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We will be dining at Commander's this Sunday and it is a special occasion for my group, so I was hoping for some good recommendations from the board on what is hit or miss.

Here's my report from New Year's Day brunch:

New Year’s Day Brunch: Commander’s Palace: Typically exquisite atmosphere and service that you would expect here. We had only a quibble with one plate. I started with an excellent gin fizz. Appetizers were the gumbo for our friend, the special blackeyed pea soup for my wife and the Shrimp Hennican for me. My wife and our friend liked their soups. The Shrimp Hennican was wonderful. The aroma rising from the plate almost made the plate alone. I could have eaten an entire plate of the accompanying pickled okra. For entrée’s, I had the griddle seared gulf fish, an excellent and enormous piece of redfish accompanied by very good sides. My wife had their version of couchon which would’ve been great except that the poached eggs came out over cooked. Very unfortunate. Our friend had the shrimp and grits and reported that they were very good. For dessert, I had the strawberry shortcake, my wife had the bread pudding soufflé, and our friend had the chocolate dish, consisting of an array of chocolates. These were all good, but if I had the chance to order again, I would go for the soufflé. All in all, it was a very nice ending to our trip.

http://www.nolaeats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1209

Just to add a bit: The Shrimp Hennican was the definitive standout and, although the shortcake is a great dessert, the bread pudding soufflé wins hands down.

ditto on the Shrimp Henican:
SHRIMP AND TASSO HENICAN
Crystal hot sauce beurre blanc, pickled okra
and five pepper jelly

I could bathe in the Oysters Absinthe:
OYSTER & ABSINTHE “DOME”
Plump P&J oysters poached with bacon, artichokes,
Swiss Absinthe and a splash of double cream
~Presented under a flaky pastry shell .

and pls do get a:
FOIE GRAS “DU MONDE”
Bourbon braised fig and foie gras beignets with
vanilla cracked coffee beans, foie gras café au lait
and chicory coffee “mist” ...I DIE!

And if you do want the bread pudding soufflé, remember you have to order it when you place your food order.

Try one of their most excellent bloody marys to start....lots of lovely pickled things garnishing the drink.

hungryone wrote:Try one of their most excellent bloody marys to start....lots of lovely pickled things garnishing the drink.

All of the drinks are really good (as is the menu). I like the traditional lime daiquiri - fresh lime juice and rum served over those little ice pellets (like hospital ice).

It is not always on the menu but they always have it..........Creole Cream Cheesecake. OMG....devine dessert.

I have never gone wrong with the gulf fish of the day. My husband gets either quail or eggs sardou. Equally good.

buzd wrote: served over those little ice pellets (like hospital ice).

Maybe I'm giving away my party secret, but did you know that you can buy the "ice pellets" from Sonic! It comes in Pelican Ice bags, so I guess you could get it directly from them, but I usually only buy a couple of bags to use in drinks when we have special "events"/get togethers.

Dilfan wrote:... did you know that you can buy the "ice pellets" from Sonic...

Did not know that, thanks. Do you have to ask for a manager or make prior arrangements? Do they bring it out to your car with your tater tots (hah)?

I recently thought I would treat myself to one of those ice pellet machines (a.k.a. chewable ice) for my home.

Until I saw the nearly $1K price. Owwwwch!

Doctor_Technical wrote:Did not know that, thanks. Do you have to ask for a manager or make prior arrangements? Do they bring it out to your car with your tater tots (hah)?

I recently thought I would treat myself to one of those ice pellet machines (a.k.a. chewable ice) for my home.

Until I saw the nearly $1K price. Owwwwch!

Unless you want really large quantities, you can just show up and buy a bag (or a few) on the spot.