Jacques Imos, Green Goddess, Madrid report

[jodyrah]

We were undecided as to whether or not we wanted to do our usual Fri. night at Emeril's. Called for last minute resv. and were unable to get in till 9:30. Instead, we took our son and his gf to JACQUES IMOS.

IMO JI is generally a bad idea. I like their fried chicken (period). I can't remember the last time we actually waited for a table anywhere. We just go elsewhere. Should have passed . After about 1 1/2 hours and several overly sweet margaritas, we were seated. We should have taken the 9:30 at Emeril's.

The food was typical JI, (which is why we've only been once post K). The fried chicken was not nearly as good as either my son or I remembered. Godzilla meets fried green tomato had a unappealing sweetness. Redfish was deemed fair. For apps we had some sort of fried eggplant ball with crab dressing and the alligator cheesecake. These were the best selections of the night.

Sat. lunch was at the GREEN GODDESS. We enjoyed trying the creative plates. My husband really liked the food. My son and I were less impressed. Although nothing was bad, we had nothing that would bring us back.

Crabmeat/cheese on ciabatta w/ slaw: I thougt it was bland and the cheese just gummed it up. My husband liked it and said the slaw was quite good.

Lentil pancake w/tamarind: the dish was well prepared and huband thought the tamarind was perfect with it. Son and I did not care for the flavors.


Shrimp and grit cake: Good bbq shrimp , a little on the salty side (and I like salt). I liked the grit cake instead of the usual grits.

Crawfish cakes w/wasabi caviar: Generous amount of caviar imparted too much of a lime flavor. We all thought the cakes were ok.

Black rice pudding w/mango sauce: nice presentation. The rice pudding was firm...you could have used a fork. It was not sweet enough for any of our taste. My son likened the flavor to Japanese uzuki (sp?)beans. The mango sauce was quite nice and helped with the sweetness.

Sat. dinner, MADRID. This was by far the highlight of our weekend dining. An unexpected surprise and so good, were they open Sunday, we'd have gone back. They don't have a liquor license yet so BYOB.

There were a couple of empty tables around 7. It filled up quickly and stayed that way. Mostly older, well dressed clientele.

They seemed to have only 2 servers running like crazy with the manager scurrying about as well.

Hot bread with garlic butter comes in waves throughout the meal.

Apps:

2 orders of mussels steamed with onions and chorizo. Perfectly cooked, tender and flavorful.

Tomato bread: 4 pieces, a softer bruschetta topped with a generous portion of Serrano, atop garlicly minced tomatoes. Very good. We ordered another.

Gazpacho: refreshing but slightly bitter.

Garlic shrimp: Nice size , perfectly cooked, garlicly shrimp with added zip from a couple of chilies. Served piled in the center of the plate surrounded by a delicious broth.

Paella comes for 1 or 2. We were 4. Waitress suggested for 3 and we had extra. We had the combination of seafood (shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari) with chicken and chorizo. This was simply wonderful. The only addition I would make would be a few chilies, which I will request next time. My husband is not a fan of paella and he was wowed. His comment was "Lola's, done right". All this came to about $120 pre tip. A bargain.

[Schuarta]

Enjoyed you report. Good Paella and good Gazpacho not found everywhere. Where is Madrid located?

[buzd]

Madrid is in Lakeview on Harrison right off of Canal Blvd (on the City Park side).

[jodyrah]

300 Harrison, City Park sid,, 2 blocks before Westend. Yellow builiding on the corner.

[Schuarta]

Got it. Thanks.

[jodyrah]

Don't know why I said yellow building, (brain cramp?). It's the sign and the dining room that are yellow. Sorry.