| Address | 901 New York Ave., Washington, DC 20001 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Mon-Thu; 11:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Fri; 5:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Sat; 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Sun |
| Phone | (202) 408-8848 |
I have to say that the brunch at Acadiana was amazing. I've always been impressed by the owners of Ten Pehn, Ceiba, and DC Coasts' service and quality of food, but this was absolutely to die for. First and foremost, it was for a birthday party, which I told them upon making the reservation. Because we had such a large group, they gave us this semiprivate room towards the back of the dinning room that allowed us to enjoy the ambiance, but not disturb too many other people around. They went as far as to print a special happy birthday menu for the birthday boy.
We were incredibly impressed by the service. Not only was our server and team friendly, but they were also stealth servers as my boyfriend pointed out that they refolded every napkin when a person left for the restroom. The portions were more than adequate and we were very pleased with the value. I had the eggs sardou, which I would much prefer to Brennan's any day (sorry NOLA) and the charbroiled parmasan garlic oysters were a real treat and we were really surprised to be served a half dozen. It was just all around incredible. If I had to pick on one thing, I would say that I've had better desserts in New Orleans, so the pastry chef left a little to be desired, but not enough to deter me from highly recommending this restaurant to anyone that loves upscale southern cooking!
My DC Restaurant Week dinner at Acadiana was lovely. However, I found myself comparing it to my excellent experiences at Ceiba and Ten Penh (the owners' other DC establishments) and feeling somewhat disappointed. I'm not sure if it was that I had built up an expectation that couldn't be met, the food was just off tonight, the decor was a bit stuffy, my brain was fried from 102-degree temperatures, or all of the above, but I wasn't as electrified by Acadiana as I expected to be. It's not for lack of a love affair with Louisiana cuisine - having made pre-Katrina visits to New Orleans 5 or 6 times over the years, I have adored the food...from the gumbo, to the crawfish beignets, the alligator sausage, the pralines, the Bananas Foster -- all of it.
Our starters tonight, BLT salads, just didn't inspire me. The blue cheese dressing tasted pedestrian, the bacon was oddly flat (rather than giving me the salty-smoky rush I was looking for), and, well, one struggles to find something nice to say about iceberg lettuce. I found myself wishing I'd ordered some of the other more interesting starters, like the Devilled Egg Trio with caviar. Our mains were more promising. My main of barbecued shrimp was tasty, with a hint of smokiness from the grill, but I would have liked more of a bite, as the sauce was not particularly spicy. My dining companion's main of seafood gumbo was more of a hit, with a tasty mix of fish and seafood and a sauce that had the right amount of fire, though it was a bit greasy.
Desserts were easily the best course of the meal. My lemon-verbena creme brulee was topped with fresh blackberries and an almond meringue that added a nice complement to the tart but delicious creme. My companion's chocolate cake with homemade pistachio ice cream and passion fruit caramel sauce was the star at the table - a beautiful mix of flavors and colors.
The service at the table was superior - the best I've had in Washington (the Capital of Surliness) in a long time - and the house-made biscuits with cream cheese and pepper jam were a nice touch. I also had the pleasure of discovering a new favorite cocktail, when my dining companion introduced me to a New Orleans favorite, the refreshing Pimm's Cup. On what was easily the hottest day in DC in the last decade, it totally hit the spot. It's hard not to adore a cocktail that comes garnished with a cucumber slice. The next time I'm in the French Quarter, I'll have to swing by Napoleon House and see how Acadiana's Pimm's Cup compares.
I'll go back to Acadiana, because I suspect that my disappointments tonight stemmed from a kitchen that was overwhelmed during Restaurant Week. I know that this team's kitchens are capable of producing some religious experiences on a plate.
I dined at Acadiana this past January for my girlfriend's birthday. It was even more of a treat being that it was Restaurant Week, even though in hindsight the savings wasn’t earth shattering. Nonetheless, the experience was a memorable one. We arrived a little early for our reservations so we trekked to the bar and both enjoyed their signature "Louisiana Purchase" drinks. Initially it was a bit strong for my taste but after letting it settle, as I continued the drink it was absolutely refreshing. Shortly thereafter my girlfriend and I were seated and to our surprise she had a specialized "Birthday Menu." She was definitely delighted. The service was very nice. Our server was rather familiar with the menu and had some great recommendations. For the main course I indulged and had the Pan Crisped Roasted Duck which was so succulent and enormous that I had the rest for dinner the next day. The collard greens and dirty rice was a nice touch to the slightly sweet glazed duck. My girlfriend enjoyed the New Orleans Style BBQ Shrimp which she enjoyed immensely. Overall the meal was very satisfying and I look forward to dining there again. I will have to note that one of the highlights of the evening were the simple buttermilk biscuits served before our meal. It was nicely paired with a mixture of sweet pepper jam and cream cheese and all I can say is that they were Mmmm, Mmmmm, Good!!! The pairing was off the beaten path of traditional mixed breads and butter but it truly fit the New Orleans theme and was absolutely delicious. Definitely check out Acadiana for yourself. Between the nice restaurant decor, professional service, and breathtaking cuisine you cannot go wrong.
We went to Acadiana for lunch. The fried green tomatoes were tasty as an appetizer. While the breading was a bit heavy, the gulf shrimp and remoulade were very good. The entrees, however, were another story. I had tried the blackened tilapia on an earlier visit and thought it was good, but this time someone in the kitchen had used way, way too much salt in both the coating for the tilapia and the accompanying collard greens, making them inedible. Luckily the waiter agreed to take it off our bill. But this was very disappointing. Acadiana has a nicely designed space, but when it gets crowded (as it often is at lunchtime) it becomes very noisy and hard to hear the conversation at your own table. The service was very good, but couldn't make up for the overly salty food.
I found the evening at Acadiana an odd mix of contradictions. The restaurant was not crowded and yet my boyfriend and I were squeezed into a table so close to the couple next to us that the four of us finally resolved to enjoy our dinner together.
My beet-and-goat-cheese salad was forgettable, but the New Orleans BBQ Shrimp were truly fantastic.
The service at the start and end of the evening were polar opposites.
I enjoyed myself at Acadiana and the food, for the most part, was delicious. I think the restaurant just needs a couple things to click together.
I would agree w/many of the comments posted by bguerard concering the 'ol "what do ya get for what you pay" issue, especially since my co-diner is also a native of the area and knows this kind of cooking from top to bottom. The food was good, but not sublime or even exquisite. For example, the cane syrup reduction on the duck was WAY too salty and effected the overall taste of the accompanying dirty rice and collards. The service, while good, was not fantastic. The waiter seemed nice, but bored and simply read down the menu for what he liked, not explaining why or why/not he liked a certain item. I have read many comments, mostly negative, about the service at Acadiana. I would concur--while not rude, when you pay over $200 for a meal (tax, tip, bottle of wine, two entrees, and two appetizers) you expect the service to be phenominial. Phenominal it was not. But back to the food. For example, the turtle soup (listed as the real deal, not "mock"), was good, though I still can't figure out what the small, soy-like white, firm chunks were in it! But, I didn't ask, so my bad there. Acadiana's recipe is different from Butterfield Nine's cream based mock turtle soup. Bottom line--would we go back? Not likely. Would we recommend it to friends--probably not. Not for the price and certainly not when there are so many other expensive restaurants in the DC area where you'll get the full, phenominal experience. Acadiana will not be in my top five or even top ten.
A group of us went one Saturday evening to Acadiana for a birthday celebration. In the interest of full disclosure, I must add that the birthday girl was a former employee of the company and we had mentioned as much in our reservation. I'm sure thankful we did! Because considering the price-point, the service was pretty lackluster despite our insider connection. I tell you, I'd hate to see the non-VIP treatment! Specifically, we had completely finished out appetizers and were still holding the menus on our laps by the time our main-course orders were taken! In addition we were not told until it was time to order our entrees that they were sold out of the shrimp, which was pretty big let-down for the birthday girl, who had her mouth quite set for the dish.
Crummy service aside, the food was pretty fantastic--though a Cajun would shudder at "traditional" dishes that hover in the $20-30 range.
The pre-dinner Pimms Cup cocktail put me in a forgiving mood though--and had me back on Marigny Street in New Orleans.
I was delighted to see that the hot, buttery biscuits were served with a small pot of cream cheese and pepper jelly--one of my faaaavorite treats in the world, and a nice homey touch. The apps were all well-executed--crisp and greaseless fried green tomatoes topped with firm shrimp in a slightly spicy remoulade, the duo of beef and crawfish turnovers were delightful (though no better than the ones you can get a Shreveport's annual Red River Revel for a $1), and the gumbo was made with a dark, complex roux, just that way I like it! The deviled eggs were tasty, but chintzy--I mean, seriously, $7 for three egg halves? It was not even enough to share at the table.
The grillades and grits were decadent--the jalapeño grits had just the right amount of spice and the savory gravy coating the thin-pounded veal slices was rich and amply-seasoned.
Word has it that the beef filet was well-cooked, but to my mind that’s a dish you can order anywhere—I know restaurants have to feature a high-end beef dish… but still…YAWN.
We had a selection of desserts, which were all pretty good, but none standout. The Bananas Foster crepes were good, but not awesome, and the chocolate bread pudding was just too dense... could not help thinking wistfully of the best dessert that ever passed my lips--the bread pudding soufflé with bourbon cream at Commander's Palace...oh mercy...that was deee-vine. This was no comparison. The mini-pralines and heavenly hash served with the check were a charming touch, but wasted entirely on us…we were stuffed to the gills by that time. Too bad.
I guess it goes to show that DC is a far cry from New Orleans, no matter how you slice the redfish. And baby, there's nothing like the real thing!
Laissez le bon temps rouler!
Went for restaurant week. They weren't snobby to us for being "cheapos". I had the chicken/sausage gumbo for appetizer and found it much better than my roast beef po boy entree. My fellow eaters enjoyed the fried oyster po boy and the shrimp and grits. Great wine selection and suggestions from the server. Would go back, but only with the right crowd who wanted to eat something different and wanted to pay 15 bucks for a roast beef sandwich.
While not great for large groups (the attractive setting is marred by a tendency for conversation to fail to cross even a table for 6) or for those with vegetarian settings or on a diet... the food was consistently excellent, as were the drinks, and the prices were quite reasonable for what was one of the rare DC meals to compare favorably to a New York City experience.
This place is definitely upscale and the decor is impressive.
the bar is more than fully stocked with imported beers and an extensive wine menu.
Very knowledgeable staff when it comes to food and wine choices. I was offered some tastings when they did not have the wine I wanted.
Unfortunately the dining room can become overwhelming with chatter making conversation with table mates difficult. The portion sizes also vary with different entrees, making one person dinner look "fuller" than another.
The food quality and taste are excellent. I would definitely recommend the tenderloin and the sweet corn pudding. the dessert are delicous without being overly sweet.
