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Co-counsel bought me a post birthday lunch yesterday at Galatoire's. He had never been, he's not a really foodie (he once tried to convince me to order a Domino's pizza), but I am working on him. He's loved Herbsaint, Ralph's on the Park and Boucherie. So we clear our afternoon schedules and I tell him, we are going to have a liesurely lunch with multiple adult beverages.

We sit down and my waitress immedialtely bring us soufflet potatoes and eggplant sticks. Truly, imho the best part of eating at Galatoire's. We ordered a bottle of he 2004 Morey St. Denis, certainly no extravagance or gross display of affluence needed to be restrained in light of my birthday and the fact that my friend was paying the bill. The wine was very crisp with a light fruit hint to it. I am becoming a big fan of expensive French Chardonnay.

Co-counsel announced he wanted to oysters, so we ordered en brochette and rockefeller. He totally loved the Rockefeller. I am going to take him to Arnaud's to try them there but he wound up eating four of the six, he was so taken with them. Since my waitress recommended both the Pompano and Softshell Crabs, we ordered one of each. The Pompano was topped Yvonne style, which was with crab, mushrooms and artichokes. I usually request that the fish be slightly undercooked here but I was a little too busy explaining to my friend how totally great Galatoire's is. So the fish did come overcooked with a little fish taste to it. The softshells, otoh, were perfect. Crisp coating, topped with crabmeat and a slight brown butter. Terrific.

I finished the meal with a Graham's 1980 Port, which was as close to the perfect fermented beverage that I have ever had and a sweet potato cheesecake that was just ok. I think we were a little full, I might order it again but it just didn't work for me, yesterday.

No need to issue a recommendation. The place transcends awesomeness.

I was there celebrating my birthday too! Got there after 1:30. My first time: I ordered the Sweetbreads and the Bistro Romaine Salad, then the Business Lunch with the Avocado Vichyssoise, Grilled Black Drum w/ Ratatouille and the Banana Bread Pudding for dessert. My beverage of choice was the Roederer Champagne. Everything was good, but I'd like to go back and try some of the things you mentioned, Bam (perhaps w/ JAG?) My fiance started with the Duck Crepe, then got a thick grilled pork chop and a side of cauliflower au gratin. We actually shared the salad and the bread pudding. The pork chop was a bit dry and I found the cauliflower a bit underdone, but the sauce was great with the bread. Everything else was really good. Our waitress was super sweet and gave me a birthday hug. The "gentlemen" at the next table commented that my fiance was "gonna get lucky tonight!" We both did... how about that?!

I am glad you had a great birthday lunch and apparently afternoon as well. I think the B team was working on Tuesday but still it's one of those places I cannot get enough of.