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Backstrap wrote:First, it's the chef's bar (with barstools), not a table. About 8 seats that looks into the open kitchen. Quite a show. A waiter comes and you order off the regular menu, usually with the tasting menu included as an option. It's at least a 2 1/2 hour minimum experience. Just call and ask for it. It's first come, first served. Great experience (one night we were there Emeril was in the kitchen, all PO'd. Everyone there was uptight. Not a good time to be at the bar, but still interesting.) Wine list is very good.

I ate at the chef's table at Emeril's last year. We didn't sit on barstools looking into the open kitchen. We sat at a 4 top IN the kitchen right next to where the breads and desserts were being made, with a perfect view of all the cooking and filling of orders. We watched the chef check plates before they left the kitchen. He sent a few things back which didn't comply with special instructions of the diner. The bar with the stools is actually in the main dining room.

We made a few requests of items we wanted included in our tasting and he accommodated us. He brought about 5 very generous courses and a huge dessert array, which could have fed 8, easily. He explained each dish in great detail, answered any questions we had and spent much more time with us than expected. He was very personable. The food, service and chef were all outstanding. I'm trying to set this up again, right now, as a matter of fact.

I have no idea what the cost was, but I do recall that the person treating us was surprised that it wasn't more than what it was. We didn't ask the cost before going. It wasn't an issue.

This is up there as one of my favorite dining experiences. I highly recommend it.

You are referring to the "food bar" at Emeril's. The "chef's table" is a table in the kitchen located behind the frosted glass panel. As per receptionist, arrangements are made directly with the chef. We had previously asked for the "tasting menu" and were told they are no longer doing one.

Damn, with all of the confusion with this "chefs table", this might be one of the best kept secrets in all of the dining scene in N.O.

This is starting to look like the children's game telephone.

Btw Shep. Thanks for the nice review.

jodyrah wrote:You are referring to the "food bar" at Emeril's. The "chef's table" is a table in the kitchen located behind the frosted glass panel. As per receptionist, arrangements are made directly with the chef. We had previously asked for the "tasting menu" and were told they are no longer doing one.

Then that has to be the crapiest table in the place. The "chef's bar" is a great place to view the kitchen. Ask the waiter for the tasting menu if it isn't included in the the menu offering, you'll get one.

BTW, this "glass panel," how in the ^%&$ would that add to the atmosphere?

Backstrap wrote:Then that has to be the crapiest table in the place. The "chef's bar" is a great place to view the kitchen. Ask the waiter for the tasting menu if it isn't included in the the menu offering, you'll get one.

BTW, this "glass panel," how in the ^%&$ would that add to the atmosphere?

I've eaten at Emeril's "chef's bar", and it is, indeed, a unique experience. I especially liked it when the chef would just wander over and put something on your plate for you to taste.
The "chef's table" on the other hand, is designed to be separated from the rest of the diners. The opaque glass panel is just there to make the dining experience a bit more private from the dining room, and to more closely associate the diner with the kitchen environment.

Backstrap wrote:Then that has to be the crapiest table in the place. The "chef's bar" is a great place to view the kitchen. Ask the waiter for the tasting menu if it isn't included in the the menu offering, you'll get one.

BTW, this "glass panel," how in the ^%&$ would that add to the atmosphere?

The table in the kitchen is the hardest table to get in both Emerils and Commanders, so apparantly someone likes the experience.
I am not sure I would appreciate it with the lights that bright and the noise, but I bet it would be a neat experience to try once.

Backstrap wrote:Then that has to be the crapiest table in the place. The "chef's bar" is a great place to view the kitchen. Ask the waiter for the tasting menu if it isn't included in the the menu offering, you'll get one.

BTW, this "glass panel," how in the ^%&$ would that add to the atmosphere?

Just because you make an erroneous statement, it does not require you to make another in defense of it. If the view would have been that great from the Chef's bar, you would have noticed a beautifully set table with candles, surrounded by people having a great time on most nights. For the record, we were having such a good time at the "crapiest" table in the place I did not notice the glass panel. I guess you would have to say it neither added nor took away from the experience.