions and was only doing his job!

——————— From management’s response it’s obvious they don’t take responsibility. Yes, she moved us after repeated requests and while making it obvious my requests was irritating even while I looked at empty tables in the main dining room. Mostly, I feel for the EEs who made it obvious this...

Updated review Returned to Coterie on Monday, May 27th. Dominique was at the bar and Love was doing oysters. Then when the shift changed Vanessa and Eric were there. They were so friendly and accommodating. We ordered hurricanes which were amazing and the 2+2+2 oysters were delicious. We returned the next day during happy and had more drinks and oysters and happy hour bites. All of the food was delicious. It was hot and freshly prepared. Dominique and Love provided exceptional service and turned our bad experience into a great one. I love Coterie! I have been here many times but on Sunday, May 26th we had the worst experience ever! There were 3 of us who got into town that Sunday. We were all looking forward to going to Coterie because we love the chargrilled oysters, roast beef po-boys and hurricanes. That night it was busy and a long wait in the dining area so we went to the bar. We stood for a while because it was crowded but we saw people leaving who didn't order food or drinks so we ended up getting some seats but opted just order drinks to go since it was so crowded. When I informed the bartender we wanted drinks to go she said " give me a minute." No problem...however that minute turned into 30 mins with no water or drinks. (We were later told her name was Jamie). While we were sitting, there was couple next to us who wanted to order food and drinks and offered to buy our drinks but they did not get service either. We started chatting with the guy (Eric) shucking oysters behind the bar. He was very nice and patient. He even informed Jamie that we just wanted hurricanes to go...still nothing. Not even an acknowledgement. (Eric is the reason for the one star for service. I would have given 0) Jamie was killing the vibe and the crowd at the bar because everyone was leaving disappointed with no food or drinks. After about 40 mins we left as well with nothing. However, we said we would come back and try again another day...

First visit to New Orleans, first place we are. Was recommended by the resort we were staying at as a sit down casual dining with options. Located right off of Canal and Decatur. Place was moderately full. Some empty tables but for the most part full. Not noisy at all. It was just our speed. We were greeted as we walked in immediately and sat down. Our server made contact with two waters in hand shortly after we sat down and took our appetizer order. We started with the Alligator bites to give us some time to study the menus. The goal was to order outside our comfort zone and try some of the local food. I was torn between the parm crusted grouper and the fried fish and shrimp. Wife went with a chicken scampi on cajun pasta, was supposed to shrimp but she wanted chicken. Server came back, I asked her opinion and she completely turned me in another direction. She the blackened red fish.....she stated that was her go too meal and a local favorite. Another thing that caught my eye was the red beans and rice but I didn't want it as a meal. Final verdict was, the Blackened Red Fish, brussel sprouts and mash. She was able to bring me a cup of red beans and rice to try as well. Wife had the Chicken pasta in signature garlic, butter and herbs. It was all absolutely delicious. We're not big seafood people but this hit the spot. Brussel sprouts were caramelized and seasoned perfectly, red beans and rice was delicious, wife had never had sprouts and she loved em. Wife's pasta had excellent flavor with just the right amount of kick. It's doesn't say Cajun but the server said it came that way already. All in all a great visit. Service and food was excellent. After such a long drive from the RGV, I'm glad we weren't disappointed. Definitely be back when we're in the area. The only downside to the visit was we didn't have room for dessert, which sounded absolutely fantastic...