Wreck of the Channel Bandit
November 25, 2015
Shoppers urged to be safe on Black Friday
November 25, 2015
The email notification promised “Lightning Lunch: 15 minutes or less or item is FREE.”
Copelands of New Orleans had me at lunch.
A longtime favorite for brunch and dinner, Copelands is the perfect alternative for business meetings or gatherings in search of a white tablecloth experience. The diverse menu and luscious desserts – cleverly displayed near the restaurant’s entryway – will please virtually any palate. And the upscale motif-deep wooden partitions, soft lighting and multi-level dining room – and southern hospitality make Copelands a great fine dining experience.
On this particular visit, my guest and I were immediately seated. Our waitress quickly took our drink orders and offered to guide us through the new menu. To begin the meal, we shared the Spicy Crawfish Cheese Fries ($9.99). An ample plate of thick garlic butter fries covered with crawfish gravy, spicy pimento cheese, melted mozzarella and green onions, the dish is a really messy, cheesy, gooey comfort food. The spice is enough to add to the enjoyment of the appetizer, but is not overbearing. Be warned: the appetizer is way larger than the lunch entree, so either plan to share it with several guests or be prepared to leave with a go-box. We opted on the latter.
For lunch, my guest ordered the Tomato Basil Chicken ($8.29), while I enjoyed Copelands’ traditional Red Beans and Rice with Andouille Sausage ($6.99).
The grilled chicken dish is served over angel hair pasta, tossed with plum tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil and a touch of garlic butter and parmesan cheese. Best described as a fresh, bright, simple meal, the basil was the real star of the dish, according to my guest. More chicken would have really made the meal, though.
As for my lunch, no one cooks beans and sausage better than Copelands.
Thick and creamy with a slice of the perfectly grilled Andouille, each bite leaves you wanting more. Add the fluffy, tasty biscuit and you’ve got a winner.
For dessert, we shared a slice of Chocolate Fudge Brownie Cheesecake ($7.99). It consists of a decadent slice of creamy Creole-style cheesecake on a pecan crust, the cake was drizzled with a rich chocolate sauce and sprinkled with brownie crumbs then topped with whipped cream. The variety of textures and sweet/tart combo of the cheesecake is a dessert lover’s dream. An enjoyable end to the meal, dessert is best shared… otherwise plan to leave with a tummy ache.
Copelands’ new fall menu promises more Creole favorites, including duck, Andouille and shrimp gumbo. And we promise to return soon to test them all.
