Restaurant August and John Besh

I recently had the opportunity to have lunch at Restaurant August in New Orleans.  http://www.restaurantaugust.com/  It is owned by John Besh and is one of the best restaurants in New Orleans.  Restaurant August was where John Besh got his start - pictured (at least where he was when he became famous).  The restaurant is in an old New Orleans building and is one of the most beautiful dining rooms in the city.  The service was exceptional.  Not a moments wait for anything and very friendly without being intrusive.  This is definitely a special occasion restaurant in the city.

First I will tell you about the lunch and then a wonderful memory provided by a great couple.   There was a price fixe menu for lunch three courses for 20.11.  For a restaurant of this caliber it was quite a deal.  For the first course I chose a roasted cauliflower salad with a cranberry vinaigrette.  It was very tasty. 

Roasted Cauliflower Salad

For the second course I had shrimp stuffed with mirliton and andouille sausage.  There was also mushrooms and a brown butter sauce.  Although the dish had great flavor - the shrimp were on the small side and there were only two.  I know this is lunch - but I like a little more for lunch.  If the shrimp were bigger or if there were three it would have been much better.  The sauce and mushrooms had a nice flavor and the remaining sauce and bits of stuffing were delicious with the fresh bread provided at the beginning of the meal. 

The entree - two stuffed shrimp

Of course, I should not complain because there was still the desert course.  It consisted of a chocolate chiboust with a malted ice cream and salted caramel sauce.  Very yummy!!

Dessert - yes I could not wait to take a bite.

In addition to having a great lunch (although I had to hurry to catch a workshop session), the meal reminded of a special time I had six or seven years ago.  One of the fantastic teachers that I have had the opportunity to work with over the years, Becky Robin, was married to the brother of the original owner of August Robin.  She knew how much I loved food and I asked if I wanted to have dinner in the kitchen with Chef John Besh.  Of course I said yes and it was one of my most favorite food memories.  Of course, this was when he was only cooking at August and had not become uber famous.  We had a table in the corner of the kitchen and Mike, Becky, and I enjoyed a meal to remember.  For each course, he brought us each a different option so that we could try all of them.  I don't know how many courses there were, but we left very full and I left with a special memory.  I will always remember that night and want to thank Mike and Becky Robin (and brother August and John Besh) for that.  I wonder if he remembers us.  I was kind of hoping he would pop out at lunch and say hello.  :)