Jewel of the South — Restaurant in New Orleans

This is what modern southern hospitality cumulated in its highest form looks like! Jewel of the South is - well a true gem! On all individual accounts: food (soulfully rich yet well balanced and exciting all at the same time) 5/5, drinks 5/5 (innovative, tasty, & hits the right spot with shoutout to fun cultural references - actually this applies to food dishes too, lol); and of course, customer service 5/5 where just amazing. So so when you put these factors altogether, Jewel of the South is. Just. Fantastic! Specifically, Kendall & Annie were absolutely wonderful. I’m super grateful to Kendall for her flexibility & letting me schedule a late night dinner [due to work & travel conflicts] + Annie and the kitchen staff really brought meaning into what I call modern southern hospitality. The Jewel of the South team seriously balanced food recommendation + execution (visual & olfactory presentation, timeliness from order to tabling time flavor & texture balance - a lovely richness of creaminess or sauciness or bolder flavors paired with with good acidity, flora (veggie or fruit) or well yet tenderly & moist cooked protein). Annie worked miracles - I confess I came in close to the last ordering time, so we had a quick discussion of my go to food & libation & appetizer size preference & Annie seemed to know me so well even after just an abbreviated food discussion: I went with most of her top recs for me and l. Am. So. Glad. I. Did. I got the Celeraic (creamy yet refreshing + healthy with their take celery root + fun whimsical flora including pickled grapes). It may be Southern cuisine with more decadent takes on meals but chefs at Jewel of the South know how to balance unctuousness with acidity & aromatic alliums (also I virtually loved just seeing that pop of green on my dishes so it’s not a sea of monotonous color- really helps to brighten up & also whet the appetite visually). I also got the snapper with allium & I usually don’t like white fish (my go to is salmon), but this was so well put together (again balance was key)- I would hands-down order it again. And drinks + dessert were just great: I got the gingersnap pina colada (a bolder but well balanced sweet drink w/ strong rum) + Eccles cake (the honey spiced raisins fruit party + stilton cheese was such a lovely pairing of sweet & savory, and coffee w/ brandy cocktail - super smooth with delicate foam that thoughtfully & ergonomically helps minimize spills over the edge + cute yet minimal coffee bean decorations & the glass vessel in came in was just perfect - it was an easy to hold mini-v glass since I detest martini glasses that spill easily. The only thing I wouldn’t order again is the Parkin - mind u, it’s not bad - just not a home run & to be fair this one’s on me: Annie had recommended Eccles based on my preferences I shared but I thought Parkin also sounded cool & had to try it out. (Btw, did I mention food & drinks came out relatively fast while looking & tasting spot on?! This is really not an easy feat so huge Kudos to JotS!) So to recap: if u want a solid, well-balanced dining & drinking experience in NOLA, I would hands down...

I was disappointed in a handful of things. You get exactly what you order, albeit a miniature version of your expectation. Things were tasty - but at some point you look at each other and wonder if this is a tasting menu, or should we order some bread or do we actually need act on the oft repeated joke; to go home via McDonalds after this?

Foods are not introduced as they arrive. When you order several small plates they take a little guesswork to figure out what you're having at any given time. There's no chatter about the recipe or the ingredients.

Bone marrow comes without bread. It's a large marrow bone cut lengthwise and after scraping marrow there's.. nothing to put it on. You just dissect it there, leave the wonderful grease in the marrow and wonder what was going on. I asked for some bread and they only had a spongy concoction under name focaccia, but which resembled cornbread and did not hold it's shape for buttering with marrow.

The fact that focaccia was the aforementioned sponge was saddening. I'm sure they know what focaccia looks like.

There should've been things on the menu or brought to the table that would've showcased some affection towards the customer. But everything was the bare minimum and less than expected.

Foie gras was served with cinnamon and prune toast which was overwhelmingly gingerbready and the poor foie gras was lost forever.

Tripe was great but really, three little thumbnail sized triangles? Why even bother? I do fine dining, I understand plating, but if you go this route, you need to offer frequent amuse bouche or rustic bread or ANYTHING to keep the despair from sinking in.

We did get an amuse bouche in the middle, which was supposedly ham hock and gelee but tasted a lot like headcheese. It was not good and instead of an amuse bouche which would be served at the beginning to give you a bit of a early peek of what's to come, it seemed to be a failed experiment that just needed to go. Why would it come in the middle? It was truly a bad dish. Please experiment but sometimes accept the losses and bin the dish.

And the saddest part was that none of the decent dishes made me want to order more of them. I soon as just left disappointed.

Dessert malted almonds and chocolate cake/mousse was nice but again, a...

Jewel of the South is an absolute delight nestled in the heart of New Orleans. From the moment we stepped into this charming establishment, we knew we were in for a memorable experience. The restaurant's quaint outdoor garden, adorned with vibrant flowers and cozy seating, added a touch of enchantment to our evening.

The food at Jewel of the South is nothing short of exceptional. Each dish was a work of art, beautifully plated and bursting with flavors that danced on our palates. The attention to detail was evident in every bite, and it's clear that the talented chefs behind the scenes are passionate about their craft. Whether you're a seasoned foodie or simply looking to indulge in a culinary adventure, this place will undoubtedly satisfy your cravings.

To accompany our meal, we had the pleasure of trying several cocktails, and they were a true highlight of the evening. Each drink was meticulously crafted, showcasing a delightful balance of flavors and innovative combinations. The mixologists at Jewel of the South truly know their craft and take pride in delivering a memorable drinking experience.

Beyond the food and drinks, the service was impeccable. The staff members were attentive, friendly, and genuinely passionate about ensuring our visit was extraordinary. From their warm greetings to their insightful recommendations, they went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and taken care of throughout the entire evening.

Jewel of the South embodies the spirit of New Orleans with its irresistible charm, exceptional cuisine, and inviting ambiance. It's a place where you can escape the bustling streets and immerse yourself in an oasis of delectable flavors and delightful surroundings. Whether you're visiting the city or a local seeking a remarkable dining experience, make sure to add Jewel of the South to your list of must-visit destinations. Trust me, it's an experience you won't...