Cowbell* (#142, 9/1/2010) – 95
Cowbell is quite possibly the best neighborhood restaurant out there. It may help that it is MY neighborhood and like 100 yards from my house. The people there are awesome and fun; it’s a very casual, relaxed place with fun drinks and great specials.
I think this ranks as my top burger in the city (add a fried egg to it for a good mess), but I also love the fish tacos. You can go for more of a meal as well; if so, I recommend the midnight skirt steak with plantains (of course, I recommend plantains with anything). The macaroni and cheese side is also awesome. If you drop in on Friday, you can have the best fish burger in town – Lawrence Fishburger (fun names are good too). I haven’t had anything bad there yet, but I do recommend checking out the specials – they often have some very good adult grilled cheeses, which have all variety of things mixed in. Oh, and the fires! Great french fries, I recommend dipping in the agogo sauce (anything can be dipped in that amazing stuff) and their homemade ketchup. Just solid all-around. As far as food, I’m giving Cowbell a 48 out of 50.
The fun people working and the casual atmosphere are awesome. They don’t take reservations so you may have a wait, but you can sit inside or outside on picnic-table-style tables (sometimes you may have to share a table, so if that’s not for you, might be a problem). I’m only docking it a couple of points because of the limited seating and there are also parking challenges at times. Atmosphere is 27 out of 30.
Service is awesome! Again, the friendly and fun people make it worthwhile. They all seem to really care that they have customers and they are actually there to help you out, and not just to get their paycheck. I’m giving them a 20 out of 20 for service.
Final score = 95.
Dominique’s* (#141, 8/10/2010)
This place was located down on Magazine near Le Bon Temps. I only ate there once, but remember it being good. The chef left to go to Tamarind, which is also now closed. Dominique’s was replaced by Appolline, which I haven’t tried yet.
This gayot website has a great listing of closed restaurants, so check here for Dominique’s
River’s Edge* (#137, 6/15/2010)
This was located on Decatur Street, right on the edge of Jackson Square (facing the square, it was to the right on the corner). It was okay, but never overly impressive.
Capdeville* (#134, 5/15/2010) – 81
Capdeville is an American interpretation of a British social house. It has a gourmet spin on classic bar food and cocktails in an elegantly designed space featuring personalized service and a warm, alluring atmosphere. Or at least, that’s what it has on its website. In other words, I can see how this place can come across as being pretentious. And it took me nearly three years to get over some early issues I may have had with the place. However, after settling in and checking it multiple times, I finally made the call (on May 2, 2013), that this place is in my Top 10. It’s outstanding in all ways.
I have had a variety of food from here, but the highly-rated mac and cheese is excellent, the parmesan truffle fries are awesome, the oyster salad was tremendous, fish tacos are solid…and, the burgers are great. This place has the best burgers in the CBD easily. Maybe all of downtown? As far as food, I’m giving it a rating of 43.
The atmosphere, while possibly pretentious and bordering on hipster, is still great. Last time in, they were playing great music – even mixed in “People Are Strange”! Not crazy loud music though. The set-up is good, a comfortable bar for hanging out and grabbing a bite with a beer, or one of their interesting drinks, many made with whiskey. The regular tables are good as well, not too crowded, just overall good. I’m giving it a 23 out of 30 in atmosphere.
The service has also been outstanding the last few times there. All of the wait staff and bartenders seem fun and intelligent, which is quite a challenge here in New Orleans. They all seem like they enjoy working there and are glad to help out with recommendations. While I did have some service issues shortly after they opened, I see no problems now. I’m going 15 out of 20 on service (only docking points on principle from the early experiences).
Final score = 81; I believe my top score since I started with the point system. And on that note, I think I have to go back now, because I’m starving.